Video: Get Up or Get Out - Pinkbike Academy Season 3 EP 5

Nov 15, 2022
by Pinkbike Originals  

PINKBIKE ACADEMY


10 Riders. 1 Pro Contract.




Episode 5: Get Up or Get Out

Back as a fan favorite, the contestants are hit with a low-speed challenge that tests all of their skill: The Impossible Climb. With ultra-tech twists and turns, the athletes' balance will be tested alongside their nerves. Who will reach the top? And who will go home?

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The rest of the season will drop weekly on Tuesdays at 10am PST.

Pinkbike Academy Season 3 is available for FREE on Outside Watch or the Pinkbike YouTube channel.




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Huge thanks to the brands who made this show possible!
Orbea, Shimano, Fox Racing, Maxxis, Outside, Garmin, Big White, Stans, Insta360, MRP, Funn, Ride Concepts, SDG, North Shore Racks, ODI, Rimpact, and Squirt.


Author Info:
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Member since Feb 15, 2012
1,085 articles

143 Comments
  • 207 0
 Tarmo: continues to be the full package

PB: creates drama by randomly saying that Tarmo isn't the full package
  • 50 2
 If anyone but Tarmo wins, we all know why...
  • 10 0
 And Cam's commentary is very good.
  • 4 0
 I knew right from his green eyes staring at me on the first episode because the screen is too fucking big
  • 24 0
 @i-like-toytles Just to theorise for fun and play devil's advocate for a second here, Orbea is investing money in it and wants their ROI. What's gonna sell more bikes, someone like Tarmo getting top 10-20 EWS spots seen by the 3 people that bother to watch the crappy coverage or someone like Max hanging out with Yoann/Remi/Steve, sending crazy features on youtube (e.g. he was at the last Tour de Gnar)? At least the latter is measurable with clicks, views and promo codes used. Do we even know what region their marketing dept. want to target with their next ambassador? I'd put my money on Orbea already selling well in Europe and wanting to grow North America and thus considering a rider from there.

Obviously I won't be surprised if Tarmo wins as he dominates everyone in riding ability. But I wouldn't take it for granted.
  • 3 0
 @bananowy: ya know, it’s very possible they have changed their goal this year. I watched back and they aren’t specifying the contract being for Orbea’s enduro team this year, so it could be a sponsorship more like what Gully does. In which case Tarmo is the full package.
  • 5 0
 @i-like-toytles: Good catch, and doesn’t Gully even suggest that the team may already be “full?”
  • 4 0
 @BagelMan: It does seem that he does. Surely all of that was communicated clearly to the applicants, because wouldn't it be odd to pursue winning this competition with the strict goal of getting on the Enduro World Series circuit only to be awarded a contract to go make Instagram posts about riding your bike?
  • 3 1
 @i-like-toytles: it already happened last season. The prize was a spot on the Orbea enduro race team - the winner ended up racing e-bikes...
  • 2 0
 @bananowy: I reckon moto max would rack up too fat of a bill of snapped Obrea frames to justify an ROI
  • 1 0
 @PRETENDERS: haha yeah that's a possibility. He did say he was getting better at not overshooting everything lol
  • 2 1
 @i-like-toytles: It would be a dumb idea too as social media is already well over-saturated with "influencers" and the like. If this PB contest turns out to be that then Orbea may turn more people off their bikes.
  • 2 0
 @sonuvagun: Super possible. I have worked in the boutique/niche guitar gear industry for a number of years and I have personally been burnt out on my passion and hobby of guitars purely because of being overloaded with the social media aspect of it (obvious solution is stay of social media). But it is 100% possible for people to end up burnt out because they binge other people's content and compare their skills to everyone on the socials. On one hand, I feel like PBA is adding fuel to this fire, but for someone who likes mountain bikes and isn't on socials all the time it is probably more fun and entertaining.
  • 1 0
 I said in Ep4 comments it was the first time I raised an eyebrow at the elimination. This week no elimination and I've raised both eyebrows and have had some of my fun sucked out PBA. Since I can still watch the train go down the track I'll probably be a human and watch it hurtle off in the last episode though...
  • 166 6
 PB: "We have a good thing going with PB academy, how can we lower expectations for season 4?"

Outside + Executive: "I know, we'll get an annoying host who doesn't ride bikes, shorten the episodes by 50% and then eliminate talented riders because they care more about being good at MTB than being a self-promoting social media douche."

