Oook so gentlemen, this has been a nice couple of months following this thread, we had good fun. So at this point of the conversation I...
Oook so gentlemen, this has been a nice couple of months following this thread, we had good fun. So at this point of the conversation I guess I'll see myself out to avoid any new nonsense comment about Katy or any other women. Grow up, FFS.
We are soo close.. hang in there for the last few things!
Whatever AG is doing, it's gonna be interesting. He's just too calculated to seemingly be without a ride going into the season. I know he said he wanted to race if he was travelling, but if the choice was between great money being a commentator and ok money being on a team, with the costs involved in running a bike park I'd think he'd want the bigger paycheck.
The other consideration is that he's a pretty traditional dude who just got married and settled down with his new wife. If they are having kids I could 100% see him focusing on that for a bit.
Whatever AG is doing, it's gonna be interesting. He's just too calculated to seemingly be without a ride going into the season. I know he said...
Whatever AG is doing, it's gonna be interesting. He's just too calculated to seemingly be without a ride going into the season. I know he said he wanted to race if he was travelling, but if the choice was between great money being a commentator and ok money being on a team, with the costs involved in running a bike park I'd think he'd want the bigger paycheck.
The other consideration is that he's a pretty traditional dude who just got married and settled down with his new wife. If they are having kids I could 100% see him focusing on that for a bit.
Privateer Gwin would be epic. Forget all the sponsor bs and just go buy the bike he's fastest on. I'm over seeing Gwin being held back by subpar prototypes.
He's so excited he didn't change out of his paint clothes to go give the new bike a rip.
Making fun of paint pants dress disorder will get you some haterade. "positive" thoughts only or the positive police will assign all their anger to you.
But look folks, this is blank text and yellow facial expressions world. It's not how we talk in the real world. Lots of nuance. Spomer gets headaches from us and doesn't deserve it having to moderate as we go off rails.
In terms of Katy's difficulties, I see all sides of it. My buddy in college was a total basket case of hilariousness with severe dyslexia but he leaned into it and would get us all going for fun. He'd read us a passage from a book as fast as he could and have us dying laughing. At the same time, him being open about it helped us all spot when we could step in and help with an assignment.
I'ts OK to make jokes about it. It's OK to be offended by the jokes at the same time. It's NOT OK to go after each other on the Team Rumours thread. You can message each other all the threats and butt grabs you want.
MORE IMPORTANTLY...what county is Gwinner's house in so I know which sheriff to call for that Wellness Check?
I know The Rise sent DJ Brandt a Party Master frame a while back to help him out while he's between sponsors. Not really a team rumour, but it's cool to see smaller brands trying to keep these dudes riding.
Much like the current bike market, it is a buyers market for sponsored athletes as well.
Rumored that Danny Hart took a 50-60% pay cut from...
Much like the current bike market, it is a buyers market for sponsored athletes as well.
Rumored that Danny Hart took a 50-60% pay cut from Cube to Nukeproof.
Neko spoke about it also, you can get fast/talented riders for cheap this season.
Seems a few brands that weren't in as bad of a position post covid as other are capitalizing and getting top tier talent on the cheap. Strange times to see premium athletes taking spots on Sub par brands / teams
Really strange that Gwin is not on a trade team of some kind. As he missed all of last season he won't have the required UCI points to race WC#1 unless he gets them at a race before then. There's a few opportunities there but not many.
I wonder if Gwin’s plan is to focus on domestic racing, secure a spot on the world champs team, and only race world champs as far as international stuff goes? He’s got a lot going on, money’s hard to come by, and worlds is the only thing missing from his resume.
Over-under that he says he didn't get along with the bike by late 2024 or early 2025? Not a flame, just honest question since he's not like the last few bikes he's ridden, but I will still get a lot of downvotes!
Really strange that Gwin is not on a trade team of some kind. As he missed all of last season he won't have the required UCI...
