Spencer Cole Returns to DK

Spencer Cole Returns to DK

On January 20, 2015, BMX News ran the story of Midwestern hotshoe, Spencer Cole’s move form Factory DK to the Dan’s Comp squad. Just-shy of the three year point, and now based in Florida, we learn today that Coletrain is heading back to DK, effective immediately Read more

Yess BMX Announces 2018 West Coast Leader

As we get started on 2017 Grands season, the initial moves by teams are starting to take shape. Today, Yess BMX announced that they will have a new show-runner for their West Coast Factory Team in 2018.

Jean-Marc Durviaux, a Yess BMX Factory Team member will step-in to the West Coast Team Manager role after the Grands.

Yess BMX VP, Renny Husada told News:

With a new Year comes new changes. We are excited to formally announce the new Team Manager who will be taking on the reigns for our West Coast Factory program after Grands next month to be Jean Marc Durviaux.

We graciously thank Jerry Bradford and David Velador for their total commitment to our factory program over the last 3 years and wish them well for the future.

As an end to one program and a beginning of a new, we are also stoked to have a fresh look for our factory pilots using a new design next season thanks to Rolando Camacho of Blotout Graphics. He would be the only one that can correctly evolve our identity which we have proudly worn around the world.

—Renny Husada

Lisa Motley, East Coast Factory Team Manager says, of her new West Coast counterpart:

I am really excited that Jean-Marc (John Mark) will be the new West Coast TM. What Jean-Marc brings to the Yess BMX family perfectly compliments our existing program.

His lifetime of Bmx racing experience is a new fresh perspective. I am very much looking forward to working with him. 

—Lisa Motley

And, last, but not least, it is great to hear from the in-coming West Coast Factory Team Manager, Jean-Marc:

I’m beyond stoked and very optimistic about the year ahead. Building a new Yess team on the West Coast is a very exciting prospect, indeed.

I have been involved in BMX for many many years, and this particular endeavor is a new level of involvement and investment in this sport that I love.

When Renny and Lisa presented me with this opportunity, I knew it was the right fit. I love Yess products and have raced on them for two years.

I believe in the power of the Yess brand — being out there, technologically, while at the same time, down to earth culturally.

I look forward to assembling a talented group of like-minded riders, and continuing to foster this Yess family spirit.

I have no doubt it will lead to more successes, memorable milestones and broader horizons for all involved.

—Jean-Marc Durviaux

We congratulate Factory Yess, and Jean-Marc for getting together, and for putting an early-stake in 2018. All-the-best!

TOP PHOTO: Jean-Marc Durviaux and Renny Husada at the 2016 USA BMX Grand National.

Links

Yess BMX Website

Alise Inks Promax Parts Deal

Last week, with much anticipation created on social media, Alise Post announced she would be riding a GW frame in 2017. This week, she sliced off a few tasty appetizers and showed off some of the components that would go in to building her perfect race rocket. Read more

Kevin Pauls and Supercross Part Ways

Kevin Pauls joined Factory Supercross after the 2016 Grands, to much fanfare among team watchers. News reported the story on December 13, and all appeared to be solid, as KP showed up in Las Vegas for the first race of the year in his Factory SX kit.

Last week, a BMX News tipster sent in word Read more

Alise Post: Who’s It Going To Be?

Social media has been all-a-twitter (small t) over a teaser that Alise Post dropped earlier in the week, regarding her 2017 frame deal. She started it out in her characteristically-classy way—by thanking her outgoing sponsor, Redline Bicycles, and giving away her 2016 Grands Redline jersey to a deserving fan.

Then, an image with a mysterious outline of a BMX bike appeared, with promise that she would soon announce the lucky brand she will ride to glory in 2017.

Facebook practically needed to add more servers to handle the load, with people booting up Photoshop to try and match up the frame of their choice to the mysterious image Alise put out there.

One commenter asked “Is Intense BMX making a comeback?,” another was convinced it was a Sty Srg, and made a compelling Photoshop mockup to help bolster his case.

Then, early Weds morning, Colombian bike brand GW posted the following image on their FB page—which has the same typeface, and “Star Trek movie poster” look and feel–and suspiciously-American red, white and blue behind the shrouded rider.

We’re NOT saying it’s official. Maybe they are just drafting on Alise’s hype, and will announce someone different. A different Americano? Hard to imagine all this as pure coincidence.

