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2012 team rumour and speculation

jnooth

Monkey
Sep 19, 2008
384
1
Vermont Country
From gwins twitter


Proud to announce that I will be riding for Specialized moving forward. There's much more to the story than what's been shared and i'm looking forward to setting that straight very soon. Thanks to my team and fans who've had my back in this time
 
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Supa8

Monkey
May 3, 2002
493
0
Middle of MA
Somewhat unusual that since TWR had a previous contract in place that an LOI was used versus a contract renewal? It appears as if TWR new that Gwin would be a commodity and by having him sign a specific LOI it would not allow other teams to talk and submit offers for his contract services until X period of time. If the LOI was tied to a negotiation period then Gwin is certainly free to sign where ever he wants if terms can not be agreed on within that time frame.

The way I read Whiteys statements is he himself is on the hook for this. Generally if you have a strong case you let the legal process play out versus engaging in a war of words. It's not as if Gwin would ever be going back to Trek after the TWR statement was released.

To me something did not seem right come the end of the season with Gwin and how the World Champs race played out with the " dual brake failure". Just was very odd at the time how it was defended.
 

Bedlam

Monkey
Feb 13, 2010
240
0
Under ground
Legal matters aside, Gwin really did pull a douche move if the TWR statement is correct in that he maintained that he was going to ride for them long after having an agreement with Specialized..
 

daisycutter

Turbo Monkey
Apr 8, 2006
1,651
124
New York City
I have met Met Gwin a few times over the past three years. He seems to be a class act. He took 10 mins to hang with my 4 and 8 year olds a few hours before the Dh finals at Windham this year. My daughter still say's Gwin for the win all the time.
 

scottishmark

Turbo Monkey
May 20, 2002
2,121
22
Somewhere dark, cold & wet....
Legal matters aside, Gwin really did pull a douche move if the TWR statement is correct in that he maintained that he was going to ride for them long after having an agreement with Specialized..
No it wasn't. You don't tell your current employer that you are leaving until you have something in writing from your new one. Otherwise things can get messy if the new deal doesn't work out
 

Bikael Molton

goofy for life
Jun 9, 2003
4,010
1,146
El Lay
Douche move? It's simply business, and this guy is the top name in the sport. Dude is securing the financial stability of his future children. This isn't about being cool bros and broing down.

The douche move is taking the drama to media outlets after failing to retain the top name in the sport.
 

iRider

Turbo Monkey
Apr 5, 2008
5,648
3,089
I have met Met Gwin a few times over the past three years. He seems to be a class act. He took 10 mins to hang with my 4 and 8 year olds a few hours before the Dh finals at Windham this year. My daughter still say's Gwin for the win all the time.
He was nice to your kids and this is why he must be a class act? :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
 

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
10,647
1,116
NORCAL is the hizzle
Douche move? It's simply business, and this guy is the top name in the sport. Dude is securing the financial stability of his future children. This isn't about being cool bros and broing down.

The douche move is taking the drama to media outlets after failing to retain the top name in the sport.
There is way too much we don't know, and probably will never know.

But just because it's business doesn't mean it can't be a douche move.
 

spes

Chimp
Jun 11, 2008
57
6
Sam leaves Specialized and Specialized is making great video of his career on brand. When Gwin leaves Trek they gonna make a lawsuit against him
 
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gemini2k

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2005
3,526
117
San Francisco
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Bedlam

Monkey
Feb 13, 2010
240
0
Under ground
No, business or not it is still simply being an a**hole if you lie straight into the face of the guys who have supported your racing for two years and stating that you will be racing for them the upcoming years while making other moves behind their backs.
 

norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,346
1,587
Warsaw :/
Didn't they do exactly the same to Yeti to get Gwinn in the first place anyway?
If the same happened with Yeti it's Gwin who did it, not Trek.


As for Elliot Jackson - half of the Norwegian Biathlon team has astma and they can train using medication. I'm really surprised that's the reason unless that's some extreme case.
 
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RayB

Monkey
Jan 31, 2008
744
95
Seattle
Is it not obvious?
Martin Whiteley is pissed because he just lost his #1 cash-cow (AG has been paying Whiteley's bills for the past 2 years).

My honest "guess" is that Gwin is being paid just moderately more (he's already the undisputed #1 rider), but his take-home pay after his "team manager" takes a cut, is significantly better with his new deal.

It's just business.
 

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
85,562
24,182
media blackout
No, business or not it is still simply being an a**hole if you lie straight into the face of the guys who have supported your racing for two years and stating that you will be racing for them the upcoming years while making other moves behind their backs.
a letter of intent is about the legal equivalent of a verbal acceptance of a job offer. it holds water like a seive.
 

norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,346
1,587
Warsaw :/
No it wasn't. You don't tell your current employer that you are leaving until you have something in writing from your new one. Otherwise things can get messy if the new deal doesn't work out
Not if your position is as stong as Gwins. If you are really good at your job they will want to keep you. I know some people in such position, not in racing. Easily doable.
 

Bedlam

Monkey
Feb 13, 2010
240
0
Under ground
Like I said, legality aside it's still a douchy move and I can see why TWR would be butthurt about it.

I highly doubt that Gwins deal with TWR would have been worse for 2013 if he'd been straight with them from the beginning and just said "Hey guys, I've got an offer from Specialized which seems pretty sweet and I'm thinking of taking them up on." I don't think TWR would kick out their most successful athlete ever on that basis, especially as they they said they tried to come to an agreement with him. And if they still couldn't come to an agreement, they'd part ways with no hard feelings..
FYI, this is how I feel you should act towards your employer as well, and if your employer doesn't see it your way he's an asshole and you want out of there anyways.