Wonder if a trade team could be formed like in travel ball sports. Each racer has to gather $20k sponsorship "donations" each (team doesn't care if it's...
Wonder if a trade team could be formed like in travel ball sports. Each racer has to gather $20k sponsorship "donations" each (team doesn't care if it's all coming from the parents) but that allows them to fund a 10 racer operation for max exposure for a title sponsor or two & to cover the initial economic hurdle. Team provides the on site operations, camps, etc but team riders fund themselves to/from the races for travel. Come together with the team coach at camps only & race weekends.
I get so pumped every year for him because he comes in hauling ass. He does well and all that but he should be a winner by now. Feels like he’s happy enough with a “solid” run. He’s been there and missed out with some bad luck in the past. Just feels like he doesn’t hang it out 100% like other people.
Again, how many years can you go without winning and keep one of those top seats. It would be different in my opinion if he had won when he was on Syndicate and now he’s just cruising.
At least with Norton, he’s dominated his own championship in the past. With all the vitriol said, I want nothing more than to see he on the top step.
-Loris wants F1 so he can feel like he's getting what Loic is getting. Commencal could do that for him. -Loris/Trek has been sour for a while...
-Loris wants F1 so he can feel like he's getting what Loic is getting. Commencal could do that for him. -Loris/Trek has been sour for a while. Loris' 2025 contract likely signed months ago. Not sure there is actually this World Champs clause people are talking about. Reece was likely out of a job or had a small contract offer. Then won worlds, so they coughed up cash to keep him. -If Finn goes to Norco (possible for a lot of reasons), that would open salary at Specialized--might sign someone like Erice Vanluven (sp) to get a super fast woman in there who will win races next year. Betting on her and Loic to win a lot next year and hope that Jordan starts winning again too. -Greg really likes Loris (clear from Wyn interview) so could be ending up at Norco... BUT, for the full F1 treatment, I think Loris would like to be on a local team with Max and all the resources, etc.
Reece did specifically say that the World Champs win triggered an automatic 1-year contract-extension option for him (iirc it was on WynTV), no idea if all Trek contracts have that clause tho...
I get so pumped every year for him because he comes in hauling ass. He does well and all that but he should be a winner...
I get so pumped every year for him because he comes in hauling ass. He does well and all that but he should be a winner by now. Feels like he’s happy enough with a “solid” run. He’s been there and missed out with some bad luck in the past. Just feels like he doesn’t hang it out 100% like other people.
Again, how many years can you go without winning and keep one of those top seats. It would be different in my opinion if he had won when he was on Syndicate and now he’s just cruising.
At least with Norton, he’s dominated his own championship in the past. With all the vitriol said, I want nothing more than to see he on the top step.
Luca won national champs just last year and wore the sleeve this past season.
Podium threat, potential winner, super nice guy. I could see why brands would want to work with him.
-Loris wants F1 so he can feel like he's getting what Loic is getting. Commencal could do that for him. -Loris/Trek has been sour for a while...
-Loris wants F1 so he can feel like he's getting what Loic is getting. Commencal could do that for him. -Loris/Trek has been sour for a while. Loris' 2025 contract likely signed months ago. Not sure there is actually this World Champs clause people are talking about. Reece was likely out of a job or had a small contract offer. Then won worlds, so they coughed up cash to keep him. -If Finn goes to Norco (possible for a lot of reasons), that would open salary at Specialized--might sign someone like Erice Vanluven (sp) to get a super fast woman in there who will win races next year. Betting on her and Loic to win a lot next year and hope that Jordan starts winning again too. -Greg really likes Loris (clear from Wyn interview) so could be ending up at Norco... BUT, for the full F1 treatment, I think Loris would like to be on a local team with Max and all the resources, etc.
Reece did specifically say that the World Champs win triggered an automatic 1-year contract-extension option for him (iirc it was on WynTV), no idea if all...
Reece did specifically say that the World Champs win triggered an automatic 1-year contract-extension option for him (iirc it was on WynTV), no idea if all Trek contracts have that clause tho...
The difference is that Reece was on the chopping block after some seasons without much for results.. Loris seems like he wants out..
Wonder if a trade team could be formed like in travel ball sports. Each racer has to gather $20k sponsorship "donations" each (team doesn't care if it's...