Of course, y’all know that GW is also the favored mount of another female mega-star: Mariana Pajon. So, adding Alise to the lineup would be pretty Feng shui, from a representation point of view.

Only time will tell, as Alise has promised to give us all the official 4-1-1 in due course. Stay tuned to BMX News, where we will update the haps as soon as they happen.

Big props to Alise for getting people talking about something positive, and giving us something juicy to report on a VERY slow news week.

—Mike Carruth

Answer-Rennen Adds Aussie Elite Rachel Jones

Answer-Rennen had a big announcement at last weekend’s 2016 USA BMX Winter Nationals–the addition of Australian Elite Woman, Rachel Jones to the team. Rachel has been spending time here in the states, riding with Brooke Crain and the rest of the Olympic-path gang out West.

On adding Rachel to the team, Answer-Rennen Team owner, George Costa told News:

We are pleased to announce the signing of Rachel Jones to the team as our first Elite woman rider.

New for 2016, USA BMX has added a new provision to the factory team rules which makes Elite Men and Women extremely valuable for teams contending for points.

Historically, team sheet teams haven’t carried Elite men and women on the roster. as there is a high cost to properly supporting one of these riders– but with the new points by USA BMX, it is now something that all the top teams are looking at and considering.

Rachel is a 20-year-old Australian who has made the decision to come live in the United States full-time and pursue her dreams, racing Elite Women. In the short few weeks since she has accepted the offer to join the team she’s already demonstrated that she is a huge team player and is going to help us pursue our goals of attaining the factory team title.

Without the support of our great sponsors we wouldn’t be able to pursue a rider of Rachel’s caliber, so once again we thank those who support us.

It’s always great to see rule changes that *enhance* competition, and encourage new paths for teams and riders to pursue. After the race on Saturday, Rachel told News:

It was such an unexpected opportunity, so close to the USA BMX series starting. But at the same time, it is exactly what I had been looking for.

After spending time here training, I was able to do a few races in the series last year. I made a decision to race as many USA BMX races this season and “base” out of the US. Having a team like Answer-Rennen support me at these races is like having a family away from family.

I’m very thankful for this opportunity to be part of such a strong team.

Watch for Rachel, and the full Answer-Rennen squad at races throughout 2016.

—Mike Carruth

Answer-Rennen Co-Sponsors: Answer BMX, Rennen Design Group, Ssquared Bicycles, Tioga BMX, G-Cog, Answer Racing (ANSR Gear), ODI Grips, Dan’s Comp, Base Brooklyn and Pedro’s

Answer BMX Website

Rennen Design Group Website

Podcast: Donny Robinson – 2016 and Beyond

In a follow up to our January 3 story on his 2016 program, Donny joins us today, as he promised he would, to fill us all in on all the details, including a whopper of a news item that the 2016 season will mark his final year in the Elite class, and he will retire from the day to day duties of Donny Robinson: Athlete, and transition into the role of spreader of the BMX word, coach and entrepreneur.

We had a great chat in the hour before pro practice started up at Black Mountain on Thursday night and, as tough as it was to hear the official words from his mouth that he would be retiring from competition, it came with the usual class and good humor we all know Donny’s famous for.

In the top photo, you’ll get a glimpse at his 2016 bike and race kit. In the interview, he talks about the fact that he’s loving the freedom to run his own program, ride the bike and product he chooses to ride, represent his own brand (Pedals2Medals) as the main focus, and have some fun in the process.

Listen Now
Link
iOS users: copy/paste the URL below into your device’s browser to listen to the podcast.
http://www.bmxnews.org/podcasts/at-117-donny-robinson.mp3

Donny’s upcoming work evangelizing cycling, in general, and BMX in specific is the kind of outreach our sport needs out there among the masses. Everyone we speak to–whether in the BMX industry, or the bike industry, as a whole–agrees that we need to get more kids on bikes, for all kinds of reasons. Donny is one guy who is primed to do something about it, and I hope everyone gets behind him to help make it happen.

News will bring you more about the first race in Donny’s final season as part of our coverage of the 2016 USA BMX Winter Nationals. Until then, we hope you enjoyed the Podcast.

