Updated: Aaron Gwin Replaces Austin Dooley - USA Names 47 Rider Squad for Val di Sole World Champs

Aug 6, 2021 at 7:31
by Ed Spratt  
Haley Batten began making moves earliy on and would soon find herself timing an attack towards the last lap.

Original Story

The USA has named the 47 athletes it will be sending to the World Championships in Val di Sole later this month. The squad features 31 XC and 16 Downhill riders.

The XC squad will be pinning its hopes on a stacked lineup of riders with the likes of Haley Batten and Kate Courtney in the Elite Women's racing. Riley Amos will be a rider to watch in the U23 Men's racing and is a strong contender for a top result.

In the Downhill, there is a super-strong team of Elite Male riders with Charlie Harrison, Neko Mulally, Dakotah Norton, Luca Shaw and Dante Silva competing for top honors. Interestingly it appears that Aaron Gwin is not included in the team this year. In the Elite Women's racing, there is Abigail Hogie, Kailey Skelton and Anna Newkirk who is coming off great results in the U21 EWS races.

Jim Miller, USA Cycling’s Chief of Sport Performance, said: “We are excited about both the Cross-Country and Downhill teams selected. America has a resurgence of talent racing on the dirt and we’re optimistic in what they can accomplish in Val di Sole.”


Update - 8/8/21
Following the original press release that featured the surprise omission of Aaron Gwin, USA Cycling has now sent out a new version of the rider list for World Champs. The biggest change on the list is the removal of Austin Dooley, being replaced by Aaron Gwin. Another change is Ethan Villaneda not featuring on the Junior Men's XC list and the addition of Mazie Hayden for the Elite Women's Downhill race.

The Updated Team USA roster is as follows:

Cross-Country

Elite Men
Christopher Blevins (Durango, Colo.; Trinity Racing)
Stephan Davoust (Durango, Colo.; Giant Factory Off-Road Team)
Keegan Swenson (Park City Utah; Santa Cruz Bicycles)
Luke Vrouwenvelder (Chapel Hill, N.C; Giant Factory Off-Road Team)

Elite Women
Haley Batten (Park City, Utah; Trinity Racing)
Kate Courtney (Kentfield, Calif.; SCOTT-SRAM Factory Racing)
Lea Davison (Jericho, Vt.; Team TWENTY24)
Erin Huck (Estes Park, Colo.; SCOTT-Stages)
Hannah Finchamp (Salt Lake City; Orange Seal Off-Road Team)
Kelsey Urban (Kentfield, Calif.; Team 31: Outride)

U23 Men:
Riley Amos (Durango, Colo.; Bear National Team)
Bjorn Riley (Boulder, Colo.; Bear National Team)
Robbie Day (Evergreen, Colo.; Bear National Team)

U23 Women:
Savilia Blunk (Inverness, Calif.; Orange Seal Racing)
Gwendalyn Gibson (Ramona, Calif.; Norco Bicycles)
Madigan Munro (Boulder, Colo.; Trek Factory Racing)

Junior Men:
Austin Beard (Middlesex, Vt.; Bicycle Express Racing)
Carson Beard (Middlesex, Vt.; Bicycle Express Racing)
Carson Hampton (Boise, Idaho; Bear Development Team)
Bradyn Johnson (Jordan, Utah; Bear National Team)
Cayden Parker (Hot Springs, Ark.; Bear National Team)
Ivan Sippy (Duango, Colo.; Durango Segment 28 )

Junior Women:
Lauren Aggeler (Durango, Colo.; Bear National Team)
Mia Aseltine (Littleton, Colo.; WE Development)
Bailey Cioppa (Durango, Colo.; Bear Development Team)
Sofia Forney (Lakewood, Colo.; WE Development)
Ruth Holcomb (Durango, Colo.; Bear National Team)
Makena Kellerman (Escondido, Colo.; Bear National Team)
Tai-Lee Smith (Breckenridge, Colo.; Bear National Team)
Downhill

Elite Men:
Aaron Gwin (Murietta, Calif.; Intense Factory Racing)
Charlie Harrison (Trabuco Canyon, Calif.; Trek Factory Racing)
Neko Mulally (Pisgah Forest, N.C.; Intense Factory Racing)
Nikolas Nesteroff (San Diego, Calif.; KHS Factory Racing)
Dakotah Norton (Oliver Springs, Tenn.; The YT Mob)
Luca Shaw (Hendersonville, N.C.; Santa Cruz Syndicate)
Dante Silva (Chula Vista, Calif.; Canyon)

Elite Women:
Mazie Hayden (Pittsfield, Vt.; Defiant Racing)
Abigail Hogie (Heidelberg, Germany; Tillit Gravity Team)
Anna Newkirk (Riehen, Switzerland; Canyon)
Kailey Skelton (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.; KHS Factory Racing)

Junior Men:
Andrew Driscoll (Bow, N.H.; Defiant Racing)
Christopher Grice (Brevard, N.C.; Specialized Factory Racing)
Dean Lindsey (Pleasanton, Calif.)
Dylan Maples (Orangevale, Calif.; Commencal)

Junior Women:
Emma Artz (Kirkland, Wash.)
Ella Erickson (Hayden, Idaho; Commencal USA)


