2017 Racing Rumors

1/12/2017 1:00pm Edited Date/Time 1/12/2017 1:00pm


Gwin alluding to some "team happenings" to drop later this week. Considering it's already late in the week, perhaps we'll hear something in the next day or two.
1/12/2017 1:14pm
Canyon team looks like it will be strong, will be great to see RC back up where he belongs...The guy is a ripper
1/12/2017 2:07pm Edited Date/Time 1/12/2017 2:08pm
Zuestman wrote:
I know it is XC team news... but Nino was on the Gstaad team if i remember... so it could mean Claudio's team is going its...
I know it is XC team news... but Nino was on the Gstaad team if i remember... so it could mean Claudio's team is going its own way with DH as a seperate entity? Maybe DH will be announced later?

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/scott-sram-xc-team-announcement-2017.html
Nope. Nino was on the Scott Odlo Racing Team before. They changed the name with the new main sponsor sram. I guess the cross country and downhill team were seperate already, besides they both ride Scott. I still believe the ride.ch post where they said Gaeton Vige will race with Brendog as they were also right about Neko leaving the team.

Original post in german: (http://www.ride.ch/news/neue-teammitglieder-fuer-folgeteams-von-swiss-d…)
91001
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1/12/2017 4:00pm
wermisell wrote:
Nope. Nino was on the Scott Odlo Racing Team before. They changed the name with the new main sponsor sram. I guess the cross country and...
Nope. Nino was on the Scott Odlo Racing Team before. They changed the name with the new main sponsor sram. I guess the cross country and downhill team were seperate already, besides they both ride Scott. I still believe the ride.ch post where they said Gaeton Vige will race with Brendog as they were also right about Neko leaving the team.

Original post in german: (http://www.ride.ch/news/neue-teammitglieder-fuer-folgeteams-von-swiss-d…)
True story. Scott-Sram (formerly Scott-Odlo and Scott-Swisspower) and Gstaad-Scott are not factory teams. Not only are they managed and directed by Thomas Frischknecht and Claudio Caluori respectively; the teams are owned by them as well.
Zuestman
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1/12/2017 4:04pm
wermisell wrote:
Nope. Nino was on the Scott Odlo Racing Team before. They changed the name with the new main sponsor sram. I guess the cross country and...
Nope. Nino was on the Scott Odlo Racing Team before. They changed the name with the new main sponsor sram. I guess the cross country and downhill team were seperate already, besides they both ride Scott. I still believe the ride.ch post where they said Gaeton Vige will race with Brendog as they were also right about Neko leaving the team.

Original post in german: (http://www.ride.ch/news/neue-teammitglieder-fuer-folgeteams-von-swiss-d…)
91001 wrote:
True story. Scott-Sram (formerly Scott-Odlo and Scott-Swisspower) and Gstaad-Scott are not factory teams. Not only are they managed and directed by Thomas Frischknecht and Claudio Caluori...
True story. Scott-Sram (formerly Scott-Odlo and Scott-Swisspower) and Gstaad-Scott are not factory teams. Not only are they managed and directed by Thomas Frischknecht and Claudio Caluori respectively; the teams are owned by them as well.
Awesome... Thanks for the clarification!
1/12/2017 4:18pm
Baggy short-wearing XC powerhouse Marco Fontana off Cannondale, on Bianchi.
trex84
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1/13/2017 12:37am
Rupert chapman is on pivot factory racing.... spotted today in the Christchurch bikepark in full gear riding with Bernard Kerr
1/13/2017 1:49am
Alex Marin to Madison Saracen, full announcement:



Madison Saracen Factory Team welcome Alex Marin, who will join Marc Beaumont, Matt Simmonds and Matt Walker to complete the 2017 roster.

Previously part of the Giant Factory Racing Team Alex was a regular fixture on the junior world cup podium in 2015 and went on to establish himself at the highest level in his first year of elite racing.

