2019 Racing Rumors: Gwin Off YT, Ratboy to Cannondale, & More

Oct 12, 2018
by Mike Levy  



Do you guys remember when you pretty much knew who'd fill out the top-five on a World Cup results sheet? It was only a few seasons ago that you could more or less say who was going to do well; Gwin, Atherton, Minnaar and the rest of the crew were the safe choices, and you'd be a dumbass to ever bet against Rachel stomping on most of the women's field. The old guard is up against it now, though, with the likes of Pierron, Vergier, Shaw, Bruni, and Iles on the men's side, and Seagrave, Cabirou, and young'n Vali Höll for the ladies looking to bump the veterans down a few spots.

The fresh blood hasn't only shaken up our Sundays, however, with sponsorship silly season looking like it might be just as disruptive as the racing. There are rumors, and only rumours, of World Champion Miranda Miller leaving the big red S to race enduro, Brendan Fairclough leaving Scott and World Champion Kate Courtney joining Scott, Emily Batty and Trek going separate ways, Jack Moir throwing a leg over a Session for 2019, and Maes still not being locked down by GT. Just give the Belgian whatever he wants, right?

The wildest rumor of all? Both Gwin and Neko are leaving YT and currently talking to other companies, including American brands Intense, Trek, and believe it or not, Specialized.






Rumor: Aaron Gwin and Neko Mulally off YT
Status: likely

We might as well start with the juiciest one of all: the most dominant male downhiller in recent times, Aaron Gwin, along with current teammate and fellow American Neko Mulally, are reportedly both moving on from their YT program.

So, where are they going? The rumor mill has several companies poking around: Trek (again), Specialized (also again), and Intense. Yup, Intense.

Just imagine Gwin, an American, winning World Cups and possibly even an overall title (you'd bet against Gwin?) on an Intense, which is also American. If it happens, there better be some bald eagles on Gwin and Neko's bikes. Will we see an all-American dream team of Gwin and Mulally? Will this put Intense back to the top of the downhill bike food chain for the first time since the M1 was making us drool back in the mid to late-90s and early 2000s?
A rough day at the office for Aaron Gwin...and we haven t seen too many of them... ever. Let alone a muddied leader jersey and bloodied teeth.
Where will Gwin and Mulally be in 2019?

There's one more name in the running, too, with the Germans at Canyon reportedly putting their bidding hand up as well, but I suspect that we won't be finding out where Gwin and Neko will be calling home until closer to 2019.

Having Gwin on your bike isn't exactly an inexpensive proposition - he's rumored to be commanding a significant cheque. The team's structure is something to keep in mind as well; The Mob is the actual team put together by Gwin and Martin Whiteley, and is supplied frames by YT and parts by their sponsors. I suspect that Gwin will want that arrangement to carry over with another frame sponsor for 2019.

Gwin was tight lipped beyond confirming that he's "currently unsigned and still working on everything," and YT declined to comment, so we're left to get our TMZ on (errr... PMZ?) for now. Where do you think Gwin and Neko are heading to, if anywhere?


Rumor: Maes to stay with GT
Status: likely

He didn't take any overall titles in 2018, but Martin Maes had one hell of a season. The Belgian powerhouse became the first racer to stand on the top step at both an Enduro World Series race (Whistler no less) and a World Cup downhill event (a slick La Bresse) back-to-back, and on very different types of terrain. Oh yeah, he followed that up with a second place, just 0.213 behind Loic Bruni, at this little thing called the DH World Championships. Maes beat Hart, Vergier, Gwin and the rest of the full-time downhill gang on the Lenzerheide track, thereby proving that he's one of the most versatile gravity racers out there, as well as giving credence to just how gnarly the EWS guys actually are. Not that anyone should have ever doubted that.
Martin Maes
Maes with the completely justified horns.

Maes' contract with GT is apparently up, and his current run of results makes him one of the hottest free agents out there. If you ask me, GT should just give him whatever the hell he wants, especially since it's been a long time since they were a force (see what I did there?) on the racing scene. No one with insider knowledge wanted to comment on the record, other than the man himself: ''GT picked me up when I was 15 years old. The years went by so quick and we achieved some of my dreams together. I can't thank the whole team enough to make such rad bikes and be so supportive. We are determined to achieve so much while having a good time,'' Maes told me when I asked him his plans.

Given that quote, it's likely that we'll see a 'Maes re-signs with GT' press release any day now, although I don't doubt that other brands are sniffing around.




Rumor: Miranda Miller to race EWS
Status: likely

Miranda Miller didn't have the smoothest of 2018 seasons after her World Championship victory in 2017, and there's talk of her switching it up for 2019 by moving to the Enduro World Series. Whether she does it under the Specialized banner or another brand remains to be seen—there are other reported suitors, including Kona.

The Miranda Miller Interview
Is Miller another downhiller who's turning to the EWS?


Confirmed: Fearon re-signs with Kona

While he wouldn't comment on anything to do with Miranda Miller, Kona's Caleb Smith did confirm that they've re-signed World Cup downhiller Connor Fearon. He'll be doing at least three Enduro World Series events in 2019, making him yet another World Cupper who's dipping his toes into the multi-stage gravity scene.

Connor Fearon was saying before the race that he planned to do well on stage one as he didn t think he would have the fitness to hang with the series regulars as the day wore on. He was pretty much on the money smashing his way to second place on stage one then putting in less stellar times on the later stages. Rumour is that this isn t the last time we ll see Connor at one of these races.
Kona's Connor Fearon will be doing more EWS races next year.


Rumor: Fairclough off Scott
Status: false

Brendan has long been one of the most stylish and popular racers around, as well as being one of the few World Cup regulars who dabbles in all sorts of other events. He's been doing exactly that for years while riding for Scott, but it's probably fair to say that his results have rarely matched his ridiculous talent. Maybe it's time for a change of scenery? That's what the completely unconfirmed rumors were saying, but...

This one is false. Ben Walker, Scott Product Manager, tells us that they have indeed re-signed Fairclough to ride their soon-to-be-released new downhill bike.
Brendan Fairclough
Fairclough off Scott? Nah.


Rumor: Kate Courtney on Scott
Status: possible

At the complete opposite end of the spectrum is freshly crowned cross-country World Champion Kate Courtney. While she certainly brought the heat in her junior years, Courtney wasn't the obvious pick for the top step in Lenzerheide, especially with the likes of Neff, Langvad, and Batty on the hunt for medals. In the end, Courtney used her superior technical skills to get a jump that Langvad couldn't close on the final lap, and the American notched her first huge win as an elite. The hugest win, actually.

She's been with Specialized since forever, and I'm sure they'd like to keep the newly crowned champ, but we've heard a few whispers that she could be leaving. Scott's name has come up more than once, and her and Nino Schurter would make for quite the roster.

Specialized wasn't eager to comment on whether Courtney was staying or not, with Sean Estes, their Global PR Manager, saying ''You should expect to hear athlete-related news from us sometime pretty soon.'' All quiet from Kate herself, too, which could be a hint in itself.
Image by Piotr Staron
Kate Courtney on Scott? Maybe.



Rumor: The Rat to Cannondale
Status: very likely

Josh Bryceland's departure from Santa Cruz is surely the biggest surprise of 2018, at least so far, but, if the whispers are true, where he ends up could trump that - Cannondale. Sounds crazy, right? It totally does... until you realize that Cannondale doesn't have any big-name gravity riders to send it on their near-new enduro bike, especially since Jerome Clementz stepped back from full-time action. Another clue: Cannondale has now debuted their new cross-country bikes (the Scalpel and F-Si), as well as both their new all-mountain and enduro bikes (the Trigger and Jekyll), so what's next? Exactly.
Is 275 next As the last guy to win a World Cup on 26 the first to take the overall on 275 and seen here boosting on a 29er Ratboy is probably wondering what all the fuss is about.
It's going to be odd to see Bryceland on anything other than a Santa Cruz.

The Rat does what the Rat wants - we're talking about a guy who stepped away from World Cup racing while being among the best - so don't be surprised to see a curveball from Bryceland.