Author Info:
edspratt avatar

Member since Mar 16, 2017
3,052 articles
Must Read This Week
Pole Bicycles Has Filed for Bankruptcy
56630 views
First Ride: The Sub-$600 RockShox Domain and Psylo Forks
42963 views
[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Mairiporã XC World Cup 2024
42200 views
Tree Root Pierces Harriet Harnden's Foot at Round 1 of the British National Downhill Series
39238 views
Pinkbike's DH Fantasy League: Get Your Team On The Line - Fort William is in TWO WEEKS!
35137 views
Review: Race Face's Era Chainring Uses Steel, Carbon, & Aluminum
28418 views
First Ride: Fox's New Transfer Dropper Post - Adjustable Travel, Up to 240mm of Drop
27055 views
Industry Digest: Crowd Funding 36" eBikes, Canfield Bikes' Relocation, Recalls & More
26799 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

230 Comments
  • 384 140
 Gwin fell in the ocean and he couldn't swim as well anymore. When a boat came by, the captain yelled, "Do you need help, sir?" Gwin calmly said "No, God will save me." A little later, another boat came by and a fisherman asked, "Hey, do you need help?" Gwin replied again, "No God will save me." Eventually the Gwin drowned & went to heaven. Gwin asked God, "Why didn't you save me?" God replied, "Fool, I sent you two boats*

*no gwins harmed in this joke
  • 47 27
 What is this post about?
  • 215 6
 @jorukfundan: It's about falling in the ocean. And boats.
  • 17 12
 @jorukfundan: his religion
  • 65 13
 @jorukfundan: Maybe the fact that he doesn't want to change and is getting left behind competitively
  • 66 0
 Sink or Gwin
  • 527 66
 I enjoy a good ribbing as much as the next PB commenter, but I feel like teasing about Gwin's (or anyone's) faith is kind of lame. It's a very small part of what has made him one of the greatest American downhillers ever, and the only reason we even know about it is that he's been really open and honest in a number of interviews. If he were Muslim or Jewish would we be making jokes? I'm not trying to be the PC Police, but just like going after someone's race or sexuality isn't cool, neither is going after their religion.
  • 52 7
 @VtVolk: well said.
  • 53 79
flag visser62 (Aug 6, 2021 at 11:54) (Below Threshold)
 @VtVolk: I think it's more teasing how his faith manifests itself in his behavior. Faith itself is respectable, but how it's projected upon the world is a different matter.
  • 63 8
 @visser62: apart from the occassional "thanks, God," during interviews he is asked to give, he has never 'projected' his faith.
  • 68 0
 UPDATE: over on the green website, Gwin texted Spomer directly:
"
I have no idea. I didn’t know I would need to petition, but USA Cycling hit me up a few days ago letting me know that they would add me to the selection process even though I missed the petition deadline. Was definitely my bad missing the petition deadline. I’ve just really never had to do that and didn’t realize everyone but the National Champ has to petition. Just thought they’d pick the top 5 on results or something and you’d petition for the last few spots.

Pretty shocked I’m trying to get in contact with someone to see what’s up.
"
  • 31 0
 @hamncheez: Ouch, time to hire a better manager, or just hire a manager.
  • 83 9
 @Feideaux: I don't know, do you not remember the time he walked onto the podium and flicked holy water onto the faces of his competitors? Or when he converted one of the gondola cars at Fort William into a confession both in order to get blackmail material on the other riders? Or the time he thought Josh Bryceland was speaking in tounges and processed to try and baptise him?
  • 7 0
 @hamncheez: I wonder who did it for him in 2019 when he didnt win national champs?
  • 8 4
 @dingus: I heard he thought some poor guy at Ft. William was possessed and tried to perform an exorcism on him, only to find out it he just being attacked by a swarm of blood sucking Midges.
  • 19 1
 @dingus: laughed at Josh speaking in tongues
  • 13 2
 If I remember correctly Gwin didn’t know he needed to petition for the 2020 world champs race either. USAC had to reach out to him then too. Not sure how he forgot in less than a year about the correct process since it was brought to his attention then. I would hope he would be more on top of things not only as a “team owner” but also as a racer.
  • 41 25
 @VtVolk: at what point within this joke is gwin attacked?
I understand that your society has become so over sensitized toward anything that doesn’t conform to your (/or your sides) perceived norms, but maybe its time to start being a little more open minded and allow others to enjoy something that you don’t necessarily agree with (and don’t throw a comparison to hate speech) without posting something negative.

The more we can laugh at the better things get. Cos the other way isn’t going so well…
  • 22 6
 @Almostredbike: I think @VtFolk actually had a pretty rational reply, would you really feel comfortable making a similar joke about a different religion?
  • 28 18
 @NHMTNBIKERIDER: it would depend a lot of factors? So the answer wouldn’t be black and white.

The joke doesn’t specify which god or heaven Gwin ends up talking to? The readers in most western countries assume that its a Christian Deity, because thats what Gwin (and some of them) affiliates himself with. I just feel its a very blinkered view to make this joke about religion, when given the content about its posting its obviously aimed at other things. But it uses his well publicized belief as a carrier for what is going on in his career…you didn’t get that? Which is totally fine.

But to your point: If gwin were muslim or hindi I wouldn’t make this same joke on this forum. Not because I don’t think you should make l jokes containing these religious beliefs. But because given the context of our sport and its demographic its would be perceived as targeting a minority.
  • 3 2
 @Almostredbike: honestly your original joke didn’t offend me, I really enjoy comedy and comedians always push boundaries way further than your joke. This international forum however made it clear they didn’t want stuff like that present, that is more my interest is what is the threshold to acceptable vs not
  • 9 18
flag DoubleCrownAddict (Aug 7, 2021 at 6:10) (Below Threshold)
 @Almostredbike: Great analysis. Early in his career Gwin was a bit preachy about Baby Jesus and the Bible story.
  • 10 3
 @NHMTNBIKERIDER: or people can just say stuff that other people disagree with and everyone just be fine about. Its ok to have different options and views?