Really strange that Gwin is not on a trade team of some kind. As he missed all of last season he won't have the required UCI points to race WC#1 unless he gets them at a race before then. There's a few opportunities there but not many.
Gwin is a businessman. Won't work (race) for less than makes sense to him. I'm sure most of the trade teams would have picked him up if he was willing to race for bikes, travel and $20k. But he's not.
Also compounding factors:
-I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Intense cut ties with him late in the season last year. Giving him another YT situation where he was kind of left scrambling for a ride in bad bike industry climate.
-He was out all last year and he's nearing the end of his career, so there is obvious concern with any brand investing a lot in him--especially after seeing he's starting to diversify with other things like the bike park, etc. (that will distract his attention).
-Gwin is a 'lone wolf' type racer and older than most of the field and wants a program built around him (he deserves that obviously). Not easy to do right now in this market.
-That wrist/arm injury he had clearly ended up being more gnarly than he thought it would be. Dude wasn't able to ride a DH bike for something like 6 months if I'm not mistaken. That will scare off teams/companies as well.
Gwin has said multiple times that his intention is to race this year. The issue is that he's not going to do it for cheap. Those two things, in a shit bike market make it hard. Seems like IF he's able to get something together it's going to be last minute and going to be a privateer style deal. Which is a bummer because it probably will mean less time getting up to speed on the bike, and having a new mechanic to jive with, etc. All a bummer since it will put him more on the back foot.
Really strange that Gwin is not on a trade team of some kind. As he missed all of last season he won't have the required UCI...
Really strange that Gwin is not on a trade team of some kind. As he missed all of last season he won't have the required UCI points to race WC#1 unless he gets them at a race before then. There's a few opportunities there but not many.
Gwin is a businessman. Won't work (race) for less than makes sense to him. I'm sure most of the trade teams would have picked him up...
Gwin is a businessman. Won't work (race) for less than makes sense to him. I'm sure most of the trade teams would have picked him up if he was willing to race for bikes, travel and $20k. But he's not.
Also compounding factors:
-I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Intense cut ties with him late in the season last year. Giving him another YT situation where he was kind of left scrambling for a ride in bad bike industry climate.
-He was out all last year and he's nearing the end of his career, so there is obvious concern with any brand investing a lot in him--especially after seeing he's starting to diversify with other things like the bike park, etc. (that will distract his attention).
-Gwin is a 'lone wolf' type racer and older than most of the field and wants a program built around him (he deserves that obviously). Not easy to do right now in this market.
-That wrist/arm injury he had clearly ended up being more gnarly than he thought it would be. Dude wasn't able to ride a DH bike for something like 6 months if I'm not mistaken. That will scare off teams/companies as well.
Gwin has said multiple times that his intention is to race this year. The issue is that he's not going to do it for cheap. Those two things, in a shit bike market make it hard. Seems like IF he's able to get something together it's going to be last minute and going to be a privateer style deal. Which is a bummer because it probably will mean less time getting up to speed on the bike, and having a new mechanic to jive with, etc. All a bummer since it will put him more on the back foot.
This was covered in this Vital podcast... they knew very early in the season that Intense wasn't going to be continuing with Gwin's program.
I wonder if Gwin’s plan is to focus on domestic racing, secure a spot on the world champs team, and only race world champs as far...
I wonder if Gwin’s plan is to focus on domestic racing, secure a spot on the world champs team, and only race world champs as far as international stuff goes? He’s got a lot going on, money’s hard to come by, and worlds is the only thing missing from his resume.
I would love to see a larger focus on domestic racing and get more involvement nationally as well as more American riders at the world cup. I think Aaron is in a great position for that, especially with his coaching sessions that he's been advertising. There's a lot soon to come from America and I am super excited to see it happen.
Really strange that Gwin is not on a trade team of some kind. As he missed all of last season he won't have the required UCI...
Really strange that Gwin is not on a trade team of some kind. As he missed all of last season he won't have the required UCI points to race WC#1 unless he gets them at a race before then. There's a few opportunities there but not many.