Author Info:
mikelevy avatar

Member since Oct 18, 2005
2,032 articles

403 Comments
  • 207 23
 "Cannondale doesn't have any big-name gravity riders to send it on their near-new enduro bike"

Clearly you've never met my buddy Randy. DNFed one round and missed the last two, but still finished top 25 (23rd) in the EWS overall.
  • 63 10
 No doubt Randy is a mean racer, and is probably a great rep for Cannondale in America, however he doesn't compare to the big name status of Rat- especially in Europe where I'm sure Cannondale are aiming to sell bikes to such a large customer base.
  • 465 8
 Big name riders - my mate Randy. Seems legit.
  • 207 1
 His cousin Rick is also pretty rad
  • 110 0
 Yeaahhh Randy f*ckin sends it mate
  • 19 2
 oh man.. I should have realised you know Randy & Sharon. You having Colorado in your user name and all that.
tup
  • 6 0
 Does Randy use your forks as well Noah?
  • 44 4
 Thank you, when I read that they had no big-name riders I also thought of Randy . Send it Randy!
  • 83 0
 #randytoworlds #randytorampage
  • 16 0
 I indeed have not met your buddy, Randy.
  • 66 1
 #randygotrobbed
  • 9 0
 Whats a “Randy”?
  • 13 2
 @dingus: Right? Who the f*ck is Randy?
  • 15 6
 @dingus @dropthedebt @Jaffaman: I mean he won Trans Provence...... I can't tell if all the replies are sarcasm, or y'all just don't pay attention before commenting
  • 23 1
 #RANDYONCANNONDALE
  • 8 0
 GO RANDY!
  • 58 0
 Randy Bobandy???
  • 12 2
 Randy Osborne?
  • 24 3
 Just to clear the record, Randy= Marco Osbourne he will send it harder than USPS
  • 44 0
 Does this Randy guy never wear a shirt and eat cheese burgers all the time?
  • 2 0
 Randy is the man!
  • 20 36
flag WAKIdesigns (Oct 13, 2018 at 0:10) (Below Threshold)
 Schwalbe’s Rectal Randall - we have found him!
  • 30 1
 the replies to this are some of my favorite PB comments of all time. People, we need to rally around NoahColorado's buddy Randy and show our support.
  • 22 0
 Randy Spangler??
  • 3 1
 @AdustytrunkMonkey: Ran bam thank you man
  • 7 19
flag WAKIdesigns (Oct 13, 2018 at 4:24) (Below Threshold)
 I always looked up to Randy West
  • 24 0
 "How i met your buddy Randy" - Soon on Netflix
  • 18 1
 All hail randy leader of the mountain bike people.
  • 2 1
 Randy is on Crack...I can hear the slogan now.
  • 13 0
 Does he live in South Park ?
  • 4 1
 I'm kinda related to Randy. DNSed, but still proudly representing Cdale all around the region Wink
  • 4 11
flag Thema (Oct 13, 2018 at 7:40) (Below Threshold)
 @Jaffaman: USA tariffs
European markets are suddenly more lucrative for the likes of used-to-be-usa traitors like cannondale
Screw you capitalism
  • 4 0
 Randy's hot tonight.
  • 11 0
 Randy is the peoples champ.
  • 2 1
 @RoadRunner13: I’ve heard of that Randy~~~ BUT have you heard of Meat Face!?!? Now that dude.. Just likes to Ducking Send It!!!!
  • 2 0
 It's Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaandy!!
  • 7 0
 Cheeseburger Randy?
  • 4 0
 @trialsracer:
If there is a Union Flag or one from Scotland, Wales, England & Eire against a username... It's most definitely sarcasm.
Beer
  • 3 0
 #senditrandy
  • 2 0
 Or is it Randy’s “sister” Donna?
  • 13 0
 I hope your mate Randy goes to DH. I want to hear Rob Warner say. "HE'S GETTING MORE RANDY THAN AUSTIN POWERS ON A SHAG CARPET!"
  • 9 1
 ?Is he quite macho and sometimes a bit savage
  • 9 0
 its not me, I know that much
  • 16 0
 "You're drunk again Mr. Lahey"
  • 10 0
 Randy Watson! Sexual Chocolate
  • 2 0
 @dingus: My mate Terry is a mean racer too!
  • 4 0
 @EliasFritzen:
Although Terry is a fine name, it just doesn't have the marketing buzz as Randy.
tup
  • 19 1
 Randy gets the 2018 PB award for most comments to a PB article he was never mentioned in. #senditrandy
  • 3 1
 Randee Of The Redwoods? Anyone?
  • 2 0
 @Dropthedebt: True Randy seems to be creating a lot of hype!! Terry is getting a bit jealous!
  • 4 0
 #randyoftheday
#saverandy
#timetogetrandy
  • 1 0
 I've never met you Bro... I'm 2 legit 2 quit I send emails AND texts! I have a crack but don't do go there Make checks payable to racerRANDY for airfare travel
  • 2 1
 @RoadRunner13: No, I live in South Park..... Randy wus here tho, visiting Cartman
  • 1 0
 Fat Randy!
  • 3 1
 @hirvi: I thought Paul Wall was the people's champ.
  • 3 0
 I heard Randy couldn't handle the celeb lifestyle moved to Florida and became a charter boat captain.
  • 1 0
 @dingus: Can't believe you've never heard of him!
  • 1 0
 @Sprockingcrail: pickle rick i heard
  • 1 0
 @Jaffaman: there's a new Decon in town Randy
  • 2 0
 #longliveRandy
  • 2 1
 His name was Randy Paulson. His name was Randy Paulson. His name was Randy Paulson....
  • 1 0
 #randyaintdead
  • 2 0
 @Jaffaman: The guy who won the last Trans Provence... Europe must not care about its own races then....
  • 4 0
 @theedon: Marco Osborne
  • 1 0
 @slayerdegnar: Marco Osborne aka #senditRandy @marcoOsborne92
  • 1 0
 #SENDITRANDY
  • 1 1
 root of all evil here Smile
  • 85 11
 Would honestly love to see Gwin on Intense. Best American rider of all time on an American brand that isn't the big S.
  • 9 2
 He must be worth more to Intense than to the other two. Dig deep guys.
  • 32 3
 Gwin to Redalp!
  • 51 50
 Steve Pest was flying high for years. Windham 2012 he was green at all the splits, then binned it down the plunge. As it turned out, he never won another race just proving the "you're only as good as your last race" philosophy. Gwin may never win another race. You have to say his star is fading since the heady days of 2011 and those five second winning margins and near clean sweeps in the series. Everyone is catching up. Plus he isn't exactly Mr. Personality is he?
In my opinion, YT probably don't want to keep him for the money he wants. I could be wrong of course. I'm not trying to be insulting if he's your favourite racer. He is an awesome talent, but from a business perspective... do these companies believe he's ever going to smash the World Cup again? It's a lot of bike sales to pay his $700k, Mulally's $60k and Whiteley's $750k (Let's just all agree that no racer will ever get paid more than me). Return on investment is number one on a sponsor's list of importance. Are they going to get it on such a big name? One would guess, perhaps not. Hence why they don't want to pay it, as Specialized didn't want to a few years ago. It was worth it for YT for the original fanfare and buzz it generated, but that buzz is long gone.
  • 17 8
 @jaame: peat was the luckiest rider of all times and still need to thank gee for not going full blast. Gwin had a bad season due to injury - gm too - he will be back next year.
  • 75 3
 @jaame: I'd argue that, with the YT Mob videos and with more interviews on alternative media like Cathrovision, Gwin's personality has come out more over the past year or so. Where I though him aloof and boring before, I now see him as being more of a quiet but witty guy who can definitely have fun.