PB: "Nailed it!"

Outside + Executive: "Oh, and be sure autoplay is added to the video so we get our view count up."
  • 48 2
 Nailed it! Be safe be well, Incognito Robin
  • 43 1
 Totally... they took what was a fun MTB culture take on a reality show, which made it great and fun to watch... and fucking turned it into a YouTube friendly 20 min fucking ACTUAL reality show. No one wanted this.
  • 2 0
 Couldn't have said it better myself.
  • 9 0
 If brands wanted to known who should have won, they should look at their media following before and after each season. While I'm not complaining about previous winners, there were a few riders that I ended up following because they were more interesting and inspiring than some of the finalists. Props to PB for hiring some of the contestants though.
  • 7 0
 @Ride406orDie: *cough* Addison Zawada *cough*
  • 20 10
 @islandforlife: "was a fun MTB culture take on a reality show"

Um... not really? Since day one Orbea was putting down cash for the show and wanted ROI. For two seasons now they made the mistake of selecting great riders who don't sell bikes and they have clearly learned from it.

@patiohaggerty I'll fix that for you:

O+ Exec: "I know, we'll get two hosts who can actually speak clearly and have experience in front of the camera, not just behind it. One of them is also an mtb legend as opposed to a youtube parody creator. Adjust the length and format to be sellable. Choose the winner based on their ability to sell bikes because Orbea doesn't want to pointlessly hemorrhage money for a year paying for someone's pastime with no measurable return."

PB: "Nailed it"
  • 2 2
 @bananowy: Name someone who has created an image that sells bikes without first being very good at riding a bike?
  • 12 3
 @ponyboy24: Are you being serious or trolling? Seth's bike hacks. Van girl yuka. Paul the punter. Loam ranger. Loads I don't even know, literally the majority of mtb youtubers are like that. And then you have the whole world of Instagram with "mtb models" like Miss Peaches - you think Radon or whoever gives her fee bikes now does it because they like her? No, she sells bikes and is cost-effective compared to an athlete.

All that said, your question was completely irrelevant to what I said and just shows your lack of reading comprehension. I never said Orbea will or should select a weak rider this season. Or quote where I did? I just said the previous two winners were good racers but invisible to the wider public. Since they already have a top level racer (Maes), if I was holding the money I would invest in a skilled freerider able to churn out quality content in great terrain and in the company of other, already popular riders who would help get the clicks. We'll see what Orbea decides of course. They might as well be 100% race focused and just go with the obvious choice of Tarmo.
  • 3 2
 @bananowy: you are influenced by mtb models? good for you mate!
  • 4 1
 @ponyboy24: Yeah but only if they can't ride and sell foot pics. You asked for names, I gave you names. Don't get mad at me, I don't make the rules.
  • 3 1
 @bananowy

You don't seem like you'd be very fun to ride a bike with.
  • 2 0
 @Ride406orDie: That's probably because I'm not very fun to ride a bike with.
  • 5 0
 @ponyboy24: lots of people are, you Specifically asked for people that can’t ride bikes great but still sell bikes. He gave you a whole bunch of answers your question, accurately. So what the hell are you on about?
  • 96 2
 Looks pretty clear that Tarmo is first ever Finn that PB has dealt with. He´s not a complete package? Takes home every challenge, seems to get along with everyone pretty well, even with Eric, who is clearly having hard time with Tarmos skills.

Tarmo might not be the man who gives you solid 15 photos of espresso cups next to a stopped mountain bike per day.. But he is for sure the guy who gives you the results you want, when it comes to promoting Orbeas bikes to possible new customers.

You tell me, which makes you wanna follow a rider and a bike brand. Super fast rider with a wide range of riding skills or mid-pack racer with good photo positioning?

Geez judges.
  • 20 32
flag theflatlanders (Nov 15, 2022 at 12:52) (Below Threshold)
 As a marketer, it would be the mid0pack rider with camera presence and personality any day of the week. It's odd, but true.
  • 32 2
 @theflatlanders: It's a good thing the teams aren't run by marketers !
  • 50 0
 Having bumped into Tarmo in mountain biking events around Finland I have a hard time thinking of a better brand ambassador. The dude always has the biggest smile on his face and has time for everybody. Quite opposite to the stereotypical finn. Being such a young person in a new environment and a different country maybe he is slightly more reserved, but from a personal experience he doesn't seem to lack character or personality.
  • 33 0
 There seems to be a mindset that to be a good brand ambassadore you have to be eccentric/obnoxious. Finnish racing drivers have always been pretty popular among fans and they are generally much more subdued and just go about their business, but are leagues ahead of most of the more "marketable" drivers when it comes to entertainment value and relating to the everyman.