Wonder if a trade team could be formed like in travel ball sports. Each racer has to gather $20k sponsorship "donations" each (team doesn't care if it's all coming from the parents) but that allows them to fund a 10 racer operation for max exposure for a title sponsor or two & to cover the initial economic hurdle. Team provides the on site operations, camps, etc but team riders fund themselves to/from the races for travel. Come together with the team coach at camps only & race weekends.
-Loris wants F1 so he can feel like he's getting what Loic is getting. Commencal could do that for him. -Loris/Trek has been sour for a while...
-Loris wants F1 so he can feel like he's getting what Loic is getting. Commencal could do that for him. -Loris/Trek has been sour for a while. Loris' 2025 contract likely signed months ago. Not sure there is actually this World Champs clause people are talking about. Reece was likely out of a job or had a small contract offer. Then won worlds, so they coughed up cash to keep him. -If Finn goes to Norco (possible for a lot of reasons), that would open salary at Specialized--might sign someone like Erice Vanluven (sp) to get a super fast woman in there who will win races next year. Betting on her and Loic to win a lot next year and hope that Jordan starts winning again too. -Greg really likes Loris (clear from Wyn interview) so could be ending up at Norco... BUT, for the full F1 treatment, I think Loris would like to be on a local team with Max and all the resources, etc.
Reece did specifically say that the World Champs win triggered an automatic 1-year contract-extension option for him (iirc it was on WynTV), no idea if all...
Reece did specifically say that the World Champs win triggered an automatic 1-year contract-extension option for him (iirc it was on WynTV), no idea if all Trek contracts have that clause tho...
It's an option in the riders contract, the team can't stop them leaving, Loris winning hasn't locked him in with trek, but if he didn't have a contract next year and wanted to stay he would have that option.
Looking at riders who’s teams are packing up clearly Benoit is the biggest name up for grabs. Did I read somewhere that Atherton and conti/GT are pulling out alongside Saracen? I can see Danny and Kolb picking up a ride next year but could Charlie Hatton and Matt Walker be in trouble? Both have world titles behind them but don’t seem to get that much coverage.
Looking at riders who’s teams are packing up clearly Benoit is the biggest name up for grabs. Did I read somewhere that Atherton and conti/GT are...
Looking at riders who’s teams are packing up clearly Benoit is the biggest name up for grabs. Did I read somewhere that Atherton and conti/GT are pulling out alongside Saracen? I can see Danny and Kolb picking up a ride next year but could Charlie Hatton and Matt Walker be in trouble? Both have world titles behind them but don’t seem to get that much coverage.
Where did you heard about Atherton and GT? That‘d be a bummer!
Where did you heard about Atherton and GT? That‘d be a bummer!
I’m sure it was mentioned in 2024 rumours? Makes sense to me. Athertons can’t be producing enough 3D printed bikes to fund a big factory race team like they have now. And I think it was mentioned that GT/Conti were struggling to make it work with 2025 calendar and regulations? I’d be surprised if Danny signed anything more than a 1 year deal though, it seemed like a last resort kind of thing to get him to the world cups.
On the after race downtime podcast, Neko said the top three men are looking for a new ride next year.
Neko said they were out of contract. Obviously with Dorval closing Benoit is without a team.Reese has had another rough season so expected Trek to drop him.Both Andy and Charlie signed 3 year contracts to take them till 2026, if Neko is correct and Andy is a free agent that must mean Atherton Racing is no more. Continental must be either spread thin or very heavily invested supporting GT,Atherton and Pivot teams.I can see them rationalizing their commitments.
I hope the Atherton rumors aren't true . If a brand like that with a name so associated with world cup downhill pulls out then that really doesn't give me confidence in the future of the sport.
WB/ESO might not be keen on privateers but next season could see some of them being fairly recent world champions and world cup winners .
I hope the Atherton rumors aren't true . If a brand like that with a name so associated with world cup downhill pulls out then that...
I hope the Atherton rumors aren't true . If a brand like that with a name so associated with world cup downhill pulls out then that really doesn't give me confidence in the future of the sport.
WB/ESO might not be keen on privateers but next season could see some of them being fairly recent world champions and world cup winners .
Not a great surprise tbh. The brand was launched with a lot of outside investment at peak bike boom times ostensibly because they couldn't get a sponsorship deal.....5 years later they are producing bikes in the hundreds rather than the hundreds of thousand. Despite having a World Champion their sponsor list is pretty weak. I assume Continental are pulling the plug on being a headline team sponsor (to Gt too) and their angel investor has got tired of waiting for their ROI to arrive. With the reduced exposure for sponsors (less tv time and I assume less people watching now it's ppv) and a huge increase in costs from more rounds and more fees next year there will be a lot of teams assessing the viability of racing in '25.
