2023 TEAM RUMORS

9/5/2022 3:09am
Verbl Kint wrote:
She raced just 2 world cups in 2018, was a privateer as late as 2019, got the rainbow stripes in 2020, and is World Cup Overall...
She raced just 2 world cups in 2018, was a privateer as late as 2019, got the rainbow stripes in 2020, and is World Cup Overall Champion in 2022.

Camille Balanche has had probably the fastest progression in Downhill MTB since Palmer. I hope she gets the best possible contract out there.
I think Camille is a bloody fantastic person, amazing to see her rise within the sport. She comes across as a humble, lovely person that wants to have fun and do the best she can.
Such a great sport, the mash up of personalities and the excitement of seeing everyone do well. Just amazing.
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Karabuka
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9/5/2022 3:29am
gibbon wrote:
No base in fact but I reckon team managers shopping list will have a few names over the off season. Ronan Dunn Oli Zwar Luke Meir...
No base in fact but I reckon team managers shopping list will have a few names over the off season.
Ronan Dunn
Oli Zwar
Luke Meir Smith
Henry Kerr

And a few who will be thinking about their future
Dean Lucas
Brook
George Brannigan
Wyn
Cathro

We've already discussed that Wyns real value is being Wyn and not his racing results which are obviously past the glory days. And I believe brand like GT knows that and values the exposure he creates.
Mentioning Cathro is also a bit silly, whole PBR has been build around him so even if he will not be racing anymore he will probably stay as manager although it might be getting more difficult with 2 kids at home. The vibe of that team seems great and he is like the ever supporting father so I doubt anyone is even thinking about replacing him. Other 3 I agree, they have not had any great results this year. Kind of similar story with Trek, Loris is always a threat but the other 3 have not had much of success this year, so I would not be surprised to see a bit of teams rework, Kade maybe to freeride program? Not really sure how the contracts are right now tho...
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danposs86
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9/5/2022 3:39am
danposs86 wrote:
Greg Minnaar to do a farewell season in 2023?
Verbl Kint wrote:
He broke 3 vertebrae in Val di Sole and will need to wear a neck brace for three months. View this post on Instagram A post...
He broke 3 vertebrae in Val di Sole and will need to wear a neck brace for three months.



Exactly, 6 months before the next race. Hopefully enough time to recover before a chilled farewell like Peaty did.
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9/5/2022 4:37am
danposs86 wrote:
Exactly, 6 months before the next race. Hopefully enough time to recover before a chilled farewell like Peaty did.
Martin Whiteley said in the Downtime Podcast that Greg will be racing for as long as he can and it doesn't look like he doesn't have the speed. He doesn't look like retiring or planning a farewell tour.

Mx
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9/5/2022 4:39am
Any news on Jordan Williams? He will be hot property coming into elites, having set the FTD at VDS and placing the in top 10 elite for a lot of the races.

He came from a Saracen development program into the Madison team when he started juniors, I wouldn't be suprised if that contract only covered his junior years.

Another one is Danny Hart, 2 years on Cube, and hasn't seemed to results like he had with Giant and Mondraker.
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9/5/2022 4:59am
For the last few years I believe there's been a few big brands missing at the top of the sport, I wonder if we'll get to see big factory teams next year from the likes of Giant, Nukeproof, YT?
Wyn's comment to Danny on the Track walk VDS video would make it seem like Danny Hart is on his way elsewhere
Verbl Kint
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9/5/2022 5:41am
UpNorthMTB wrote:
For the last few years I believe there's been a few big brands missing at the top of the sport, I wonder if we'll get to...
For the last few years I believe there's been a few big brands missing at the top of the sport, I wonder if we'll get to see big factory teams next year from the likes of Giant, Nukeproof, YT?
Wyn's comment to Danny on the Track walk VDS video would make it seem like Danny Hart is on his way elsewhere
YT hasn't exactly been a good sponsor, to be honest.

