[Closed] Danny Hart. Guess i was wrong 🙂

If you'd known or interacted with Danny when he was racing the national youth or junior categories, you'd have known that he has always had the tenacity and drive to do what he's done. There have only ever been two people on the world cup circuit with the grit to stick it to Aaron, and those are Bruni and Danny.

Racers go through rough patches, see Valentino Rossi. The thing with Danny is that he hit his rough patch before he'd really started cementing himself as a top contender, that is harder to come back from than being a consistent title contender in the first place - which makes him all the more admirable. I expect big things from Danny.

How do you figure that? Gwins been the most successful over these last few years but theres been more winners than just Hart or Bruni. Minnaar for instance...

Amazing ride. It's all peaks and troughs though. Lots of riders have had a spurt of success and have now gone off the boil a bit. Except maybe gwin 🙂

I'm waiting for Josh to find his form again.

Minaar sure, but he's not young blood. Bruni and Danny are going to be the ones to take the sport faster than Gwin. I don't see Gee getting anywhere, but that' just a hunch. Danny was, and still is by the looks of it - doggedly determined.

I don't reckon Bryceland will have a factory ride for next year...

Wonder how much difference the switch from marzocchi to fox has made for him and the team this year.

I don't reckon Bryceland will have a factory ride for next year...

Possible but with Steve Peat going I doubt they will do too much changing. Bryceland is somehow marketing gold anyway. It's not just about results.

Its good to see competition for Gwin anyway

Luca Shaw to the syndicate for 2017

Really great to see all his hard work paying off. I'd also lost faith but I'm happy to be proved wrong.

Of course ratboy will still be on SC next year, he's the biggest personality on the circuit.

Another doubter here, but very happy to see Danny winning. I can't believe that all of a sudden he's in with a real chance of winning the overall! Andorra is going to be a brilliant race!!
Before this season I thought his best days were behind him.

Will be very interesting to see if Josh can find his form again... Something tells me he won't be putting in quite as much effort as Danny to make it happen. I hope so though as I love his riding style.
SC will never ditch him either way though - as others have said he's marketing gold.

Great for Danny, really good to see him winning at the top level.

I don't see Gee getting anywhere, [b]anymore [/b]

50p says that Danny still won't get anywhere near Gee's Palmares though.

[b]50p says that Danny still won't get anywhere near [s]Gee's[/s] Rach's Palmares though.[/b]
Gee-WC Gold 08,14.Siver 12.Bronze 07 and 1 series win
RachWC Gold 08,13,15.Silver 07,11,14.Bronze 06 and 6 series wins.
FTFY
I dunno though....he could be gifted a world champs and capitulate and lose certain series win at the last round yet :0/

Why do some think Bryceland is marketing Gold ?

He hasn't got much in the way of results this year, all his social media exposure shows him messing about as if he's out for a ride with his mates. Sure, he's probably a great laugh to go for a ride with. But as an aspirational pro athlete he seems the wrong person.

Whereas a lot of his competitors - Danny / Atherton for example, look like they are professional athletes.

Same reason Brendan Fairclough is...
Because the majority of people who spunk £6k on a dh bike don't buy them because "insirational pro athletes" ride them.They buy them to look rad/cool/knarly/roost/bro (delete as appropriate) whilst pushing them up 1min30 dh tracks in the surrey hills.
Also
[img] [/img]

Id don't get why anyone wrote him off - He was actually been one of the most consistent top guys - just never making the top step until recently. In the most competitive period ever.

I've had a quick look on roots n rain at his WC results - ever since becoming a senior he's had lots of top 5 and top 10 finishes. Much much more consistent than bryceland until Josh 's streak a few years ago

I can't believe people are saying his best years were behind him - he's 24! Champery 2011 was where it all came together but he's always been in the mix and perhaps riding with Giant was getting a bit stale

He hasn't got much in the way of results this year, all his social media exposure shows him messing about as if he's out for a ride with his mates. Sure, he's probably a great laugh to go for a ride with. But as an aspirational pro athlete he seems the wrong person.

Maybe because he seems a bit more human than Gee for example?

