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MFrider

Monkey
Jul 10, 2009
138
0
The East
needles to ??? Intense? GT?? Yeti???
Not GT, he just left them (Mongoose).
Yeti, you have to be on the rise and not yet hit your potential.
Intense, would be cool.

He seems like a great guy and good for the sport. I see him like a Bryn Atkinson, a consistent top 20 guy who can get a top 10 or even a top 5, just can't put a run together.
 

MFrider

Monkey
Jul 10, 2009
138
0
The East
I kinda like watching her boob getting squished by her arm. Congrats to Gwin and best of luck to Needles! Other than that I don't have a whole lot else to contribute to this thread.
Your mention of her boob was the best contribution to this thread, not that I didn't see it. I stared at it through like 15 rep's.:rofl:
 

Pip3r

Turbo Monkey
Nov 20, 2001
1,112
0
Foxboro MA
Interesting that Needles has gotten the boot after one of his best seasons. Although Justin may have more consistent results and seems like a good dude, I feel like Needles has a bit more overall marketability.

Pumped for Gwin to have the best support possible!
 

aaronjb

Turbo Monkey
Jul 22, 2010
1,105
659
Needles wanted to stay with Trek and Trek with him as I'm told. Martin strung him along for a few months until he had positively secured one of the riders he was after (Minnaar, Brendan, Gwin) for TWR. Trek has to have loved Needles marketability, performance, and willingness to work with media. Rumor has it there wasn't room left in the budget for both Needles and some un/necessary transportation purchases.

Here's to hoping Andrew finds a great ride. He's a multi-talented rider, dedicated to his craft, affable, and intelligent. In all, a real asset to anyone who could sign him up.
Expand on the bold part, please? E-drama!
 

ballr

Monkey
Apr 7, 2002
165
0
colorado
It only becomes "E-drama" if all the tools on here start bitching at each other about it. Till then, it's only business.
Somebody always holds the cards, somebody else is always waiting for the cards to be played. It's not fair, it's life. It just sucks when "real business" creeps its way into our sport. IMO there should be more integrity and loyalty in almost every aspect of life.
 

dhr-racer

Monkey
Jan 24, 2007
410
0
A, A
im sure needles will land in a position that will give him a bit more support. he's been a solid racer for years

 
Feb 9, 2010
54
0
Slow Cal
All I have to say is twr's loss...
There are a number of ways to look at it. The one that makes the most sense for me is where the rider will sell bikes.

Leov is one of the best riders to come out of NZ, which is a large and growing DH market. He will help sell bikes in NZ, which makes it a logical choice to keep him on board. Now, which is the bigger market, USA or South Africa? The US is a much bigger market and they have the opportunity to take the fastest rider in that market, versus the second fastest rider in South Africa. To me, even if they have to pay Gwin more, and I hope they will, it makes sense to have him on board as he should sell more bikes and it's just a matter of when, not if, he will get a World Cup win.

Needles is a good rider who can be competitive at the highest level on any given day. He had his best season to date this year and you have to hand it to him, he's made friends with the right people and seems to get a lot of coverage for not having the best of results in the past. He plays the sponsorship game very well and seems to have a decent buisness sense to him. He will find a ride for next season and do just fine on the World Cup. Sometimes, a team switch (or being dropped) is just the motivation a rider needs to step it up the next level.
 

Fakewade

Monkey
Aug 26, 2006
120
0
Back in Scotland
Needles wanted to stay with Trek and Trek with him as I'm told. Martin strung him along for a few months until he had positively secured one of the riders he was after (Minnaar, Brendan, Gwin) for TWR. Trek has to have loved Needles marketability, performance, and willingness to work with media. Rumor has it there wasn't room left in the budget for both Needles and some un/necessary transportation purchases.

Here's to hoping Andrew finds a great ride. He's a multi-talented rider, dedicated to his craft, affable, and intelligent. In all, a real asset to anyone who could sign him up.
Thanks mate, sad to see him leave such a big team. Been a big fan of his since his turner/honda days. Great rider to watch.
 

dhr-racer

Monkey
Jan 24, 2007
410
0
A, A
I think finding somewhere with more support than TWR will be hard. Maybe a different program will suit him better though.
True, but with the team they had it wasn't as if needle was being focused on more then the others. Mabey with even a smaller team he can really come into his own
 

BikeFan84

Monkey
Oct 27, 2004
302
0
D-Ville
Trek World Racing adds Aaron Gwin to Downhill Line Up for 2011
by brule
Posted: Nov 9, 2010

Addition of Aaron Gwin Highlights a Stacked Roster

23 Degrees Sports Management is thrilled to announce the addition of Aaron Gwin (USA) to the Trek World Racing 2011 downhill roster.