For Danny, it would make sense for Nukeproof to get him (particularly if Sam Hill is retiring) but a reunion with Giant would be nice too.
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9/5/2022 3:07pm
Any news on Jordan Williams? He will be hot property coming into elites, having set the FTD at VDS and placing the in top 10 elite...
Any news on Jordan Williams? He will be hot property coming into elites, having set the FTD at VDS and placing the in top 10 elite for a lot of the races.

He came from a Saracen development program into the Madison team when he started juniors, I wouldn't be suprised if that contract only covered his junior years.

Another one is Danny Hart, 2 years on Cube, and hasn't seemed to results like he had with Giant and Mondraker.
Being fair to Danny & Cube, I think he's probably been thinking about his family more this season than ever before. Maybe just needs a reset and he'll be back gunning next season!
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metadave
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9/5/2022 8:44pm
Any news on Jordan Williams? He will be hot property coming into elites, having set the FTD at VDS and placing the in top 10 elite...
Any news on Jordan Williams? He will be hot property coming into elites, having set the FTD at VDS and placing the in top 10 elite for a lot of the races.

He came from a Saracen development program into the Madison team when he started juniors, I wouldn't be suprised if that contract only covered his junior years.

Another one is Danny Hart, 2 years on Cube, and hasn't seemed to results like he had with Giant and Mondraker.
mtbstokes wrote:
Being fair to Danny & Cube, I think he's probably been thinking about his family more this season than ever before. Maybe just needs a reset...
Being fair to Danny & Cube, I think he's probably been thinking about his family more this season than ever before. Maybe just needs a reset and he'll be back gunning next season!
I remember some comments a season two ago about a particular rider who ended up getting shafted because they weren't very out going with the social media side of things, so although they were getting solid results, they ended up not being worth that they figured they were results wise. Imo, this seemed to be about Danny as he seems to be on the more private side of things since he started his family. He's had some back and forth seasons before, and I feel like big family issues like what happened in his situation would for most teams not have a huge effect, because that's impossible to plan for. I wonder how much his reluctance on the media side of things has to do with his worth to teams even if his results are fire.
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9/6/2022 6:37am
mtbstokes wrote:
Being fair to Danny & Cube, I think he's probably been thinking about his family more this season than ever before. Maybe just needs a reset...
Being fair to Danny & Cube, I think he's probably been thinking about his family more this season than ever before. Maybe just needs a reset and he'll be back gunning next season!
I hope they take that into account; he referred to some "hard conversations" w/ Cube after he got his second place this year and seemed a bit relieved to be back on the box.
9/6/2022 7:12am
What is PfP's beef with BMC? There seems to be tension between them. Someone suggested that Commencal could be the supplier and team. While that would be super cool just seems like a pipe dream at this time.
dolface
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9/6/2022 7:37am
What is PfP's beef with BMC? There seems to be tension between them. Someone suggested that Commencal could be the supplier and team. While that would...
What is PfP's beef with BMC? There seems to be tension between them. Someone suggested that Commencal could be the supplier and team. While that would be super cool just seems like a pipe dream at this time.
I don't think it's w/ BMC, her current team, Absolute Absalon, is owned by her ex which has to be a bit awkward...
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Eoin
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9/6/2022 7:59am
Speaking from a personal point of view, and not knowing anything about anyone's salary and bonuses:

A rider's purpose is to bring attention to a brand and help it sell more bikes (or whatever the team title sponsor is selling). In my opinion, Danny has dramatically increased my estimation of Cube bikes from "fragile poorly designed bikes" to "Wow, Danny is is getting top 10s every other race".

Wyn is the only person on earth reminding me on a weekly (ish) basis that GT bikes exist.

Look at the comments under any PBR video and you will see that Cathro is hands down putting out the best content on that platform. Qualifying to race days are just his own personal goals I would say.


One name I have not seen mentionned too much is Antoine Rogge, he is riding professionally in the ebike enduro series, I would be suprised if he isn't on a DH team next year.
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Edthorne
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9/6/2022 8:50am Edited Date/Time 9/6/2022 9:23am
In Feb this year Muc Off extended their sponsorship through till the end of 2024 of the Riding Addiction team that runs the Commencal/Muc Off program...
In Feb this year Muc Off extended their sponsorship through till the end of 2024 of the Riding Addiction team that runs the Commencal/Muc Off program.