They are just looking for Katie Burrell with a bit more bike skill. That's the sort of marketing that would put me off a brand.
  • 11 1
 @theflatlanders: That only works with hot chicks.
  • 8 3
 @st-alfie: you mean someone who thinks they are funny but actually aren't? They should have got Micayla to do the commentary.
  • 12 0
 Ignoring the downhill vs enduro thing (and time travel) I wonder what they would have made had the young Sam Hill been on this?

Having said that, Tarmo's Insta is pretty decent, a mix of shredding, podiums, and general mtb shenanigans. Not so much with the coffee.

Hope there's another Pinkbike Racing out soon.
  • 6 0
 @st-alfie: Just ask Kimi Raikkonen.

Says very little and what he does say is derisive and he is loved for it!
  • 7 0
 @Ktron: "yes" - Kimi Räikkönen
  • 1 1
 @theflatlanders: so basically someone who does your job for you.
  • 3 0
 @PawnSacrifice: Young Sam Hill was wining world cups by 10 seconds at these riders age.
  • 6 0
 Yes, geez indeed. I find Christina's comments in the so-called "deliberations" nonsensical. Tarmo needs to do what? No elimination so Amanda is still there doing very little well. I think its between Tarmo, the Brit and the very strong woman. I still miss Timmy F.
  • 8 2
 @Ricolaburle: Who do you think the teams are run by then? Lol. And I don't mean the day to day managers, I mean the actual decision makers who hold the money and the teams' fate in their hands.

@st-alfie Finnish drivers work as marketing material because motorsport marketing is waaaay more performance and result oriented than mtb marketing. Latest EWS video - 2.2k views in 5 days. Latest Remy video: 99k views in 5 days.

@PawnSacrifice None of those riders are "young Sam Hill", including Tarmo. That's exactly why they applied for PBA.
  • 4 0
 @headshot: Haha i really wouldve loved to attend the climb Smile
  • 1 0
 Looks pretty clear that Tarmo is first ever Finn that PB has dealt with.

This checks out: twitter.com/thisisfinland/status/651673341665890305
  • 5 0
 "If you want to win, hire a Finn"
  • 3 0
 @Ricolaburle: In a way, they are. Which is I think, in part, why you're seeing some teams pull out or close up shop. I never said I liked the way things are, just saying that it's probably the truth when it comes to selling bikes.
  • 3 0
 He is very extrovert for a fin Smile
  • 1 1
 @theflatlanders: what drugs are you on? Tell me so that I may try just to see if I understand your reasoning!
  • 77 1
 Auto play is the devil
  • 35 0
 I do not consent to auto play
  • 5 1
 @CamNeelyCantWheelie: found in website terms of use: "We reserve the right to modify the Services at any time with or without notice to you. For example, we may add or remove functionality or features".... We were all manipulated into consenting to this stuff??
  • 6 0
 Gotta pump up those views somehow
  • 2 0
 Is anyone else's option to turn off auto play not working. I have mine setup to not do it but damn thing still plays
  • 55 0
 Seriously, Pinkbike, stop eliminating people. This isn't The Apprentice (thank god). You're better than succumbing to cliche reality TV tropes. Devise a points system and let everyone showcase their strengths and weakness for the entire season. Far more entertaining.
  • 8 1
 I'm surprised more people aren't mentioning this...
  • 2 0
 @RedIsleFreeride: I'm always late to the party.
  • 1 0
 Whos pinkbike?
  • 47 6
 Most of these contestants don't see even close to the "whole package" from a riding or marketing perspective. Some of those climbing efforts were pretty pathetic.
  • 18 0
 Including Gulevich and his e-bike. That had to be some kind of inside joke, right?
  • 8 6
 @stevemokan: yeah I really hope so, because if Brittany can get as far as him on a non motorized bike, I’m not sure he should be the host.
  • 13 4
 Or we could all understand that Gully being the host and most likely selling more Orbeas than the EWS racing team despite his "poor ebike climbing performance" (lol) tells you all you need to know about how unimportant this challenge was to being the "whole package".

