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Big news from SCOTT today as they welcome Benoît Coulanges to the team. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The SCOTT DH Factory is thrilled to welcome none other than current Vice World Champion and two-time World Cup winner Benoît Coulanges to the team. This exciting French addition will strengthen the squad for the 2025 DH racing season and beyond. At 30 years old, Benoît Coulanges is already a force to be reckoned with in the downhill scene. During his time with Team Dorval AM, he built an impressive résumé, claiming two French Championship titles and earning countless World Cup podiums. Known for his blistering...

The immaculately honed skills of the French riders differs immensely from the wild flair of the British riders I mentioned . Thomas estaque and Hugo frixtalon are entertaining skillful riders who are completely different to Benoit, loic and loris and amaury. Those boys are elite racers who have have supercharged wild winning runs but they're not the guys who pull sick whips and doubles when they don't have to . Some of the most entertaining riders in the past ten years have been guys who weren't on the podium regularly and it will be a shame to not see them...

Try 10 years.. Sam was on Nukeproof from 2013-2023 and Sram/Rockshox for nearly 20 years (2005ish to 2024?) Regardless, stoked to see him and some other "old dogs" race Hardline in less than a month edit, apparently I can't count because 13-23 is 11 seasons

Phil Atwill and the Propain Positive team appear to have parted ways with Propain. Instagram is now labeled "Positive Crew". They're either up for grabs or stepping back from UCI level racing. Hopefully somebody gives them the steam for more World Cup racing, Phil has some of the most unique bike handling skills around.

"can’t even make an effort to reply to emails or messages" Is the take away ghosting is a weak mans way of dealing with things. Sam has had many closers with sponsors over the years I don't remember a time he spoke ill of any them after. I'm inclined to believe Sam.

SH: "...It’s actually been super disappointing that many long-time sponsors that I have stayed loyal to throughout my career can’t even make an effort to reply to emails or messages." Damn, choosing to not pick up the phone/email when SH calls is a choice for sure. He's not on top of the game anymore but at least pitch him some gear ffs.

Not a team rumour, apologies but it’s only 26 days until Hardline in Tasmania and I’m excited 🤘 enjoy your Monday everyone

Pivot has a painted one, also seems like the DHX2 is the popular choice for the Yeti riders, meanwhile the Float X2 is the popular choice for the Phoenix.

Yes it has indeed been the worst year of "rumours" and tangents my favourite was: Camile Balanche to Pivot cos there is a photo of her wearing a Pivot tshirt, A post or two later, someone says, you now that's a photo of Emiline who works for Pivot not Camile.

Its a transition prototype, case closed.

Seriously?

Looks like there’s an Orbea DH bike ready after all.

Shiny gold forks

I for one, am fully in favor of the increased availability of silver components (and I guess I should take some pics of my bike and post them in Bike Checks)

What I want to know, amongst this discussion of a UBH, is who the hell is managing to strip their brake mount threads? Good lord. You pull that off, you probably shouldn’t use a stove or knife, either.

It’s a good day for rumors. Confirmations, more teasing, more speculation… I love it.

Aon racing using a oleo strut shock that’s been used on a bike before, made by a tank engineer.

Neko reading this thread confirmed