Those vids of him dicking about on his smaller bikes are probably pretty goods for sales of said smaller bikes as the V10 is pretty specialist. He also proved that you could win and have fun at the same time.

Hart does seem to have come good this season - like many I'd put that WC win down as a fluke / one off, but this season things seem to have clicked. The big one is can he back it up again next year? That's proved hard for Josh.

Why do some think Bryceland is marketing Gold ?

He hasn't got much in the way of results this year, all his social media exposure shows him messing about as if he's out for a ride with his mates. Sure, he's probably a great laugh to go for a ride with. But as an aspirational pro athlete he seems the wrong person.

Whereas a lot of his competitors - Danny / Atherton for example, look like they are professional athletes.

Same reason why Brendan Fairclough is.

Gambler has never won a WC, yet there are absolutely truck loads of them at the races and at bike parks all over the world, because everyone wants to ride like Brendan.

And Danny looks like a professional athlete? Really? What have you been smoking? He looks like an extra from Pans Labyrinth compared to someone way more polished Like Gwin/Gee/etc.

I don't see Danny being the next big thing, and certainly not a young gun - he's 25 in a matter of weeks. Bruni for sure - he has the potential to be come the next Vouilloz. I'd be keeping more of an eye on Vergier & Iles for that title.

Can someone point me at the current standings. I can't seem to find an up to table anywhere. Is there a chance Danny can win overall?

LOL at that graph. I suppose it does depend on who your aiming your marketing at.

I'm a (post) middle aged fat bloke, so aspire to a athlete rather than teenager in pyjamas pushing up a hill speaking a language I don't understand 🙂

I'm a (post) middle aged fat bloke, so aspire to a athlete rather than teenager in pyjamas pushing up a hill speaking a language I don't understand

Can we talk about Sam Hill? It pains me greatly to see where he's finishing in each race. He has the (joint) most wins ever at MSA yet could only manage 65th on Saturday. He hasn't even cracked the top 20 this year.

However, despite "not being a pedaler" he can turn up at two EWS races and finish second (and come within 4 seconds of winning one!)

The argument of "enduro is easier than downhill" doesn't work because current top DH'ers have dipped their toe into the EWS over the last couple of years and haven't done as well (with the exception of Masters who had home track knowledge advantage).

So how can a guy whose supposed weak point was pedalling suddenly smash EWS races, yet is so far off the pace in his true discipline???

Check out Red Bull TV for all the info

Check out Red Bull TV for all the info

according to this page:
http://www.redbull.com/uk/en/bike/event-series/1331756040389/uci-mountain-bike-world-cup-2016

Gwin has a 208 point lead?

I'm guessing it hasn't been updated otherwise he's won overall?

Oh, good point BoardinBob.

The two sports are very different, not just in the terrain / bike.

In DH you only get one chance that lasts less than five minutes. In EWS you can make a few mistakes on a run or two and still come back.

Have to admit I never rated him, I wrote off his worlds win as just being the first of the 4-5 lads every year who throw themselves at it at Worlds to make it stick, took him a while to get this first WC win though, I can see a Ratboy flourish of wins to come - can you imagine RB trying to build a media rivalry between though, it was hard enough to make Gee-riod Atherton look interesting compared to Chainsaw. Never mind Danny 'Mr Charisma' v Cleaner than Clean cut Gwin.

I don't think Ratboy will be struggling for a ride next year, but I do wonder where his form has gone, whatever Minnar did to make his '16 set-up work either isn't working for Josh, or Greg's not telling him what he did. Maybe he struggles without Peaty.

Danny for example, look like they are professional athletes.

Can't say I agree with that TBH, in most interviews I've seen of Danny he struggles to string a coherent sentence together. I don't think it's a massive surprise that mondraker aren't pushing the social media in the same way that Trek, Santa Cruz and pretty much everyone else does.

I don't see Sam Hill having a resurgence, he's been in decline for years, I see something of his fellow countryman Casey Stoner in him, when they're in the mood for it they're so, so fast, on another plane to anyone else, but later on you get the impression they're torn, they want to win, but part of them would rather be at home playing with their kids away from the 'circus'. I would be great to see him flying again.