—Mike Carruth

Links

Pedals2Medals Website

2016 Team Changes – Part II

In part one of our 2016 Team Changes article, back on December 18, we listed the “After Grands” changes. But the biggest basket of changes come on January 1, and today, we have over 200 riders changing colors for the new year.

Like the first list, there are a few previously unreported changes in part two, as well as a few rumored changes (Donny Robinson off SE Racing, Jeremy Rommel joins the team). J&R has added Josh Banuelos, Makieva Hopson and Matt Rubeck. And Austin Hiatt goes to the newly-created Alpha BMX Factory Team (more on that coming this week). Luke Segal is listed as “Looking”–which is a bigtime pickup opportunity for some lucky team out there.

There are many more, but we’ll let you peruse the list to find them.

Rider	From	To
Jarren Abel		Factory Kuwahara
Alejandro Alcojor		Factory Rift/Tangent
Gustavo Alcojor	Factory Rift/Tangent	Factory Rift/Tangent
Brielle Anderson	Cars Bike Shop	Kid DynaMite Minnesota
Keith Anderson	CCH Factory	Alpha Bicyle Products Factory
Nathan Anderson	Cars Bike Shop	Kid DynaMite Minnesota
Shaun Anderson		Kid DynaMite Minnesota
David Archibald		Truth/CascadeVelo
Carlos Arroyo	Morphine Industries	Yess
Danica Bailey	AllTow Wrecking Crew	Factory Extreme Team
Tyler Bailey	AllTow Wrecking Crew	Factory Extreme Team
Andrew Baker	The Nationals	All Legit Racing
Debbie Baker		All Legit Racing
Josh Banuelos	Black Box/Basic/Fly	J&R Bicycles/Chase/BOX
Bode Beighley	Cars Bike Shop/GHP	Kid DynaMite Minnesota
Mike Beighley	Huffy (circa 1984)	Kid DynaMite Minnesota
Sebastian Bettinger	SpeedTech/Ssquared	Bad Ace Factory
Charlie Biggs	Factory C-YAA	Factory BlackCrown
Carter Bitzan	Cars Bike Shop	Kid DynaMite
Gavin Bitzan	Cars Bike Shop	Kid DynaMite
Collin Blatchley	Team Dacono	Racer Army Elite
Jaiden Bliss	Redman Devo	FullTilt Bike co.
Jim Bramer	Thunder Racing	Blot Out Graphics
Nate Bramer	Thunder Racing	Blot Out Graphics
Ryan Bramer	Thunder Racing	Blot Out Graphics
Tommy Bruney	Thunder Racing	Factory BlackCrown
Dominic Buch	Racer Army	Racer Army Elite
Nate Caron	AllTow Wrecking Crew	Blot Out Graphics
Billy Carter	Morphine 5-Star	Yess / Dan’s Comp / Epik
James Carter	Factory Madera bmx	Factory Clayborn Bicycles
Ponton Cary	Factory Powers Bike Shop	Hostile Elite
Denny Case		Racer Army National
Damian Casey	P4P BMX	Kid Dynamite New England
Urban Castro	Racer Army	Racer Army National
Phoenix Castro	Racer Army	Racer Army National
Blake Clegg	Racer Army	Racer Army Militia
Carter Cochran	Racer Army Elite	Factory Blaze
Don Cook	Racer Army	Racer Army Elite Squad
Brandon Dabbs	Pickle Juice	Factory Supercross
Marcy Davis	BMX Revolution	Napa Valley Pull
Owen Davis	BMX Revoluton	Napa Valley Pull
Nick Disanti		Factory Skyway
Shane Drayson	Morphine industries	Yess / Dan’s Comp / Epik
Dominic Duran	Nemesis bmx	510 bayarea bmxers
Riley Edwards		Factory Kuwahara
Evan Ensarro		Factory Kuwahara
Jaeger Evans	Doublecross MN	Kid DynaMite Minnesota
Bo Ferguson	Racer Army National	Racer Army Elite
Donald Fisher	Bullseye / GHP	Bullseye Factory Racing
Devan Fraser
David Freeman	AllTow Wrecking Crew	Time 2 Shine
Brodie Furbee	Oxygen fiend	GHP BMX
Hector Gomez		Factory Rift/Tangent
Piper Graaten	Enviro Racing	Speedline
Erica Greene	The Nationals	All Legit Racing
Ricky Greene	The Nationals	All Legit Racing
