2018 Racing Rumors

2/9/2018 10:28am Edited Date/Time 2/9/2018 11:12am
Here is the full listing of World Cup DH teams as published by the UCI today. At this point the UCI has not let Commencal/100% register their team, because a new rule states that a team needs to have one rider in the top 50 WC overall OR top 10 Worlds to be able to enter. Last year, Thomas and Reece were hurt, Bruce finished 79th (1st WC season) and Pierre-Charles landed in 53rd overall. At this time the team are in discussions with the UCI to see if an exception can be made, and they expect to hear more in a week or so. We will keep you updated as we hear more. 2018 UCI World Cup DH Team Listing.
2/9/2018 11:12am
eldsvada wrote:
Still no news on Isabeau, read an interview with her from January where she said she had signed with a team and it would be made...
Still no news on Isabeau, read an interview with her from January where she said she had signed with a team and it would be made public soon. Which EWS teams are left to announce their team?
I saw some weeks ago a Fabien Barel's Instagram story with Ines Thoma and others during a ride counting bikes and finding an extra bike and joking about who's bike would be that one...
sambrody
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2/9/2018 11:16am
iceman2058 wrote:
Here is the full listing of World Cup DH teams as published by the UCI today. At this point the UCI has not let Commencal/100% register...
Here is the full listing of World Cup DH teams as published by the UCI today. At this point the UCI has not let Commencal/100% register their team, because a new rule states that a team needs to have one rider in the top 50 WC overall OR top 10 Worlds to be able to enter. Last year, Thomas and Reece were hurt, Bruce finished 79th (1st WC season) and Pierre-Charles landed in 53rd overall. At this time the team are in discussions with the UCI to see if an exception can be made, and they expect to hear more in a week or so. We will keep you updated as we hear more. 2018 UCI World Cup DH Team Listing.
This is ridiculous.. Friggin UCI...
DubC
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2/9/2018 12:10pm
Geoff Kabush to Yeti. Colorado rumble going down w/ BL55's alchemy team just down the street. Think Kabush's champagne spray can hit Denver from Golden? Could you then say Kabash gave Lopes a Golden shower? Sounds reasonable to me.
2/9/2018 6:47pm
Just looking over a few things on the UCI 2018 teams page, Graeme "Muddy" Mudd isn't on the list for TRF DH.
Dylan
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2/9/2018 8:05pm
Just looking over a few things on the UCI 2018 teams page, Graeme "Muddy" Mudd isn't on the list for TRF DH.
Muddy and Trek Factory Racing have already parted ways.



Rol
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2/10/2018 1:14am
What about Ruarid Cunningham?
leolmh93
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2/10/2018 10:16am


Brendan's gambler with inverted bos fork and mrp brakes at darkfest
peecee
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Fantasy
2/10/2018 5:49pm
leolmh93 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/forums/2018/02/10/5969/s1200_Screenshot_20180210_151257.jpg[/img] Brendan's gambler with inverted bos fork and mrp brakes at darkfest


Brendan's gambler with inverted bos fork and mrp brakes at darkfest
Still on fox rear shock thou ?
matmattmatthew
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2/10/2018 6:30pm
You mean TRP brakes on Brendan's bike?
Dylan
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2/10/2018 9:02pm
CG's take on the upcoming 2018 World Cup season. If anyone has a free half hour, a cliff note version would be greatly appreciated.

https://youtu.be/4Dqld2o2QzQ?rel=0

2/10/2018 9:46pm
CG said top 5 guys will stay the same in dh and enduro.

He also rambled on about his messed up knee, talked about how difficult the pressure is for changing teams/signing contracts, not getting a contract in time etc. Talked about how awesome Greg minaar is, and then speculated how good sam hill has to be to ride on flat pedals in enduro.

2/11/2018 9:31am
The Schleyer announced leaving Rotwild a couple of days ago, now posting about the new Capra..is he joining Tippie on YT, for a big old-skool-freeride-ain't-dead reunion team?