Can we talk about Sam Hill? It pains me greatly to see where he's finishing in each race. He has the (joint) most wins ever at MSA yet could only manage 65th on Saturday. He hasn't even cracked the top 20 this year.

Maybe he's just losing interest - same tracks every year. People seemingly prepared to lay it on the line more than him (he's a bit of a baby factory at present) means self preservation is kicking in?

He's openly been struggling with the bike setup again, which won't help his confidence. With a lot of these guys it's a massive mental game to get your sh*t in a pile on race day. Stevie Smith was very open about this a couple of years ago, coming back from a couple of injuries after winning the overall the year before, he felt like he was riding well, yet couldn't put race runs together. He knew it was mental and just had to figure out how he was going to fix things. It took quite a while.

Arguably there is no expectation for him to perform at an EWS, so he may be more relaxed and just get on with riding his bike.

He's coming to Whistler this week & is down on the start list for the EWS again - be interesting to see how he gets on again. The wild, loose nature of the valley trails have to be right up his street.

[quote=Trimix ]Oh, good point BoardinBob.
The two sports are very different, not just in the terrain / bike.
In DH you only get one chance that lasts less than five minutes. In EWS you can make a few mistakes on a run or two and still come back.

You would still expect the top EWS guys to beat him on experience though - fitness, pacing, racecraft etc. It's just bizarre.

[img] [/img]
/p>

Ha ha, they're not stupid though are they?

When everyone else was wondering how to make DH pay after all the big money sponsorship left, they started the 'Atherton Project' which was actually pretty good, lots of riders do that now, but they stopped it years ago, when world champs are still making little vids and getting paid by Clif Bars to have their log somewhere, the Athertons are on the BBC and getting paid by Jeep.

Mainstream marketing is boring, like F1 drivers they're not allowed to say anything remotely off-script, but it pays - I imagine Gee who hasn't won a WC in 3 years and an International Race in 2 gets paid more than anyone else in WC DH>

re. Sam Hill - I think Nigel Page said after Lourdes that Sam just wasn't back up to speed on his DH bike, and it looks like he's not managed to get there all season.

I really, really hope he makes the obvious career step for next year. Him, Rude & Graves duking it out in the EWS would be sensational.

I don't see Danny being the next big thing, and certainly not a young gun

Agreed and I dunno if he even sees himself as that, given how long he's been riding at the top level. It's more like a comeback.

Bruni, Vergier, Shaw, Brosnan & hopefully Bryceland are the riders I see being on the podium up to 2020. Not seen Iles racing but he's obviously a hot prospect too.

Mainstream marketing is boring, like F1 drivers they're not allowed to say anything remotely off-script, but it pays - I imagine Gee who hasn't won a WC in 3 years and an International Race in 2 gets paid more than anyone else in WC DH

You imagine wrong. Gwin almost takes as much as the entire Atherton 'package deal' collectively.

Bryceland is somehow marketing gold anyway. It's not just about results.

[PinkbikeBSanalysis] Bryceland [i]was[/i] marketing gold but his exposure and likeability on the oracle of such things that is PB seems to have dropped massively with his drop in form. Before, he was the fun loving underdog with a steely focus come race day now he just seems to be acting like more of a tool and pissing people off whenever videos pop up. Barely gets mentioned nowadays so I'm not sure how much value he really has for media exposure...[/PinkbikeBSanalysis]

Back on topic, it would be really interesting to know what Hart has been doing differently this season. As far as I am aware he has moved away from more traditional cycling coaches to a more moto coach which may account for some of it I guess, especially when someone like Gwin is the level that has been set to beat

I'd admire Hart's hardwork. He's been living in his van in the Fort William car park for the last month or so, just banging out non stop laps of the WC track. That's hard work and dedication. Meanwhile Bryceland is having fun somewhere, Brendog is dirt jumping etc.

I really, really hope he makes the obvious career step for next year. Him, Rude & Graves duking it out in the EWS would be sensational.

Yeah I hope so too.
Time for him to admit that DH is over for him now. Maybe it's because he's too old, or not hungry enough any more, or playing too safe, but it doesn't matter why really.
I would imagine that Nukeproof will be very keen for him to make the switch next year. If he can keep getting EWS podiums then that can sell them a whole lotta enduro bikes. Doubt he's selling them many DH bikes right now.

