Video: Survival Of The Fittest - Pinkbike Academy Season 3 EP 4

 I have been saying that since the beginning. The artificial drama of cutting people is a tired reality tv trope that really doesn't add much.

 I agree. Riders who don't necessarily excel in one particular category might shine in others. With the eliminations, you deny them the chance to show their true area of expertise if they get eliminated before then.

 Playing with fire there, S2 we could have had a seson long tearful review of the bedding and soft furnishings! Could be good though, maybe start eliminating people when they mathmatically can't win, or finish in the top two.

If Pinkbike is taking ideas / feedback, I'd love to see an academy format - first half of the season with skills training from the pros, then elimination events, racing and stuff.

 They should drop the whole thing and just run a PB enduro race series, 4 stops with top 20 men and 20 women invited to the finals. Winner takes it all.

 My theory is that PB Academy is only here because Jason loves The Bachelor. If I'm right (and clearly I am), the dopamine rush from eliminating people is the whole point and he'd sooner cut his leg off than ditch the weekly eliminations.

 @TEAM-ROBOT: But... Jason left PB quite a while ago. But you're right in that his insatiable love for the Bachelor in all it's iterations probably sprouted the idea for the show and now they're stuck with the format. Need more roses though.

 @islandforlife: Jason's pulling the creative strings from afar now. Like when Putin wasn't the Russian president for 4 years, or how Bezos isn't CEO anymore. We still know who's in charge.

 @TEAM-ROBOT: Jason does kind of look like a mashup of Putin/Bezos baby... possible lab created? Has he ever done a paternity test?

 LOOL pinkbike can save money and just let pinkbike users vote we'd probably be 100x better, could have fired all the judges on rampage and left it to pinkbike we would have done a better job.

 I would love this change as it would let us the viewers become more invested in the riders. Seems like a no brainer.

 I actually like the current format because it allows you to really get to know the best riders in the final few episodes. At the start there are too many people to feature in a 20min show. At the end of the season you are picking between riders who are extremely good so it makes sense to have more screen time on them to distinguish the differences.

 @danielfloyd: …and everybody should get a ribbon as well right?

 @rojo-1: the solution there would be to go back to 40~ min episodes. This episode was over before I even knew it. Felt like 5 minutes of riding/competing, 5 minutes of backstory/deliberation, and then 10 minutes of exit interview/goodbyes. And even with the back story, they didn’t really focus much on that particular rider on that episode.

Keep everyone for the season, and take the time to tell each story. Tell one or two rider stories per episode. Have episodes where they do smaller challenges and have a chance to grow skills, etc. Every few episodes do a big challenge without any back stories so we can see how they change and perform over time. As they perform well in the big challenges, maybe that gets them more highlights in future episodes.

 @KK11: no, but it could give brands, whose focus is in those areas, the opportunity to see a rider that could represent their company, even if they aren't the best racer. Look at Addison. He got a mechanic gig from being really good at fixing bikes. If the mechanic challenge happened after he was eliminated, we wouldn't know that.

 Yup, I agree. One winner at the end. I liked the camaraderie and excitement of the first challenge of this episode. It wouldn't be a bad thing to expound upon the contestants history and personal stories a touch more. It is interesting and can help them later with PR (social media/sponsorships).

Focus on people more vs products/companies/advertisers.

 @carlwheezer69: wat

 @Alexanz1: I think he said Trump is a twat.

Have an upvote for drunk post.

 I don't even watch this nonsense but I love the comments.

 I'm done with this season.

 That is equal parts true and funny

 They have the Rampage judges making the call.

 No autoplay!!

(just to make it more obvious for people who control this sort of thing , and because I don't have to crusade against headset cable routing in this particular instance, so I have the time to vote against autoplay).

 AutoplayStopper plugin on chrome works, plus PB gives you countdown to the moment it'll load on the home page

 No autoplay

 big bikepacking background guy

 If you look at the fitness test they were doing, while the hosts were trying to play their role, Timmy was visibly unimpressed. Look at how enthusiastic they were about booting someone who was midpack. It's like teachers who give bad grades for attitude-lame af.

 The logic is simple. He got kicked out because he wasn't going to be good at selling bikes for Orbea. Or do you actually believe that decision was made by Gully and Christina? Lol.

I'm getting ready to laugh my arse off at all the crying pinkbikers if/when Tarmo doesn't win this season because Orbea already has one Martin Maes and doesn't need another

 @bananowy: You might be giving yourself too much credit, i.e. if it was just about that then they'd have eliminated a lot more than the Fockster

 @sonuvagun: I'm giving myself any credit? Huh...

I don't get what you mean by eliminated a lot more. They'll do that in due time of course. Or did you want them to end the show and announce the winner after one episode in a mass-elimination?

 @bananowy: How many of those people are less marketable world-wide than Fockenburger? Why even have the premise of technical and physical ability as the main measuring tool?

