2024 TEAM RUMORS

12/5/2023 11:40am

Just started listening to Santa Cruz’s own podcast with Greg Minaar. Sounds like they actually axed him. Just wow

8
Kale123
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12/5/2023 1:26pm
GeorgJung wrote:

mapleleave.png?VersionId=U a68se7qUeTzxH4 gPg

Either Laurie or Jackson considering following the goat?

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2
12/5/2023 2:54pm
Anyone else find it odd that the Goat hasn’t posted a like, “thanks for all the good years SC” kind of thing? Makes it seem like...

Anyone else find it odd that the Goat hasn’t posted a like, “thanks for all the good years SC” kind of thing? Makes it seem like the end wasn’t on the best terms…

Also odd that I don’t think we’ve seen a post by Laurie or Nina either. Saw a post from Jackson, thanking Greg n what not. 

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pinkrobe
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12/5/2023 3:20pm

Also odd that I don’t think we’ve seen a post by Laurie or Nina either. Saw a post from Jackson, thanking Greg n what not. 

Nina posted yesterday I think?

1
owl-x
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12/5/2023 3:24pm

imagine being the money guy who made this decision...ugh. Instantly and forever kicked from any and all rides, BBQs, and cool things.

What a dipshit. If you're reading this, MBA dork: you suck!

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10
12/5/2023 4:43pm

Also odd that I don’t think we’ve seen a post by Laurie or Nina either. Saw a post from Jackson, thanking Greg n what not. 

pinkrobe wrote:

Nina posted yesterday I think?

Ahh I missed it , my bad 😞 

NJPA Rider
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12/5/2023 4:50pm

Just started listening to Santa Cruz’s own podcast with Greg Minaar. Sounds like they actually axed him. Just wow

Great pod episode. The Roller Door. Sounded like he was fired, but cool that they let him have his say on the official SC podcast. He also mentioned and praised Roskopp, A LOT. So, it's either Norco or Unno. Either way, I hope he makes bank. 

5
12/5/2023 5:23pm
NJPA Rider wrote:
Great pod episode. The Roller Door. Sounded like he was fired, but cool that they let him have his say on the official SC podcast. He...

Great pod episode. The Roller Door. Sounded like he was fired, but cool that they let him have his say on the official SC podcast. He also mentioned and praised Roskopp, A LOT. So, it's either Norco or Unno. Either way, I hope he makes bank. 

Sounds more like the accountants didn't offer him a new contract, and the rest of the staff was left scrambling to spin this into a nice 'goodbye'. All fn awkward.

Anyway, looking forward to next year. Change can be very good.

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Stewyeww
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12/5/2023 6:00pm

For all we know Greg comited to retiring then changed his mind, he might have shot himself in the foot.

19
12/5/2023 6:55pm
Stewyeww wrote:

For all we know Greg comited to retiring then changed his mind, he might have shot himself in the foot.

Yes, if you have been following this saga for a while (and listening to all his interviews the past couple years) you know that he was on the fence and WOULD HAVE retired this year if he won world champs or even had a banger of a season. As the results were not great early in the season, he probably had hoped for an awesome second half to walk away from the sport with... but that didn't happen either.

My assumption is that he had a verbal agreement or something that he could 'keep going' as long as he wanted (likely in place for years). But a global bike slowdown and PON ownership has changed that situation up. When he (likely) came to them in August looking to re-sign for 2024 for his large salary, they just couldn't do it. They'd been counting on his retirement and bike companies hurting big time right now. Also, management now has a top 3 or 5 (at worst) rider in Jackson. And Laurie and Greg didn't jive, so they weren't going to break their bank to keep him after he didn't commit to re-signing earlier in the year. 

I'm sure they would have resigned him for something like a $100k instead of his (likely) $300k+ but he would take that as an insult and also not want to leave that money on the table if he could get it elsewhere. These are mountain bikers, not Super Cross guys. Every $100k makes a big difference, even to a guy like Greg who's been paid very well most of his career.  

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mtbrdan
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12/5/2023 7:16pm
Stewyeww wrote:

For all we know Greg comited to retiring then changed his mind, he might have shot himself in the foot.

