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I think it's less dropping Dak, more not giving him as much as either Dak hoped for or making some budget for Ronan and Pinky. I have a world of respect to Dak, especially on his comeback journey, and I think he can contend for the win - but put on Mondraker's hat and think about the 3 elite male riders you have : 1. Ronan - Got a win this year, rides crazy (good views), young, redbull helmet, not consistent. 2. Pinky - Pretty consistent in the final top 10, young, has potential, still transitioning into elite imo 3...

As the parent (and primary financial sponsor) of a younger racer... I've consistently tried to get my son to prioritize finding a wheel sponsor. My worst experience was him blowing up a rim during practice at Glorieta enduro a couple of years back and biting the bullet for Rocky Mountain Wheelworks to build up a FR541 for race day and thinking, "Sure, I had to pay for it... but at least he's got something bombproof on, now." Then him denting that wheel and flatting when forced offline due to overtaking a racer who wouldn't pull over in a rock garden...

Just wanted to chime in, and I know I’ve said this here before, but this is one of the hardest parts of being a privateer. Hard to fly halfway across the world with five spare wheels, let alone have them set up and waiting in the car park with rotors, cassettes, and tires mounted. Being able to confidently obliterate wheels in practice with no consequences is a pretty huge advantage when practice time is so limited. The alternative to spare wheels is running too much tire pressure (which obviously sucks) or riding gingerly (which kind of defeats the whole point).

let's say ronan had "stronger" rims or ran cushcore. would they allow him to ride like he does or would they ping-pong-ball off of every rock resulting in considerably slower results or blown lines? would cushcore be heavier and slower resulting in a different riding style and slower time? racing, especially now, is a battle of compromises. sometimes they pay off, sometimes they don't.

It's sad reading nonsense like this. The same wheels won him a World Cup a few weeks ago. Mondraker on the same wheels got 4th & 5th in this race. Mondraker runs the same tires as all 3 of the men's overall podium.

Lucas Cruz leaving Norco Race Division. Good guy who has been hampered by injuries the past few years. Seems like he could benefit by doing the Crankworx/Continental/national races like his brother focused on this year.

Not making fun, joining in the fun! 🙌

..or his contract goes through the end of the year and can't annouce he's off until then

Interestingly, they state it as +1 on the roster - that reads to me as if he isn't replacing someone, so to speak - i.e Laurie will be around next year.

Great signing for the Syndicate! And very stoked for Kolb! I’d expect we see Oisin and Vali announce soon, no reason to wait for Jan 1st if contracts are null and void. New teams will want to start the marketing train now.

Get this man a vital shirt.

He was on a trek ! Went on the lift with him . At the momet I tought he was already on that team

scb insta post

Very happy for Kolb. The Mob riders deserve nice stable teams.

counting down the PB article with their "exclusive" spy shots lol

He kept rocking the YT kit to the bitter end. I’m cool with it but also liked Oisin’s quasi protest and buying/wearing his own gear.

people have stated before that double-O to trek is a done deal and they even wanted him mid season after the YT turmoil began. but YT was shitty enough to not pay him AND won't release him so that he couldn't switch teams.

I’d love to see Kolb on the syndicate, seems like a great fit and Sven is practically their in house photographer. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Laurie moving on, maybe to Atherton bikes? I hope Mondraker keep things as they are and let that team continue building. From a marketing pov I don’t think they’d sign OO when they already have Ronan, Ireland’s not that big of a market.

according to an austrian newspaper andi kolb will present his future plans next thursday. sven martin also said that he would shoot andi with his new gear/kit on monday or so which indicates that everything is signed.

Dak off Mondraker seemed to be a speculation, especially with the YT riders looking for homes.. Dak and Pinky in the top 5 at MSA is great for both of them. Dak's US Open win is a comeback story that could be a Lifetime movie.. Pinky has been trending in the right direction lately.. Ronan is damn exciting to watch because you know he'll be pinned and it will be, in his words, helicopters or podiums.. Hopefully, the team just holds onto all 3 of them..