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I was hoping hard to enjoy a new season of Loris vs Jordi shenanigans but alas, It wasn't meant to be. My dissapointment is inmensurable and my day is ruined.

Can we give up on the Gwin going anywhere but riding a Crestline this year? The guy literally owns the company (or a part of it at least) why would he be out there promoting other brands in the same market segment as his own company.

Why does EVERY thread descend into tech talk? Ah, cos MTBers are nerds 🤣 By my calculations Cube and maybe Yeti are the two main teams (hard to know with pivot) that have high profile riders that won't get a top 20 team slot. But Balanche, Blewitt, Rude, Harternstern etc. can all race in their own right. So what do the teams do? Trucks parked in the next town?

Yes, something else is happening. All of the following is a guess, but I think a pretty good one. Gates, a company already well known for Motorcycle belts and that according to google, has $830m in revenue but has only dabbled in cycling in the fringes for years is saying LFG. They likely want in on the E-bike market as mixed motors/drivetrains evolve and full power E-bikes ditch derailleurs because lets be honest, traditional drivetrains just don't hold up as well under an e-bike mashing, and they know DH is going to test the to the limits. This is going...

UCI isn't paying squat for the purse. Gates is the MVP here. good marketing for them I guess. It's been awesome to see teams gearing up to go after it. But it's sad that they can't win prize money like that just for... winning a race.

Two observations: 1. UCI could just increase the team total to 20 and 5 alternates, and this would probably accomplish getting those 30 people with points in on some team. 2. At the least, they should have an automatic exemption rule for anyone who's won a World Cup (or world championship) before. Or been top 3 multiple times, for instance. Have one generic team that has an "open" roster, and doesn't need to pay fees to catch these exemptions. The list of folks who could be on such a team isn't that large, and it really shouldn't be a dispute...

I tried to read the new UCI team list on the other site but gave up about 20 words in before my head exploded. So, only riders on top 15 teams can race and 5 alternates? So where does that put Gwin Racing? I mean, the guy's won more WC races than any other American (save Julie Furtado, maybe)...are we gonna get to see him race this year? Did WB fix it so that they get him as commentator only?! What about other teams like "Rogue Racing"? If you're not on a top 15 team, you're on the sidelines?! If...

The immaculately honed skills of the French riders differs immensely from the wild flair of the British riders I mentioned . Thomas estaque and Hugo frixtalon are entertaining skillful riders who are completely different to Benoit, loic and loris and amaury. Those boys are elite racers who have have supercharged wild winning runs but they're not the guys who pull sick whips and doubles when they don't have to . Some of the most entertaining riders in the past ten years have been guys who weren't on the podium regularly and it will be a shame to not see them...

Try 10 years.. Sam was on Nukeproof from 2013-2023 and Sram/Rockshox for nearly 20 years (2005ish to 2024?) Regardless, stoked to see him and some other "old dogs" race Hardline in less than a month edit, apparently I can't count because 13-23 is 11 seasons

With respect Phil has been struggling to be a regular top 30 finisher the last few years. And like Kade and Kaos his skills may be more valuable producing content rather than racing World cups. And that sucks cos those boys really lit up the vital raw , sleeper co. and Ben cathro videos over the world cup weekends. Sad to see the gifted steezy and technical riders are being forced out of the racing side of the sport now . I wanna see some rowdy shit being done on some wild lines not just a load of Frenchies deathgripping...

Talk to the person having having had a relationship with & listen to them, after there is nothing wrong with replying "I'm sorry i wish we could help this round but we can't" is all that needs to be done.

Phil Atwill and the Propain Positive team appear to have parted ways with Propain. Instagram is now labeled "Positive Crew". They're either up for grabs or stepping back from UCI level racing. Hopefully somebody gives them the steam for more World Cup racing, Phil has some of the most unique bike handling skills around.

Not a team rumour, apologies but it’s only 26 days until Hardline in Tasmania and I’m excited 🤘 enjoy your Monday everyone

Quoting because this comment did not get enough upvotes IMO...

https://youtu.be/sEYmp9N__bg?si=Ri1JlUGzxJdL5yxl Some interesting changes for Mr. Hart this year. He’s now running Fox helmets & protection. Dharco supplies his clothing. He also now rides Viris goggles... Interestingly, Danny seems to be riding Hope components (brakes, cranks, etc... ). The rest of the team is on TRP components as far as I know. Do you guys think Norco will have a similar “Uncaged” system as YT?

And its so wicked to see people showing our NZ riders love on the world stage. Blenki , Wyn Eddie and Brook have been instrumental in building NZs mountain bike scene into what it is today. They always showed up and pushed our national series will be sad to see em go.

There's a thing in the UFC where old washed fighters get to throw their gloves in the centre of the octagon and retire in front of their fans . Some of them get inducted to the hall of fame after. When the likes of Brook Blenki and Wyn retire there should be something to acknowledge all they brought to the sport

Brook was basically riding for free last year. As much as I love his riding, mid pack 30+ year old riders aren't exactly hot tickets right now

What about everyone's favorite racer/interviewer, Wyn? Last year he made lots of posts about "his last" Did he retire? I havent seen anything published on that. His profile still says GT factory racing, but uh... that seems to be a no go. Anyone know whats up there?

Wheels are most likely WeAreOne. Hydration bag will be USWE