There’s a religious joke that goes something like this:

A Jew, a Christian, a Hindi and Muslim sat in bar talking happily…because known of them were d’cks. Not so funny, but has elements of truths
  • 7 3
 @Almostredbike: sorry I wasn’t clear, I didn’t find your joke offensive at all, personally. the Vt commentator just made a valid point if we shut down those jokes when made at xyz then where do we draw the line? You seem to have arbitrarily chosen a sector of people it’s ok to make fun but others not
  • 19 10
 @VtVolk: The difference is you can choose your religion, not your race or sexuality.

So thats a poor analogy.
  • 17 13
 @schofell84: god clearly chose Gwin to be his vessel. Not a choice, me thinks.
  • 6 1
 @mi-bike: LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
  • 6 3
 @NHMTNBIKERIDER: sorry lost interest. Went riding Smile
  • 8 0
 @Almostredbike: people are getting too soft these days.
  • 9 9
 @Almostredbike:
That backpedaling is so amazing, you would get a 2020 Olympic Gold Medal in BMX freestyle.

"ReLiGiOn jOkes ArE Ok iF thEyRe nOt a MinoRitY"
  • 3 0
 Looks like he got a lift on the 3rd boat
  • 11 1
 Forget the tools, I thought it was funny ! People need to get over themselves, grow some thicker skin ! And for the most part I bet it didn't offend them, just something so they can get on their soap box and "preach"
  • 7 0
 Lol at all the fragility. The self loathing and insecurity is showing LOL. Relax I’m just kidding y’all! Beer Beer Beer
  • 1 0
 Guess he still Gwinnin
  • 3 2
 @hellanorcal: Dat Is correCt Kowboy…for this forum. Cos if you pick on a minority you get banned. And for this sport as i said…first muslim dh world champ, you’d be the above lettering if you did that wouldn’t you?
  • 12 3
 @VtVolk: “If he were Muslim or Jewish would we be making jokes?”

Have you ever read the Pinkbike comment section? I cringe at what might happen if there was Muslim DH rider near the top of the standings.
  • 2 0
 @dingus: that's just a superb comment. Have an up vote.
  • 4 1
 @sino428: weird that people would have an issue though…i’ve really nor got the point of the whole religion thing as a basis for disliking someone? I get the whole in-group out-group theory of why people create these stories, but with so many ‘gods’ in human history how can people rationally hate another person because they believe something equality irrational to their own beliefs…but just a bit different.
  • 2 1
 @Almostredbike: You lost me at "rationally".
  • 6 1
 @VtVolk: I hear what you’re saying but I personally think his faith is a massive part of why he has been so successful . I think it has always given him the confidence to do insane things at wc DH tracks. I’m a 100 percent atheist btw
  • 1 0
 @Fix-the-Spade: or just be better
  • 4 1
 @NorCalNomad: What does he need to change to not get left behind? I'm interested in your hearing expert DH racing opinion.
  • 4 18
flag nateross8 (Aug 8, 2021 at 10:48) (Below Threshold)
 @VtVolk: Agreed, although it is pretty f*cked up that he doesn't support CRT in schools. That's not cool.
  • 3 0
 @dingus: Josh brycelands accent is harder to understand than tongues
  • 2 0
 @jimoxbox: yeah and that super cool for him and also cool if he talks about it. My point is just for folks to not be a d’ck about it. Which he’s not, but still so of funny to have a little joke at.

Ps. You sure you’re 100%? 99.9% maybe the universe is quite big
  • 1 6
flag gcrider FL (Aug 8, 2021 at 13:43) (Below Threshold)
 Waki. I thought you were already banned . @Almostredbike:
  • 2 3
 Just Waki being Waki.
  • 5 14
flag NorCalNomad (Aug 8, 2021 at 14:04) (Below Threshold)
 @nateross8: homie supports trump so not at all surprising
  • 9 5
 @VtVolk: tell me you are a snowflake cultral appropriator of arab mythology without telling me you're a snowflake appropriator of arab mythology.