I hope the Atherton rumors aren't true . If a brand like that with a name so associated with world cup downhill pulls out then that...
I hope the Atherton rumors aren't true . If a brand like that with a name so associated with world cup downhill pulls out then that really doesn't give me confidence in the future of the sport.
WB/ESO might not be keen on privateers but next season could see some of them being fairly recent world champions and world cup winners .
Hart, Hatton, Kolb, Walker, Williamson. All top 10 guys this season, recent world champions and World Cup winners. All absolutely deserving of a big salary but where do they go?
I hope the Atherton rumors aren't true . If a brand like that with a name so associated with world cup downhill pulls out then that...
I hope the Atherton rumors aren't true . If a brand like that with a name so associated with world cup downhill pulls out then that really doesn't give me confidence in the future of the sport.
WB/ESO might not be keen on privateers but next season could see some of them being fairly recent world champions and world cup winners .
Hart, Hatton, Kolb, Walker, Williamson. All top 10 guys this season, recent world champions and World Cup winners. All absolutely deserving of a big salary but...
Hart, Hatton, Kolb, Walker, Williamson. All top 10 guys this season, recent world champions and World Cup winners. All absolutely deserving of a big salary but where do they go?
Add in some women and EDR riders of both categories and ebike and there’s 20+ riders with no rides. ☠️
If the rumor back a few pages of fewer but larger factory teams was true, and with sponsors spread less thin across 10 teams for example, in theory, teams could look like Commencal/Muc-off or Pivot Factory with a large group of podium threats plus a few other riders? We currently have a mix of high profile teams with 2-3 riders like specialized and Santa Cruz, but with maybe with more spread across less, there's more in the pot for larger teams? How many teams are currently sponsored, even if it's just a frame deal, by Commencal, SC, Trek or GT? What about tire sponsors? If we had 20 elite factory teams that covered a bigger umbrella of riders it might not look that grim for the top riders?
The service staff would get out of hand though for each team.
If the rumor back a few pages of fewer but larger factory teams was true, and with sponsors spread less thin across 10 teams for example...
If the rumor back a few pages of fewer but larger factory teams was true, and with sponsors spread less thin across 10 teams for example, in theory, teams could look like Commencal/Muc-off or Pivot Factory with a large group of podium threats plus a few other riders? We currently have a mix of high profile teams with 2-3 riders like specialized and Santa Cruz, but with maybe with more spread across less, there's more in the pot for larger teams? How many teams are currently sponsored, even if it's just a frame deal, by Commencal, SC, Trek or GT? What about tire sponsors? If we had 20 elite factory teams that covered a bigger umbrella of riders it might not look that grim for the top riders?
The service staff would get out of hand though for each team.
And because of service staff size required to do that, I don't believe it will happen. The money alone to travel, salaries + running costs would just skyrocket. Maybe 1-2 riders more per team, but not more than that, unless some crazy stuff happens and all of a sudden this sport gets huge money from somewhere.
Which teams are you talking about?
Huh? He had a bad preseason injury a few years back I witnessed that was gnarly that cost home most of the 2022 season. Vital has the video.
Last 2 years
13 World Cups
Made every semi & final
2 Podiums
8 Top 10 Finishes
Finished outside top 20 twice (Loudenvielle & Les Gets cluster Fokk this year)
Hasn’t been outside Top 30 a single time.
And that’s with switching from every single component of Santa Cruz/Shimano/Fox to Canyon/Sram/RockShox.
Luca having his best season in years, his Stonks are high.
I get the impression that him and troy get along good too.
And this year with the new frame he and Troy are performing quite well.
I get so pumped every year for him because he comes in hauling ass. He does well and all that but he should be a winner by now. Feels like he’s happy enough with a “solid” run. He’s been there and missed out with some bad luck in the past. Just feels like he doesn’t hang it out 100% like other people.
Again, how many years can you go without winning and keep one of those top seats. It would be different in my opinion if he had won when he was on Syndicate and now he’s just cruising.
At least with Norton, he’s dominated his own championship in the past. With all the vitriol said, I want nothing more than to see he on the top step.
Reece did specifically say that the World Champs win triggered an automatic 1-year contract-extension option for him (iirc it was on WynTV), no idea if all Trek contracts have that clause tho...