At the same time Myriam, Amaury and Thibaut signed contracts running through till the end of 2024, so those riders are sorted. Unless there is a release of their contracts at any point. Can't see that happening myself unless there were sponsorship issues or a huge offer from another team with mutual termination agreement.

'It is with great pleasure that we announce that Myriam Nicole, Amaury Pierron, and Thibaut Dapréla have all signed contracts with the team until the end of 2024'

Press release is in the 2022 team rumours thread and on Riding Addictions social media.
I'm not sure when Tristan Lemire signed on with them, but he's notably absent from that list.

In regards to BK and Pivot, being that he's the team manager as well as a racer, and generally seems pretty heavily invested in the brand, I'd be surprised to see him on anything else for the foreseeable future.
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Primoz
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9/6/2022 8:55am
@millsr4 I'm sure running the team will hurt the chances even less...
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bizutch
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9/6/2022 10:06am
3971 wrote:
Wonder if Cannondale will come back to DH? Or does Pon have enough going on in DH. Who would cough up the coin for PFP if...
Wonder if Cannondale will come back to DH? Or does Pon have enough going on in DH.
Who would cough up the coin for PFP if she's on the move - Specialized? Canyon? A different Canyon team? Trek's roster seems full... Or help launch a carbon Commencial.
Luke Meyer-Smith to Giant.
Anyone think Trek's DH roster will change?
Giant's secrets aren't so secret it seems. Seems as though I heard that as well.

Grice is up for renewal or a new team. Didn't see that mentioned.


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kcy4130
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9/6/2022 10:16am Edited Date/Time 9/6/2022 10:21am
Glad Gee chose a nice and easy track for his return! tehe

On an unrelated note of wild speculation: Gwin's been on intense for 3 years. Historically he's been a "3 year contract and move on" kinda guy. I know when he signed with them, there were rumors of Gwin being paid by taking a part ownership of intense, or something along those lines. Maybe not part ownership but there was talk of it being more of a long term thing than what he's done in the past. But that may have just been talk. I mean Gwin isn't as hot of a free agent as he was 3, or 6 years ago but he's still a pretty big fish. It'll still be interesting to see if he stays or not. Bike seems to (finally) be working for him and Dak.

Edit: Yeah, I know Gwin hasn't always chosen or wanted to move on, but he's still been on that 3 year cycle.

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bulletbass man
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9/6/2022 11:17am
kcy4130 wrote:
Glad Gee chose a nice and easy track for his return! tehe On an unrelated note of wild speculation: Gwin's been on intense for 3 years...
Glad Gee chose a nice and easy track for his return! tehe

On an unrelated note of wild speculation: Gwin's been on intense for 3 years. Historically he's been a "3 year contract and move on" kinda guy. I know when he signed with them, there were rumors of Gwin being paid by taking a part ownership of intense, or something along those lines. Maybe not part ownership but there was talk of it being more of a long term thing than what he's done in the past. But that may have just been talk. I mean Gwin isn't as hot of a free agent as he was 3, or 6 years ago but he's still a pretty big fish. It'll still be interesting to see if he stays or not. Bike seems to (finally) be working for him and Dak.

Edit: Yeah, I know Gwin hasn't always chosen or wanted to move on, but he's still been on that 3 year cycle.

He's on intense at least thru 2023
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9/6/2022 11:27am
kcy4130 wrote:
Glad Gee chose a nice and easy track for his return! tehe On an unrelated note of wild speculation: Gwin's been on intense for 3 years...
Glad Gee chose a nice and easy track for his return! tehe

On an unrelated note of wild speculation: Gwin's been on intense for 3 years. Historically he's been a "3 year contract and move on" kinda guy. I know when he signed with them, there were rumors of Gwin being paid by taking a part ownership of intense, or something along those lines. Maybe not part ownership but there was talk of it being more of a long term thing than what he's done in the past. But that may have just been talk. I mean Gwin isn't as hot of a free agent as he was 3, or 6 years ago but he's still a pretty big fish. It'll still be interesting to see if he stays or not. Bike seems to (finally) be working for him and Dak.

