2025 Team Rumors

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jofish
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GB
1/2/2025 1:52pm

It must be hard for athletes who have to be outwardly “stoked” on their new sponsor when they are forced to give up a bike that offered a competitive advantage. Tahnee going from that new Canyon to a bike that doesn’t even exist yet must be painful. 

It would be cool to hear a podcast on the ones that got away - thinking Gwin and his intense, Athertons with Trek, Greg with Honda and Sam Hill and his Iron Horse 😢

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1llumA
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CA
1/2/2025 1:54pm
zundawg23 wrote:
Tried translating it a few times on various apps, seems like she is saying nothing is going right at the moment? Perhaps disappointed in canyon leaving...

Tried translating it a few times on various apps, seems like she is saying nothing is going right at the moment? Perhaps disappointed in canyon leaving many riders/teams IMG 5356.png?VersionId=A08HAP0fvzTW5kmg8i.Re1Qy0sHc.

Y'a plus rien qui va bordel could be translated to everything is going to shit.

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Alec_Ruston
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Location
Eskilstuna SE
1/2/2025 2:23pm
jofish wrote:
It must be hard for athletes who have to be outwardly “stoked” on their new sponsor when they are forced to give up a bike that...

It must be hard for athletes who have to be outwardly “stoked” on their new sponsor when they are forced to give up a bike that offered a competitive advantage. Tahnee going from that new Canyon to a bike that doesn’t even exist yet must be painful. 

It would be cool to hear a podcast on the ones that got away - thinking Gwin and his intense, Athertons with Trek, Greg with Honda and Sam Hill and his Iron Horse 😢

I think the Athertons are pretty satisfied with how the Robotbike/Atherton turned out. 
Gold and Silver at the Worlds, plus a few WC wins is not exactly shite….

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jofish
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GB
1/2/2025 2:34pm Edited Date/Time 1/2/2025 2:39pm
I think the Athertons are pretty satisfied with how the Robotbike/Atherton turned out. Gold and Silver at the Worlds, plus a few WC wins is not exactly...

I think the Athertons are pretty satisfied with how the Robotbike/Atherton turned out. 
Gold and Silver at the Worlds, plus a few WC wins is not exactly shite….

Not saying things don’t work out well in the end. I just imagine it must be frustrating to spend years getting a bike to feel exactly how you want it and then immediately move on for business reasons. Not to mention handing over all your homework to the next rider. 

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1/2/2025 2:45pm
jofish wrote:
It must be hard for athletes who have to be outwardly “stoked” on their new sponsor when they are forced to give up a bike that...

It must be hard for athletes who have to be outwardly “stoked” on their new sponsor when they are forced to give up a bike that offered a competitive advantage. Tahnee going from that new Canyon to a bike that doesn’t even exist yet must be painful. 

It would be cool to hear a podcast on the ones that got away - thinking Gwin and his intense, Athertons with Trek, Greg with Honda and Sam Hill and his Iron Horse 😢

That is called being a professional. They're used to it. Sometimes your forced to use new gear that its objectively worse than what you were using before, but its how you get paid.

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1/2/2025 3:19pm Edited Date/Time 1/2/2025 3:47pm

Has Orbea really been the only brand that has made an offer to FMD to take its bikes to the World Series? Are you sure there haven't been more interested brands? 🤔

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1/2/2025 3:41pm Edited Date/Time 1/2/2025 3:46pm

I mean Norco could have just said fuck it, the team are 90% of our entire marketing budget. Marketing budgets are huge. They can also work into rider contracts that they have to do x amount of photo/video shoots for product. With everything going on with wb and all the team stuff, maybe they are “buying the dip” and saying fuck it, everyone else is getting out, let’s go all in and that will be our marketing plan. 

As for canyon, yea they are hurting. They also dropped all their “influencers” and told them all they had to send all their bikes back or they could “buy” their own 1-2 year old used bikes back for 20% off full retail 😂

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groghunter
Posts
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Location
Tucson, AZ US
1/2/2025 3:50pm Edited Date/Time 1/2/2025 3:51pm
jofish wrote:
It must be hard for athletes who have to be outwardly “stoked” on their new sponsor when they are forced to give up a bike that...

It must be hard for athletes who have to be outwardly “stoked” on their new sponsor when they are forced to give up a bike that offered a competitive advantage. Tahnee going from that new Canyon to a bike that doesn’t even exist yet must be painful. 