Savannah Greene	The Nationals	All Legit Racing
Alexandra Gruba	New to BMX	Black Widow
Hunter Gruba	Isanti Bicycle	Black Widow
Alyssa Guadagnano	Racer Army	Racer Army National
Gavin Guadagnano	Racer Army	Racer Army Elite
James “JT” Hampton	Kid Dynamite Wisconsin	Racer Army Elite
Dylan Harnage	NKRT	SpeedTech/Ssquared
Tyler Harnage	NKRT	SpeedTech/Ssquared
Tyler Henry	National GHP	SpeedTech/Ssquared
Darrin Herman	Free Agent	Plainfield Twisters BMX
Dean Herman	Free Agent	Plainfield Twisters BMX
Deegan Herman	None	Plainfield Twisters BMX
Jadyn Herman	Free Agent	Plainfield Twisters BMX
Austin Hiatt	Motive Power Racing	Factory Alpha Bicycles
Emily Hill	Doublecross Missouri	Doublecross National Team
Liam Holt	Private	TNT Bicycles Grassroots
Makieva Hopson	Doublecross	J&R Bicycles/Chase/BOX
Alan Hudson	Star BMX Prodcuts	Kuwahara Co-Factory
Cayden Hultz	The Nationals	All Legit Racing
Hailey Hultz	The Nationals	All Legit Racing
Gavin Inwards	Doublecross Minnesota	Kid DynaMite Minnesota
Lucas Inwards	Doublecross Minnesota	Kid DynaMite Minnesota
Cole Isaacs	Doublecross Minnesota	Kid Dynamite Minnesota
Danimal Isaacs	no team in 2015	Kid Dynamite Minnesota
Cohen James	Havok Racing	No Xcuses
Abbie Johnson	Factory Pickle Juice	Factory Supercross
Damon Johnson	Team 567	Factory 567
Kendall Johnson	Racer Army	Racer Army Militia
Kevin Johnson	Racer Army	Racer Army Militia
Laird Johnson	Racer Army	Solid Foundation / Racer Army Militia
Mike Johnson	Racer Army	Racer Army Militia
Nigel Johnson	Racer Army	Solid Foundation / Racer Army Militia
True Johnson	Redman Jr Devo	Factory Avent/Bombshell
Chuck Jones	EPik Carbon Products Grassroots	Yess / Dan’s Comp / Epik
Cru Jones	Rad Racing	Factory Mongoose
Elizabeth Jones	Factory Kuwahara	Potter Racing Products
Lexa Jones	FastSigns	Gordy’s
Jaslin Jones	FastSigns	Gordy’s
Kody Kirchhoff		Factory HRP Design/FLY
Ethan Kitt	Racer Army	Racer Army National
Liam Kitt	Racer Army	Racer Army National
Kenneth Knott	None	Time2shine
Andre LaCroix	Factory 24/7	The 2nd baseman Charity
CJ LaiGaie	TOP DIG BMX/GHP	TOP DOG BMX/TNT
Junior Lamb	Racer Army	Racer Army National
Ed LaMielle	Racer Army	Racer Army National
Zachary LaMielle	Racer Army	Racer Army National
Cameron Leon	Racer Army Militia	Racer Army Militia
Silvia Leon	Racer Army Militia	Racer Army Militia
Max Ligman	ORP Rickard Bikes	Alpha Factory
Sara Ligman	ORP Rickard Bikes	Alpha Factory
Kaden Lundgren	The Nationals	Four Five Designs
Kris Lundgren	The Nationals	Four Five Designs
Cody Lynn	AllTow Wrecking Crew	Time 2 Shine
Lucas Mallory	Albes Bike Shop	Factory Alpha Bicycle Products
Esther Martone	P4P BMX	Kid Dynamite New England
Ian Martone	P4P BMX	Kid Dynamite New England
Peter Martone	P4P BMX	Kid Dynamite New England
Aaron Mathews	Redman Devo	FullTilt Bike co.
Landon May	Mom&Dad	Phantom Development
Mika McEvoy	AllTow Wrecking Crew	Time 2 Shine
Riley McGee		Racer Army National
Jennifer Mettler	BMX Track Supply	Blot Out Graphics
Healey Miller	Trilogy Park BMX	Lindenwood University/ Trilogy
Tiffany Molesi	Team Corrosive	Blot Out Graphics
Donovan Monette	Thunderbeach	Kid DynaMite
Carson Morgan	Racer Army	Racer Army Elite
Entire Morphine 5 Star team	Morphine Industries	Yess / Dan’s Comp / Epik
Chria Morris	P4P BMX	Kid Dynamite New England
Kadence Morris	P4P BMX	Kid Dynamite New England
Melissa Morris	P4P BMX	Kid Dynamite New England