The only reason cultist of arab mythology and superstition don't want jokes made about them, is jokes cause those people cognitive dissonance which they feel entitled to demand exemption from, thus the calls for censorship to protect them from butthurt. Not so long ago arab mythology cultist would gang up a murder people for making jokes about their superstitions. So make jokes and laugh at arab mythology in honor of those victims.
  • 3 0
 @Almostredbike:
So it’s only perception you care about? Sounds like you’re chock full of insecurities mate.
  • 2 4
 Just Waki. Best to just ignore him@SvenNorske:
  • 4 0
 The only thing I want to see from Gwin and Intense is some paint on his bike for worlds instead of those god awful prototype decals we have seem for almost 2 years
  • 3 0
 I think if you ignore patriotism of whatever country you are from. I think the “Best” story would be for Brook Macdonald or Gwinn or Minnar to win. Thats part of the reason we like watching sports @heavyp:
  • 4 2
 @VtVolk: last time I check, white religious men could handle jokes. Even the touchy ones.
  • 5 1
 @VtVolk: damn! ya'll mf's need to learn how to take a joke. A joke is joke, stop trying to make it anything more then a joke. You could absolutely insert any religion into this joke and it will still be just a joke.
  • 7 1
 @NHMTNBIKERIDER: Isn't all religion a joke? Sure seems like it to me.
  • 3 0
 @NHMTNBIKERIDER: comedy doesn't have a threshold, others don't get to tell me how I perceive a joke. If you don't like the joke then don't laugh, that easy.
  • 13 8
 @hellanorcal: Christianity deserves the jokes, because they live in one of the most educated societies but still believe the most ridiculous BS.
  • 1 1
 @DoubleCrownAddict: Very emotional, be careful riding like we care.
  • 2 2
 @VtVolk: Saying its a small part is probably not what gwin thinks himself but still i know where youre going. and its right. FOOk that guy @Almostredbike
  • 3 1
 @MikeGruhler: I think you missed my point. All for comedy and don't feel I have the right to tell people what's too far. This forum was all in support however of not having that here...I am pointing out the hypocrisy of it being fine to make jokes but only of certain religion/race ect
  • 4 3
 @DoubleCrownAddict: If you want to go down that road, you could argue that Christianity produced the worst most educated societies. Most major Universities were founded by Christians as theological schools. The scientific method, vaccines, Democratic Republics, emancipation of slaves, womens suffrage, etc, all happened in Christian societies and no where else to any meaningful degree.
  • 4 3
 @hamncheez: historically factual
  • 4 0
 @SterlingArcher: "Christianity produced the worst most educated " hahah whyyyy did my phone put the word "worst" in there, and why didn't I proofread?
  • 5 1
 Biggest mistake in this whole comment thread: me reading to the bottom. #iknowbetter
  • 3 0
 @hamncheez: Now your comment makes sense.
  • 1 0
 @dingus: Some people really need their sarcasm detector adjusted.
  • 2 4
 @hamncheez: christian societies also enslaved people and oppressed women. I do not understand your post.
  • 3 0
 @bertimusmaximus: I enslaved my bike yesterday and oppressed that bitch off this gnarly double drop.
  • 3 0
 @bertimusmaximus: Find me a single society that didn't enslave and oppress most of its members.

Now go through the list of all the societies that ended slavery. Literally every society that has ever existed had slavery. Which was the first society/country to end slavery? England. That was the first time in the history of humanity that slavery was no longer legally supported. England then spread emancipation across its empire. Today slavery still exists in roughly 1/3 of the world, but not anywhere that was colonized by the British (with the exception of parts of India).
  • 1 2
 @NorCalNomad: daaaaym……true.
  • 3 0
 So much anger and misguided non thought! No wounder Waki left.
  • 1 0
 @SvenNorske: where did you pick that up?

Did you somehow think i would argue your perception is your reality?
Maybe you think I think that changing your perception is changing your reality. Perception is your perspective, which is based upon your experience. Some define perception is“a result of observing”, it’s “a physical sensation interpreted in the light of experience”, while perspective is “a mental view or prospect”. These definitions basically underline the way you view things, according to your past experiences. Your reality is comprised of a series of experiences that shape the way you see things…but that wouldn’t necessarily describe actual reality. But what is reality?

In this case reality is a joke about a dh racer on his way out, who was annoying in interviews before he was told to tone it down, which lead to some (mainly American) pinkbike keyboard warriors getting their knickers in a twist. With was the followed by some trolling…which is always fun with this audience.

What bike do you ride?
  • 40 0
 I went straight to the list and was surprised to not see Gwin! Really a roller coaster of emotions
  • 9 0
 yeh? Is there something we don't know? WTH?
  • 50 1
 He's starting for Puerto Rico this time
  • 33 210
flag wda1wustl (Aug 6, 2021 at 8:31) (Below Threshold)
 It’s the year of bigotry against any conservative voice. It’s only going to get worse.
  • 63 6
 @wda1wustl: Haha, no. Look at the age ranges of the riders. That will tell you all you need to know. Stop looking for stuff that is not there. Not everything is political. Wasn't it only "liberals" who cry?