They included the impossible climb for a bit of entertainemnt and time-filling but thinking that it mattered even one bit for who wins PBA is naive. They also made it quite clear that they already have one Martin Maes and don't necessarily need two of him. Let's hope Tarmo is as good at selling as he is at riding or PB commenters' tears will raise worldwide water levels faster than the ice cap melting haha.
  • 12 0
 Well put. Tarmo is clearly the best rider in this group of riders and will probably have a great racing career regardless of wining the show or not. I live in the PNW and ride and race in Oregon and Washington. I see allot of bikes. Never seen an Orbea once on the trail. Willing to bet more people know Danny Macaskill is vs Richie Rude or Martin Maes. Winning races only sells bikes to people who care about racing. Race watchers are a pretty small demographic of people who actually ride. On the other hand people love watching fun edits by Transition and 50to01 and think they can have fun just like those guys if they are on a transition, or Santa Cruz. @bananowy:
  • 2 5
 @Dangerhill: 50to01 was made popular by Ratboy - why is Ratboy marketable??? firstly, because he was a bloody good bike rider and won world cups, secondly because of his personality.

No one sells bikes by being an average bike rider with a great personality and image.
  • 9 1
 Interesting point and I agree from one perspective. I will counter by saying 1) the majority of pinkbike reviews and bike reviews in general are written by slightly better than average riders/personalities who influence purchaser decisions more than any pro. 2) In my opinion this years athletes collectively are the best group of talented riders the academy has ever had. 3) Josh Bryceland has an image that made him very popular hence he got the moniker Ratboy. He left racing bc he can get paid to just have fun being himself and ride a bike. The inter webs and clicks have allowed this to happen bc of his amazing edits and personality. Im not going to knock him as a racer bc he is an amazing rider and personality, but he really doesn’t have that impressive of a race winning career. @ponyboy24:
  • 7 0
 @ponyboy24: "No one sells bikes by being an average bike rider with a great personality and image"

Blatantly not true and numerous people do exactly that, but no need to repeat myself from the other post Smile


Ratboy is marketable because of his personality and style on the bike, not his speed. He was popular before he ever won a world cup race. Otherwise every world cup winner would sell as well as he did. There's also a difference in viewership numbers between DH WC and EWS.

That's not the point though. You're clinging to a strawman about "unskilled riders selling bikes" for god knows what reason, when the actual point people are making is that very skilled riders have better ways of selling bikes than racing. Especially racing EWS that almost no one watches, in part due to horrible coverage.
  • 1 0
 @bananowy: yes he was popular before he won a world cup, but if he was already racing world cups, his talent put him on that platform which enabled his current path.
  • 3 0
 @ponyboy24: Is there a point you're trying to make, or...?
  • 39 1
 Sorry but the storyline is lame compared to last seasons. Also the staged, yeah we are absolutely shocked. Its about more than just performance, said in such a dull way. Cone on. I mean the riders are incredible and deserve more from the production. Step backwards for me compared to the other seaons.
  • 6 1
 They drone on about "complete package and not fastest rider" every episode... Hollyweird calls that foreshadowing.
  • 39 2
 I would watch an hour of people trying the impossible climb over and over with no commentary.

I will watch about 6 seconds of "deliberation".
  • 31 0
 Loved season 2 and been so hyped for s3, but this is worse in every way.
  • 7 0
 these episodes are fake and rushed. They are trying to fit all this stuff into a 22min time slot like this is for US TV and it sucks because US tv sucks. Last season we had real conversations with 40+min shows that felt like we got to know something instead of speed running the whole series. Get rid of the new announcers, give us the ones we have gotten used to like Christina, Tom, and Jason. This whole series just reaks of corporate BS and would be better on MTV or some other shit channel.
  • 31 6
 These are almost getting worse. I've tried watching these but Pretty much everything is sub par.

