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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.

Wonder if McDownhill “Kirk” will still be with the team in the pits as the engineer ?

With the arrival of 2025 and big changes underway, here's a quick look back at how team and rider numbers have evolved over the years. All data pulled from the UCI website (https://www.uci.org/riders/mountain-bike-riders-teams/1V5hGPnEvXzbIqkjU…). The number of teams peaked in 2023 with a total of 184 (128 standard, 56 elite). 2024 saw the second highest number of teams on record with 163 (112 standard, 51 elite). The bike bubble bursting was already beginning to have an effect going into the 2024 season, even with the upcoming Olympic games. The growth in teams from 2021 (119 teams) to 2023 (184 teams) likely...

Benoît trolling us..

Well it's 8.25am January 1 in Sydney, I have a belting hangover. Expecting to see 300 post with new signings, rumours confirmed, ratboy to ride a 3 shocked cannondale. Instead we get Sam Hill riding for his local shop. back to bed

Looks like I'm late to the party since I've been on vacation. Brakes are definitely not easy. Between custom seals, custom tools, and some necessary knowledge that isn't widespread, good brakes take a lot. I would say they are either third or fourth most difficult thing on a bike behind the frame itself, the fork/shock, and, depending on specific design, the dropper. Some droppers are pretty simple, though. Frames are only on that list because doing a full blown production run requires tons of testing and the tooling is more complex. Brakes definitely are not something that anyone with a...