You need to make sure that younger riders have exposure and the ability to ride against the best in order to get better. You need to train up. Gwin is great but not interested in training up. He said it himself on the Vital podcast.
  • 61 27
 @wda1wustl: Somebody call the Wah-mbulance, it's another GQP white male "victim"!! Lolzzz
  • 49 11
 @kingpine: He's a bro-flake.
  • 3 1
 @kazwei: I see what you did there, well done
  • 15 8
 @wda1wustl: do you need a safe space to unpack all this masculine fragility?
  • 10 9
 @kingpine: Stop triggering me!
Lol.
  • 3 1
 I may be wrong but isn't his track record at worlds pretty bad?? Even at his peak, when he was crushing the world cup, he always was off or had terrible luck at the World Championships.
  • 5 2
 @ReformedRoadie: I don't think luck is one of the metrics that is considered during rider selection. If it was then Steve Pete would probably never have got his stripes.
  • 1 4
 @dingus: you missed the part about when he was killing it at the WC…
And the point as well.
  • 2 0
 Gwin might top 30
  • 1 0
 @kazwei: are you referring to MX of Nations where Pastrana and Windham startet for Puerto Rico?
  • 2 0
 @vhdh666: he did
  • 30 2
 Regardless of where Gwin is or isn't compared to the rest of his career, he still is faster and ranked higher than most of the other riders in the Elite Men's category. Somethings up for him to have been left off. Don't get it.
  • 1 0
 rules are rules dude
  • 27 3
 Gwin is done..........done giving an F and now enjoying the fruits of his years of hard work and tremendous success. And still faster than 99.9% of the planet.
  • 11 4
 Well, sure but how much of the whole world population is actually a mountain biker ?
  • 6 0
 Man I wish I could retire after only working for 13 years too
  • 4 0
 @makripper: you can go full homeless
  • 1 0
 @mkotowski1: true lol
  • 2 0
 gwin could be back on top again if he just bought a dozen yt tues and a fat stack of maxxis rubber. his current bike and tires are just plain wack. back to four bar and to real tires.... all too easy.
  • 2 1
 @stacykohut: nah. He needs 26" wheels and flat pedals to really be fire
  • 22 1
 The other MTB website got a comment out of Gwin. Apparently he missed a paperwork submission deadline, but was told he'd be included on the team anyways. He's trying to figure out why he got left off just like us.
  • 9 0
 "missed the paperwork submission deadline".....geez, if true, a little focus and attention to detail would be nice. Gotta think his sponsors would be a bit pissed if he if off due to not following through
  • 2 1
 There’s another mtb website?
  • 9 0
 @dthomp325: shhhhh… Don’t tell Outside.
  • 4 2
 Apparently Gwin and his mechanic are too busy and he needs a manager. All I want is a Porsche 911 GT3, 100k per year and I'll set a Google reminder in my calendar to turn in Gwin's paperwork. With all my remaining time for the year from that hard labor, I'll work a 2nd job quite successfully...
  • 21 1
 I feel like Gwin may be taking the rest of the season pretty easy or off completely. It's weird, but he may be slowly stepping away, especially after not winning Nationals which I feel kinda killed his vibes. Hopefully he gets that competitive spirit again.
  • 4 0
 It's a bummer whatever the reason, you'd have had this track as one of his best chances at winning the stripes.
  • 10 0
 I would be done too. He has made his fortune. Arguably one of the highest earning MTB athletes ever. He can probably live the rest of his life off of his earnings and investments. Why keep pushing and risking injury when he can can sail thru the rest of his life. I know he wanted the world champs but his focus in life may have changed.
  • 8 0
 Neko over Gwin???????
  • 3 0
 @savage47:

Luca, Dak, and Charlie is a nicely stacked roster! But yeah, Gwin over Neko if you had to choose. Maybe he's not feeling it this year and gave his spot to an up-and-comer.
  • 1 2
 He's living in Montana and enjoying life bud
  • 1 1
 Yea, its hard to register and show up at 7 races per year. I'm tired and it's about time I retire honey...
  • 1 0
 @sofarider1: Valid point, but your viewing this purely from a monetary perspective. Some are not driven by the money... while I think a few things historically may indicate that this is not the case with Gwin, it’s definitely why it all started. Take a look at Minnaar.
  • 4 0
 Dude has a ranch in Montana and a mansion on top of a hill in California as well as a little getaway in the south. He’ll keep riding and he could get to the podium again but he’s also ok never winning again.
  • 1 0
 Good thing winning world cups are so easy! You know so anyone can just decide when they don't want to win anymore.
  • 16 0
 Hey guys, just wanted to jump on here and say thank you to all who is supporting me throughout this situation! It means a lot to have you guys backing me through it. It was a tough pill to swallow forsure but I know everything will work out in the end. Excited to get on track this weekend in Maribor!
  • 17 0
 Yeah Durango - 7 riders rep’in!
  • 6 0
 Damn straight, this place is the Motherland for mtb! Durango riders in the last 6 Olympics as well.
  • 8 0
 @bikebasher: nah Arkansas is the "mountain bike capital of the world". Because they said so.

Western slope represent!
  • 15 0
 Austin Dooley got robbed!
  • 4 2
 Since he followed all the rules, he could (or should, because 'Murica?) start a lawsuit. Even has the Huck case as precedent.
  • 13 3
 Gwin got married and moved to MT. Game over.
  • 6 0
 Did he really move? I thought he finally just finished building a brand new multi-million dollar home in CA two years ago?
  • 20 29
flag mlr428 (Aug 6, 2021 at 16:27) (Below Threshold)
 California politics drove him out of that shithole @Jamminator:
  • 29 15
 @mlr428: Poor guy, that huge house and all those cars and CA politics made him leave, lol. What a ❄️.
  • 12 15
 @nagaredama: Probably bummed Trump lost. Surprised he didn't move to Idaho or the deep south.
  • 27 9
 @mlr428: Yes, California politics sure are a hardship for wealthy white men. They've been having such a hard time lately.
  • 24 9
 @jayacheess: LOL

Victimized rich white men of god please get the hell out of CA.