CrC/Nukeproof will have to have a bit of yard sale in the off season I reckon.Joe Smith has struggled since his great 2014 season (strangely Sam Dale too)
,Mike Jones is wildly erratic,Sam is struggling to justify his pay packet.Elliot Heap is going well in the juniors though.
Pagey has got some tough calls to make.

They'd need to up the budget to do a full EWS season & full DH season I guess, even if they kept the same roster of riders.

why do bike companies sponsor riders? to sell bikes. Trek sells bikes in huge volumes globally, and "expects" to have top names on their roster, Gee's still a good racer but not troubling the top of the podium much but more importantly he comes with Rachel who is a repeated winner and replaces to an extent Tracy Moseley. Trek are one of the more progressive companies with respect to women specific bikes and the mass market products.
But Santa Cruz sells loads of boutique builds to the enthusiast market, based on "characters" as much as results. You see more Santa Cruz in Surrey Hills and BPW etc where the enthusiasts gather than top end treks. I'm sure Steve Peat's brand association with SC will run for a while through the SPS programme etc, as UK has turned out to be a great market for them, and he's royalty in the UK.
It works too, although I never consciously am influenced, I had a GT in the late 90s and went to Orange in the early noughties, although didn't follow him to SC.
Sorry I don't know what that's worth, just some rambling from someone who should be working!

I saw a Sam Hill interview a while back, I'm paraphrasing but it was more or less "I'm as excited about enduro now as I used to be about downhill, but I think I can still win the dh worlds and I don't think I can win EWS". TBH I'm not sure about that, he's had some good turns in enduro and tbf, all the chat about "Will Hill be back on his old form" has always ignored "but everyone else has got better".

I predict Bryceland'll be back though.

Part of me hopes hill is just taking it easy so he can smash out a winning run at world's but he seems to far off the pace for that .
It's seems weird but the second win seems harder than the first , lots of guys manage 1 win but fail to back it up later on , then there are the guys who seem to be awesome for a season but can't repeat it year on year . Makes gwins, minnar and peatys career all the more impressive .
I don't think ratboy is in any danger of losing his ride , in fact I seem to remember he signed a long term deal after his world cup win , but I don't think he offers as much to a brand as fairclough who does rampage , lots of videos , magazines etc unless he starts winning again

I'd admire Hart's hardwork. He's been living in his van in the Fort William car park for the last month or so, just banging out non stop laps of the WC track. That's hard work and dedication. Meanwhile Bryceland is having fun somewhere, Brendog is dirt jumping etc.

That's a big difference there - plus he's not so caught up in the world of 'edits' like Bryceland and Brendog are. They're both very talented riders, but are they willing to go the extra mile to get the race results? Hart appears to.

Rorschach - Member
CrC/Nukeproof will have to have a bit of yard sale in the off season I reckon.Joe Smith has struggled since his great 2014 season (strangely Sam Dale too)
,Mike Jones is wildly erratic,Sam is struggling to justify his pay packet.Elliot Heap is going well in the juniors though.
Pagey has got some tough calls to make.

Young lads seemed to develop massively from training and riding with Hill, though. And he brought an enormous legitimacy to Nukeproof as a brand - which theyre trying to exploit, their bikes no longer have budget pricing. I think his value is more than just his own results.

Can't help feeling Sam's missed the boat TBH, not in a big team, not pressing hard enough, more and better younger riders on his heels

That's a big difference there - plus he's not so caught up in the world of 'edits' like Bryceland and Brendog are. They're both very talented riders, but are they willing to go the extra mile to get the race results? Hart appears to.

There is no right or wrong answer to that.

As has been repeatedly stated, sponsoring riders is not just about the winning. with the huge proliferation of social media, the sponsorship model has evolved accordingly.

There are only 8 races in the year and its over in about 5 mins with only one go per a race.

So you have next to no chance to be on the podium - especially as the top ten men's is separated by less than 10 seconds.

If they did 2 races a month then we would probably see more riders on the Podium = greater exposure for the sponsors.
Also more opportunity to come back from a bad race.