I do shudder at the overt USA! USA! paintjobs and kits that could come of a GwIntense deal... Although the Palm was pretty steezy in his stars and stripes get ups...
  • 5 2
 YT is smart to pass -points been made and they can save their $ to stay afloat. In the same sense, a win could really help Intense but I don't want them over to get overextended.
  • 18 0
 Gwin lives in an area just outside of Palm Springs called Temecula, which also just happens to be the HQ of Intense.
  • 6 1
 I hear Dean L. is going to scott...
  • 36 0
 He can probably see the Intense HQ from his crapper. (The one Rob wanted to try out)
  • 42 13
 How "American" is a company that has frames manufactured in taiwan??
  • 4 0
 Intense already have a big investment with their own program with IFR loaded with young promising riders. They're schtick is basically a SC Syndicate lite but for a fraction of the price. Paying The Mob to give them free frames will be way more expensive.
  • 7 14
flag jclnv (Oct 12, 2018 at 21:06) (Below Threshold)
 @jaame: Totally agree.
  • 37 10
 Since Intense shut down their sales of American made frames and gone to just prototyping with their American made allot frames then having the production carbon bikes made over seas I view Intesnse to be as American as Trumps “make America great again” hats that are made in China.
  • 17 5
 @rumblefish255: Well I looked into that hat thing and guess what I found? The original run of hats was made in the USA, the ones for the trump team to wear. Then a boatload of knockoffs was imported from you know where. They were not official merch but since it was a design knocked up on Word, it wasn't very difficult to copy. True!
  • 12 7
 Than it’s exactly like Intense. The original ones were made in the US. Then when money and profit became the priority then guess what happened. Haha. @jaame:
  • 19 2
 Gwin goes to Intense. Palmer comes back on the team in a coaching position. Teaches Gwinn how to party like a multi-sport rockstar, next Gwin is pulling can-cans off a triple at the Anahiem supercross with a half lap lead. Or not..
  • 4 0
 Seems fitting. both are in same area Socal. So, driving by the factory to pick up a new prototype from the factory after a 7-11 run is going equate in faster race times.
  • 6 0
 @Verbl-Kint: does intense have enough $$$$
  • 43 65
flag jclnv (Oct 12, 2018 at 22:56) (Below Threshold)
 Gwin goes after every cent again. Good Christian values.
  • 31 10
 @jclnv: your comment makes no sense.
  • 35 19
 @westeast: religion makes no sense but here we are.
If I were one of the big manufacturers Gwins lack of loyalty would be a big put off for me. Is it really worth the investment for a two year deal and by now are his fans really gonna take note of him on yet another different brand? They’re paying him to create sales and I feel like it’s a diminishing return with every time he switches. This isn’t because I don’t like Gwin, please don’t get me wrong. But I feel the biggest draw for me toward a brand comes from those riders and manufacturers who stick together. It would feel like a big risk to me knowing that this guy is willing to ship out to whomever offers him the dosh at the drop of a hat. And yeah I know he isn’t the only one but that’s who we’re talking about here and he is the biggest name in DH - again pls don’t confuse me for a Gwin hater.
  • 15 1
 That will be one Intense Mob.
  • 13 0
 @islander: True. Also YT can't keep up with the demand for their bikes so they probably don't feel the need to push the budget on their team riders.
  • 23 1
 @jaame: Gwin not Mr. Personality? I'm usually impressed with what he has to say in interviews--he has a SoCal bro accent, but is really sharp/interesting. Never shows up drunk for the Wyn TV after-party interviews, but there's enough Mr. Personalities to fill up that episode each race without him.
  • 13 1
 All American dream team of Gwin and Mulally? I'm not hating on Mulally, I know he won the US Nationals, but definitely Shaw and probably Harrison and Norton would beat him to American dream team status.
  • 4 0
 @karatechris: depends where you live, in the UK there hasn't been any real supply problems, and they only started getting low on stock in the last 2 months!
  • 6 10
flag jaame (Oct 13, 2018 at 2:53) (Below Threshold)
 @iqbal-achieve: I don't really pay attention to who is riding what. My favourite riders are Hart, Hill, Gee, Vergier, Brendog and some others. I don't ride a dh bike but if I got one, I would get a Wilson or a new high pivot Commencal. Just because I like the look of them. My mountain bike is a nomad that I got a good deal on. I follow riders, and I get bikes based on looks, then price; and that's only in the category I'm interested in. I would consider a mega but that's because they look awesome, not because Hill has used the design to destroy everyone.
  • 38 1
 Lol at this Gwin is washed up attitude here. He still puts down winning runs or podiums. If thats being washed up then what is being on top?? He missed the second half of the season and was still eleventh in points. FFS. Lay off the crack.
  • 6 6
 @jaame: I’m in the same boat completely. But the fact is they want the athletes to sell their bikes. And I don’t think simply winning is enough to do it.
  • 5 4
 @iqbal-achieve: I would go with that. Look at the best in the business. It's Rossi, Christiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi. Lewis Hamilton. Being an excellent exponent of your sport is not enough. Personality counts double.
  • 4 3
 @jaame: yeah precisely my thoughts. What I meant to say was ‘simply winning isn’t all there is to it’ sure it’ll get you some great publicity but speaking of our sport here I’m much more likely to look toward a brand with a good team image, good ethos, etc. I think that’s probably one of the reasons they formed the mob to bring a more team vibe to the money grabbing lol
Maybe an outsider or newbie to the sport would see the winners first whereas those already within the sport are more likely influenced by the vibes they get from the athletes. I dunno I’m not a marketing expert so I’ll shut up.
  • 22 1
 @SacAssassin: Gwin will never party like that! His idea of a party is ice cream sundaes after a big win. (His statement not mine) He’s the anti-Rat. Whereas Ratboy lives on a house boat in the Thames river, parties with true Rastafarian types and really does try to keep his carbon footprint down, Gwin builds a huuuuuge mansion on a hill, and posts an Instagram picture of his McLaren parked in front of a hair salon. Palmer and Rat? Fine match. Palmer and Gwin within the same organization would be like oil and water I think. That being said Gwin is also very into guitars. Jeff Steber is very into guitars. Gwin always likes Jeff’s posts @steberguitars. They both live and work in the same area. Gwin also seems to really be into companies that are willing to experiment with design changes etc. Jeff Steber is an incredibly creative and talented designer and craftsman. He is not a “board designer”. He’s a hands on builder type. So in that regard Intense and Gwin would make a perfect match. I see it as a strong possibility.
  • 12 1
 Since any rumor goes at this time of the year hows this, Gwin goes back to Yeti to join Rude (who switches to DH) and Mulally to reintroduce the 303. Or not.
  • 2 1
 @RedRedRe: how exactly do you win a time trial with luck?
  • 11 1
 lol at those who think gwins finished though. These next generation of riders have a lot of catching up to do still.
  • 3 0
 @rumblefish255: The reason for starting a company is to make money, it's called capitalism. Even non-for-profit organizations still make money, employees need a salary and bills need to be paid. Just saying...
  • 6 1
 @jclnv: Rightfully so, he's put in more hard work and sacrificed most of his life to get to where he's at. I've spent the past 25yrs developing my skills that now require a certain amount of money to get me in the door as well. Know your worth and you won't be taken advantage of.
  • 14 0
 @iqbal-achieve: When you have a finite amount of time to be on top in a sport that can leave you broken and disabled with a simple mistake, then anyone damn well deserves to squeeze as much money out of it while they can. Especially when you're at the level of Gwin. I do appreciate riders who stick with a brand but loyalty doesn't pay you're bills when you're retired or forced out do to injury.
  • 9 2
 @MikeGruhler: yep I totally accept that Smile I would do everything I could to keep my pay cheques coming in. But part of me thinks that swapping and changing brands whenever they refuse to pay your desired salary is gonna be detrimental to receiving your desired salary in the future.
Say I’m Intense and I see Gwins asking for 850k, ok we can afford that on a 2yr deal but then we know for sure he’s gonna turn around and ask us for a mil to re-sign, that’s what he’s done to everyone. And we wanna build a team image that portrays our brand as rock solid. Plus we’re well aware he splits opinions. Hmm. It’s tempting, he an American and lives next door but you know what, I just don’t think he’s worth it. If he has another bum year but this time on a brand new team everyone will say it’s the bike. Nah. Let’s go with those young guns all the groms are looking up to, who we can build a solid relationship with and work with them to develop their careers as intense boys and gals. Image is all.
  • 5 2
 @SeanC1: you are aware I hope, that the VAST majority of bicycles, carbon/aluminum whatever material, are manufactured in Taiwan. So are 95% of bike brands Taiwanese then?
  • 1 1
 @fattyheadshok: and that is why gwin is a pro racer winning and earn It is a talented bum on a bike
  • 4 2
 You don’t think it’s possible for professionals to work together based on some of their interests outside of the industry they work in? People pay far too much attention to the side of riders which is portrayed by some media reporting. Having a camera put in your face for 20 seconds straight after a race is not an accurate representation of your whole personality. If you think a perfect match is built upon liking each other’s Instagram posts you wildly underestimate gwins smart business mind
  • 1 0
 @SeanC1: would they still do that if the import tariff is big enough? Time will tell...
  • 16 0
 @fattyheadshok: You make a solid, well reasoned argument. My gut feeling still stands that Palmer corrupts Gwin in a few months time. Gwin sells the Mclaren for a 67’ Coupe Deville, Palmer and Gwin show up to races hung over and Gwin still wins by .005 seconds which includes stopping to puke on the side of the trail while throwing flying shakas all around. Gwinnys gopro footage trends on youtube for a day.

Or Gwin converts Palmer and they both hand out autographed bibles at the end of a race and go out for vanilla ice cream after a win.