Now, stone me in the town square with your righteous down-votes!!
  • 1 0
 @Jamminator: Gwin got married but did not move to Montana.
  • 3 0
 I think he or Aaro Gwinn LLC probably just bought a holiday house there to stay at when visiting family. Seems pretty reasonable since his wife’s family is from there if I recall correctly. @tacklingdummy:
  • 2 0
 @gcrider: Seems like the most plausible possibility.
  • 1 0
 @tacklingdummy: his hometown is listed as Montana on the USDH national timesheet from Creek this weekend. I’d say he has moved officially.
  • 9 0
 No Chloe Woodruff ???
  • 4 0
 I was wondering what happened as well. Must not have gone down well with USA cycling after they pulled her from the Olympic team.
  • 5 0
 Chloe previously announced she'd be taking a break from racing after resigning from the Olympic squad.

www.instagram.com/p/CRPZlYTpSgu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

"At this time, I am not sure when I’ll return to training and racing. I am going to take some time to heal and figure out the best way to move forward."
  • 8 0
 CONSPIRACY
  • 21 0
 Russia can help with that : )
  • 13 0
 On it…
  • 7 1
 I'm more surprised Steve Walton didn't make the team!!!
  • 5 1
 Gwin and Neko haven't had any decent results since switching to Intense. I'm not a fan of parallel link bikes either..... Go back to an FSR style bike Gwinny.
  • 4 0
 The VPP bikes don't seem to hold back Greg Minnaar or Luca Shaw, but I agree it does seem like Gwin has had a difficult time coming to terms with the Intense version.
  • 6 1
 How bout that ANDREW DRISCOLL lad eh. Kid must be quick or sumthin
  • 3 0
 Sandy Randy
  • 13 7
 Gwin is done
  • 14 1
 I am afraid the fat lady is warmed up and stepping up to the mic...
  • 49 0
 @ReformedRoadie: I'm picturing Rob Warner in drag...
  • 41 7
 He was done years ago. The level is way too high now. The impressive thing about that is Minnaar has been able to find even more speed. Truly the GOAT.
  • 29 1
 @jclnv: I think AG in his prime would be at the very front, even today. We should never forget how devastatingly fast he was, unreal. For some reason either rider and/or the bike aren't there at the moment. Very sad to see him not race the champs. I still think he is one of the three greatest riders ever.
  • 1 0
 @dingus: STOP...it's almost lunch time here.
  • 2 1
 @jclnv: Exactly...as guys come and go, he has still been at the top of the sports. It is amazing.
  • 2 0
 @dingus: thanks, dingus.....I just lost my lunch....and boner.
  • 12 3
 @mccarthyp: I think his peak was just before there was a big step forward in understanding rider weight distribution, suspension damping, compliance etc and his method of running everything hard and muscling your way down wasn’t going to cut it anymore. Think how different Bruni’s bike used to look, and now everyone has caught up to him. I think that’s why Gwin started crashing his brains out on a regular basis. I think something similar happened with Gee. They just didn’t have the technique to ride these super sensitive bikes with massive grip.
  • 6 3
 @jclnv: he’s absolutely not done unless he decides he’s done. We still haven’t seen a rider from the current generation that’s as good as an inform gwin. He hasn’t forgotten how to ride over the last two years.
  • 2 0
 @jclnv: There's always change and there was plenty of change throughout AG's career. Bikes evolve, riding styles evolve but the essence of a good rider remains the same. youtu.be/pQD-dXfHrvk
  • 2 1
 @dingus: gross!
  • 2 1
 @jclnv: i don't think it has anything to do with the bikes, bikes change all the time, I honestly think YT did him wrong, did they do it on purpose? I don't know, ask doublecrown.

Then trying to assemble a team with Intense at the eleventh hour is just a recipe for disaster. I dont know too much about Intense but that last move felt like an F1 driver moving from RedBull to Haas.
  • 2 0
 @mccarthyp: I can think of a number of examples, especially from Motorsport where equipment changed and a number of previously fast guys couldn’t adapt.
  • 1 1
 @dingus: Seek Help.
  • 2 0
 @jclnv: The equipment doesn't make up as much of the podium-producing-performance pie-chart in downhill as it does in motorsports though. Most of the kit has only improved at fairly slow incremental rate.

I'd think the mental side of things is probably more of a factor. Sam Hill went through a similar slump in downhill, with all the same speculation about not getting on with his bikes. If I remember he had the love for the Downhill circuit in his final few seasons and once he got the bug for enduro he was able to start turning it on again.
  • 2 0
 @Augustus-G: I think it's a symptom of watching too many episodes of Rob's Dirty Business back in the day.
  • 3 1
 @dingus: I agree the equipment in Motorsport is a much larger factor but I don’t think motivation was the main issue either. Remember when Bruni joined Specialized/Ohlins and was running telemetry all the time? That was not incremental, the bike visibly looked completely different to everything else and the opposite of Gwin’s firm and tire reliant set-up. Everyone had to seriously up their game and that’s when we started to see Santa Cruz etc working hand in hand with FOX, bespoke tires, inserts, and everyone testing the shit out of everything.

I think Hill went through a slump because the courses got too bike-parky.
  • 1 0
 @dingus: very common in sport to set a crazy high standard then fall away after 2 or 3 years as it’s a impossible task to remain dominant
  • 1 0
 @Narro2: but that was almost 2 seasons ago and he had a whole off season to figure it out. Not to mention he pulled the carpet from trek and specialized in a similar fashion.
  • 1 0
 @dingus: listen to the podcast Sam did with vital. He didn't get on with a certain specialized bike. Went to nukeproof and won some world cups on that 40lb single pivot before throwing in the towel after not feeling it anymore.
  • 1 0
 @dingus: they've changed wheelsizes 4 times since he came on the scene. How is that incremental change?
  • 5 0
 @mccarthyp: It amuses me how so many people are front runner fair weather fans. As soon as athletes or trams fades in rankings (for whatever reasons) fans turn on them. Like staying #1 is a piece of cake. Lol.
  • 6 13
flag jclnv (Aug 8, 2021 at 11:23) (Below Threshold)
 @tacklingdummy: Personally I never liked the guy or anyone else who bases their morality around an abstract belief system.
  • 6 8
 @jclnv: do you realize that the basis of western morality is that of christianity? that things the American constitution are based almost fully in the 10 commandments? lol

....abstract belief systems...LOL. almost all "belief systems" are abstract by your spastic metric.
  • 6 2
 @conoat: You really think the US Constitution based on the 10 commandments of Christianity? The first bill of rights is freedom of religion LOL!