Are they trying to run an academy or a TV show? I've seen better production from a single person youtube channel...
  • 29 1
 agreed. if they could ease up on the drama it would be so much better.
  • 27 0
 Haven't watched this yet... Oh yes i have! Please go away autoplay.
  • 22 1
 No. Tarmo isn't too young and if you eliminate him just for the bullshit reasons you've mentioned then it's totally your loss. Because in the end of the day every bike brand wants to achieve the best results as possible in races. And between all those contestants, Tarmo will probably bring the best results in EWS.
  • 12 0
 That badly overacted 'deliberation' did nothing but make it feel like they have already selected their winner and are laying the groundwork for it.
  • 10 2
 @Edendino You sure about that sweeping generalisation? Plenty of brands do not base their marketing on race results. Some are cancelling teams as we speak. Who do you think sells more Propains, Remi or all the racers combined (some of whom they just dropped which hints at the answer)? Do you think Phil Atwill sells more of them by racing or by jibbing in front of the camera? Do you think Maes and Flo combined sell even close to as many Orbeas as Gully's YT channel? Which has more measurable ROI (or measurable at all)?
  • 3 0
 @bananowy: can we agree that an average rider won't do a good marketing even if they are 24/7 on the social media? Because in the end of the day, fans want to see an impressive skills and style. And to be honest, none of the contestants gave an impressive show on the bike like Tarmo so far. We'll see what happens in the footage edit challenge.
  • 10 0
 @Edendino: First of all, no, I don't agree on that. Plenty of mediocre riders have been successfully bringing value to brands by creating popular content, whether you like it or not.

Secondly, you definitely misuderstood me. Where in my original reply did I say anything about "average riders". Quite the opposite, I think the winner will be one of the skilled ones. I just said your focus on racing and specifically on EWS might not be what Orbea's marketing dept. has in mind for their next ambassador.

If I was a betting man, right now I'd bet on Max having the most potential to actually sell bikes successfully for Orbea after seeing him in Tour de Gnar. Why would they need Tarmo when they have Maes who does the same thing but better? Gonna be hilarious watching pinkbikers lose their minds when he gets eliminated Smile
  • 2 0
 @bananowy: It'll be even funnier next year when PBers don't lose their minds because no one is watching.
  • 1 0
 @bananowy: I totally understood you. My average riders reference is to most of the other contestants in the show. Any way, your last line suggest you're pretty much a troll.
  • 7 0
 @Edendino: A troll? I mean, I can be anything you want me to be in your head but my replies to you were full of thought-through arguments which is the opposite of trolling. We don't have to agree, but ignoring all that I said to pick on one sentence that wasn't even offensive and insult me ad personam is just rude lol.

No, I don't think you did understand me. I never said anything about "most contestants" or "average riders". I specifically referred to your claim that "every bike brand wants to achieve the best results as possible in races". That generalisation is indisputably and objectively false given the existence of brands who don't sponsor racers at all. I just shared my thoughts on why it's false and why I don't think Tarmo is guaranteed the win. I even shared who my choice of ambassador would be - Max. Are you saying Max is an "average rider"? It would be cool and interesting to learn which parts of my comment about Propain's and Orbea's marketing you disagree with instead of being called a troll Smile
  • 2 0
 Could be the judges (along with everybody else) have figured out the winner before half the race is run, and they're trying to maintain interest by throwing out red herrings and waffling nonsense.
So far, judging by a lot of these posts, seems to be a good strategy.
  • 24 1
 So, they are basically saying that Martin Maes is more charismatic than Tarmo or did Orbea only hire MM for the speed and experience ?
  • 14 0
 or did Nukeproof sponsor Sam Hill for all his IG posts?
  • 1 0
 @jaydawg69: Quality over quantity probably ;-)
  • 11 1
 @2pi Didn't they make it pretty obvious? I don't think any of us doubt that Maes is there purely for speed and not charisma or content (does he even make any?). There was a strong suggestion there that they might not need more of the same, because frankly why would they? MM covers their elite racing needs quite well. Why would Orbea spend any money on his clone in the exact same racing category instead of covering completely different marketing bases? Disclaimer: Tarmo might still turn out to be an absolute star in the upcoming "content creation" challenges.
  • 26 3
 Another overly dramatic episode?
  • 3 1
 Complete with bad acting.
  • 19 0
 If they aren't looking for the fastest rider, then why eliminate people at all? You're eliminating people based on racing and mechanical performance, then saying "but it's not all about being fast" in the next elimination?

