Loic Bruni Interviews Troy Brosnan - Outspoken Episode 6 18

This may be the most insightful look into what it means to be a modern downhill mountain bike racer. Troy Brosnan, tied for 2nd place in the 2019 UCI World Cup DH overall, sits down with Loic Bruni, the current leader in the downhill race series. Troy is known for his consistency at the races, regularly placing 2nd or 3rd. He's won two World Cup downhills in his career, but Loic questions Troy if it's time to push harder for the win. The two discuss race technique, the mountain bike community, being teammates with Sam Hill, Aaron Gwin and Fabien Barel, junior racing and bike setup (with Troy racing a 29-inch front wheel for the first time in Val di Sole this weekend). The interview concludes with the two discussing pro racing contract negotiation and the secrecy behind it all. Truly a fascinating and candid interview with two of the fastest mountain bikers on the planet in the latest Outspoken interview.




 



We are honored at Vital to be a part of this incredible interview series with Loic this year. Aaron "Mono" Bartlett put it all together and made it happen, and we're blown away. The questions Loic asks, the experiences only he and these riders have gone through make it so special. Thank you Loic, Mono, Fox Racing for getting behind it and the interview guests. -gordo


Credit: Creative Concept TV
Related:
UCI Mountain Bike World Cup
Downhill
Loic Bruni
Troy Brosnan
Interview
Racing
OUTSPOKEN
18 comments

View replies to: Loic Bruni Interviews Troy Brosnan - Outspoken Episode 6

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Stiksandstones
5 years ago
This series started slow for me, liked it, but...wasnt foaming at mouth for next one-like I do for the Spomer podcast (depending on guest for sure haha)....BUT, the last few, have been great. All of us respect the shit out of Loic for his talents on a bike, personality, etc, but respect meter going up again for his braveness in doing this show, tearing down some walls of privacy with his questions, getting into the Psych of the riders-and him self. He should be applauded for taking the risk in doing this, loving it. Also applaud vital for thinking of new creative ways to deliver content in this ever changing world of media. Tell your friends about this rad content, share it, spread the virus of DH racing, it's way more insightful (to me, I guess) than some random building a bike rack at his mansion on youtube.
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StudBeefpile
5 years ago
Wow this one was amazing. Such great insight into Troys race prep. Also the contract stuff is important as well. Nice work all around.
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styriabeef
5 years ago
Boom - that was intense. I always thought that Loic did this only to also have a video series like Finn's got with "Fast Life". But this time I really saw two competitors speaking out what exists maybe silently between them, but in an honest and respectful manner. Therefore I also think the format with its "closed" almost intimate setup is chosen smart. I don't think I've seen anything comparable in any other sport. The athletes in this sport really sculpt the way it's perceived way more than in other sports. It's a great ime to be a superfan
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JCL
5 years ago
That was great. Brosnan, like Greg, is so consistent and the older I get the more impressive that is to me. Knowing where the grip limit is on multiple different tracks over a whole year.

Greenland (always seems really down to earth) and one of the Frenchie XCO guys like Sarrou or Koretzky would be my picks. Those two rip, it'd be good to hear what they think of DH and Enduro, the differences in training. Please don't do one with Gwin. It'd be so contrived and dull.
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stringbean
5 years ago
Contract talk is interesting. I feel manufacturers don't want the public and other riders to know how much they are getting paid, as Troy says the top 5 are on some proper money, well into the 6 figures. A rider just outside the top 10 is on a lot less, but without knowing what other riders are on, they have no leverage, no one to compare to and are more than likely being under compensated. The winners of that are whoever they are riding for because its more money in the back pocket for the boss dogg's.
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blast_off
5 years ago
I can't think of any way that contract transparency would help these guys make less money. This is a rough and dangerous sport, and we all feel like they are not compensated for their work. There is definitely an element of pride involved in the contracts. I do think a revamp of the actual racing would help a lot. 3 runs, best 1 counts, or multiple different tracks per weekend? Something to give the top earners more screen time, and give us something more than 3 minutes to drool over would be good.
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mtbrealtalk
5 years ago
Riders outside the Top 10 are on a lot less, because their value as an asset to a company is worth a lot less.

Look at Matt Walker for example - riding for Madison Saracen, he's probably paid around $40k a year. By the time you add up travel expenses, parts, mechanic etc he is probably costing that team over $100k a year to have as a rider.

Now are there enough people out there going out and buying a Saracen because Matt Walker is riding one? Nothing against him as a rider, he's just the example. Same could be said for 99% of the riders outside the top 5. How many of them actually SELL product (that is why they are sponsored, this industry is not a charity).

If riders knew what each other was being paid, and discussed freely, the MTB industry would end up like the MX industry. Only a few brands with the funds to sponsor the riders. That then means those brands have a monopoly over the market and it's bad for the end consumer because there's less selection.

People have this wild theory that MTB brand owners are sitting back in their beachfront mansion in Malibu sipping White Claws from the back seat of their Bentley Bentayga whilst their driver takes them to the local Golf Club for a round with their rich white friends.

They aren't. Sure, the top boys at the big brands (Sinyard at Specialized for example) are making a comfortable living - enough to send their kids to college and set them for life for sure. But the same can be said for Bike brands as can be said for Top riders. Outside of the biggest 5 bike brands, not many owners/CEO's are making big money...
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Stiksandstones
5 years ago
A lot right in this statement, and a lot wrong. You think MX riders are overpaid because they 'discuss freely'?? thats completely moronic....and thinking CEOs and Owners arent making big money outside of the top 5 is completely naive.
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astrizzle
5 years ago
this should be in a podcast format, I mean 43 min of video is a sitcom and a half for crying out loud!
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sspomer
5 years ago
we're not apologetic about the video-only element so far, but know we'll be getting all the episodes in our podcast channel next week.
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sspomer
5 years ago
video won't go away. just going to put audio only on our podcast channel, too.
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depeche4
5 years ago
"He's skin suit French", nice.

The best part was the contract stuff at the end.
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