And no, it’s abstract if it’s based on the doctrine of imaginary creator rather than logical framework.
  • 1 0
 @jclnv: You are right - faith is abstract. But so is love. And I've definitely made some serious life choices based on love. And those decisions were the best I've ever made.
  • 1 0
 Oh ffs please shut up!
  • 4 3
 @conoat: As I am fond of saying, Chr1stianity is a g3nocidal plagu3 based on lunacy that set Europe back 1000 years.

Ah, that felt good.
  • 3 0
 PB makes it difficult for me to post in the last year. That's fine - I deserve that, but does anyone else have to try to post things 2 or 3 times and only after a Cancel Reply and a page Reload? I'm on a list.

@conoat: Religious institutions are morally bankrupt.
  • 1 0
 @suspended-flesh: try delete cookies on your browser.
  • 5 2
 holy crap- what if he retires with the 2nd most World Cup wins, ties for the most overall wins, and never got that World Champs?
  • 31 0
 That's what is going to happen...
  • 6 0
 Keep in mind that the person with the most wins is still at the sharp end of the field.
  • 2 0
 @Wozza-nz: who also was around long before Gwin showed up.
  • 4 2
 If I had to guess I'd say the bike isn't there and AG doesn't see the point this year. As far as I see it, AG on YT was a winner. Several months later AG on Intense wasn't near the pace he was in with YT.
  • 2 1
 He even admits that he didn't wanna leave yt they dropped a bomb on him 2 months before he was thinking they where gunna extend the contract ...very true and since intense they havnt had a bike he feels comfortable on that why he stil riding a prototype making adjustments and neko at nationals chose m29 over the prototype
  • 4 5
 @Timmybike: so it's taken him almost 2 seasons and still not comfortable? It's not the bike at that point. Yt didn't want to give gwin the money he wanted btw. It was mutual. Gwin is just a big baby
  • 4 1
 I think bikes and tyres matter alot. Look at Brook and his fall in results then rise when he moved to gt then back to mondraker. No need to call him a baby. It says more about you than him. @makripper:
  • 3 0
 Could be. If a frame isn’t what a person needs no amount of tweaking will ever make it fit that person. What will suck is if he is uncomfortable on a bike long enough to never get the speed back.
  • 1 0
 And then you add injuries and age. I cant recall if he has had a shoulder injury. But seems ( note no evidence.just hunch) like it is a injury that it difficult to overcome to get back to too results.
Age makes it harder to overcome injury. Hard to get back to elite fitness after injury and maybe some psychological risk aversion compared to being younger @cougar797:
  • 1 0
 @gcrider: if it was so important why did gwin go with a garbage tire company and get a custom set of tires made and still suck? Shouldn't his custom tires take him straight to the top as per your comment?
  • 1 0
 I think You are presuming that his custom tyres are of the same quality as his previous manufacturer tyres. The only people to know that answers is aaron and his team. The tread wasn’t the same and I would bet that the compound wasn’t the same. And even if that didn’t matter you still need time for the rider and mechanic to make changes. as they all work together in one system.
Look at aus track team in Tokyo. There custom 3dprint stem wasn’t as good as argon18 stock one. ( may have not been bastions fault.but unfortunately not a good look for company which is so dedicated to safety and testing and making great products) @makripper:
  • 1 0
 @gcrider: Gwin has been involved in the development of his frame, brakes, drivetrain and tires. Basically everything has been designed around his needs, I don’t think it’s the bike that is to blame for his current performance.
  • 1 0
 Doesn’t make it the best just because x rider is involved in development. You can say that for most of the F1 teams. But only a couple seem to win. But @SonofBovril:
  • 1 0
 @SonofBovril: But still using the "JS Tuned" VVP set-up... It would be a major move to switch them to a horst link like a YT Tues...
  • 1 0
 @SonofBovril: yeah I think you are spot on. He's got the ability to get them to make whatever they want him to and he still sucks.
  • 1 0
 @gcrider: It's not about the stuff being the best, it's about it being the way he wants it to be, which in theory should make him the fastest he can be...

But maybe you're right, (for example) I guess even if he's pushed Kenda's tire engineering to it's limit, it might still not perform as well as a MAXXIS?
  • 5 0
 Damn Durango! Well played.
  • 3 2
 Gwin did not know that he had to fill out a form to get on the team. He just assumed he would be there. He did not make the automatic list this year

