I did spot one guy on cantis, they caught him overshooting the corner at the bottom of the hill
you might find them on back on cantis when the mud appears, a lot including sven IIRC used discs at cross vegas and some of the faster drier courses last year
yeah, I would think that's the case though I'd like to think it's Sven Nys retiring. feels like it confirms the passing of the old guard.
On a related note Cycling Tips are screening a subtitled version of sven: the final year on Tuesday, http://cyclingtips.com/2016/09/sven-the-final-year-documentary-exclusive-english-language-premiere/