Edit: Yeah, I know Gwin hasn't always chosen or wanted to move on, but he's still been on that 3 year cycle.

Can’t see Gwin going anywhere after spending that much time working painstakingly on a bike that now coming good for them. now they’ve got something that clearly works…. Surely brings less worry over the off season. Most likely see him take a win next season.
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kcy4130
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9/6/2022 11:35am
He's on intense at least thru 2023
Ah, you're right. I should have googled it before wildly speculating.
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9/6/2022 1:47pm Edited Date/Time 9/6/2022 1:47pm
Someone else who's probably on a few team radars is Roger Vieira. He's been laying down some good race runs this season.
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brash
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9/6/2022 2:50pm
veefour wrote:
Someone else who's probably on a few team radars is Roger Vieira. He's been laying down some good race runs this season.
Seems like a hard working and appreciative dude too. I'd love to see him get a full time ride next year.
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bizutch
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9/6/2022 9:10pm Edited Date/Time 9/7/2022 12:57pm
kcy4130 wrote:
Glad Gee chose a nice and easy track for his return! tehe On an unrelated note of wild speculation: Gwin's been on intense for 3 years...
Glad Gee chose a nice and easy track for his return! tehe

On an unrelated note of wild speculation: Gwin's been on intense for 3 years. Historically he's been a "3 year contract and move on" kinda guy. I know when he signed with them, there were rumors of Gwin being paid by taking a part ownership of intense, or something along those lines. Maybe not part ownership but there was talk of it being more of a long term thing than what he's done in the past. But that may have just been talk. I mean Gwin isn't as hot of a free agent as he was 3, or 6 years ago but he's still a pretty big fish. It'll still be interesting to see if he stays or not. Bike seems to (finally) be working for him and Dak.

Edit: Yeah, I know Gwin hasn't always chosen or wanted to move on, but he's still been on that 3 year cycle.

I thought Gwin had part ownership of the "Intense Racing Team" , not the bike brand.
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9/7/2022 5:48am
Doubt we will see BK on anything but Pivot for a long time. He runs the team, and has been on Pivot for 10 years? He seems to have a good relationship with the owner of Pivot, and puts out some quality Youtube content.

On the Danny Hart note, he's had a lot on his plate lately, that's obvious, and he's had down years before. He's bought Cube into the limelight so his work there is done I'd say. It was rumoured his reason for the split with Saracen was due to family issues. I think I just miss 2010-2012 Danny Hart, we was so loose and wild.
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kcy4130
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9/7/2022 6:14am
In Needle's podcast Sven says Hill might race some DH next year. Didn't say he wouldn't race enduro, but hinted at a full return to dh. 1 hour 17 minutes in.
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luisgutrod
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9/7/2022 7:03am
Doubt we will see BK on anything but Pivot for a long time. He runs the team, and has been on Pivot for 10 years? He...
Doubt we will see BK on anything but Pivot for a long time. He runs the team, and has been on Pivot for 10 years? He seems to have a good relationship with the owner of Pivot, and puts out some quality Youtube content.

On the Danny Hart note, he's had a lot on his plate lately, that's obvious, and he's had down years before. He's bought Cube into the limelight so his work there is done I'd say. It was rumoured his reason for the split with Saracen was due to family issues. I think I just miss 2010-2012 Danny Hart, we was so loose and wild.
I saw BK posting a nice redbull can ; )
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bizutch
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9/7/2022 1:00pm
kcy4130 wrote:
In Needle's podcast Sven says Hill might race some DH next year. Didn't say he wouldn't race enduro, but hinted at a full return to dh...
In Needle's podcast Sven says Hill might race some DH next year. Didn't say he wouldn't race enduro, but hinted at a full return to dh. 1 hour 17 minutes in.
I can't imagine EWS is getting any easier to train for. The last 6-8 years of max threshold work he's had to stay on top of while raising moto groms can't be getting more fun.

With the EWS fitness base, he could easily take a winter to do some power & kinesio work and be on the World Cup scene fully powered up by that INSANELY LATE JUNE START DATE.
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