It would be cool to hear a podcast on the ones that got away - thinking Gwin and his intense, Athertons with Trek, Greg with Honda and Sam Hill and his Iron Horse 😢

That is called being a professional. They're used to it. Sometimes your forced to use new gear that its objectively worse than what you were using...

That is called being a professional. They're used to it. Sometimes your forced to use new gear that its objectively worse than what you were using before, but its how you get paid.

Also, if parts really cause a competitive disadvantage... they get replaced with rebranded stuff that works.  forks with internals from a competitor, sharpied maxxis tires, Intense M1s being repainted for like 5 different brands, these are all things that have happened when there was a real competitive disadvantage.

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jofish
Posts
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Location
GB
1/2/2025 4:45pm
That is called being a professional. They're used to it. Sometimes your forced to use new gear that its objectively worse than what you were using...

That is called being a professional. They're used to it. Sometimes your forced to use new gear that its objectively worse than what you were using before, but its how you get paid.

Yeah they’re professionals and they’ve got to do what they’ve got to do - but I still think it would suck.

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jofish
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1/2/2025 4:50pm
groghunter wrote:
Also, if parts really cause a competitive disadvantage... they get replaced with rebranded stuff that works.  forks with internals from a competitor, sharpied maxxis tires, Intense...

Also, if parts really cause a competitive disadvantage... they get replaced with rebranded stuff that works.  forks with internals from a competitor, sharpied maxxis tires, Intense M1s being repainted for like 5 different brands, these are all things that have happened when there was a real competitive disadvantage.

I guess it’s not out of the question that Tahnee does ride a rebadged Canyon but there’s got to be some mixed emotions there. Good to do well on a bike you were involved in developing. Bad to do free marketing for a brand that just dropped you. 

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1
1/2/2025 4:56pm
I mean Norco could have just said fuck it, the team are 90% of our entire marketing budget. Marketing budgets are huge. They can also work...

I mean Norco could have just said fuck it, the team are 90% of our entire marketing budget. Marketing budgets are huge. They can also work into rider contracts that they have to do x amount of photo/video shoots for product. With everything going on with wb and all the team stuff, maybe they are “buying the dip” and saying fuck it, everyone else is getting out, let’s go all in and that will be our marketing plan. 

As for canyon, yea they are hurting. They also dropped all their “influencers” and told them all they had to send all their bikes back or they could “buy” their own 1-2 year old used bikes back for 20% off full retail 😂

When was this canyon drop?
was this pre sam pilgrim? who were their "influencers”?

We know they are going to take a massive Hit from the Ebike battery drama and there was 2 posts on insta where people had lost garages from the fires, which were taken down shortly before the announcement.
The Exploding seat stays on the torque and spectral ebikes seem to have caused issues aswell - as a heap of those posts are gone aswell.

I'd happily see canyon as a brand take a big loss, They are part responsible for Headset routing when they worked with acros and also introduced us to The pure sh1t is52 upper headset...(with the 2021 spectral) The zs56 upper wouldve been better as it uses a normal zs44 bearing and metal compression ring.

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1
gonza.s.m.
Posts
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Location
dallas, TX US
1/2/2025 5:45pm
Trisquelo wrote:
Has Orbea really been the only brand that has made an offer to FMD to take its bikes to the World Series? Are you sure there...

Has Orbea really been the only brand that has made an offer to FMD to take its bikes to the World Series? Are you sure there haven't been more interested brands? 🤔

probably not the only, but the best option they got on the table, that's sure. 

1/2/2025 6:04pm Edited Date/Time 1/2/2025 6:07pm
sspomer wrote:
Giant Factory Team is official with Jewett bros and Alan Hatherly on - full PR - https://www.vitalmtb.com/news/press-release/giant-factory-road-team-ups-its-game-new-superstar-talent-including-xc-world-cup-and-world-champion2025 Giant Factory Off-Road TeamDane Jewett (Canada), DHJakob...

Giant Factory Team is official with Jewett bros and Alan Hatherly on - full PR - https://www.vitalmtb.com/news/press-release/giant-factory-road-team-ups…

2025 Giant Factory Off-Road Team

Dane Jewett (Canada), DH

Jakob Jewett (Canada), DH

Rémi Thirion (France), DH

Luke Meier-Smith (Australia), DH

Dario Lillo (Switzerland), XC

Alan Hatherly (South Africa), XC

Jens Schuermans (Belgium), XC

Carter Woods (Canada), XC

Jakob and Dane portrait
gonza.s.m. wrote:

no Enduro riders??

...and no women?

Edit: Looks like maybe the XC women ride for Liv, not Giant?  But still no women DH riders in the announcement.