Joshua “Rocket Man” Mularchyk	Morphine	Yess / Dan’s Comp / Epik
Sammy Nichols	Doublecross	Factory Free Agent/OMDG
Derek O’Connell	National GHP	SpeedTech/Ssquared
Jeff Orlandi	SBC Army Northeast Squad	Stylin
Aiden Parr	Mom	Rival Racing America Development
Todd Parry	Madera Factory	Factory Kuwahara
Hayden Passanisi	none	J&R Bicycles/Chase/BOX
Justin Perkins	FastSigns	Bombshell Factory
Ashlee Pettinelli	Teamless (re class to amateur)	Blot Out graphics
A.J. Phillips	Racer Army	Racer Army National
JJ Phillips	Racer Army	Racer Army National
Derek Phipps	Answer/Rennen	FullTilt Bike Co.
Jack Plummer	Venom/Black-Crown	Factory Free-Agent
Scarlett Preston	Doublecross Missouri	Hostile Missouri
Zach Reed		Factory Kuwahara
Parker Respass	Phantom Development	SpeedTech/Ssquared
Donny Robinson	SE Bikes	ÒIn DiscussionsÓ
Elijah Rodahl	Dad	Kid DynaMite Minnesota
Austin Rogers	FastSigns	Gordy’s
Jeremy Rommel	Factory Supercross	SE Bikes
Matt Rubeck	Mom & Dad	J&R Bicycles/Chase/BOX
Alijah Salas	LDC Challenge
Cameron Schestler	Racer Army	Racer Army National
Collin Schmidt	Factory Doublecross	Factory Free Agent
Levi Schones	CCH National Team	Racer Army Elite
Luke Segal	Staats/Ciari
Justin Seitz	J&R bikes	Factory Supercross
Crawford Shaw	Bad Ace Texas	Rival Racing America Development
Jason Shaw	Bad Ace Texas	Rival Racing America Develpment
Mark Shaw		Factory Kuwahara
Megan Shaw	Bad Ace Factory	Rival Racing America Development
Victor Silva	Power Cycles	Yess Bmx
William Silva	PowerCycles	Yess Bmx
Menardo Simon		Yess Bmx
Parker Skaggs	Racer Army	Racer Army National
Preston Skaggs	Racer Army	Racer Army National
Seth Slaney		Bombshell /Avent
Dylan Slaney		BOMBSHELL /AVENT
Steve Slaney		Bombshell / Avent
Scott Sloan	ORP	Rival Racing America Development
Isaac Smith		Racer Army National
Logan Smith	Racer Army	Racer Army National
Madelyn Smith		Racer Army National
Nehemiah Smith		Racer Army BMX
Shawn Smith	Racer Army	Racer Army National
Jessa Smith	Racer Army	Racer Army National
Tannor Smith	Racer Army	Racer Army National
Kinlee Snider	Crupi Texas	Hostile Elite Factory
Joe “Brownie Man” Sprague	The Nationals	Albe’s BMX
Derek Stafford		Yess
Eli Staton	Racer Army	Factory Bombshell-Avent
Taylor Stephens		FullTilt Bike co.
Guillermo Suarez	Morphine Industries 5 star	Yess / Dan’s Comp / Epik
Joe Tessman	Cars Bike Shop / GHP	Kid DynaMite Minnesota
Jake Thomson	Racer Army	Racer Army National
Garrett Tindle	Racer Army	Phantom Development
Jackson Tobias	Doublecross Missouri	Hostile BMX Missouri
Jacob Trujillo	LDC Challenge	Yess Factory
Kyle Trujillo	LDC Challenge	KID Racing
Dan Uhl	IM BMX	Rival Racing America Development
Jason Uhl	IM BMX	Rival Racing America Development
Juhree Uhl	IM BMX	Rival Racing America Development
Luke Uhl	IM BMX	Rival Racing America Development
Taylor Uhl	IM BMX	Rival Racing America Development
Dalton Vasquez	Racer Army	Racer Army National
Diego Victoria	Morphine Industries 5 Star	Yess / Dan’s Comp / Epik
Shawn Wade	DFR/Powerlite	Looking
Nathan Walker	Get a Grip racing	Mantis
Amelia Walsh	GT Bicycles	Haro Canada
Matthew Webb	Biker’s Edge	Blot Out Graphics
Robby Webb	Biker’s Edge	Blot Out Graphics
Benjamin Webber	IM BMX	Rival Racing America Development
Brandon Webber	Bad Ace Factory	Rival Racing America Development
David Williams	Factory Bombshell/Avent	Knuckle Up Racing National Team