What if the first few people eliminated would have done better in the second half of the competitions? Such a bad set up. No need to eliminate anyone during a 2 week completion. Just let everyone do the full 2 weeks and pick a winner.
  • 1 0
 Agreed. I thought the same thing when that was mentioned on this past episode. Doesn’t make much sense.
  • 19 0
 This is such a weird show. While I agree with many comments here noting the drama is over the top, challenges are strange, etc...I think those are symptoms of a larger issue, which is the riders are not well matched in terms of skillsets and/or goals on the bike. Separate men and women categories are needed which would at least level the playing field a bit but perhaps a clearer objective on the purpose of the show? It started as a way to get privateers a shot at the EWS, no? It seems thats no longer the case and creating a disconnect between what fans think this is and what the judges/sponsors are looking to do.
  • 17 2
 "Academy"? Oh right - the institution that operates by firing the students systematically week by week until only one is left...which is exactly how academies don't work at all.

The point of an academy is to stay & learn, grow, have peers, get pushed to the limit, challenged and tested at the end so why all these obviously good riders don't get the chance to stay (6? 8? whatever) weeks, learn from the best, have a chance to evolve & then have a race or races at the end blows my mind. The current setup is outdated Survivor style and an amputation fest that it's not watchable to me.

Not saying everyone should get participation trophies here - the opposite. Why not take it all down to a badass race at the end? The point of an academy isn't to give students a week or two then eject them for their previous condition & understanding, but to educate, push to limits, teach & grow the student then test them at the end so they advance. The "academy" doesn't do this at all, and PB's reversal of the model while calling an academy is laughable at best... and I say that as supreme PB genuflector. This cut-throat setup just doesn't make the slightest bit of sense to me...sure one rider gets to stay & play, but 95% of the potential is landfilled before it can even emerge.
  • 6 0
 Academy. is filmed in 2 or 3 weeks.
  • 2 0
 @Steve101j: You're generous Razz
  • 12 1
 Let's put a camera dangling in front of the face of the least talented rider to make his climbing skills even worse than they are. And then talk about this cool Finn Tarmo not being marketable, because we are in North America and have no idea who iceman Kimi is.
  • 4 0
 Funny thing is, I think Tarmo seems the most interesting person on the show regardless of his skills. Really disappointed with that deliberation.

The fam enjoyed the two previous seasons, but this one just...it's just another cliche "reality show".
  • 13 1
 Got too feel a bit bad for pb when one competitor is so far ahead that baring a serious accident the result is obvious from day one.
  • 7 0
 @WillW123 PB picked their own contestants. They deserve no sympathy.
  • 3 0
 @sonuvagun: Right, its 2022. It isn't hard to find 10 shredders. Tarmo is a fast in this crowd but at any local race theres a bunch of other guys competeing with him.
  • 2 2
 @inside-plus: Your'e assuming that all those shredders had actually applied for PBA and the producers had an unlimited supply of shreddy candidates to choose from. That may or may not be true.
  • 14 0
 No autoplay please
  • 8 0
 The whole package nonsense has really annoyed me. Why did they do 2 eliminations on physical challenges sending 2 decent competitors home if athleticism is only half the story.

The comment from Gully " the race roster is pretty full right now" tells me they want a brand ambassador this year not a racer. As other have said previous winners (near winners) have gone on to do really well at EWS but I think it loses Orbea money. They want a stay at home ambassador that pays for themself.