They could do the same number of rounds but race Sat and Sun, so then for the same cost of putting the show on you get double the exposure, double the races.

Glad Hart has started to show form, he is such a talented rider. Skill wise I would say he is up there with any of them, he just had to develop the engine, which he seems to have done now.

Bryceland wearing flats because it’s more fun in the last WC round says it all for me (don’t want to start a debate here), he doesn’t seem interested, and seems to accept defeat far too easily.

Brendog is similar, not too sure why he is competing if he doesn’t think he can win. He has the talent, but doesn’t train anywhere near enough. Look at Gee, whilst he may have lost some speed, he is still in unbelievable shape, and that has always been the key to his success, and why he hasn’t ever had major injuries etc.

I would like to think if I was talented enough to be a pro rider, I would be training as much as possible to achieve as much as possible. The physique of some of the guys racing DH is embarrassing, picture of Sam Dale with his top off on the track walk for the last WC, he has breasts. I’ve got friends who work 12 hour days who are in better shape than him. Obviously doesn’t apply to the majority however.

there's a few conversations going on at once here...

re bryceland - that foot injury has killed his speed and rumour has it he wont ever recover it

re bryceland - that foot injury has killed his speed and rumour has it he wont ever recover it

this is a good point, whether physical or psychological it does seem to have had a big impact. He worked so hard that year, training properly etc. proved he has the capability, but possible not able to maintain the professionality and dedication required, but still a great brand for Santa Cruz brand who are selling high end lifestyle products to high income, middle-aged weekend warriors. affordably expensive.

fingerbang - Member
there's a few conversations going on at once here...

re bryceland - that foot injury has killed his speed and rumour has it he wont ever recover it

He's had good results since the injury - one in particular

https://www.rootsandrain.com/race2923/2015-aug-1-uci-world-cup-5-mont-sainte-anne-qc/#helitem

packer - Member
I would imagine that Nukeproof will be very keen for him to make the switch next year. If he can keep getting EWS podiums then that can sell them a whole lotta enduro bikes. Doubt he's selling them many DH bikes right now.

This is I think where CRC/Nukeproof could really capitalise. Sam Hill is still very marketable and when he signed to CRC, Enduro was a burgeoning discipline which was still taking shape, the EWS is only three years old now. I bet Mega's outsell Pulses by a huge margin nowadays, and Nukeproof really should make more of the Sam Hill range, why no Sam Hill carbon bars, lighter stem etc..

I'd let Sam concentrate on Enduro, sell boatloads of Nukeproof Mega's (SH was a big part in me buying my Mega Team last week) and still ride World Cups where possible much in the role Peaty has has within Syndicate for the last couple of years, as a mentor and ambassador.

not too sure why he is competing if he doesn’t think he can win

The reason rat boy is marketing gold is he's a poster boy for a whole generation. My attitude to him changed when I saw him at fort William a couple of years ago, he was still chatting to fans after most had left and after the presentations.

Dark Side - Member
packer - Member

Nukeproof really should make more of the Sam Hill range, why no Sam Hill carbon bars, lighter stem etc..

They do Sam Hill signature pedals, stem, bars, seatpost & saddle. Don't think the man himself uses carbon bars, so may not want his name on a set.

Current standings
http://62.50.72.82/uciroot/wcmtb/2016/DH_Standings.aspx?id=51181&language=eng&code=FI

Danny had a "poor" few years. Injury one early in the season and then illness at South Africa and Australia destroyed any overall ambitions.

Round 2 went badly this year hence being a good chunk of points behind.

Look at all riders and most will have similar issues in their career at some point. Rachel couldn't finish a year without getting injured for a while (or that's what my memory tells me)

As for Gwin we'll see what his full speed is like at the Worlds when it's win or bust unlike the worldcup.

We should've have a separate SH thread, but it's too late for that now.

Anyway, this is his fourth year with Nukeproof/CRC, so I wonder if his contract might be up this year anyway. Can they afford him now he's a top enduro racer AND Sam Hill?

They do Sam Hill signature pedals, stem, bars, seatpost & saddle. Don't think the man himself uses carbon bars, so may not want his name on a set.