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1/2/2025 6:48pm Edited Date/Time 1/2/2025 6:59pm
Trisquelo wrote:
Has Orbea really been the only brand that has made an offer to FMD to take its bikes to the World Series? Are you sure there...

Has Orbea really been the only brand that has made an offer to FMD to take its bikes to the World Series? Are you sure there haven't been more interested brands? 🤔

gonza.s.m. wrote:

probably not the only, but the best option they got on the table, that's sure. 

Are you referring to the brand that paid them the best? Although Orbea is a small company, it has invoiced 400 million euros each year since 2022, with a 10% return on its turnover. I think they have put good money on the table for FMD, although the bike, as we know, is not fully developed and looks quite simple compared to the current prototypes of other brands competing in the World Series.

And as for Canyon, could they be making room for someone Top?, Marine Cabirou?.

 
 
 
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stoic_machine
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Location
Dildo, Newfoundland CA
1/2/2025 7:04pm
Trisquelo wrote:
Has Orbea really been the only brand that has made an offer to FMD to take its bikes to the World Series? Are you sure there...

Has Orbea really been the only brand that has made an offer to FMD to take its bikes to the World Series? Are you sure there haven't been more interested brands? 🤔

gonza.s.m. wrote:

probably not the only, but the best option they got on the table, that's sure. 

Trisquelo wrote:
Are you referring to the brand that paid them the best? Although Orbea is a small company, it has invoiced 400 million euros each year since...

Are you referring to the brand that paid them the best? Although Orbea is a small company, it has invoiced 400 million euros each year since 2022, with a 10% return on its turnover. I think they have put good money on the table for FMD, although the bike, as we know, is not fully developed and looks quite simple compared to the current prototypes of other brands competing in the World Series.

And as for Canyon, could they be making room for someone Top?, Marine Cabirou?.

 
 
 

Id wager whatever Orbea brings to the table does far better than people think it will. I think FrameWorks has shown that a proper good working DH bike doesn't need 17 links it just needs to take advantage of the technology we have and developing something extremely predictable. 

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Stunnanumma1
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Chevy Chase, MD US
1/2/2025 7:25pm
gonza.s.m. wrote:

probably not the only, but the best option they got on the table, that's sure. 

Trisquelo wrote:
Are you referring to the brand that paid them the best? Although Orbea is a small company, it has invoiced 400 million euros each year since...

Are you referring to the brand that paid them the best? Although Orbea is a small company, it has invoiced 400 million euros each year since 2022, with a 10% return on its turnover. I think they have put good money on the table for FMD, although the bike, as we know, is not fully developed and looks quite simple compared to the current prototypes of other brands competing in the World Series.

And as for Canyon, could they be making room for someone Top?, Marine Cabirou?.

 
 
 
Id wager whatever Orbea brings to the table does far better than people think it will. I think FrameWorks has shown that a proper good working...

Id wager whatever Orbea brings to the table does far better than people think it will. I think FrameWorks has shown that a proper good working DH bike doesn't need 17 links it just needs to take advantage of the technology we have and developing something extremely predictable. 

The FW approach is really: keep it simple. They wanted to make a bike that was fast, not one to sell. Thus, they don't have to do things like change the head angle .5 degrees to sell a new bike next year for 600 more dollars.

 

They really said, how does a bike work the best...tried a lot of ways, realized simple was best. Love it.

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1
1/2/2025 7:37pm
Trisquelo wrote:
Has Orbea really been the only brand that has made an offer to FMD to take its bikes to the World Series? Are you sure there...

Has Orbea really been the only brand that has made an offer to FMD to take its bikes to the World Series? Are you sure there haven't been more interested brands? 🤔

The thing is I bet Tahnee as a solo athlete would have almost her pick of teams to ride for but as a team FMD is a bit of a harder sell . Phoebe Gale seems to be on the way up and oli Zwar was looking good pre injury's but it's Tahnee that's going to be the appeal for brands to be linked with .

I hope that Orbea have a good bike ready for her as she was looking to be back to her best .

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1
1/2/2025 9:37pm
The thing is I bet Tahnee as a solo athlete would have almost her pick of teams to ride for but as a team FMD is...

The thing is I bet Tahnee as a solo athlete would have almost her pick of teams to ride for but as a team FMD is a bit of a harder sell . Phoebe Gale seems to be on the way up and oli Zwar was looking good pre injury's but it's Tahnee that's going to be the appeal for brands to be linked with .

I hope that Orbea have a good bike ready for her as she was looking to be back to her best .