Gwin is a businessman. Won't work (race) for less than makes sense to him. I'm sure most of the trade teams would have picked him up...
Gwin is a businessman. Won't work (race) for less than makes sense to him. I'm sure most of the trade teams would have picked him up if he was willing to race for bikes, travel and $20k. But he's not.
Also compounding factors:
-I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Intense cut ties with him late in the season last year. Giving him another YT situation where he was kind of left scrambling for a ride in bad bike industry climate.
-He was out all last year and he's nearing the end of his career, so there is obvious concern with any brand investing a lot in him--especially after seeing he's starting to diversify with other things like the bike park, etc. (that will distract his attention).
-Gwin is a 'lone wolf' type racer and older than most of the field and wants a program built around him (he deserves that obviously). Not easy to do right now in this market.
-That wrist/arm injury he had clearly ended up being more gnarly than he thought it would be. Dude wasn't able to ride a DH bike for something like 6 months if I'm not mistaken. That will scare off teams/companies as well.
Gwin has said multiple times that his intention is to race this year. The issue is that he's not going to do it for cheap. Those two things, in a shit bike market make it hard. Seems like IF he's able to get something together it's going to be last minute and going to be a privateer style deal. Which is a bummer because it probably will mean less time getting up to speed on the bike, and having a new mechanic to jive with, etc. All a bummer since it will put him more on the back foot.
From what I remember Gwin destroyed his elbow in that crash and those are really difficult injuries to come back from. I would say at least a year if not longer.
Gwin is a businessman. Won't work (race) for less than makes sense to him. I'm sure most of the trade teams would have picked him up...
Gwin is a businessman. Won't work (race) for less than makes sense to him. I'm sure most of the trade teams would have picked him up if he was willing to race for bikes, travel and $20k. But he's not.
Also compounding factors:
-I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Intense cut ties with him late in the season last year. Giving him another YT situation where he was kind of left scrambling for a ride in bad bike industry climate.
-He was out all last year and he's nearing the end of his career, so there is obvious concern with any brand investing a lot in him--especially after seeing he's starting to diversify with other things like the bike park, etc. (that will distract his attention).
-Gwin is a 'lone wolf' type racer and older than most of the field and wants a program built around him (he deserves that obviously). Not easy to do right now in this market.
-That wrist/arm injury he had clearly ended up being more gnarly than he thought it would be. Dude wasn't able to ride a DH bike for something like 6 months if I'm not mistaken. That will scare off teams/companies as well.
Gwin has said multiple times that his intention is to race this year. The issue is that he's not going to do it for cheap. Those two things, in a shit bike market make it hard. Seems like IF he's able to get something together it's going to be last minute and going to be a privateer style deal. Which is a bummer because it probably will mean less time getting up to speed on the bike, and having a new mechanic to jive with, etc. All a bummer since it will put him more on the back foot.
What I meant is I'm surprised he didn't make his own trade team just to get the guaranteed entries to the world cups
From what I remember Gwin destroyed his elbow in that crash and those are really difficult injuries to come back from. I would say at least...
From what I remember Gwin destroyed his elbow in that crash and those are really difficult injuries to come back from. I would say at least a year if not longer.
I don't know exactly what kind of injury Gwin had, but I've had an elbow injury myself. Fell awkwardly at the end of the season, threw my hand out by reflex and had my arm facing the wrong way. Immediately tucked it back and began running and screaming. End of the radius was shattered plus the ligaments. Had surgery beginning of December, then a lot of painful rehab and I was playing basketball come march and I was back on the bike in May. The nice titanium screw is still a keeper.