Or it could go like you said.
  • 1 1
 @flyr: they could sign qwin 5 times over and have couple million left
  • 1 0
 @metaam: moir is coolest at intense
  • 2 3
 @SacAssassin: I think Gwin is more on the money side...the guy is thinking in the future,earn two or three coins to get a good life. Gwin is not a magnet for the young riders,the guy is not that kind of person. It would never be cool like Ratboy,but anyway it is one of the best riders of all time and it would be a nice rider for any team in the WC. Intense can put together a proto bike and never being worry about selling it,that is a good point to me.
  • 3 1
 I understand the point of owning and running a business. I started a business at the age of 19. Now as a 25 year old I have a steady income and a successful business. I strongly believe in capitalism and making a profit, I also believe in helping my fellow American business owners as much as I can. Even if that means taking a 15 percent ish cut out of my margin. @MikeGruhler:
  • 4 0
 @islander: I think youll see YT put their money towards Enduro next and try and take the Championship.
  • 3 0
 @H3RESQ: or YT signs Nino and goes full XC. They dont have an XC bike and thats a pretty large market they are missing out on. But I doubt it. I think they have over extended themselves signing everyone they could. My bet is Höll will be YT's main DH racer. This is fun making basless speculations and rumors. PB should make a betting pool for all the rumors on which riders go where.
  • 1 0
 @rumblefish255: omg is that story about the hats true???
  • 5 11
flag kipvr (Oct 13, 2018 at 16:01) (Below Threshold)
 @jclnv: yeah I don’t get that either, surely a true Christian doesn’t care for money the way he does, doesn’t someone in the bible say “a rich man entering heaven is like threading a camel through the eye of a needle” or something like that?
  • 5 14
flag jclnv (Oct 13, 2018 at 16:11) (Below Threshold)
 @kipvr: One word "Americans".
  • 1 0
 @islander: yt is backed by a huge bank
  • 2 0
 @islander: no, time won't tell, because Taiwan is not China, and therefore is not involved in this Chinese tariffs thing
  • 1 0
 Not only both American companies, but isn’t intense also based in the Temecula area? They are neighbors, would make a lot of sense
  • 3 0
 @iqbal-achieve: you’re not wrong about people blaming the bike if he switches and his results fall off, Specialized took another hell of a beating when Gwin singed on after the Trek years.

However your other argument is self defeating. Why take less money so a team can keep you on longer? If he’s leaving YT, it’s probably for more money, so clearly his short term relationship with teams is t hurting his salary any, or at least not hurting it any more than sticking around would have.

The Athertons also seeem to jump ship at the end of each contract, and they also seem to do pretty well for themselves. That said, rhompr is the Athertons are off Trek, which would free up some funding to put Gwin back on a Session, would be a better guess than Intense IMHO. IFR already has a pretty deep payroll and Intense is spending quite a bit to develop new ebikes, that doesn’t leave much money for Gwin, Trek has deep pockets and if the Athertons left, no notable DH talent.
  • 3 0
 @maxyedor: I hear ya, I’m really only messing about. It’s fun to speculate.
I’m not really suggesting he takes less money necessarily just that maybe it would pay to be a little less ruthless and try to build a solid relationship with a brand. I mean that seems to have worked really well for some riders when they retire too. Maybe he settles for a tiny bit lower than the max he could get but he’s basically paying into a retirement pot by doing so..?
  • 4 0
 @maxyedor: how about the athertons off trek and onto yt
  • 1 1
 @rumblefish255: At least they havent just sold out to the big boys like Santa Cruz
  • 3 0
 @iqbal-achieve: I agree if Randy switches sponcers I'll be very upset!
  • 1 0
 @Boardlife69: well said!
  • 1 0
 @rumblefish255: if you have a extra 15% margin you can live without your doing better than most.
  • 1 0
 @jclnv: no matter what country you live in money supports your family.....
  • 3 0
 @fattyheadshok: The Rat does definitely does not live on the Thames. He lives in NW of England.
  • 1 1
 @SeanC1: very
  • 1 0
 Ratboy back on SRAM/RockShox
  • 2 6
flag pushingbroom (Oct 15, 2018 at 13:54) (Below Threshold)
 @djyosh: I'm with you man. I cringe now at almost anything Murican. Intense is cool.... sorry was cool... for the longest time because of some of their personal work ethic values. I really enjoyed cheering for their team last season... but Intense and Gwin... that'll be a hard nope and fan lost forever.

That being said, Intense has some awesome riders on their roster at the moment. So it'll be still cool to see them crush the Intense Murican Gwin team on another ride and rob the Murican's of their inbred USA chant.
  • 6 0
 they should sign randy, I heard team lefty has been bury him on the their roster, just think of how fast he would be with two sides on his fork!!!! #signrandy #randysends
  • 2 0
 @jaame: what are you talking about, he won mont-saint-anne last year in the wet, pretty amazing if you ask me.
  • 1 0
 @iqbal-achieve: I can agree with that, sounds logical. But if he was changing sponsorships then there's a good chance others are offering more then his current sponsors,money not included. I have to imagine WC DH race teams are operating at a loss. There the pinnacle of speed and technology in are sport, therefore certain companies with the funds will pay whatever it takes to be seen on top, or not. Nobody's getting rich from DH racing..ok,maybe Gwinner and a small handful of others who used there time wisely. i.e Gracia, Tomac, Lopes etc.
  • 1 0
 what about Randy tho?
  • 1 0
 @iqbal-achieve: I don't blame the pros for switching. If any of us were in the same position and got substantial better offers I highly doubt anybody would turn them down.

Also, there is a lot of other factors like maybe they had creative differences with the bike manufacturers, didn't feel like they had the support they wanted or needed, or maybe they felt like they would be faster with another bike company's bike. So many reasons why they wanted to switch. Just like people changing jobs. Most riders like to try different bikes and have in the back of their mind that they might be faster riding a different bike.
  • 3 2
 Best American rider of all time? Love Gwinn, but have we forgotten about the multi-disciplined Palmer and Tomac already?

edit: @MikeGruhler remembers the OG's
  • 1 0
 Transition?
  • 1 0
 @Boardlife69: Höll is still a junior for 2019, for what it's worth.
  • 1 0
 @SeanC1: All of them Wink
  • 75 9
 Maybe Gwin can get some quality service from Intense. Lord knows no one else can!
  • 98 6
 Looks like we may be seeing Gwin in the mtbr forums. Everyone knows that’s the only way to get Intense's attention.