Maes seemed pretty happy with how the DH development of the Wild base frame was tracking.
I do take that with a grain of salt though, he is after all paid to be a cheerleader for Orbea as well as a racer & test pilot.
I think they certainly got enough data from 2024's experimenting to know where to head to with DH development.

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1/2/2025 10:02pm

I think it was on a downtime podcast where Martin Maes kind of hinted that when he'd signed with Orbea they had promised him a downhill bike within a certain time frame that hadn't materialized . 

I don't doubt Orbea can make a good DH bike , all their other bikes get pretty good reviews so I don't see why this should be any different.

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gonza.s.m.
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Location
dallas, TX US
1/3/2025 12:59am
Trisquelo wrote:
Has Orbea really been the only brand that has made an offer to FMD to take its bikes to the World Series? Are you sure there...

Has Orbea really been the only brand that has made an offer to FMD to take its bikes to the World Series? Are you sure there haven't been more interested brands? 🤔

gonza.s.m. wrote:

probably not the only, but the best option they got on the table, that's sure. 

Trisquelo wrote:
Are you referring to the brand that paid them the best? Although Orbea is a small company, it has invoiced 400 million euros each year since...

Are you referring to the brand that paid them the best? Although Orbea is a small company, it has invoiced 400 million euros each year since 2022, with a 10% return on its turnover. I think they have put good money on the table for FMD, although the bike, as we know, is not fully developed and looks quite simple compared to the current prototypes of other brands competing in the World Series.

And as for Canyon, could they be making room for someone Top?, Marine Cabirou?.

 
 
 

I don’t really know about the money or other issues, just that it was their best option overall—the most interesting project, I’d say.

In the end, it’s like picking a job: you go with the best option you have at the time, based on your priorities and circumstances, isn't?

benjeman
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12/30/2024
Location
Aberystwyth GB
1/3/2025 1:38am
gonza.s.m. wrote:

probably not the only, but the best option they got on the table, that's sure. 

Trisquelo wrote:
Are you referring to the brand that paid them the best? Although Orbea is a small company, it has invoiced 400 million euros each year since...

Are you referring to the brand that paid them the best? Although Orbea is a small company, it has invoiced 400 million euros each year since 2022, with a 10% return on its turnover. I think they have put good money on the table for FMD, although the bike, as we know, is not fully developed and looks quite simple compared to the current prototypes of other brands competing in the World Series.

And as for Canyon, could they be making room for someone Top?, Marine Cabirou?.

 
 
 
Id wager whatever Orbea brings to the table does far better than people think it will. I think FrameWorks has shown that a proper good working...

Id wager whatever Orbea brings to the table does far better than people think it will. I think FrameWorks has shown that a proper good working DH bike doesn't need 17 links it just needs to take advantage of the technology we have and developing something extremely predictable. 

I think you're on to something here. I think the gains are far more marginal with complicated high pivot linkage systems than the big brands or their sponsored riders would like us to believe. As others have said the FW (or even the YT Tues) approach has pretty simple (but winning) bike design. If you have two chains or high pivot and still can't get on the podium, maybe its not the bike...

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1
stefkrger
Posts
35
Joined
12/27/2018
Location
DE
1/3/2025 2:33am
I mean Norco could have just said fuck it, the team are 90% of our entire marketing budget. Marketing budgets are huge. They can also work...

I mean Norco could have just said fuck it, the team are 90% of our entire marketing budget. Marketing budgets are huge. They can also work into rider contracts that they have to do x amount of photo/video shoots for product. With everything going on with wb and all the team stuff, maybe they are “buying the dip” and saying fuck it, everyone else is getting out, let’s go all in and that will be our marketing plan. 

As for canyon, yea they are hurting. They also dropped all their “influencers” and told them all they had to send all their bikes back or they could “buy” their own 1-2 year old used bikes back for 20% off full retail 😂

I don’t believe Canyon are hurting much. They have a stacked field of roadies who are several times more expensive then anyone in MTB. Might just be a change of strategy to focus on a few big names, similar like YT did a while ago

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1/3/2025 2:49am
gonza.s.m. wrote:
I don’t really know about the money or other issues, just that it was their best option overall—the most interesting project, I’d say.In the end, it’s...

I don’t really know about the money or other issues, just that it was their best option overall—the most interesting project, I’d say.

In the end, it’s like picking a job: you go with the best option you have at the time, based on your priorities and circumstances, isn't?