The Spaniard scored two world cup top-20s in 2016 – 16th in Lenzerheide and a career best 13th at Fort William – and team manager Will Longden hopes that this year Alex can continue to develop.

“I’m excited to welcome Alex Marin. He’s a true racer and he brings an enthusiasm and passion to the team that we all relate to and are inspired by. I’ve watched him at the world cup races and he has great natural style. He also had some really strong results as a junior and a first year elite rider and we want to help him hone those skills and work with our great set up to find consistency and enjoy his racing. His personality really fits in well with the rest of our team of Matt Simmonds, Marc Beaumont and Matt Walker and I think it’s going to be a great year for the Madison Saracen Factory Team.”

Alex has already been testing the new Saracen Myst Carbon on his home trails

"Coming into the 2017 season, I feel like I have more to give at the races. The last three years on the world cup circuit went well and my first year elite I had some good results as well, but as I said, I thought I could be more consistent with those good results. Madison Saracen was the team that I felt I could fit in with, being a team close to where I live and with great people around; people that make me feel like I can give my 100% with no doubt. I have to say that the bike is the best I've ever tried, a stable bike that makes me feel I can go faster under control. I feel really stoked and excited about joining the team and I'm looking forward to the next race already!" - Alex Marin

Madison Saracen will prepare for the 2017 World Cup with a series of races in Portugal through March, and with the opening round of the British Downhill Series in early April.
1/13/2017 2:37am Edited Date/Time 1/13/2017 2:42am
Greg Williamson? On Gee's insta. Greg to Trek again? [img]https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/forums/2017/01/13/4740/s1200_IMG_0575.jpg[/img]
Greg Williamson? On Gee's insta. Greg to Trek again?



Haha come on guys... really? Greg ain't going anywhere. Are friends not allowed to hang out anymore. Chill with all the stupid rumours
Greenedog
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1/13/2017 2:53am Edited Date/Time 1/13/2017 2:53am
Troy just posted a photo of the team bike.

schwaaa31
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1/13/2017 5:07am Edited Date/Time 1/13/2017 5:08am
Neko to YT officially official.

Edit: beat me to it.


1/13/2017 5:28am
Neko on YT, full announcement:



The YT Mob is excited to announce that 23 year old Neko Mulally of the USA will be joining Aaron Gwin and Angel Suarez to make up our 2017 line up. After a successful debut season taking the YT TUES to a historic World Cup debut, the team couldn’t be more thrilled about bringing in this talented young rider to tackle our 2nd race season.

Back in 2010 Neko made his first mark in the world of Downhill racing by finishing 2nd at the Junior World Championships in Mont-Sainte-Anne, and then went on to make history in 2014 by finishing 4th at the Elite World Championships with his chainless run. He also made his first trip to the UCI World Cup podium that year by finishing 3rd at the Cairns World Cup, despite a crash!

Known as one of the friendliest and easy going riders in the pits, he’s a determined athlete on the bike and the team has every confidence that he will not only settle in perfectly with the team, but continue to build on the results already achieved in his career.

Neko said today: "The opportunity to ride for the YT Mob comes at an important junction in my career. The quality of the program has been proven and offers a dynamic where I have excelled in the past. On top of the excellent support, I'm thrilled to be surrounded by this group of people at the races. To ride alongside a teammate like Aaron in an environment that’s committed to success puts me in an ideal situation going forward."

Aaron says: "I'm really happy that we were able to sign Neko to the team this year, joining Angel and I. His work ethic, abilities on the bike, and overall positive attitude is exactly what we look for in a rider. We believe in him as he believes in himself and we'll work hard as a team to give him everything he needs to accomplish his goals of getting back to the top. It's going to be a fun year; the chainless destroyers are back together, watch out world!"