www.vitalmtb.com/forums/The-Hub,2/Gwin-not-representing-US-at-World-Championships-WTF,11268
  • 6 0
 Nor did he last year and USA cycling reminded him of the need to petition that last year. Same mistake two years in a row? Fire your team manager.
  • 6 1
 So explain to me why he would think it would be automatic if he wasn’t national champ in 2019 and If I remember correctly Gwin didn’t know he needed to petition for the 2020 world champs race either. USAC had to reach out to him then too. Not sure how he forgot in less than a year about the correct process since it was brought to his attention then. I would hope he would be more on top of things not only as a “team owner” but also as a racer. Gwin dropped the ball for the second year in a row. He’s pulling his entitlement card and I have zero respect for him.
  • 12 2
 If someone with that much experience can't follow the rules, as explained to him last season, then why should anybody else? Sorry , you missed the boat, wait for the next one. Feel bad for Austin, followed the process and made the cut only to be dismissed due to an overprivileged rider that is clearly past his prime. Pulling for Dakotah to catch the stripes.
  • 6 0
 @lifeofloon: I believe gwin is the team manager now....
  • 5 0
 @swan3609: like I said, maybe it's time to find a new manager if the current one can't do the job.
  • 3 1
 Is it safe to say yes the worst team manager ever? Absolutely.
  • 5 1
 Gwin did not need to petition for selection to the worlds team, he qualifies as an automatic selection under criteria 5 in USAC's rules being the 2nd placed USA man and within the top 50.

s3.amazonaws.com/usac-craft-uploads-production/documents/2021-MTB-WORLDS-DH-ELITE-JR-MEN-WOMEN-ATHLETE-SELECTION-CRITERIA-Final-jp.pdf

It takes until the 4th criteria for any of our men to be eligible for selection.
Page 3 of the above document:

4. If quota positions remain after considering the preceding criteria, the winner of the
2021 USA Cycling Elite MTB DH National Championship provided that race is held
in its entirety and run under UCI regulations will be nominated to the team.
5. If quota positions remain after considering the preceding criteria the top two (2)
ranked male and top two (2) ranked female U.S. athletes in the 2021 UCI Elite
Downhill World Overall rankings, as of July 29, 2021 if ranked in the top fifty (50). If
more athletes meet this criterion than available quota positions, then the highest
ranked athlete will be selected first.
6. If quota positions remain after considering the preceding criteria eligible athletes may
be nominated to the team following the USAC Discretionary Selection process.

Only people who didn't fit criteria 1-5 needed to petition and be a part of the "Discretionary Selection Process."
  • 2 1
 @adamdigby: except he isn’t the second ranked rider from the US
  • 2 0
 @TugBoatMan: Dakotah already qualifies from section 4 so then it would be Luca 1 and Gwin 2, but if they are using the series standings, Gwin 1 Luca 2
  • 2 1
 This surprises me considering Gwin’s current form and his history with World Champs.

Ps. Not saying he’s not a good rider or doesn’t deserve it. Austin has however been consistently performing at nationals but I guess he doesn’t have the WC experience.
  • 3 0
 EAST COAST DOWNHILL REPRESENT!!
  • 2 0
 Don’t matter carn straya time to get back to the glory years oh dh domination
  • 1 0
 The USAC website is updated and has Gwin on the list, replacing Dooley. usacycling.org/article/usa-cycling-names-2021-uci-mountain-bike-world-championships-teams
  • 3 0
 No Gwin??
  • 7 8
 I could swear the original article mentioned Gwin going for the elusive rainbow Jersey, though that sentence has been replaced by the mention of Gwin’s omission. Quality editing, Outbike.
  • 3 2
 Dooley, Silva and Nesteroff...but not Aaron Gwin ????? Best American Rider over years
  • 1 0
 And those years are past. Should we keep living there or should we move on and progress while still being able to admire and respect the accomplishements and contributions he made to the sport of downhill?
  • 3 0
 @lifeofloon:

No offence but has Nesteroff qualified for a World Cup this year? It’s not looking good for Gwin and I’ve been vocal about it, but leaving him off the World’s team is just embarrassing.
  • 3 1
 @gramboh: no offense taken but if Nesteroff filed his pursuit petition to be on the team and Gwin's team manager forgot to file the required petition to be on the team because he wasn't the national champion with immunity of exclusion I think it's fair and also time for someone to find a new manager. Kind of embarrassing for that team manager isn't it?
  • 2 1
 Bit rich to pick gwin over neko. At least gwin has qualified for a World Cup this year.
  • 1 0
 What is this 'Bear National/Development Team'? Seems a bit over-represented
  • 2 0
 PNW junior women represent. Go Ella and Emma!
  • 1 0
 Anyone else confused as to why half of the women’s dh team isn’t even American?
  • 1 0
 Maybe the better question is, what’s the rules around having US citizenship?

If you’re basing it off of place of residence, then you’ll likely be mistaken.
  • 1 0
 You can live outside of the US and still be an american citizen Wink
  • 3 0
 Hey Eric,
Anna and I were both born in the USA and moved out of the country because our parents got jobs over here.
We're both American, that's just our current town of residency that you see Smile

Cheers

Alexa play 'Born in the USA' by Bruce Springsteen
  • 1 0
 @jason3559: Can confirm. Been living in Norway (and been a Norwegian) for the last 44 years. Still US citizen due to timing of birth. Maybe I should sign up? Looks like you could text some random dude at USAC and get in :-)
  • 1 0
 @AbbyHogie15: thank you for clarification!
  • 1 0
 16 DH riders is a strong crew!
  • 2 1
 Dante Silva and no Gwin? WTF
  • 1 0
 Dante has won a World Cup. He’s definitely no scrub
  • 1 0
 24th
  • 1 0
 The pressure is on now!
  • 1 1
 No Gwin?
  • 1 4
 No Gwin eh?
  • 17 0
 At quick glance, your username looks like mine*

*when intoxicated
  • 5 0
 @juicebanger: drunk at 9:30am in a Friday? I'll allow it! As you where.
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.052405
Mobile Version of Website