 @sonuvagun: I think most of them are equally non-marketable as him, but they can't kick out everyone at once or there wouldn't be a show. All in due time. Don't worry mate, Amanda won't win. You can calm down now

The physical ability tests are there because a) otherwise there would be no content for the show and b) ideally they would find someone who has everything: skill, fitness and online presence potential.

 @bananowy: calm down? You're projecting kiddo.
Yes, ideally they would like a total package, but so what? You're not saying anything everyone doesn't already know.

 @sonuvagun: You seemed worried that only one of the riders who woud never win this got eliminated instead of all of them at once. So I just wanted to reassure you that this will happen in later episodes and you can calm down, relax and wait for other eliminations.

Honestly, I don't even know what your point is or if you even have one. The OP wondered about the logic behind Timmy's elimination so I shared my take on said logic. Why you got offfended and keep tagging me in comments completely unrelated to anything I said is beyond me. Is there some kind of language barrier? You seem to not only post completely random things while tagging me for no reason but also to suggest PBA should only have one episode where they eliminate everyone at once. You're being weird, mate.

 @bananowy: Worried? Offended? Good lord you're really trying, aren't you?
You type too much, it shows you're invested.
You're idea and logic behind it is silly, and it's difficult to explain to you why; suffice to say it is.
We're done.

 @sonuvagun: Of course I'm invested. Why wouldn't I be? I'm genuinely trying to understand you.

What's silly? The simple fact that they have to eliminate pack-fill like Timmy at some point and it makes zero difference what order they do it in? Why does it matter to you if Timmy goes in episode 4 or 7? You know he was never going to win, right? Which part of "Timmy was eliminated because he wouldn't help Orbea sell bikes" do you disagree with?

I'm still curious about your suggestion that PBA should have only one episode and eliminate everyone but the winner at once.

 Yep and taking it from 40 min episodes to 20 min totally changed what's featured and how it's featured. Way more of a "reality show" vs a fun mtb spin on reality shows. Feels like they're trying to hard to appeal to an actual reality show audience vs mountain bikers.

I wonder if during the run up to this season and how it was being written up, is part of why Jason left PB?

 @islandforlife: Also at least 5 minutes of that is the elimination, where the waffle on for ages before getting to the point

 this

 I think with Brody's injury status and needing to leave anyway they were gifted their first elimination. This episode is really the first time in the three years I've seriously raised an eyebrow at the elimination. Certainly didn't make much sense to someone not on staff or involved with the event.

 @r-mack Lol. Brody had to go because he was physically unable to continue riding with his injuries, as he confirmed himself on this very website multiple times. Keep being paranoid though.

 @sonuvagun: following someone on IG is a bit off, if you're not trying to slide into their DM's

 6or9 MPH!have we finally found RONNIE MAC'S true identity?

 She's got that elusive TikTok superstar quality

 She is funny and can ride bikes. Who are you to judge? lol

 @thatguyzack: you saying she’s funny is opinion. As is mine that she is not.
I can run, should I be on a show about marathon runners? Nah.

 @jbob27: If you had a marketable personality then yes, you should be on a show about running. But based on this comment, you probably should keep hiding in the pinkbike comments.

 @thatguyzack: bra. Statute of limitations on chirps had long passed.

 Eliminators need to be eliminated

 Did you say motocross background??

 I mean- Tarno hasn't successfully completed the Tour de Gnar... kidding... lots of great riders this year!

 @jaydawg69 haha I just read your comment after saying something similar under the latest episode.

Pinkbikers' tears will be saltier then the Dead Sea when they realise that Orbea is looking for someone who actually sells bikes, especially to North American customers. And that Martin Maes's spot is already taken by, well... Martin Maes. Of course the hosts and judges have been making it crystal clear multiple times every episode, but PB commenters are not exaclty known for listening.

Max is definitely the dark horse of the season. Dude shreds and is already involved with a crew that will help both his progression and getting those sweet youtube views and subscriptions to present measurable ROI to Orbea.

 @tigerfish50: no.

 @Ososmash: Ever heard of sarcasm?

 @tigerfish50: I can't hear on the internet.

 If T. Fockenberger isn't a marketable name then nothing is.

 Yeah, after taking out the intro and the dramatized elimination you're basically left with 10 minutes of content.

 On the bright side, people complaining shows they care... I think.

Personally, I'm enjoying it and my biggest complaint is the shorter (incredibly short) episodes. I loved Season 2, but everything now seems so rushed.
I'm grateful the show exists, but I'm also sad that it's not the same as last year.

 @cinimod1: on the length it seems like it’s cut for cable with commercial breaks, didn’t know outside had a cable deal

 @theflatlanders: I think there’s value for Pinkbike in these threads because it’s a great source of constructive criticism on what jives well with viewers vs not. There’s also a lot of angry people complaining about anything and everything, but that’s Pinkbike for ya.

 Actually, they did it to have the same ratio of guys/girls. Now we're at 4-4... it's gonna get interesting!