I was suggesting making more of the signature series for AM/Enduro. The saddles, stem and seat post (in as much as it is not a dropper) are not really applicable to trail riding and the bars are a little on the narrow side (for some people).

Sam rode carbon bars in the EWS at least http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/13707718/

Anyway, this is his fourth year with Nukeproof/CRC, so I wonder if his contract might be up this year anyway. Can they afford him now he's a top enduro racer AND Sam Hill?

This could be the sticking point, but surely his value has decreased based on performances in WC since CRC signed him from Specialized.

Dark Side - Member

I was suggesting making more of the signature series for AM/Enduro.

Fair enough, but the man has only done a couple of races.... might take them a few months

The reason rat boy is marketing gold is he's a poster boy for a whole generation. My attitude to him changed when I saw him at fort William a couple of years ago, he was still chatting to fans after most had left and after the presentations.

I think you are over thinking this... and [url= http://www.pinkbike.com/news/wyntv-finals-mont-sainte-anne-dh-world-cup-2016.html ]this dude[/url] from the Singletrackworld Florida division disagrees with your assessment on Josh's dedication (2:20) 🙂

Danny has never lacked for skill, few guys can match him for bike handling but he's never had the 'head' support he needs to win. His focus on training with the new team has gone a long way to ameliorating this but he still lacks confidence (check out his reaction to his time vs bruni's reaction to his own) after they crossed the line at MSA. If he gets that killer confidence thing sorted with a good sports psychologist he'll get even better IMO.

That said it's Bruni for the next year or two if he can stay fit then the nippers will be nipping at his heels

Ratboy seems to spend too much time stoned these days. Not sure if it's things like Wyn tv exposing him more or whether he's just pissing around more but it's hardly marketing gold when one of your top riders is coming across in that way during interviews. Also seems to be a common joke based on the side comments in the vids that Bryceland is always stoned which I can't imagine Santa Cruz are delighted about. Sure he's fun to watch on a bike in his vids, but I think he needs a cleaner image for a brand like Santa Cruz.

Dropped/pay cut for next season which he's why he now thinks f- it, I'm just gonna have fun?

Dropped/pay cut for next season which he's why he now thinks f- it, I'm just gonna

I've thought that myself, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he's dropped

Minaar said he was under pressure because of poor results before winning Fort Bill, so can't imagine Bryceland isn't. Maybe it's the Peaty effect and not having his mate and mentor around. Bryceland's form has dipped since Peaty hasn't been around through injury last season and doing fewer races this season.

Some of these guys are quite young so perhaps they don't realise how good they have got it while they are racing for a team. Once they are not being paid to ride a bike most will end up being paid to ride a scooter delivering pizza if they are lucky.

Ratboy seems to spend too much time stoned these days. Not sure if it's things like Wyn tv exposing him more or whether he's just pissing around more but it's hardly marketing gold when one of your top riders is coming across in that way during interviews. Also seems to be a common joke based on the side comments in the vids that Bryceland is always stoned which I can't imagine Santa Cruz are delighted about. Sure he's fun to watch on a bike in his vids, but I think he needs a cleaner image for a brand like Santa Cruz.

Dropped/pay cut for next season which he's why he now thinks f- it, I'm just gonna have fun?

doing the MSA track walk in a Cheech & chong tie dye shirt wasn't exactly subtle, although I know that's only a smoking gun/joint

maybe he was prescribed medicinal marijuana for his foot in Norway? progressive Scandinavian healthcare an' that

Deliberately not winning 'cos he won't pass a dope test and doesn't want to be the next Daily Mail headline with Lizzie Armissedtest? 🙂

Hasn't Ratboy been having issues with bike set up? I think i read that somewhere. I bet there will be serious words when it comes to contract re-negotiation though. 2014 he was amazing, its understandable that 2015 would be difficult due to his injury, but this year he is barely making the top 20!

I like him, he is a great rider and a character but I would be very interested to know why his form has dropped of so much!

Some of these guys are quite young so perhaps they don't realise how good they have got it while they are racing for a team. Once they are not being paid to ride a bike most will end up being paid to ride a scooter delivering pizza if they are lucky.