I wanted this to be a platform for struggling racers to get their big break (like PBR), yes it's about money blah blah blah but I don't want to see people complete to be an influencer they can do that without the support.
  • 2 0
 Yup I think Gully’s comment there was important. So… who’s your pick then?
  • 2 0
 Spot on.
  • 11 0
 Hey Tarmo, keep up, there is some noise behind you
  • 11 1
 Whole package blablabla charismatic blablabla and then ... Richie Rude. A chance Yeti is not involved in PBA !
  • 22 1
 Also PBA : "Nah sorry Sam, go back to Australia, you're not the full package"
  • 13 1
 judges that weren't great at racing and have an annoying "presence" will decide your racing future...
  • 3 0
 @Ricolaburle: Big Grin had the exact thought, albeit a couple hours later
  • 2 1
 @reignman317: So you believe the "judges" decide the result and not Orbea execs? Lol.
  • 2 0
 @bananowy: uh duh bro, its reality TV
  • 7 0
 I try my best to NOT be a negative commenter, and I've been trying to reserve judgment, but I'm just not enjoying this season. Season 2 was a big improvement over season 1 so my expectations were pretty high for this one. The short episodes pretty much suck. There are so many competitors in these early episodes, and 22 minutes doesn't give any room to get to know their personalities, and yet their personalities are supposed to be a big part of whether they stay in or not.
  • 12 1
 #timmywasrobbed
  • 5 0
 these episodes are fake and rushed. They are trying to fit all this stuff into a 22min time slot like this is for US TV and it sucks because US tv sucks. Last season we had real conversations with 40+min shows that felt like we got to know something instead of speed running the whole series. Get rid of the new announcers, give us the ones we have gotten used to like Christina, Tom, and Jason. This whole series just reaks of corporate BS and would be better on MTV or some other shit channel.
  • 2 0
 I totally agree with the people commenting about the short episodes it seems like we’re only getting about half the actual meaningful footage the show seems to be rushed to fit a time slot format which does not bode well for the viewer. I believe this sitting here wondering what the heck happened to the rest of the show,
  • 9 0
 Take a shot every time you hear "You got this!"
  • 2 0
 cringy....
  • 7 0
 Stop with the auto-play PB, both in the video and on the home page. Many people are not into your academy show.
  • 5 1
 Great all the riding is done, now we need to watch car rallies with no talking, photo shoots of tail wips and who makes the best breakfast borrito cook off. This makes me look back foundly on the days all I had to AUTOcomplain about was AUTOplay and headset cable routing.
  • 7 1
 Arbitrary. Don’t get it. The Finn guy is killing it. Maybe he is not as comfortable as the others. But he seems to be a winner. Win on Sunday Sell on Monday.
  • 7 0
 English is his second language.... imagine these judges going to Finland and trying to compete on a game show. Freaking ridiculous.
  • 7 0
 Anticlimactic episode. Felt like a filler episode...
  • 4 0
 Since we now know that bike skills have little to do with who wins PBA, why not devote an episode to a ballroom dancing competition or swimsuit beauty pageant to decide who possesses the best all-round talent and charisma?
  • 2 0
 Not so sure Tarmo will win anymore. They will find a challenge that's not race related to send him home. If this is the case, I think it will be between Max and Eric. However, this show might act as a ramp to another team, just like Emmet and Bradley got last year.
  • 4 0
 Wow this show has gone downhill since outside took over. no pun intended with the "impossible climb" episode.
  • 1 0
 For mentioning that they want the "complete package" every episode they haven't done anything to show that they are challenging the contestants on this aspect. Are the judging just going off of vibes during the challenges?

Why not make them do a "social media bootcamp" or something day 1, and keep track of their metrics during the season. Give them similar photo and video assets from the events to do as they want with it. Have an interview challenge which could take place shortly after a race (don't need another make-an-edit challenge again). There is a ton of potential for this to be a really cool series but this season seems to fall short of the previous one. Like others said I think an "adacemy" style with an elimination every few episodes (bottom performers at the end of each "semester"?) would be cool, but it seems like this entire season is filmed in a week.
  • 1 0
 I think they need to change the whole format of the show. Seriously need to get rid of eliminations and have a full Competition with all the riders and have a points based system with a complete tally at the end. It makes no sense to eliminate riders in such a short time frame because it doesn’t matter if they are not all that good in one portion of competition but strong in another and have a great charismatic personality. It appears that this year about half the riders are just your general average pedal pusher and the other half are actually pretty skilled riders and it really shows.
  • 2 0
 PB Judges: "It's not about racing"

Preview of next episode: "Watch as the contestants go head to head in slalom racing to decide who gets to stay"...................
  • 4 1
 this comment is ( way) below the threshold
  • 3 1
 Episode 5, Wow, when did this season start?
  • 2 0
 I hereby register my disappointment with this production.
  • 3 1
 Interested to know how many riders used the lockout on the rear shock.
  • 8 2
 Who would in that terrain?
  • 2 0
 Stop the F**ing autoplay!
  • 1 3
 have you tried pressing pause?
  • 1 0
 @formerbmxguy: About a million times, but it restarting everytime I go to the homepage of pb... thats f'ing annoying. If it was just in the article itself I could live with it.
  • 4 4
 Will this segment be up on Traildorks for us to poach?
  • 2 5
 Nice lil hug there for Britt and Eric… some romance in the academy?! haha.
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