“Hi, I’m Aaron Gwin! I ride on Intense's UCI World Cup DH team, and the bike they gave me broke, but they won't answer my calls. They said they'd send me a new one right away, and that was three races ago."
  • 35 4
 @skelldify: I have (2) Intense bikes and aside from never having a problem, they answer my emails within 2-3 hours max...and have even answered on a Sunday in the past. I lost a piece off rear axle and they offered to send me one free or hand me one if I came into the shop. I guess I'm just lucky but I've never had an issue with Intense. Now Yeti is another story....they answer their emails 2,3, maybe 4 days later and always give you the shortest answer possible. The way they answer your questions is worded like they are bothering you.
  • 11 0
 @skelldify: I have a had good luck with intense getting random parts.
My experiences have been good thus far.
  • 6 1
 @k2rider1964: I have an m16 and tracer, sick bikes!
  • 9 5
 Totally agree, intense customer service is a joke.
  • 5 1
 Took almost 6 months for me to call in to the warranty department before I actually got to speak to someone who told me what I had to do to take care of a frame that cracked in one month of use :/
  • 3 2
 @skelldify: I have had three intense bikes and they have always had great customer service and sick bikes to boot. Gwin on intense seems fitting. Also, both are in same area, SoCal.
  • 8 3
 MTBR forums? Oh you mean that website thats still looks like 1997? Do people actually go there anymore?
  • 6 1
 @Boardlife69: f*ck yeah. Who care what the interface looks like, there is a lot of hidden gold there
  • 2 0
 Intense UK service is excellent. Very quick to answer emails, and set my bike up perfectly for me...
  • 3 0
 @rumblefish255: who calls anymore? You gotta text them or email. #mellinials
  • 46 0
 Brendan is such a great rider and role model! One minute he’s on the Audi nines then World Cup then you find him just having fun in a forest doing brakeless turns with some of his mates! Just optimises riding. A bloke who just loves to ride whatever whenever! .......and absolutely rips it all! Good luck to him and if there is one rider who deserves World Cup success more than any other, it surely has gone him!!
  • 46 2
 I thought the Rat might ride for Rocky Mountain or Devinci...Canadian eh..Weed is legal in 5 days..Smile
  • 12 23
flag Mntneer (Oct 12, 2018 at 23:48) (Below Threshold)
 By that logic, he should probably find a brand based out of southern oregon. Ya know, because we grow better cannabis than all of Canada
  • 24 49
flag jaame (Oct 13, 2018 at 0:06) (Below Threshold)
 Weed usually makes normal people into idiots!
  • 12 1
 @Mntneer: Fightin' words! Come up to Lasqueti and have some kush.
  • 19 0
 @jaame: What’s normal?
  • 14 4
 @jaame: In my experience lots of 'normal' people don't need any help from weed
  • 20 38
flag jaame (Oct 13, 2018 at 2:58) (Below Threshold)
 @metaam: that's true but I know a lot of guys who always make comments glorifying weed smoking as if it makes them cool, when actually it does the opposite. And trying to have a conversation with someone who's caned and clearly believes the weed has in some way enlightened them and made them more intelligent. Ha! It's as bad as listening to a drunk, only more irritating! Some friends and siblings have descended into this kind of, loserish place where there motivation to play the game of life has been all but lost due to weed smoking. I despise the stuff. We should be legalising cocaine before cannabis if you ask me. At least people will still perform after doing a bunch of coke, unlike smoking a few blunts before breakfast.
  • 26 2
 @jaame: Well, I'd much rather be straight and walk into a room full of stoned people than pissed ones, much less chance of someone getting punchy. Also weed doesn't even come close to doing the damage to society that alcohol and coke do.
  • 15 17
 @metaam: I'm on the fence about that one. When weed has been legal in a widespread way for fifty years, then we can start to make a like for like comparison with alcohol. I bet the effects are similarly bad in terms of productivity. True, there will be fewer fights. Fewer injuries sustained when under the influence... but a lot more fake sick days, lateness, no shows, etc. A lot of super smart university graduates struggling to hold down dead end jobs. I won't say lives ruined, but certainly a lot of people utterly failing to reach their potential in life.
  • 10 0
 @jaame: Forgetting about legislation I'd say the use of cannabis has been pretty widespread for the last 50 years. I don't think the law has much impact on user rates one way or the other
  • 1 0
 @timrippeth: Wish I could upvote this more!
  • 14 3
 @metaam @jaame weed doesn't make people lazy. People are lazy because they are lazy people. These lazy people happen to smoke weed. You both sound like idiots with your propoganda drug war views.
  • 5 0
 @jaame: You mean like Carl Sagan, Anne Druyan types?
  • 1 11
flag jaame (Oct 13, 2018 at 8:16) (Below Threshold)
 @fattyheadshok: no idea who either of those people are.
  • 4 0
 @DLuke14: Show me where I've implied that weed makes you lazy or that I subscribe to drug war propaganda
  • 7 1
 @jaame: that last post alone, illustrates why your opinion is bunk. Just because you surround yourself with losers, doesn't mean everyone else inst. Lots of alcoholics out there, doesn't mean smart people don't enjoy a drink.
  • 8 0
 @jaame: : maybe the drug is not the problem...I´m sick about hooligan/nazi people came to Spain to drink&destroy whatever is close to them,they come to 2000 km away to stay in a pub drinking...Last time I came to Bristol I saw most bizarre high people ever in my life...Drugs are there,but if you have nothing better to do and you are a f*cking ignorant that story never ends well. When young people have "nothing" to do,they take drugs is that simple. Mtb riding is a perfect way to have a kid focus on doing something.
  • 7 3
 I'm not saying everyone who smokes weed is a loser, but I am saying that regular weed smokers - the kind who smoke before work, on breaks, every night - will probably not be reaching their potential. For example, if one said person has the ability to make themselves a ten in life, but they start weed smoking on the regular, they will probably never make it past seven on the same scale.
  • 3 0
 @jaame: serious question here as i'm not a smoker, does smoking weed have the same cancer causing attributes that smoking tobacco has
  • 1 1
 @jaame: or the other way around
  • 2 1
 @mark3: No, and this is coming from another non smoker or weed smoker. As far as I'm aware, its the hazardous compounds / ingredients that they use or mix with the tobacco that give that high and give cigarettes an addictive trait. like if you went out to the fields and picked out raw tobacco, it would be much better for you as it doesn't have the harmful additives, but wouldn't get you addicted. Which is why the companies add these chemicals - to keep you wanting more, which means more sales. Whereas weed doesn't have these added compounds, so (scientifically at least) weed isn't bad for you like the cigarettes.
  • 3 0
 @Makka20: Not as bad as tobacco, but not totally benign.
  • 2 1
 Maybe the people don't want to live a "full potential" life or that "do ever your best, be a winner" kind of b-shit
  • 2 0
 @StFred: maybe not but when you are an adult and you have responsibilities, such as putting food in your children's mouths, paying for a roof over their heads, and giving them the best possible chance to avoid hardship in their own adult life when they get there, it's pretty important. At the end of the day you are going to go to work and exchange your time for someone else's money. May as well maximise your return.
  • 45 1
 Rat to Cotic, Gwin to Yamaha.
  • 1 0
 Honestly, Rat to Cotic would be the best.
  • 34 2
 Gwin to haibike
  • 3 2
 True Story! He said hes cool with e bikes.
  • 23 0
 Intense is HQ'd in Temecula, and I believe that's where Gwin lives. It would be cool. I'd also point out that Trek is an American brand, too...
  • 11 1
 and so is specialized Smile
  • 37 2
 Riding for Trek again would be Gwin's Waterloo. The SoCal BroMoto culture mating seems likely. Thank you for your service, Gwinner. He def pushed the brand over the top with punters worldwide. Hopefully YT will get more satanic in his absence.
  • 12 21
flag RedRedRe (Oct 12, 2018 at 17:23) (Below Threshold)
 @airsoftesneeto: Specialized is a chinese brand
  • 8 0
 @RedRedRe: Merida does not own a controlling stake (49%), so Specialized still is technically considered a private American company.
  • 18 0
 @endlessblockades: Is that... the greatest Trek pun ever?
  • 2 0
 @fullfacemike: I was thinking the same thing.
  • 3 0
 @fullfacemike: It took me a moment, but yes. Trek is headquartered in waterloo WI
  • 4 2
 @RedRedRe: where did you get that false information? their hq is in morgan hill, ca and the owner mike sinyard started selling tires out of his vw bug in europe. he then brought it back to his home in the US and started Specialized. Merida does not own more than 50% of the company so therefore it was and still is a US company
  • 37 16
 Ratboy to cannondale, that sucks !
  • 10 5
 I know I feel like I'm
The only one who thinks that as well. I guess you go where the money isn't?
  • 12 2
 @freeridejerk888: the parent company of Cannodale is larger that the one who purchased Santa Cruz from all I see. They have $$$
  • 5 12
flag bigmeatpete420 (Oct 12, 2018 at 15:23) (Below Threshold)
 @bman33: yes but are they willing to spend it to make their brand cool and not a old person brand? That's the difference. Plus Santa Cruz has a massive presence in the high end world where as cannondale doesn't Ps being local to them and most shops sell Santa Cruz and not cannondale. That should tell you somthing. The quality is mediocre at best. The consumer in our area couldn't really care about how much their spending and most want Santa Cruz. Yes you can get s good car from somthing like Hyundai but when you can get a Mercedes for the same price you don't
  • 5 3
 Cannondale owners also own fabric so would make sense
  • 8 2
 @freeridejerk888: neither you or I can. Answer. I will follow with the fact the majority of folks on Pinkbike are Josh fans (including me). He gets plenty of bro cred. That said, if Cannodale hires him, maybe that's a step in the right direction? Cannodale miles ahead of the game in the 90's and early 2000's till guess what? They were bought just like Santa Cruz. Who is to say SC will stay 'cool'? Who says their quality will stay high? Sure Rob is still there ....for now. But for some reason they did the "uncool" thing of letting Josh go. He is still marketable to the "cool" crowd and regardless of what anyone thinks, he will go where the $$ and/or best opportunity is. At this time, SC isn't one of those options for him. In addition, a vast majority of the cool factor SC has is from input of riders like Josh. Maybe Cannodale is looking to turn things up again? In the end is it's 99% business. Even Rob picking up Rat way back when was a business decision
  • 13 1
 Just watch how many people start buying cannondales if he does move to them. The guy is so popular he really does sell bikes
  • 6 0
 @enduroNZ: exactly. Specialized learned that lesson with Palmer years ago.
  • 25 40
flag arrowheadrush (Oct 12, 2018 at 15:59) (Below Threshold)
 @freeridejerk888: Santa Cruz is definitely not considered cool where i'm from, they're ridden by old guys who can barely make it up the hill and then ride the brakes the whole way down, but can afford to buy bling bikes....posers
  • 10 1
 @arrowheadrush: where are you from lol.
  • 4 3
 @freeridejerk888: Calgaria.
  • 10 6
 @freeridejerk888: probably anywhere in Canada where Santa Cruz is seen an an overweight aged California brand
  • 3 0
 @bman33: Vories rides a Niner...
  • 2 4
 I want to be like "let him do his thing" but those bikes look like steaming shit. Dude doesnt ride a 29 to race even?!?
  • 15 0
 I’m reading the original comment and all the replies here and am trying to figure out why it sucks if he goes to Cannondale. He’s out of a sponsor, needs a new one — if someone’s gonna sponsor him, I’d say that’s a good thing. Why does anyone care which company it is? You don’t have to ride that bike... he does. And you can still be a fan of his even if you don’t like the bike he rides.
  • 6 0
 @TheR: its cuz the bros love having a bro who rides the same bike as them. Cannondale isnt hip. They probably had to come to grips with his pot smokin ways. Pinkbike is right, Cannondale needs someone who can generate views and interest, and The Rat can give them that.
  • 7 1
 @bman33: I think it was more a case of Ratboy wanting to move on than Rob letting him go.
  • 6 1
 @PHeller: But now the bros are telling us Santa Cruz is a lame brand for fat cat middle aged accountants. Bummer brah.
  • 5 1
 He should go to Transition
  • 3 2
 Cannondale was bought by Dorel, who owns such wonderful brands as Schwinn, Huffy, Roadmaster and Mongoose.
  • 22 1
 Thanks for summarizing the vital forum into something more coherent
  • 6 0
 ...or rather: ”Thank you Vital for yet another idea!” Wink
  • 19 0
 If Gwin's off YT will next year's bike feature a price cut? Live in hope right?
  • 4 6
 price cut hahahhaa they litrally cant,best priced bikes around
  • 16 1
 Lots of people in here are pretty butt hurt about Gwin wanting to get paid as much as he can. His house. His McLaren. Whatever.

