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You mean Red Bull smartly hung onto him?

Hopefully he takes a year or two to chill and comes back in a media role. James Stewart has brought a lot of fans back with him into motocross. RC’s involvement also brings a lot of interest from sponsors and fans. guys like Warner are the exception (and eso stupidly lost him). Having personalities that can bring their own fanbases to watch events are super important to keep growing the sport over generations of fans.

His interview after his Worlds run seemed to be the most down I've ever heard him. Maybe I'm the only one that felt that? I got the vibe he wanted one more go at World's and didn't want it to end with a mechanical issue. Also seeing Kathy Sessler there, it seemed like she may have been there to watch his last race.

I'm pretty sure that he owns some bike shops back home in South Africa. And surely a comfortable home.

What edr needs most is to return to being a destination series with a focus on quality trails, experience, and a serious fitness requirement that served a purpose at the more remote rounds. It’s fine if a couple venues are regulars and a couple a year are at bike parks but what drew riders, media, and fans a like was that it was this pinnacle version of the sport to aspire too. they just keep dumbing it down into something nobody is interested in. And attaching these events to dh is severely limiting their ability to draw riders, have quality...

Recent pod I listened to with Dan Wolfe was really good in going over history and development of enduro. Dan's idea, which I think is a cool one, is to make EDR enduro two days again. Have one massive backcountry day that served as a "quali" for a more park-focused day that could be broadcast (stage DH racing, basically). I like this idea as well, because you could harvest narratives from the big day that are in the spirit of enduros (Jack Moir fixed his flat by stuffing grass into it, etc..), which you could weave into the broadcast on...

Let's all hope that the GOAT of Downhill can afford to retire comfortably after all these years of being at the sharp end of the sport.

Idk, Greg commentated with Rob on one of the hardlines a few years ago. He was okay, but not great iirc. His monotone and kinda slow speaking voice never sounds excited. He's not exactly loquacious in interviews. All due respect to the goat, just not sure commentary would be a good fit. Subsequent hardlines with Rob and Rachel or Rob and Reece Wilson seemed better (to me anyhow). It'd be interesting to see how Wyn would do in the commentary box, he's another one that'll might retire from racing soon.

The difference is that Peaty spent his whole career helping younger riders with teams, deals and advice. Brendan did a podcast recently where he was saying how Peaty even explained financial advice to him. So he fits naturally into a team in a coaching position. Minaar, while obviously the GOAT and an amazing racer and ambassador, is also known for intimidating or confusing his own more junior team members. It is a part of high level sports/racing, so not dissing him (Palmer and even Bruni admitted to doing this on GypsyTales recently), but it does make it harder to find...

My understanding is that ESO and Discovery are in partnership. Both have made statements about improving coverage for enduro. Both have failed miserably in delivering that.

Considering Enduro was ESO's baby it blows my mind how little interest they now seem to have in it.

For sure it is affecting enduro. There is no exposure for any enduro racer unless you win, never mind 2nd or 3rd. I can bet that there is some enduro racers who will make the switch to DH. Also the end of this season I think this will be the end of two relatively big enduro teams, possibly even 3 with one changing to DH.

Been thinking the same and I wouldn’t be surprised to see some teams/riders that are on the cusp each round of getting tv exposure to go the Crankworx route. Better chance at a pay day but more exposure. Hard to find comparative numbers but the Val di sole semi final had 94,000 views on YouTube compared to 350k for the Crankworx dh at Whistler.

If that is a concern around the Downhill pits, I imagine the enduro crews are having a hard time sleeping.

I need to wonder if the reduced visibility of Sponsored Downhill Racers (thanks for nothing UCI) will affect decisions for 2024. As in bean counters asking team managers "exactly what would you say you do here?"

So on the GM "rumor", if he were to "retire" would Santa Cruz have budget to keep him on in some context? Peaty is still in the fold & seems to enjoy his work. Can't imagine there's room for two of the greatest of all time on as ancillary staff. And if he did/does retire, who do they fill his slot with? As The Hoff mentioned, with juniors getting video exposure...would they close out his Elite spot on Syndicate & fill a junior slot instead? That way they can keep big paycheck Goldstone & Greenland & pay below market for...

No he passed out at Baskin Robbins.😉

You sure it didn’t just look like a session?

Did I miss any news about bad ass Gracey Hemstreet? the norco disbanding thing, etc? One of the best riding styles i've ever seen, hope she's taken care of.

hey all, i made a new forum thread to discuss outside+ biz stuff. sorry i brought it in here in the first place. https://www.vitalmtb.com/forums/hub/general-outside-discussions-topics