I suspect you are right. Bryceland does not strike me as the sharpest tool in the box. A lack of imagination (along with a bucket of skill) is probably a good thing in his line of work. Very personable which is a massive life skill but not sure he has the wherewithal to always do the right thing to prolong a career.

They are an interesting combination; Bryceland and Minnaar. One comes across as a thoughtful, technically competent, professional, focused, modern racer. The other a likeable goon from the tent at the back of the circus.

Cycling's Bert and Ernie?

They are an interesting combination; Bryceland and Minnaar. One comes across as a thoughtful, technically competent, professional, focused, modern racer. The other a likeable goon from the tent at the back of the circus.

They're an unusual pairing, but Minnaar gave the impression that everyone in the team gets along well which is why there's been no rush to replace Peaty.

What's the score with weed? Is it a banned substance for athletes in areas where it's legal or available on prescription?

mark88 - Member

What's the score with weed? Is it a banned substance for athletes in areas where it's legal or available on prescription?

Generally banned in competition, I think, certainly the case for USADA.

Well it doesn't matter if its banned or not - these guys are all over Social Media and represent various sponsors. They need to be role models.

I've watched a few video clips where Minnarr comes across all professional and Ratboy is just messing about - that would drive me nuts if I was Minnarr.

Trimix - Member
Well it doesn't matter if its banned or not - these guys are all over Social Media and represent various sponsors. They need to be role models.

That image isn't necessarily a bad thing form a sponsor POV, agree on Minnaar

Of course we could be all wrong and Santa Cruz could be entirely happy that Ratboy reaches a demographic that's not all about the racing. We have no idea what his contract with the syndicate is, it could be that theyre not looking at him for consistent results.

That's the sort of thing that got me thinking about for the [url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/pro-riders-results-v-reputation-etc ]other thread[/url], Nick. Iago Garay has been with Santa Cruz for a few years but has made EWS top 20 once but I seen a comment about him pushing back up a section in practice if there's a photographer. Obviously Instagram followers mean more than race positions for him.

Bloke who clearly has a good time travelling and riding/racing his bike, style for miles and a hit with the DH fans who don't subscribe to the weight lifting/protein shake crown. Yeah, I'm sure SC are about ready to show him the door....

After he's cultivated said image, he's hardly going to stick pictures up on instagram of him doing squats or smashing out intervals on the turbo. Besides which, they've (SC) got Greg for that.

I went riding with Danny Hart a few months after his WC victory, he met up with a few of us to go for a spin round Sherwood of all places. He'd already done a training session before he met with us around midday and after riding with us for around 3 hours he went out on his road bike to do some intervals. They all train, just not all of them talk about it.

What amazes me is the length of career some of the riders have. Mick Hannah for example came second in the junior WC in 2000, Minnaar started racing WC in 1999 - nearly 17 years isn't a bad effort!

Reckon Minnaar's discipline and training are a big part of his being competitive for 17 years, you don't stay top that long without looking after yourself

I had an uplift day at antur with Hart, bryceland and dale there. It was all business and zero messing about, all good lads getting on with it, no raditude or goofing about whatsoever. Josh even offered me his place one trip, lovely lad and looking at them i reckon they all spend way more time in the gym than average riders spend hitting the keyboard.

I've watched a few video clips where Minnarr comes across all professional and Ratboy is just messing about - that would drive me nuts if I was Minnarr.

I always felt like Greg was the odd one out in the Peaty vids - Peaty and Josh seemed quite happy goofing it up, even close to the race whereas Greg came across as very serious and focused.

Josh might get away with a few poor results this year, but I think he'll be expected to get better results next year.

I always felt like Greg was the odd one out in the Peaty vids - Peaty and Josh seemed quite happy goofing it up, even close to the race whereas Greg came across as very serious and focused.

[quote=mark88 ]That's the sort of thing that got me thinking about for the other thread, Nick. Iago Garay has been with Santa Cruz for a few years but has made EWS top 20 once but I seen a comment about him pushing back up a section in practice if there's a photographer. Obviously Instagram followers mean more than race positions for him.

Good guy. Lots of fun. Has speakers in his rucksack during a race blasting the tunes out. Had a good chat with him on an EWS transition. Very personable and a good brand ambassador