If you haven’t already heard of Asa Vermette, chances are, that’s about to change in a big way this coming year. The 16-year-old Durango native has been making waves in the downhill scene since he was 14, showing up at pro races and beating some of the sport’s top riders for the podium. He won most of his races this year, including the Enduro National Championship where he beat 3x world champ Richie Rude. 2024 will be the first year that he can compete in World Cups, where he’ll be racing as a junior despite proving his ability to race at the top of the pro field. Earlier this year, he signed a multi-year deal with Frameworks, the team led by fellow downhill racer Neko Mulally.  Asa joins Payson this week to talk about being one of the most hyped young riders the sport has seen in years. He talks about rubbing shoulders with his heroes…while standing next to them on the podium, and throwing backflips at Red Bull Rampage. He explains how Neko Mulally and the Frameworks team immediately felt like family, and how he plans to spend the $7,500 he won when he placed second at the U.S. Open this year ahead of the likes of Greg Minnaar and Jackson Goldstone.  Payson also chats with Neko Mulally about when Asa first appeared on his radar, how his role as a mentor has been surprisingly emotional, and the moment when Asa’s course record sweep at Snowshoe sent shockwaves through the pro field.  Instagram: @theadventurestache