Luca won national champs just last year and wore the sleeve this past season.
Podium threat, potential winner, super nice guy. I could see why brands would want to work with him.
The difference is that Reece was on the chopping block after some seasons without much for results.. Loris seems like he wants out..
Any second tier or lower team, there is a reason a lot of guys have jobs in the off season
It's an option in the riders contract, the team can't stop them leaving, Loris winning hasn't locked him in with trek, but if he didn't have a contract next year and wanted to stay he would have that option.
Speaking of Reece, his 2nd yesterday was a good one for him..
Looking at riders who’s teams are packing up clearly Benoit is the biggest name up for grabs. Did I read somewhere that Atherton and conti/GT are pulling out alongside Saracen? I can see Danny and Kolb picking up a ride next year but could Charlie Hatton and Matt Walker be in trouble? Both have world titles behind them but don’t seem to get that much coverage.
Where did you heard about Atherton and GT? That‘d be a bummer!
On the after race downtime podcast, Neko said the top three men are looking for a new ride next year.
I’m sure it was mentioned in 2024 rumours? Makes sense to me. Athertons can’t be producing enough 3D printed bikes to fund a big factory race team like they have now. And I think it was mentioned that GT/Conti were struggling to make it work with 2025 calendar and regulations? I’d be surprised if Danny signed anything more than a 1 year deal though, it seemed like a last resort kind of thing to get him to the world cups.
Neko said they were out of contract.
Obviously with Dorval closing Benoit is without a team.Reese has had another rough season so expected Trek to drop him.Both Andy and Charlie signed 3 year contracts to take them till 2026, if Neko is correct and Andy is a free agent that must mean Atherton Racing is no more.
Continental must be either spread thin or very heavily invested supporting GT,Atherton and Pivot teams.I can see them rationalizing their commitments.
It will be ok commencal will just create like 3 more teams 🤷♂️😂
Well GT/Conti & Atherton aren't a secret anymore.
Still a few more chirping birds on the wire...
I hope the Atherton rumors aren't true . If a brand like that with a name so associated with world cup downhill pulls out then that really doesn't give me confidence in the future of the sport.
WB/ESO might not be keen on privateers but next season could see some of them being fairly recent world champions and world cup winners .
Seems like there could be a spot for Benoit at Muc Off already in place?
Wouldn't read much into it. Max was mostly celebrating a quadruple win of his bikes, regardless of the team or rider.
has this ever been done before?!
Not a great surprise tbh. The brand was launched with a lot of outside investment at peak bike boom times ostensibly because they couldn't get a sponsorship deal.....5 years later they are producing bikes in the hundreds rather than the hundreds of thousand.
Despite having a World Champion their sponsor list is pretty weak.
I assume Continental are pulling the plug on being a headline team sponsor (to Gt too) and their angel investor has got tired of waiting for their ROI to arrive.
With the reduced exposure for sponsors (less tv time and I assume less people watching now it's ppv) and a huge increase in costs from more rounds and more fees next year there will be a lot of teams assessing the viability of racing in '25.
Hart, Hatton, Kolb, Walker, Williamson. All top 10 guys this season, recent world champions and World Cup winners. All absolutely deserving of a big salary but where do they go?
Add in some women and EDR riders of both categories and ebike and there’s 20+ riders with no rides. ☠️
"Someone signed a 4-year deal this week... (3rd slide).
If the rumor back a few pages of fewer but larger factory teams was true, and with sponsors spread less thin across 10 teams for example, in theory, teams could look like Commencal/Muc-off or Pivot Factory with a large group of podium threats plus a few other riders? We currently have a mix of high profile teams with 2-3 riders like specialized and Santa Cruz, but with maybe with more spread across less, there's more in the pot for larger teams? How many teams are currently sponsored, even if it's just a frame deal, by Commencal, SC, Trek or GT? What about tire sponsors? If we had 20 elite factory teams that covered a bigger umbrella of riders it might not look that grim for the top riders?
The service staff would get out of hand though for each team.
And because of service staff size required to do that, I don't believe it will happen. The money alone to travel, salaries + running costs would just skyrocket. Maybe 1-2 riders more per team, but not more than that, unless some crazy stuff happens and all of a sudden this sport gets huge money from somewhere.
Signing a multi year contract before the end of the season must mean they are staying put...so I'm assuming that its Vali or Bruni
how long until we just start calling it the "Max Commencal Cup"?
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