Well, we will let the season begin, and develop without injuries or setbacks, and thus be able to make comparisons with statistics of real results. 🧐


 

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TigerRage888
Posts
2
Joined
4/25/2024
Location
Mount Saint Thomas, NSW AU
1/3/2025 3:05am

My Guess for FMD

Is move to orbea bikes all but confirmed really

Martin Maes and Darragh Ryan to Join the FMD alongside Oli, Tahnee and Phoebe

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1/3/2025 4:12am Edited Date/Time 1/3/2025 4:15am

My Guess for FMD

Is move to orbea bikes all but confirmed really

Martin Maes and Darragh Ryan to Join the FMD alongside Oli, Tahnee and Phoebe

Honestly was confused when you dropped that name but seeing as pretty much a lot of people in FMD and the FMD account itself is following him, I'm inclined to agree with you. Was wondering what junior they were going to pick for this year. Looks like he's stupid fast as well judging by race results

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wlmc
Posts
2
Joined
1/2/2025
Location
Clunes, NSW AU
1/3/2025 5:02am

Long time lurker, first time poster here…


Have noticed that PFR no longer follow Jake Jewett on IG but do follow Vinny Armstrong, Heather Wilson, Dani Castellanos and Harry Schofield. They only follow 23 profiles and 18 of those are sponsors/media/mechanics/current team plus still following Dane and Teagan. So maybe some potential there?


Side note though… Apologies for the off-topic but I feel it’s worth a mention. Ryan Griffith seems like a top sportsman. The only PFR member that I’ve seen consistently stoked for everyone in the comments on all the posts, Pivot and beyond. An asset to the sport.

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kevroberts
Posts
54
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11/1/2013
Location
Wirral GB
1/3/2025 5:09am Edited Date/Time 1/3/2025 5:10am
wlmc wrote:
Long time lurker, first time poster here…Have noticed that PFR no longer follow Jake Jewett on IG but do follow Vinny Armstrong, Heather Wilson, Dani Castellanos...

Long time lurker, first time poster here…


Have noticed that PFR no longer follow Jake Jewett on IG but do follow Vinny Armstrong, Heather Wilson, Dani Castellanos and Harry Schofield. They only follow 23 profiles and 18 of those are sponsors/media/mechanics/current team plus still following Dane and Teagan. So maybe some potential there?


Side note though… Apologies for the off-topic but I feel it’s worth a mention. Ryan Griffith seems like a top sportsman. The only PFR member that I’ve seen consistently stoked for everyone in the comments on all the posts, Pivot and beyond. An asset to the sport.

It’s public knowledge that’s both Jewitt’s have left pivot and joined the giant factory team 

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wlmc
Posts
2
Joined
1/2/2025
Location
Clunes, NSW AU
1/3/2025 5:39am
wlmc wrote:
Long time lurker, first time poster here…Have noticed that PFR no longer follow Jake Jewett on IG but do follow Vinny Armstrong, Heather Wilson, Dani Castellanos...

Long time lurker, first time poster here…


Have noticed that PFR no longer follow Jake Jewett on IG but do follow Vinny Armstrong, Heather Wilson, Dani Castellanos and Harry Schofield. They only follow 23 profiles and 18 of those are sponsors/media/mechanics/current team plus still following Dane and Teagan. So maybe some potential there?


Side note though… Apologies for the off-topic but I feel it’s worth a mention. Ryan Griffith seems like a top sportsman. The only PFR member that I’ve seen consistently stoked for everyone in the comments on all the posts, Pivot and beyond. An asset to the sport.

kevroberts wrote:

It’s public knowledge that’s both Jewitt’s have left pivot and joined the giant factory team 

Yep - that’s why I made a special note of them still following Teagan and Dane, because they’re no longer a part of the team either. 

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1/3/2025 5:44am
jpowski wrote:
I am here for the Danny Hart cartoon image on the back of the truck. So excited for him! We didn't know we needed him on...

I am here for the Danny Hart cartoon image on the back of the truck. So excited for him! We didn't know we needed him on proper Factory Team. He is gonna be the years biggest star!

Specially since Worlds DH 2025 are in Champery...

Hart attack

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1/3/2025 5:47am
jpowski wrote:
I am here for the Danny Hart cartoon image on the back of the truck. So excited for him! We didn't know we needed him on...

I am here for the Danny Hart cartoon image on the back of the truck. So excited for him! We didn't know we needed him on proper Factory Team. He is gonna be the years biggest star!

Specially since Worlds DH 2025 are in Champery...

Hart attack

Champery racetrack 2024 is a one line track, not the super technical and steep track of Hart's greatest run. 

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