I mean, dude is one of the best ever in a sport we all love. But how dare he maximize his earning potential or buy anything fun. Ever hear the "crabs in a bucket" analogy?
  • 3 0
 Yeah, the reference to "loyalty" is pretty ridiculous. Brands pay riders to promote their brands, and will drop a rider like a hot potato when the rider stops adding value for whatever reason (physically wrecked, no longer winning, no longer a big fan draw). So what should a rider be "loyal" to? Themselves, their friends, and family. A brand could make the list but it would take a lot of work on the brand's part.
  • 15 0
 im kinda sad about gwin leaving YT, YT mob gwin was my favorite gwin so far.

he seemed a lot happier and more relaxed on that team, they were super cool to visit in the pits at races, and i feel like a real story was building with angel starting to hit his stride and neko killing it at home (and I knew about the story thanks to their amazing video series).

looking back at the last few races of the season, you could tell something was off that couldn't be explained away just by the thumb injury. gwin didn't seem as into it and im sure we will see a lot of speculation as to why in the coming months. I wonder if it was bike related again, and he was looking for a race ready 29er tues for longer than we knew?
  • 2 0
 Completely agree. I will be gutted if he leaves!
  • 9 5
 Meh. I like Gwin. Not a fan of YT.
  • 5 2
 Gwin has been a double edged sword for YT. They needed to show that their bike was capable at WC level but it came at the time when 29 DH bikes were coming out. Gwin proved the Tues is a race worthy bike and YT probably sold a lot of bikes as a result. My guess is YT stalled the development of a 29 bike to sell more 275s. Gwin has probably wanted a 29 for a year or so and has finally got annoyed being told he couldn't have one. Intense on the other hand have a good 29 DH bike so it makes sense if Gwin moves.
  • 4 0
 I guess this is also the advantage of being able to make bikes yourself. That first aluminium 29 Intense JS welded up was stunning and was probably relatively very quick to make unlike having someone else make stuff for you.
  • 5 1
 Lots of theories, and everyone loves drama. Gwin seemed happy repping YT, and YT seemed happy to have him. But sometimes people just want to move on to other challenges and opportunities. You don’t have to be pissed off or have drama with your employer to want to move on. Sometimes something better is on the horizon and you want to go after it.
  • 26 14
 Gwin just goes with whoever is offering the most cash so he can build a new wing for his mansion and upgrade his Maclaren. Ive got no problem with people maximising their earning potential but it does seem at odds with all his Jesus stuff.
  • 12 8
 Truth. He has no allegiance, no loyalty. He follows the money. Is it wrong though? Ultimately we all want them most money we can get.
  • 23 0
 @clarky78 @skill7: or maybe he saves his loyalties for where it really counts.
Family, friends, etc.
  • 6 0
 I don't know if it's fair to say he has no loyalty without knowing all the facts, it may have been YT's decision to pull out of the team.