Yes, if you have been following this saga for a while (and listening to all his interviews the past couple years) you know that he was...

Yes, if you have been following this saga for a while (and listening to all his interviews the past couple years) you know that he was on the fence and WOULD HAVE retired this year if he won world champs or even had a banger of a season. As the results were not great early in the season, he probably had hoped for an awesome second half to walk away from the sport with... but that didn't happen either.

My assumption is that he had a verbal agreement or something that he could 'keep going' as long as he wanted (likely in place for years). But a global bike slowdown and PON ownership has changed that situation up. When he (likely) came to them in August looking to re-sign for 2024 for his large salary, they just couldn't do it. They'd been counting on his retirement and bike companies hurting big time right now. Also, management now has a top 3 or 5 (at worst) rider in Jackson. And Laurie and Greg didn't jive, so they weren't going to break their bank to keep him after he didn't commit to re-signing earlier in the year. 

I'm sure they would have resigned him for something like a $100k instead of his (likely) $300k+ but he would take that as an insult and also not want to leave that money on the table if he could get it elsewhere. These are mountain bikers, not Super Cross guys. Every $100k makes a big difference, even to a guy like Greg who's been paid very well most of his career.  

That tracks with some insider rumors I have heard.

5
Stewyeww
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12/5/2023 7:54pm
Stewyeww wrote:

For all we know Greg comited to retiring then changed his mind, he might have shot himself in the foot.

Yes, if you have been following this saga for a while (and listening to all his interviews the past couple years) you know that he was...

Yes, if you have been following this saga for a while (and listening to all his interviews the past couple years) you know that he was on the fence and WOULD HAVE retired this year if he won world champs or even had a banger of a season. As the results were not great early in the season, he probably had hoped for an awesome second half to walk away from the sport with... but that didn't happen either.

My assumption is that he had a verbal agreement or something that he could 'keep going' as long as he wanted (likely in place for years). But a global bike slowdown and PON ownership has changed that situation up. When he (likely) came to them in August looking to re-sign for 2024 for his large salary, they just couldn't do it. They'd been counting on his retirement and bike companies hurting big time right now. Also, management now has a top 3 or 5 (at worst) rider in Jackson. And Laurie and Greg didn't jive, so they weren't going to break their bank to keep him after he didn't commit to re-signing earlier in the year. 

I'm sure they would have resigned him for something like a $100k instead of his (likely) $300k+ but he would take that as an insult and also not want to leave that money on the table if he could get it elsewhere. These are mountain bikers, not Super Cross guys. Every $100k makes a big difference, even to a guy like Greg who's been paid very well most of his career.  

Yeah, what we hear and what is actually said behind closed doors are often two different things. As consumers/fans it's easy to point at the management or finance departments because Greg is the goat, but this could have been more on Greg than people want it to be. 

4
owl-x
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12/5/2023 8:51pm

Greg Minnaar would be allowed to do a Jay Leno on my race team. Absolutely. Seatbacks for life. All time QB. Permanent shotgun for the whole vacation. Greg Minnaar. 
You fools. 

4
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tullie
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12/5/2023 9:09pm

I remember when The Rat retired,  Rob was heartbroken. He absolutely loves racing and the Syndicate was his pride and joy.

Hopefully there will be a new Syndicate with a different brand. 

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khand187
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12/5/2023 10:45pm

Some were speculating about the GOAT going back to Oakley.

These Smith ads have been showing up on my FB feed. 🤔Screenshot 20231206 002522 Facebook.jpg?VersionId=RQ4QB.ov.

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grambo
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12/5/2023 11:03pm
tullie wrote:
I remember when The Rat retired,  Rob was heartbroken. He absolutely loves racing and the Syndicate was his pride and joy. Hopefully there will be a...

I remember when The Rat retired,  Rob was heartbroken. He absolutely loves racing and the Syndicate was his pride and joy.

Hopefully there will be a new Syndicate with a different brand. 

yep, I think both Rob and Ratboy choked up on interviews the day it was announced. Even the vibe in the Syndicate videos has changed a ton since Rob/Kathy left the team. It seems weird they never feature/introduce any of the other staff involved (besides the mechanics and Peaty).

