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Stefani?

Affordable alloy? Sight A1 is 6100 € on their site for Slovenia. In 2020 the same model (same gear, Ultimate suspension, 2022 stuff on the 2023 model too!!, Code RSC, GX drivetrain) was just over 4000 or roughly 4500 € at most. So that's a ~35 % price increase in 3 years...

His pov post from 3 days ago still has him on a dvo fork. It kinda looked like he was just holding that Spire in the truck, it also had a boxxer on the front, would be odd to get a deal riding 2 different suspension companies

Did anyone else notice Darren Berrecloth on a transition at the freeride fiesta (in his reels)? With alotta deity kit dripping off it? And marzochii suspension? Seems like it’s about time he get a new ride…. But a whole new program ?

It's not just relatability, it's partly that certain personality traits are a benefit for a public figure. People love loud an bombastic people like Tippie, but he's said himself that he was a pretty terrible person when he was taking drugs, and he was using during most of the height of his fame. Gwin just isn't a super personable guy during interviews and such. there's nothing wrong with that, but it's a disadvantage as a public figure. Gee gets kinda tarred with the same brush. Edit: what i should have made more clear, is that Gwin sometimes comes off as...

Been fun this Silly Season, folks! Thanks for the rumors, updates and behind the scenes info. Cheers!

New title sponsor and a fresh signing for Commencal's enduro team: https://www.vitalmtb.com/news/press-release/Commencal-Enduro-Team-Signs-New-Title-Partner-Les-Orres-Aims-For-Top-Results-in-EWS-and-WC-DH,5033.

Angel Suarez announced as Commencal 100% rider on Commencal Team web page

I hope there's a set on the way to Kye pretty soon. Also..... Kenda prototype tyres!

Isn't Blenki a dad since pretty recently? Maybe his priorities changed. Although this usually comes with an announcement. I'm somehow sure we will hear from him soon. Or the UCI official teams list... @dolface - you are very right, but I wasn't trying to throw shade at any tire brand. Maxxis are the bar since a long time, since they offered tires that were good, affordable and came in an array of options. Hard to mess with that! Of course I would like it that more brands were at the same level of performance and somehow I suspect they are...

Blenki off insta, racing for tumbr

Well the Brannigan thing seems to be solved. Also Suntour finally has a 29" Casting :D

and the whole cathro/pb team thingy

What about angel suarez ? Brannigan ?

Anywayyyyy, back to the team rumors. Seems like the only team rumors left to solve are on the EWS side

You make a good point, but I can't agree with you when you throw Orange in the mix on the same level as YT. When Martin built Global, Orange was already a respected name in downhill racing. Not with the accolades that Global was about to bring them, but Animal/Orange was a force to be reckoned with in the British scene and even on World Cup level and they were Minnaar's first real team. Robin Kitchin, Tim Ponting, Steve Geall and Adele Croxon were on that team. And then there was Royal Racing/Orange, with Rich Barlow and Neil Donoghue well...

Anyone else look fondly back at those halcyon days when it was possible to express an opinion without being classed as a hater?

Well at the end of the day, the riders have the sponsors that they have either because of the results (Gwin had a ton of those), but more and more so because of the following they have among the public. Social media mostly (sadly), but public nontheless. As long as the results are there, the marketing departments can sell products through those, but once the results are not coming as often as they did, the other part becomes really important. The point I'm trying to make? It's hard to have a following if, for whatever reason, the rider, driver, sportsman...

All the Gwin hate is just silly stupid. Why on earth would you mericans destroy the heritage of your best rider of all time? Who of you all knows enough to give a real inside view? Who of you earned money as a professional sportsman? Who of you runs a team? Who of you gave chances to other riders? Who of you did develop products? Who of you was really nice to most people you met at a race? Who of you having so strong opinions are actual riders competing for something? I find you are a bunch of disrespectful...

When it comes to Nico it definitely wasn't "Tier 2 and earnt he big bucks" at all. It was God tier, made for one sole purpose, to get him to win.