He's still sticking with the the same team of people by the sound of things (some of whom he's been with for years) so he's loyal in that respect.
  • 8 1
 It is a job with a short lifespan, only an idiot wouldn’t move for an higher check.
Only morons are loyal to the employees - unless rare cases.
  • 4 3
 Have you seen the Christian faith and how it goes about gathering wealth? Fella fits right in. Less flippantly, the bike industry (and action sports generally) is only too happy to hype a young superstar to the sky, generate sales off the back of their extremely risky job then dump them the moment they're injured, having paid them peanuts in the process. If Aaron Gwin can make six or seven figures year he absolutely should, other athletes should be taking pointers from how the guy operates.
  • 9 2
 @Fix-the-Spade: I agree about the salary. What one does with it is up to them. Gwin chooses to be ostentatious. For some reason flagrantly displaying his wealth is important to him. There are plenty of others who have ridiculous wealth, live in modest homes, drive everyday vehicles. They spend their money helping friends, family, charities etc. They don’t endanger their wealth in anyway with that lifestyle. It’s simply different choices. Conversely I know people who live in big homes, drive fancy cars etc. but are in debt up to their necks in order to maintain the appearance of wealth. Because appearance means something to them. None of that has anything to do with whether or not an athlete should get paid handsomely for being at the top edge of a sport that requires a high level personal injury risk, and comes with a short career life span to boot. What Gwin has done along with folks like the Athertons is to prove that this sport has value and so do the athletes. Our sport is really in the stage that baseball was in back in the decades before player’s unions. Yogi Berra needed to work a day day job in the winter months to make ends meet. That was wrong. MTB as a pro sport is currently in that era. We have riders that are doing things other humans have never done. Setting record after record. Thrilling fans to their very core. Being positively inspirational role models and ambassadors to the sport. We folks are living in the age of our Babe Ruth, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantles etc. Just a different sport with different players. Yeah that’s got value people. A lot of value. What’s needed among our athletes is a player’s association. I don’t tune in to see a Red Bull commercial. I don’t tune in and wait with baited breath for the next SRAM eagle ad. I’m waiting to see if Rachel’s gonna pin it with her textbook perfect form down a gnarly track. I’m waiting to see the likes of Gwin pump every little bump down an entire track with no chain and crush it. I’m waiting to see Maes stomp it and send it through lines that no one else saw. So yeah the sponsors and industry. Need to spread it around to their athletes. Cos that’s what makes me buy their stuff. Nuff said.
  • 8 0
 @clarky78: You're joking right? He seems pretty loyal to John Hall and Martin Whiteley.
  • 18 6
 Grin on an Intense winning in West Virginia, making America great again. Take that Trump.
  • 7 2
 Best comment. I want to go to snowshoe so bad for that race.
  • 16 3
 Gwin + Intense = Southern Cali Dream Team!!
  • 12 1
 Athertons on Marin yes you heard it from me first
  • 45 0
 No, i definitely read it. I used both of my eyeballs.
  • 4 1
 @isolationismdivision: I had to squint, use one eyeball, and read the middle comment. Last nights alcohol still buzzing.
  • 8 1
 XL 2016 UZZI. Zero issues with the frame. I absolutely love it. Intense has returned my emails and calls in a timely manner. No bike manufacturer is perfect. Some of you guys gotta mellow out, quit living in the past, and put the grudgefest on ice. If you guys knew the contribution Intense has made to mtb. you might think twice before you puke in front of everyone.
  • 6 0
 Everyone is talking about YT's return on investment yet YT never has bikes available for sale so they might want to start with stocking more inventory to keep with the demand they created by having guys like Gwinn, Zink, Bienve, and Andreau on the team
  • 11 1
 Maes continues on his quest to make 27 great again? I love it!
  • 8 0
 Ok,this is what I want to see on PB next year: Gwin's new Intense vs Shawn Palmer's 1996 M1. Would buy a poster with the two.
  • 14 4
 Ratboy seems like a perfect fit with transition.
  • 9 0
 Huck to Rat technology.
  • 1 0
 Totally
  • 10 0
 If the YT Mob videos stop, I will start roller blading
  • 7 0
 Where is the big deal about Gwin on an american brand? Not so far he was dealing with success on a Trek Session with the Monk on his side.
  • 9 1
 YT still have Zinc, Lacondeguy, Adolf Silva and Vali Holl to name just a few. I think their sales will do OK...
  • 1 0
 Holl is not on YT is she? I thought she part of that sram team
  • 11 5
 Would rather see Gwin on a V10, than an M16 lol But will be pretty hyped for him if he rejoins with Trek, considering he was absolutely unstoppable when he was with them before!
  • 4 0
 Gwin, maximizing every opportunity while it last. Why not take a part of the revenues of this big bike companies are earning. I think this is a good thing for these top notch athlete that are always putting their life on the line to give a good show and represent their brand.
  • 5 0
 I think a smart idea for Gwin would be to pick a small company and ride for them for part ownership. He could buck his rep of riding for the biggest paycheck, lay down some roots and set up a career after he's done riding.
  • 4 0
 So to sum up the comments: Taiwan is in China, if you're a christian then you must be poor or a bad christian, Temecula is just outside of Palm Springs and personalities are more important then wins. Expect all teams to be signing stand up comedians to their programs next year.
  • 1 0
 Fully agree!
  • 7 1
 Or Gwin could go with Santa Cruz, I just don't see Intense ponying up 2 to 3 million for Gwin
  • 7 31
flag onemind123 (Oct 12, 2018 at 15:47) (Below Threshold)
 Kinda disappointing if the bike industry pays these guys that much yet forces us to new standards so we buy more stuff to pay that nonsense salary.
  • 20 0
 @onemind123: With the exception of a handful of riders,zero theke industry athletes make shit for money respective to their risk and compared to NHL, Pro Soccer, NFL, etc. Why are you having in one of "us" bikers making $$ and a reasonable living for the few short years they can? Sort of a bitxh move to down that if you ask me
  • 5 4
 Lots if grammar issues there, using voice to text. Oops
  • 8 7
 @bman33: because those pro NHL NFL etc also don't deserve huge money to play a game.
  • 11 4
 They deserve every penny as long as fans buy tickets, TV sports packages and all the team/player gear.
  • 6 0
 I thought Gwin team was the Mob, not YT?, they just chose to use their bikes.
  • 24 0
 its like the "The Judean People's Front' & "The People's Front of Judea". I never know why they make team names so hard to understand who is in charge.
tup
  • 4 0
 @Dropthedebt: Best comment on here, but lost on most readers!
  • 3 0
 @Dropthedebt: F#cking splitters
  • 3 0
 athertons off trek... either scott, merida, ghost or marin, ratty to cannondale, no more velosolutions team, trek factory racing = kade, charlie and reece wilson , brendan doing his own thing with scott frames, gwin off yt (yt apparently not best pleased after making a 29er frame for him) maybe scott, trek or giant
  • 2 1
 I wonder about the Athertons and Trek, seems like they sure don't do much promotion for Trek these days.
  • 7 3
 @BikesBoatsNJeeps: what more do you want them to do exactly? They ride a pretty full schedule and produce a web series that comes out almost weekly during the season, in which trek and the bikes are prominently featured.
  • 9 1
 @BikesBoatsNJeeps: plus headline. Oh.. and Rachel winning World Cup and World Champs. And Gee on the podium. And Hardline. And the web series.

They couldn't be doing more to.promote Trek. Do you want them to go door to door trying to sell bikes?
  • 4 1
 @honourablegeorge: They're probably busy studying for Trek University between events.
  • 3 1
 @honourablegeorge: LOL that would be hilarious. I bet they could talk me into a trek.
  • 1 0
 @BikesBoatsNJeeps: got ditched most likely - Trek will keep Kade and with Harrison and Wilson they have a couple of young guns for no $$$..
  • 8 1
 How about some factory team pick up Magnus Manson
  • 3 0
 I really hope to see the Gwin and Mulally form a partnership. It's unreal the amount of work Mulally and Sean Leader have put into the US DH scene. The amount of influence and skill they could bring to bear could make for an amazing phenomenon in US biking culture. I'm not too keen on being all jingoistic, but it is cool to see such a heavily "US" based team.
  • 12 5
 Aaron gwin on a bald eagle intense would be so fucking sick.
  • 4 2
 but you couldn't see a damn thing, because... colours.
  • 9 2
 mmmmmurica
  • 15 8
 Well... Bryceland is known for his habits... Especially his bad habits.
  • 2 2
 @shsfreeride very clever! Wink
  • 8 1
 Sam Hill will race the entire WC series on his old Sunday wearing a d2.
  • 7 0
 Aaron, Ritchie and Neko.........
  • 3 0
 Not sure why Trek would part ways with Batty unless they got a better rider for less. Battys huge social media presence and wholesome image seems to be a bike companies dream. If Kate Courtney is actually off Specialized then it makes sense that Batty might be moving to Specialized.
  • 2 0
 News - or gossip - from swiss serious newspaper "Sonntagszeitung", some weeks ago: Jolanda Neff to Trek??? makes sens because of the big road engagement of both, Neff and Trek... In this sense it could be logic that someone has to make place at Trek...
Batty to Specialized, Courtney to Scott...logical, or not? ...if live would so foreseeable...
  • 4 0
 Kind of sad Connor is sticking with Kona, would love to see how he performs on a different bike (not saying the Kona is bad, he's just been with them for a long time)
  • 4 0
 I was excited to see him stay as I love Kona. One does have to wonder what would happen with his results if he did sign with a larger team. Maybe if he had another elite men's rider as a team mate.
  • 4 0
 Everyone is going onto the new, re-booted Honda program. Also Martin Whiteley moves to head of UCI and commentary along side Rob Warner. Oh and he is buying SRAM.
  • 10 5
 Like YT needed em anyway...
  • 13 1
 they don't need him to sell bikes thats for sure..... They might need him to win races though lol
  • 5 6
 I agree.. flat results this year for Gwin.
  • 5 0
 Agreed, they hired Gwin to prove the Tues was a winning WC bike. Box ticked, skeptics silenced. Back to focusing on shaking up the bike industy some more. Until another Tues is released that is.
  • 1 0
 @y0eddy: Kind of odd that they'd stick him on an unproven 29er Tues for the last few races if that was their plan though.
  • 2 0
 Lol. He was injured all season. His first season on the tues, he dominated.
  • 1 0
 Gwin has to leave YT now. I mean they can’t afford him and I. ????
  • 1 0
 @dingus: On the contrary I think its the perfect guise. Gwin is coming to an end of his contract, so YT are probably trying to squeeze the last bit of investment out of him by getting him to race their new bike. For Gwin, he's been out most of the season due to injury, so he's not risking much by riding the new bike either, if it doesnt go well he can gracefully blame a slow ongoing recovery.
  • 1 0
 @tiredsoul: His salary alone, I guess only the a big brand and afford it but he's been with all of them. So who's left?
  • 1 0
 @tiredsoul: rather dont want - they have proven the TUES is ready winning worldcups. thats all they wanted..
  • 1 0
 I was kidding. Everyone is so serious nowadays.
  • 1 0
 An extract from a completely non related story, read into it what you will....