Note: If you have a correction to any of the above data, please send it, along with your phone number, to news@bmxnews.org

Watch for the upcoming article “10 Things to Do When You Switch Sponsors,” out tomorrow here on News.

Meanwhile, congratulations to all the riders making changes, and the sponsors who love them.

—Mike Carruth

Share out your favorite team changes:

Links

2016 Team Changes, Part One

Donny Robinson and SE Bikes Part Ways

With the second installment of our 2016 Team Changes article running today, there was one change that was worthy of expanded coverage–both because of the star-power of the rider, and also because of the underlying news tidbits sprinkled in his statement. Read more

Five Ways To Thank Your Sponsor

With 2015 in the rearview, and the 2016 race season rapidly approaching, team rosters are for-the-most-part filled in, and riders have hopefully decided which tent they’re pitting under next year. As off-season negotiations are often focused on receiving more support, it is easy to forget one of the most important things in the off season. This fundamental rule should be common sense, but it is easy to forget. Without further ado, here are five ways to show appreciation to your sponsors for their support.

5. Email / Phone Call This super-simple solution allows you to say thank you, without breaking the bank. When thanking the sponsor for support, it would be ideal to make it longer than a simple “thank you”. A few things to add to your email would be highlights of your year, things you especially enjoyed over the year, as well as a possible update on your plans for 2016 – if appropriate. Go in with some bullet points to guide the conversation, but not a “script.”

4. Gift Cards If you would like to give a gift as a token of your appreciation, a gift card is always a nice gesture. Starbucks and Chipotle cards are favorites amongst BMXers, but a favorite local restaurant may be a nice touch.

3. Logo ItemsThis option works best for local teams, which may not have multiple shirts, jackets, hats, or other items with the team logo. But no matter the teams scale, any gift is going to be greatly appreciated. There are companies online like teespring which create one off t-shirts, polos, and jackets – Similar to the J.E.T. Racing shirts pictured above. There are also other options such as zazzle which creates a plethora of custom gifts – includingmugs, and sticker mule which, as the name implies, makes stickers (click the link today for $10 off your first order).

2. Bike Related Art
Still searching for something really original? Artcrank features handmade bicycle artwork, by and for cyclists! The traveling poster show now sells premium prints online for $45 each. Each print is bike themed, and completely original. The prints are only for sale at limited times, in even more limited quantities, so don’t miss the chance to gift the perfect piece of cycling art.

1. Framed Picture
A personalized gift is always special. Framing a picture will allow a memory to last a lifetime. Pictured is a gift Howard Cato received thanking him for his leadership of the Bay Area BMXers team. This blown up magazine interview is going to make a perfect centerpiece in the Bay Area BMXers office. *Editor’s note: BMX News is always happy to provide a hi-res image of you or a team rider to help with such a gift for TM or sponsors, free of charge. Just ask.

Honorable MentionFraming a jersey was left out of the list due to the cost. Framing a jersey is expensive, but they definitely look great and are worth mentioning. If you thank your sponsors with a framed team jersey like Dale Holmes of Chase/DHR does, then bravo for you!

At the end of the day, it is not about the gift. Showing appreciation, and recognizing a sponsor or TM’s contribution to your racing career will go a long way (and, just like mom used to say, “it’s the polite thing to do”). Team managers work hard all year, but so do many others in BMX. These actions would also be great for coaches, mentors, and even track operators!

Also, be sure to check back on January 4 for part two of our 2015 Team Changes article.

Happy New Year!

-Bryce

Links

2016 Team Changes, Part One

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