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Primoz
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12/6/2023 4:03am
Nico_Hrndz wrote:
There was a time when Greg would have joined the Lapierre team alongside with Loris and Loic (according to a recent interview of Laurent Delorme).  I...

There was a time when Greg would have joined the Lapierre team alongside with Loris and Loic (according to a recent interview of Laurent Delorme). 

I can't really see Specialized Gravity get Greg on the roster but what if?

They don't have a bike big enough. Unior Sinter was supposed to run Specialized frames a few years back (Tanja actually did in XC), but there wasn't a big enough Demo available for Jure (S5) , so they went with Senders. They could make a custom size for the like of Greg, but what does that look like for the marketing department? 😜

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Primoz
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12/6/2023 4:09am
From robskopps insta-  

From robskopps insta-

 

IMG 6838

With Loic Duval commenting with "losing heritage". Loic Duval of Le Mans 24h winner fame in an Audi with Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen of all people.

Rob has some connections! 

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puddings
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12/6/2023 6:55am
From robskopps insta-  

From robskopps insta-

 

IMG 6838

'comes down to Leadership' & 'wrong people in place' - to me that reads as a jibe at Peaty because as I understand it, that is who Rob put in to replace Kathy S when she stepped back. Looking back to Loris and Luca moving on - in both cases there were rumours that Peaty was over bearing and treated them like kids which is why they wanted out.

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Conkey
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12/6/2023 7:01am

I heard it was not Peaty, it was Greg not pumped on Loris and Luca.  Mind games apparently.  Even after leaving, Each time Luca has been on the podium Peaty has always shown a lot of love to him.  What do I know though.

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Verbl Kint
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12/6/2023 7:07am
From robskopps insta-  

From robskopps insta-

 

IMG 6838

"All the best going forward with your new ride."

 

It seems to me that GM will NOT be following Roskopp to Unno, then.   

 

So Norco it is.

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Conkey
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12/6/2023 7:23am

Or he's just being proper and not letting a the Goat out of the bag.

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FullSend
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12/6/2023 7:24am
Nico_Hrndz wrote:
There was a time when Greg would have joined the Lapierre team alongside with Loris and Loic (according to a recent interview of Laurent Delorme).  I...

There was a time when Greg would have joined the Lapierre team alongside with Loris and Loic (according to a recent interview of Laurent Delorme). 

I can't really see Specialized Gravity get Greg on the roster but what if?

Primoz wrote:
They don't have a bike big enough. Unior Sinter was supposed to run Specialized frames a few years back (Tanja actually did in XC), but there...

They don't have a bike big enough. Unior Sinter was supposed to run Specialized frames a few years back (Tanja actually did in XC), but there wasn't a big enough Demo available for Jure (S5) , so they went with Senders. They could make a custom size for the like of Greg, but what does that look like for the marketing department? 😜

Sizing is not really an issue IMO. All the Specialized Gravity athletes ride custom frames anyways. None of the Demo's they've been riding in the last two seasons were stock sizes. Even though they are not technically a factory team, they are pretty much treated as such by Specialized.

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Snfoilhat
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12/6/2023 8:17am

unofficial insight info:

Szymon and Dawid Godziek on specalized next year

 

Riding Demos and P.3s you reckon? I'm just curious. Some years specialized has more niche bikes (freeride, entry-level (?) DH, slalom, slopestyle, freestyle BMX) and some years not, and it's been a bunch of years of not.

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Mike_Tarry_775
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12/6/2023 8:30am
puddings wrote:
'comes down to Leadership' & 'wrong people in place' - to me that reads as a jibe at Peaty because as I understand it, that is...

'comes down to Leadership' & 'wrong people in place' - to me that reads as a jibe at Peaty because as I understand it, that is who Rob put in to replace Kathy S when she stepped back. Looking back to Loris and Luca moving on - in both cases there were rumours that Peaty was over bearing and treated them like kids which is why they wanted out.

I don't see this aimed at Peaty but more at Santa Cruz/Pon execs turning the the team into a "trade team" run buy the accountants rather than what the syndicate stood for originally.

I can see Rob doing in the future what Pete Fox and Jim Jannard have done and setup his own brand (or getting in with Unno) and creating a modern syndicate team.

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