"Todd Schumlick, owner and manager of Norco Factory Racing, has been using a RipRow for the past few months and says the device has proven to reveal a handful of weaknesses in his riders. “For one, hip hinge, potentially due to a lack of hamstring and glute flexibility, or simply incorrect biomechanics,” he says. “Secondly, shoulder mobility. RipRow can assist in addressing these weaknesses, along with complementary strength training and yoga.” This fall, Schumlick plans to test the machine on Aaron Gwin (current and multiple downhill mountain bike UCI World Cup champion) and Richie Rude (multiple Enduro World Series champion)."
  • 4 0
 Are Gwin and Neko a pair?Do they have to go to the same place?Sure making it sound like it.
  • 19 0
 They are “The Mob” and Neko has been really pushing hard for (and organizing) more US DH events. I think they just have a good thing going with their sponsors for product development and just a good team dynamic. Neko might not be taking podiums but I think him and Gwin are tailoring their racing careers to fit a more sustainable lifestyle.
  • 10 2
 @PHeller: Oskar Blues secretly owns the Mob. You heard it here first.
  • 17 0
 @endlessblockades: I, for one, accept our new beer overlords
  • 3 0
 @adrennan: Dilly Dilly! Wait, that isn't right......
  • 5 0
 @endlessblockades: and they are to ride on a soon to be released Reeb bikes steel DH rig?
  • 3 0
 @nug12182 gwin and Neko are not going anywhere. YT is leaving and a new frame manufacturer is coming in. It's gwins team, not YT's .
  • 5 0
 Gwin to IronHorse. Oh how the fans boys would flock to the teet
  • 3 1
 Courtney on Scott seems likely duo because I'm sure Scott wants to grow their brand in US. Plus, she gets Schurter as a mentor, But, I still think she is better on a US brand. Wink
  • 2 1
 It all sounds legit - except ratboys move.
I understand he wanted to move, at least if I didn't get that Roskop-Martin interview totally wrong.
But what could they (Cannondale ) offer him, SC couldn't?
If it was money, Ratboys choices of the past seem unlogical.
He also had a lot of freedom to do what he wanted already. Can Cannondale top that?
Is it a combined deal for him and the 50to1 crew he didn't get with SC?
Did SC want more in return for their investment and ratboy wasn't willing?
After all, the 50to1 productions don't seem to be his child but more that of Lewis'.
What does Loosedog do - he is at least frame spnsored by SC?
I really respected Josh for what he was in the mountainbike circuit - fun, straightforward, if you understood him insightful in his interviews and concerened about following his heart rather then the mainstream.
I really wonder what comes out of this...
  • 5 1
 @TransitionBikeCompany please give some bike to poor Ratty
  • 2 0
 Send him a container of bikes and pay him triple to not tell his mates they all broke!
  • 2 1
 I heard a couple days ago about Gwin going to Intense. My co-worker is close friends with one of Gwins guys so I knew there was some merit to it, but I'm still suprised
  • 2 0
 very likely that rat goes to cannondale, since max nerurkar from their 50to10 crew is promoting the new cannondale habit!
  • 2 10
flag chrismac70 (Oct 13, 2018 at 7:00) (Below Threshold)
 That will be another reason not to buy a canondale
  • 5 2
 Those are some Gwintense predictions!
  • 3 2
 The new Cannondale releases look pretty sweet. Maybe Josh demanded they actually make good looking bikes if he's going to ride for them.
  • 3 1
 Gwinn simply belongs on a Trek Session, the combo just seems so natural and almost unstoppable when together!!!
  • 4 1
 Gwin +Trek = Gwining...........\m/
  • 2 0
 Courtney had a great 2018 winning Cape Epic (with Langvad) and world champs. It would be a loss if she left Spez now.
  • 2 1
 Rat on Cannondale....would historic. Following the storied paths of past pioneer crazies and pinners. Missy, Miles, Cedric, chase, ACC.... oh yeah!!!
  • 3 0
 Gwinn returns to Yeti with new SB200?
  • 1 1
 I recon Gwin would love the VPP and Intense would love Gwin developmenting the next gen M series DH. The "Intense Race Ethos" and Gwin riding stlye match. Also in the same vein, I recon Ratboy would be a good fit for YT.
  • 3 0
 Gwin and Blenkinsop on the new Yeti SB303 fox factory race team.
  • 2 0
 Donny Bakers boss "Randy" is racing EWS?
  • 7 6
 House on the hill...McLaren,Porche cmon Gwinny. After all GOD would not approve.
  • 4 1
 God don’t care - you’re thinking of Jesus.
  • 2 0
 Ha ha, that Ratboy pic...26" is dead RIP..is it an advertising shot ?
  • 5 0
 Just some irish ews humour.
  • 1 0
 @jamesbriancrilly: brilliant placement Beer
  • 2 0
 Cannondale: make Claymore great again, not twentynine but too freeride..
  • 2 0
 You misspelt Gemini
  • 2 0
 Gwin went to another brand so I did too
  • 1 0
 Something odd about a rat boy smashing #whistler bike park on a lefty. I meen seriously am I the only one?
  • 2 0
 @mikelevy can we please have a one paragraph overview of Rad Randy?
  • 1 0
 GWIN for Intense then roll out [Palmer edition GOLD kit] by TLD !!
  • 1 0
 What about Jenny Rissveds? She seems likely to be back in 2019.
  • 16 15
 Now we watch as YT's sales steadily decline,
  • 36 5
 I highly doubt that. Sure some people bought YTs because of Gwin, but the majority bought them for price primarily and specs.
  • 34 3
 Gwin is awesome, but I think YT has a heck of product. I think they'll be OK either way.
  • 5 4
 @kwapik: only joking, just making fun of people who follow the top dawg!
  • 12 2
 Which trek bike would complement my YT jeffsy? Asking for a friend
  • 3 2
 We were down with YT before AG and will stick with em. Unless they start sucking. Does this make the AG TUES Mob model more or less valuable? It must be cool to be at the Mob level where you have a team and can choose your chassis like F1 rather than being a hired gun on a 1 year contract.
  • 7 2
 At 5.6k for all Fox Factory suspension and top of the line carbon parts and wheels on the TUES I’m sure their sales won’t slow down. It is the best deal for a new bike period. Parts alone cost more than 6k.
  • 3 2
 I hope evil bikes signs someone cool lol
  • 6 0
 Norbs is pretty cool IMO
  • 1 0
 Gwin will probably have more input in the design of frames at Intense.
  • 2 2
 Not sure he or most other pros would provide proper input. They know what feels good, better, faster but not why. The disconnect between geometry and kinematics and design runs deep. Transition seems to be one of the only companies to connect the dots.
  • 1 0
 @Loamhuck: The pros know bikes. That is one of the factors why they are the fastest on the planet. They know what works for them and how to improve products. Evolution of modern bikes have definitely influence by the pros. Engineers rely on their input on how to make things better. Gwin and Minnar have their own tires that helped design.
  • 1 0
 Rat Boy and Gwin are the biggest news!!! They could be going anywhere Big Grin
  • 1 1
 #ratboytodevinci Devinci needs some street credit and Josh gives it to them in spades.
  • 4 4
 Rat fits perfect to Transition!
  • 1 1
 Prediction of Atherton's off Trek and Gwin back in.
  • 1 0
 Gwin gone to Trek?
  • 1 2
 Maes to Specialized or Trek on a big ticket is my guess. Doral has quite a few expensive althletes already lined up.
  • 14 3
 Hope not to Specialized otherwise his career is over.
  • 1 2
 These are the dudes that own Cannondale so Rats got some serious backing..https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorel_Industries
  • 3 3
 What's the Batty rumour my dudes?
  • 1 1
 She's retired ...
  • 3 6
 If Gwin moves on, he takes Martin with him to whatever the new venture is. I don't see Martin staying and running The Mob. If Gwin and Neko are gone, won't be long before YT is out the door on WC scene.
  • 2 2
 Ratboy to Cannondale seems like crazy talk.
  • 2 2
 Gwin to Scott. You herd it here first.
  • 2 3
 Gwin and Mulally to Kawasaki and Maes to Suzuki. Got it
  • 1 2
 Bren dog gonna race e worlds
  • 1 1
 #randeemax
  • 1 1
 Temecula. Makes sense.
  • 6 9
 Gwin to Specialized is a career ending move. I doubt he will choose them as frame sponsor.
  • 1 5
flag bman33 (Oct 12, 2018 at 17:07) (Below Threshold)
 Back to back World Championship titles says you are wrong. Jared had a brain tumor it turns out so that doesn't fit him either.
  • 1 0
 @bman33: Sniff my rear wheel
  • 1 0
 @RedRedRe: Are you 12? Ha!
  • 2 0
 I don't know about career ending although I only see him racing another 4 or 5 years tops. I would be pretty disappointed if he goes pack to Spec. I think I would lose a little respect for him....I see him/them getting back on treks.
  • 7 10
 AG chasing that McLaren P1 money. Get it bro.
  • 1 0
 Hell yes - why not? 1life to live
  • 9 12
 Kate Courtney is really hot.
  • 21 2
 air-conditioning broken?
  • 3 6
 @Dropthedebt: not a man?..
  • 3 5
 He’s right.... she is.
  • 2 1
 @ka81: With a name like Kate, I hope not.
  • 1 2
 @Dropthedebt: World Champ
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