 @sonuvagun *someone Orbea didn't like

 Hard disagree on finalists/winner being obvious. Gonna be funny watching pinkers screech when Max (or whoever else who's not Tarmo) wins

Oh and how was the first elimination stupid? Which part of the dude being unable to ride do you not understand?

 glad i'm not alone.. boring show

 Need a pregnancy scare in the house to get some drama happening here.

 Great idea

 Watts / kg is a much more useful cycling metric.

 @Lokirides: Yes, for movement, but for a question of material stress it could be helpful

 They should make one of the challenges a Zwift race

 1300 watts was mentioned

 @kingbike2: actuallyI think above 1400W

 @Lokirides: For climbing, but not for sprinting.

 @sideshowmel: Watts / kg matters most on climbs, but it's still quite relevant for a sprinter. It is much harder to accelerate more mass, so putting out 1400W isn't going to matter all that much if you're 200 kilos. Granted, this is enduro, so we're talking about downhill mostly, but gravity accelerates us all at the same rate, and you generally don't need much power to accelerate when the trail points down.

Raw power is interesting, don't get me wrong, I just think the watts/kg metric was more relevant esp in a coed field of competitors.

 How about you sucking my thumb

 HA!!! Orbea showed nothing, then he popped up on DaVinci. I was also suspicious of what happened.

 An E-bike!

 You purchase Outside or become the Outside CEO and you issue a decree

 You should find incognito robins @ and tag him

 Get a browser plugin. First HTML5 stop autoplay one I tried worked immediately.

 Imagine thinking the "judges" have anything to do with who gets eliminated. Lol.

You should definitely contact Orbea's marketing and explain to them how YOU think they should spend $30k plus a year's worth of pro rider sponsorship of company money to get the best ROI. I'm sure they'll appreciate your input.

 So use a slope bike and die on the DH or use a DH bike and die during some of the events

 Spacebar.

 Or at least share them in the post about the article.

 Name a few

 @freeridejerk888: Lance Armstrong, That red head snowboarder, that Redbull F1 driver.

 @kingbike2: got it on the lance armstrong point, but care to elaborate how Shaun white and presumably max verstappen are “horrible people”?

 @kingbike2: max isn’t a bad person at all. Shaun white hasn’t been relevant in like 10 years and lance got dropped 15 years ago. Your shot

 @snowwcold55: they arnt lol. He’s mad

 @freeridejerk888: Loic Bruni, he's such a jerk the way he always asks his interveiwer how their run was or how they enjoyed comentaiting.

 @inside-plus: Being a jerk isn't the same as crashing into other people's cars, getting gifted an olympic medal or straight up cheating with drugs. Or whatever these people were alleged to have done. Jerk doesn't equal horrible human being...I think there's a few more steps above making fun (allegedly) of a sporting commentator.

 @iammarkstewart: You missed my sarcasim entirely, Loics a great person

 @inside-plus: My bad, I'm not up on racing at all. I'm going to have a second cup of coffee and chill.

 @iammarkstewart: sexist, racist, its all there if you care to look. Fanboys don’t care.

 @iammarkstewart: we went car racing mark. That’s what happened

 @iammarkstewart: Dam its too late for coffee here but I want one now

 Yeah -- "horrible people" based on comments Max made on the radio about Lance Stroll (which I presume is what you're referencing) is a stretch. Insensitive maybe, but dunno if it makes you horrible. Framing people as "good" and "bad" is a very one-dimensional way of viewing the world IMO. Lionel Messi committed tax fraud for years, but also donated millions upon millions of dollars to impoverished children and donated lots of time/money to UNICEF all the while being a soccer/football virtuoso. He's a guy who did some good and bad things, right? He could still be a role model, eh? Verstappen has committed a lot of time and money to spinal chord research, is one of the best F1 drivers alive, and also made some insensitive comments. It's not black and white, I guess is my point. You could even make the same argument about Lance, although I tend to think he skews more towards the "bad" side of the sliding scale, lol

 @snowwcold55: I agree that my horrible people comment was hyperbole it’s more nuanced than that. Horrible people can do good things but I won’t give them a pass because of their fame.

 I just skip around to see the challenge, who won, then the elimination. 3 minutes and you literally miss nothing.

 as long as they are that's all that matters

 This is the longest sentence I have ever read.

 @maestroman21: don’t push me :-))))

 Literally no one said this show is about "enduro racing".

 @bananowy: But they do call it an academy, of which it is not.

 @maestroman21: True that, more like a casting.

 This is all i can do for you Tarmo 13.53 Eric 11.97 Timmy 11.81 Max 9.69 Elliot 8.62 Brittany 9.74 Amanda 9.05 Mia 8.59 Ares 8.11 Katie 4.59

 a) technically impossible because the whole thing was filmed a good while before the first episode aired.
b) irrelevant because the person you like the most might not necessarily sell the most Orbeas.

 He definitely didn't leave the impression on that show. Could have been the nerves and pressure getting to him.