Of course injuries differ and no rehab matches another, but my surgery was in a state hospital in Eastern Europe, so my assumption is that Gwin is getting superior medical care, especially being a Red Bull athlete, since I believe they have custom tailored medical programs. Regardless, Gwin must be doing better and faster than me and it's normal to be like this. I'll throw another comparison out there, maybe it makes sense: I've had a shitload of friends with knee issues from skiing, meniscus and ligaments; surgeries in the same system, my take is that they are hit or miss, but all of them have been for months in crutches. I have a friend who lives in Switzerland and she tore a knee ligament late December. She can walk on hew own now and will probably ditch her crutches next week. The point I am trying to make is that recovery speed is relative, but I trust it being better in more advanced countries and for top tier athletes regardless of the sport. Achilles injuries used to be career ending in the NBA, no people come back from them in a year and they are killing it.
I also didn't notice any bad blood regarding Intense and Gwin from what was communicated on that front and I am not very sure it was an end of season type of thing, but of course this is pure speculation. Very curious about his announcement, obviously.
We are soo close.. hang in there for the last few things!
Whatever AG is doing, it's gonna be interesting. He's just too calculated to seemingly be without a ride going into the season. I know he said he wanted to race if he was travelling, but if the choice was between great money being a commentator and ok money being on a team, with the costs involved in running a bike park I'd think he'd want the bigger paycheck.
The other consideration is that he's a pretty traditional dude who just got married and settled down with his new wife. If they are having kids I could 100% see him focusing on that for a bit.
Privateer Gwin would be epic. Forget all the sponsor bs and just go buy the bike he's fastest on. I'm over seeing Gwin being held back by subpar prototypes.
Gwin returning to a previous sponsor.
Making fun of paint pants dress disorder will get you some haterade. "positive" thoughts only or the positive police will assign all their anger to you.
But look folks, this is blank text and yellow facial expressions world. It's not how we talk in the real world. Lots of nuance. Spomer gets headaches from us and doesn't deserve it having to moderate as we go off rails.
In terms of Katy's difficulties, I see all sides of it. My buddy in college was a total basket case of hilariousness with severe dyslexia but he leaned into it and would get us all going for fun. He'd read us a passage from a book as fast as he could and have us dying laughing. At the same time, him being open about it helped us all spot when we could step in and help with an assignment.
I'ts OK to make jokes about it. It's OK to be offended by the jokes at the same time. It's NOT OK to go after each other on the Team Rumours thread. You can message each other all the threats and butt grabs you want.
MORE IMPORTANTLY...what county is Gwinner's house in so I know which sheriff to call for that Wellness Check?
Ill bet AG's sponsor is goin to supplying bikes for his park as well.
How much money does Forbidden have?
They use the same N + 1 approach to athletes that many of use on bikes...
Much like the current bike market, it is a buyers market for sponsored athletes as well.
Rumored that Danny Hart took a 50-60% pay cut from Cube to Nukeproof.
Neko spoke about it also, you can get fast/talented riders for cheap this season.
Now that DH is mostly covered. I haven't seen anything about DJ Brandt or Ethan Nell, any rumors?
edit: As of 4 weeks ago Nell still riding one of his Tues https://www.instagram.com/ethan_nell/reel/C1pH5oSLRYA/
I know The Rise sent DJ Brandt a Party Master frame a while back to help him out while he's between sponsors. Not really a team rumour, but it's cool to see smaller brands trying to keep these dudes riding.
Seems a few brands that weren't in as bad of a position post covid as other are capitalizing and getting top tier talent on the cheap. Strange times to see premium athletes taking spots on Sub par brands / teams
Really strange that Gwin is not on a trade team of some kind. As he missed all of last season he won't have the required UCI points to race WC#1 unless he gets them at a race before then. There's a few opportunities there but not many.
I wonder if Gwin’s plan is to focus on domestic racing, secure a spot on the world champs team, and only race world champs as far as international stuff goes? He’s got a lot going on, money’s hard to come by, and worlds is the only thing missing from his resume.
Over-under that he says he didn't get along with the bike by late 2024 or early 2025? Not a flame, just honest question since he's not like the last few bikes he's ridden, but I will still get a lot of downvotes!