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Aksel_Lfft
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2/11/2018 11:02am
iceman2058 wrote:
The Schleyer announced leaving Rotwild a couple of days ago, now posting about the new Capra..is he joining Tippie on YT, for a big old-skool-freeride-ain't-dead reunion...
The Schleyer announced leaving Rotwild a couple of days ago, now posting about the new Capra..is he joining Tippie on YT, for a big old-skool-freeride-ain't-dead reunion team?

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Regarding the content of his post, it really looks like he is promoting the bike like a sponsored rider ^^
Primoz
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2/11/2018 2:57pm
Grega Stopar, team manager of Unior/Devinci, more or less confirmed (not outright, but it's clear from the conversation) that there's a new Wilson coming. There was talk of 'all the photos are from the front', 'the new bike is gray, the race bike will be different', 'Google doesn't find the bike they will be racing' and 'come to Lošinj to see what the team will ride'.

Interestingly he also said that the suspension system is staying the same, which would mean a split pivot, but then he says 'DW Link'. I call a mistake on the latter part and think it will in fact be a split pivot bike.

This was said in the video, embedded in the news linked below at around 14 minute mark. In Slovenian of course.
http://mtb.si/intervjuji/6026-v-zivo-z-gregom-stoparjem-o-ekipi-unior-d…
Dylan
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2/11/2018 9:51pm
Another shot of Brendans whip with the Bos Obsys up front, still looks to be running the float x2 on the rear though. Rotor cranks as well? They don't look like Sram or Shimano.



2/11/2018 10:17pm
Dylan wrote:
Another shot of Brendans whip with the Bos Obsys up front, still looks to be running the float x2 on the rear though. Rotor cranks as...
Another shot of Brendans whip with the Bos Obsys up front, still looks to be running the float x2 on the rear though. Rotor cranks as well? They don't look like Sram or Shimano.



They look like DMR Cranks
Dylan
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2/12/2018 12:05am
They look like DMR Cranks
Yep, you're on the money. Should we start placing bets as to whether he's on a Sram or Shimano gear setup?



2/12/2018 1:12pm
Syndicate on Burgtec bars and stems.
CandyMuffin
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2/13/2018 2:52am
A treat for everyone I took myself at Dark Fest

Dylan
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2/13/2018 7:44pm
FMD racing seems to be one of the few teams still on the Shimano program.



2/13/2018 10:47pm
A treat for everyone I took myself at Dark Fest[img]https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/forums/2018/02/13/5979/s1200_IMG_6588.jpg[/img]
A treat for everyone I took myself at Dark Fest

Thanks! Very nice finger!
DubC
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2/14/2018 11:37am
Is it just me or does it seem like outside of the big 3-5 teams, there were some major sponsorship pullouts from SRAM & Shimano and other large brands that opened the door for smaller brands to jump in this year? This is good to see, but leaves me wondering if this is forced or strategic?

Do component team big S's feel like the ROI is not there w/DH to support the mid and lower rung teams on the levels they have? Is that money getting shifted to Enduro sponsorships? Paying for all the fancy espresso machines people need? Paying for writing off all the old inventory that new standards have made obsolete? #.99bro

Shouldnt Trump's tax cut fix this? ;-)
Sesame Seed
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2/14/2018 3:34pm Edited Date/Time 2/15/2018 3:20am
DubC wrote:
Is it just me or does it seem like outside of the big 3-5 teams, there were some major sponsorship pullouts from SRAM & Shimano and...
Is it just me or does it seem like outside of the big 3-5 teams, there were some major sponsorship pullouts from SRAM & Shimano and other large brands that opened the door for smaller brands to jump in this year? This is good to see, but leaves me wondering if this is forced or strategic?

Do component team big S's feel like the ROI is not there w/DH to support the mid and lower rung teams on the levels they have? Is that money getting shifted to Enduro sponsorships? Paying for all the fancy espresso machines people need? Paying for writing off all the old inventory that new standards have made obsolete? #.99bro

Shouldnt Trump's tax cut fix this? ;-)
Since there's barely a Team willing to run all the available gruppo-parts from a manufacturer like SRAM, like Shimano, that type of visibility does represent a loss of market-share. So be it though. Should team managers be only interested in their own bottom line the Suppliers have every right to return the courtesy.