Team Owner Martin Whiteley says: “Of course it’s great to welcome Neko to the Mob, and in a way welcome him back home to the staff and support that worked alongside him for many years before. Neko was team mates with Aaron in 2011 and 2012 and learned a great deal during his time with him as Gwinny was racking up titles. I’m sure that he’ll welcome that opportunity again and enjoy mixing it up with Angel as well. Team chemistry is very important for us and this decision wasn’t taken lightly. Neko will be an excellent addition to the team.”

In addition to racing the World Cup and World Championships, the riders will compete in their respective National Championships, select Pro GRT and other events. Further images of the new race kits and bikes will be available in March.

Athlete Roster and Profiles can be viewed here: http://www.yt-mob.com/athletes/

Photo Credit: Callie Horwath
mg25
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SE
1/13/2017 5:45am
Just a thought, but could Taylor Vernon move to Norco Factory since they only have Blenki left? Seems strange if he would go to Madison Saracen, that they announced Alex Marin now and then announce Taylor later.
1/13/2017 5:54am Edited Date/Time 1/13/2017 5:55am
Formal Trek announcement, although there are rumblings about another DH signing in the works...



Trek bolsters top MTB programs with new talent

[Waterloo, WI] – Trek Factory Racing announced new rosters today for its downhill, cross-country, and enduro mountain bike teams, redoubling its efforts to win at the elite level in all disciplines. With returning athletes as well as new and emerging talent, Trek Factory Racing’s new teams signal a strong investment in the present and future of its marquee mountain bike programs.

On the heels of an extraordinary season, TFR Downhill and Rachel Atherton hope to accomplish even more in 2017. Rachel, Gee, and Dan Atherton (GBR) return with a focus on World Cup DH. The first family of downhill will also participate in heart-stopping Red Bull events, world-class track-building, and the production of new mountain bike films. Stay tuned for more roster info from the squad in the coming weeks. Going into 2017, TFR Downhill will follow Rachel’s historic perfect season and World Championship win aboard Trek Session.

World Cup luminary Emily Batty (CAN) will lead the 2017 cross-country squad. Coming off her best season yet, Emily looks to improve on a 2016 that saw a 4th place finish at the Rio Olympics, and a podium at the World Championships. She will be joined by strongman Sergio Mantecon (ESP), as well as 2012 Junior and 2015 U-23 World Champion Anton Cooper (NZL). Sergio returns to TFR after a 2016 plagued by injury, while Anton returns to the Trek family looking to expand on his junior season wins aboard Trek, and ready to make a statement with World Cup results.

"Things have come full circle since I became the Junior World Champion in 2012 whilst piloting a Trek,” said Anton, “and I'm really looking forward to being back on board with the brand in 2017. Trek gave me my first opportunity as a professional rider at just 17, and it feels just as exciting for me to link up with the brand as it did back then.”

TFR Enduro returns with the ever-competitive talents of Katy Winton (SCO) and Casey Brown (CAN). Both will look to expand on their momentum of 2016, when Katy saw numerous top-10s and Casey found herself on the podium at several Enduro World Series races. Katy and Casey will race in EWS events alongside up-and-coming talent Lewis Buchanan (SCO). Lewis is coming off an injury-laden season, but has exactly the attitude and potential the program seeks to foster:

"Signing with Trek Factory Racing is a great opportunity that I could not pass up. To be part of the team is a dream, and to be on such awesome equipment is a major confidence booster. I look forward to the season ahead and getting racing underway in new colors."

Trek Factory Racing is a professional cycling team that competes globally at the highest level. Woven around unique, rich personalities, the team is open, engaging, and welcomes all to experience the grit and glory of professional cycling.
1/13/2017 6:47am
mg25 wrote:
Just a thought, but could Taylor Vernon move to Norco Factory since they only have Blenki left? Seems strange if he would go to Madison Saracen...
Just a thought, but could Taylor Vernon move to Norco Factory since they only have Blenki left? Seems strange if he would go to Madison Saracen, that they announced Alex Marin now and then announce Taylor later.
Taylor Vernon to Unior tools

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