Currently the UCI World #3, Gwin will race a Team-issued Trek Session 88 throughout the 2011 World Cup calendar alongside his Trek World Racing teammates. A relative newcomer to the sport, Gwin has experienced a meteoric rise in his young career and is widely known as one of America's brightest downhill stars. "I'm really excited to be joining Trek World Racing. I've looked up to Trek bicycles since I was a kid watching Lance Armstrong win the Tours so to be a part of that same American brand and adding to that racing heritage is pretty cool. The support this team provides is second to none and I believe I'll have all the tools I'll need to achieve my goals." Aaron said.

Returning for 2011 will be World Champion Tracy Moseley (GBR), World Silver Medalist Neko Mulally (USA), and World Top 10 rider Justin Leov (NZL). All three riders have had their best career years while riding aboard Trek, and are looking forward to welcoming Aaron to the team. Tracy said, "It's great to be returning to Trek World Racing for a 3rd year and this time in the World Champion's jersey! I'm looking forward to an exciting year and hope to be able to help Trek World Racing become the number one team in 2011."

The title sponsor is as excited about the 2011 roster as the team is. When asked about the brand's involvement with the team, Trek Vice President Joe Vadeboncoeur remarked "Trek is more dedicated than ever to racing and to the Trek World Racing Team. Its value to our product development and brand is immeasurable but beyond that, we really, really just like to race. Our roster is filled with young talent that is going to provide a lot of energy mixed with mature riders that will continue to produce results. Our intention is to be at the top level of racing at all disciplines." On the continued success of the team, Team Owner, Martin Whiteley said, "After the first 2 years of the program, and all we've learned both on and off the bikes, it's clear we’re ready to take the momentum from the two medals won in Mont-Sainte-Anne and spend more time on World Cup podiums in 2011. It would be great to end next season with the yellow plates aboard our bikes, and be crowned the number one team in downhill racing. With this line up, it's certainly a real possibility."

Justin Leov said today: "I know this program as well as I know the bike, inside out now, and working with amazingly focused people is what I'm all about. I look forward to having a solid crew of staff and riders to work alongside these next two years and a lot of fun times and great rides along the way. I just want to get on with it for 2011 and prove I can put down great race runs in the World Cups and at World Champs." Neko Mulally said: "I'm really looking forward to racing next year. To have such top notch support and a great group of people around me allows me to be the best I can be. I have taken in a lot this past year with Trek World Racing and with a better understanding of racing at the professional level I can't wait to put down some solid performances in 2011."

The Trek World Racing XC Team Roster will be announced in the coming days.
 

trib

not worthy of a Rux.
Jun 22, 2009
1,456
388
I think needles and slugger would do well together as team mates. Both capable of top 10's or even podiums at all races, just need to put it all together.
 

sgarstin

Chimp
Feb 26, 2010
19
0
World Champs '08 during the afterparty everybody was dancing and moshing. Neethling came up to me and my friends (national team mates) and starting deliberately elbowing and punching us. He thought it was pretty funny. Such a rad dude.
 

stiksandstones

Turbo Monkey
May 21, 2002
5,078
25
Orange, Ca
World Champs '08 during the afterparty everybody was dancing and moshing. Neethling came up to me and my friends (national team mates) and starting deliberately elbowing and punching us. He thought it was pretty funny. Such a rad dude.
You must be the same guy hatin on needles on DIRT too?
 

aj-monkey

Monkey
Oct 11, 2007
225
0
Squampton, BC
This is awesome news for Gwinny and TWR. But I would like to know what Needles is up to now? Anyone have any insights or shall I start up another e-spec thread for him ;)
 

Daver

Monkey
Jun 1, 2005
390
0
Shiddeny
World Champs '08 during the afterparty everybody was dancing and moshing. Neethling came up to me and my friends (national team mates) and starting deliberately elbowing and punching us. He thought it was pretty funny. Such a rad dude.
Cool story Hansel.