Gwin is a businessman. Won't work (race) for less than makes sense to him. I'm sure most of the trade teams would have picked him up if he was willing to race for bikes, travel and $20k. But he's not.
Also compounding factors:
-I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Intense cut ties with him late in the season last year. Giving him another YT situation where he was kind of left scrambling for a ride in bad bike industry climate.
-He was out all last year and he's nearing the end of his career, so there is obvious concern with any brand investing a lot in him--especially after seeing he's starting to diversify with other things like the bike park, etc. (that will distract his attention).
-Gwin is a 'lone wolf' type racer and older than most of the field and wants a program built around him (he deserves that obviously). Not easy to do right now in this market.
-That wrist/arm injury he had clearly ended up being more gnarly than he thought it would be. Dude wasn't able to ride a DH bike for something like 6 months if I'm not mistaken. That will scare off teams/companies as well.
Gwin has said multiple times that his intention is to race this year. The issue is that he's not going to do it for cheap. Those two things, in a shit bike market make it hard. Seems like IF he's able to get something together it's going to be last minute and going to be a privateer style deal. Which is a bummer because it probably will mean less time getting up to speed on the bike, and having a new mechanic to jive with, etc. All a bummer since it will put him more on the back foot.
At this rate they'll announce Gwin and Bex this month, and then Lewis Hamilton for 2026...
This was covered in this Vital podcast... they knew very early in the season that Intense wasn't going to be continuing with Gwin's program.
Scuderia Forbidden/Ferrari?
I would love to see a larger focus on domestic racing and get more involvement nationally as well as more American riders at the world cup. I think Aaron is in a great position for that, especially with his coaching sessions that he's been advertising. There's a lot soon to come from America and I am super excited to see it happen.
Time to dust off an old favorite... #teamrumors2011
Wind rock bike parks fleet of rental bikes are mainly commencal and spesh -
https://windrockbikepark.com/pages/rental-bikes
could mean a tie up but just guessing here…..for AG……
Im sure he tested different frames from brands the same as Neko did…
I would like to see him in the start gate this year, but if he doesn’t show up it won’t be the end of the world.
From what I remember Gwin destroyed his elbow in that crash and those are really difficult injuries to come back from. I would say at least a year if not longer.
Vital. now sponsored by softride
He's got 2 new rides too....
What I meant is I'm surprised he didn't make his own trade team just to get the guaranteed entries to the world cups
Does Ethan even ride anymore I forgot he even existed lol
I don't know exactly what kind of injury Gwin had, but I've had an elbow injury myself. Fell awkwardly at the end of the season, threw my hand out by reflex and had my arm facing the wrong way. Immediately tucked it back and began running and screaming. End of the radius was shattered plus the ligaments. Had surgery beginning of December, then a lot of painful rehab and I was playing basketball come march and I was back on the bike in May. The nice titanium screw is still a keeper.
Of course injuries differ and no rehab matches another, but my surgery was in a state hospital in Eastern Europe, so my assumption is that Gwin is getting superior medical care, especially being a Red Bull athlete, since I believe they have custom tailored medical programs. Regardless, Gwin must be doing better and faster than me and it's normal to be like this. I'll throw another comparison out there, maybe it makes sense: I've had a shitload of friends with knee issues from skiing, meniscus and ligaments; surgeries in the same system, my take is that they are hit or miss, but all of them have been for months in crutches. I have a friend who lives in Switzerland and she tore a knee ligament late December. She can walk on hew own now and will probably ditch her crutches next week. The point I am trying to make is that recovery speed is relative, but I trust it being better in more advanced countries and for top tier athletes regardless of the sport. Achilles injuries used to be career ending in the NBA, no people come back from them in a year and they are killing it.
I also didn't notice any bad blood regarding Intense and Gwin from what was communicated on that front and I am not very sure it was an end of season type of thing, but of course this is pure speculation. Very curious about his announcement, obviously.
Mx
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