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Anyone else think Intense is a bit of a chaotic loose organisation. Seem all over the place. Start a factory team developed a bike with tons of different mules end that team. Start another team think it's not owned by them. Supply MS for a season end that. Now they want a gearbox bike. Hard to keep up.

No! we know Vali and she's the champion but its an announcement for Kolb joining the team (look at the top of the picture) why on earth would they put someone else in front of the actual new person joining the team ?

Blenki might not have had a WC result for a while but he’s winning at something. For better or worse the Warner Bros deal really feels like it’s ushering in the end of a classic era for DH.

Danny does seem to have some pretty decent self-awareness. He used to have an adversarial relationship with Wyn, but he flipped the script and now I love their interactions.

Remi on spesh. Ok - but no chance they’re paying him to travel around the world to get 30th on a circuit with zero coverage. I’m not being mean here - just truth. Same with Blenki - guy was cooked (results -wise) 3-4 years ago. There’s zero chance anyone picks him up to race wc dh. On a similar note, Lucas Cruz - has he ever had a result? And Norco is taking him to all the WCs? Again, not being mean - just facts. I think he has a family connection at Norco but there’s no way anyone’s expecting...

Kolb just announced he's off Atherton Bikes...

https://www.instagram.com/share/BAMMX9Dred

We have entered the part of silly season where people float (and debate!) wild speculation that a 42 year old Dan Atherton returns to downhill (last result was 57th at Crankworx in 2018) on a new rubber band bike to chase a $100k podium. Perhaps we need an award for most ridiculous rumor every year. 🤣🤣🤣

This is exactly the type of stuff I come here for; excellent rumor. It would be great to see Oli Zwar continue with proper support, he’s a talent and personality worth supporting. Bonus points for spotting and including The Froth in your post.

Dan wouldn’t even be able to qualify for a final. Being a fast rider at your own bike park you ride everyday is completely different from racing world cups.

Danny was doing a meet and greet thing at the bikepark I worked when he was at Saracen......which they spectacularly failed to advertise. So I basically spent all day being his personal chaffeur/hang out. He has possibly the driest wit of anyone I've ever met, super down to earth and does not tolerate bs. Top lad.

Eh, I have a feeling that two veterans in the sport realize they aren't about to coach each other. Based on how Danny managed on his own with the GT last year via his family in a camper.. Hes probably just looking for a paycheck, a bit of support, and a bike to race. But thats just like, my opinion, man.

not if they install sprinklers along the track and make it mandatory muddy

I mean Norco could have just said fuck it, the team are 90% of our entire marketing budget. Marketing budgets are huge. They can also work into rider contracts that they have to do x amount of photo/video shoots for product. With everything going on with wb and all the team stuff, maybe they are “buying the dip” and saying fuck it, everyone else is getting out, let’s go all in and that will be our marketing plan. As for canyon, yea they are hurting. They also dropped all their “influencers” and told them all they had to send all...

I think the Athertons are pretty satisfied with how the Robotbike/Atherton turned out. Gold and Silver at the Worlds, plus a few WC wins is not exactly shite….

I think their finances might be taking a batter(y)ing.

I'd agree that $150k USD might be steep for Danny these days. But I reckon he's getting at least $100k after some good results this year and his name. This will be the final 'big' contract of his career. Probably a 2-year deal. Maybe $80k-100k base, with bonus opportunity. The reason I think he could possibly be 100k+ is that Danny is a well-loved character, and is a consistent finals guy. Norco is now a full-blown marketing machine and they will find ways to bring his likable personality to the fore and get eyeballs on the brand.

Giant Factory Team is official with Jewett bros and Alan Hatherly on - full PR - https://www.vitalmtb.com/news/press-release/giant-factory-road-team-ups… 2025 Giant Factory Off-Road Team Dane Jewett (Canada), DH Jakob Jewett (Canada), DH Rémi Thirion (France), DH Luke Meier-Smith (Australia), DH Dario Lillo (Switzerland), XC Alan Hatherly (South Africa), XC Jens Schuermans (Belgium), XC Carter Woods (Canada), XC

Also, someone must get to the bottom of where Norco is finding all this money in 2024 and 2025 with the bike market being in the dumpster. Greg, team manager and part-time racer has to still be commanding $200-250K+/yr. Then 6 factory-level riders. Granted the only 'big names' are Danny and Erice (Danny likely still came at a discount, maybe $175k). But still, having 6 full-time riders, Greg part-time. That's a ton of mechanics, travel expenses, etc. And their marketing budget is considerable, based on what they did last year with the videos and design. This fresh team announcement video...

sure hope kirk gets to race if he wants to! his story was one of the most interesting in '24 IMO.