Mid 20′?s 28 seems high, my pitch is 32 with Lyrics, so the frame and fork alone are probaly 4lb heavier. Then theres the dropper post, heavy(ish) wheels, chain device, flat pedals, chunky saddle, and the rest of the build was picked allong the lines of being strong rather than light.
Skills, naaaaaa, I find my Pitch harder work than my hardtails, mainly becasue you approach everything at mach 4, whereas the hardtail keeps the speeds sensible enough that you can jusdge things before you hit them. But then I spent 10 years on various hardtails so that kind of riding always feels more natural, the Pitch is just quick!