Donald J. Trump is a hangry Real Estate Developer who is presently mansplaining his administration and decision-making at the Federal Government level. I am sure he's considered potential profits from the cultivating of a year-round activity Resort - Shimano and SRAM likely could care less however.

DH hardly makes use of full range offered by a conventional derailleur-controlled drivetrain - yet the bikes continue to evolve to the point of the ridding of what's been traditional and highly developed in increments -- w/ cost.

It's all about Money - and also the lack of an agreed base for competition. If the sport wants to carry the comparison of it-vs.-F1Racing then there needs to be the common frame, the common drivetrain arrangement and, the common rolling stock.

Until then, this is all click-bait.


2/15/2018 6:55am
Official word + launch video from FMD Racing:



PRESS RELEASE: Transition/Muc-Off Factory Racing

Professional riders Tahnee Seagrave, Kaos Seagrave and Junior Jamie Edmondson will now be riding under the banner of Transition Bikes/Muc-Off Factory Racing.

The team will be kitted out with a custom designed jersey and helmet inspired by 1980's pop culture, manufactured by Fox Racing, with the theme continuing on to their new Transition TR11 bikes.



TEAM RIDERS

Tahnee Seagrave
Kaos Seagrave
Jamie Edmondson

We are stoked that Muc-Off are working with us for the next 2 seasons. After jumping on board for the 2017 season, they wanted more… Transition Bikes/Muc-Off Factory Racing was born. Muc-Off have joined some of the best companies in the world that equip us with THE best products on the market. With our fun yet professional environment we look forward to continued development and helping our riders fulfil their dreams. - Tony Seagrave, Team Manager

Since we first supported FMD Racing in 2017, they have been a formidable force on the Downhill circuit. The passion and drive shared by team manager Tony and the rest of the team is nothing short of contagious and a perfect fit for the Muc-Off ethos. This is Muc-Off’s first step into title territory and we couldn’t think of a team more suited to fly the Muc-Off flag. We’re insanely excited for the 2018 season and will be working closely with Tony, Tahnee, Kaos and Jamie to make sure that Transition/Muc-Off Factory Racing will be a force to be reckoned with. - Elliot Withers, Athlete Manager at Muc-Off

Muc-Off currently sponsors other mountain bike teams and athletes including Chain Reaction Mavic, GT Factory Racing, Danny MacAskill, Reed Boggs and Tomas Lemoine.
2/15/2018 7:05am
Full announcement from Scott-Velosolutions:

For 2018 the SCOTT-Velosolutions team continues with Brendan Fairclough, Gaetan Vigé and team owner Claudio Caluori but the SCOTT Gambler is coming out fighting with a host of new components to get the job done.



SCOTT-Velosolutions welcomes BOS Suspension, TRP Cycling, DMR Bikes and LEATT.

“After over 9 years with Shimano and Fox suspension, moving away from these partners was no easy decision and we are grateful for all their support. But when races are decided by fractions of a second, every team has to try to find their own winning formula and we believe we have done just that.” – Claudio Caluori (Team Owner)



As soon as the 2017 season was over, Brendog and Vigé were out in Switzerland and the South of France testing new products to try and find the optimum set up. With an impressive back catalogue of results and a product portfolio that has always challenged the industry, BOS suspension will be the official suspension partner of SCOTT-Velosolutions moving forwards. As the only team running the newly developed OBSYS inverted fork, BOS will be found alongside the SCOTT-Velosolutions pits providing the team with dedicated suspension tech at each round.



“Any change to a bike can take time and suspension is so important but there is something special about the new OBSYS fork and I believe it can deliver. I have worked with Olivier and BOS Suspension before and I am confident they can help me and Bren get on the podium in 2018.” – Gaetan Vigé

Over the past few years SCOTT-Velosolutions has seen the rise of companies producing individual components and believe that through a combination of partners they can build a race winning formula.



Brendan Fairclough’s partnership with DMR has been hugely successful with the Brendog Vault and more recently the Deathgrip. In 2018 The entire SCOTT-Velosolutions team will be running DMR Deathgrips, Brendog remains on his signature Vault pedals whilst Gaetan and Claudio will opt for the new V-Twin clipless pedal. The team will also be running the DMR AXE crank and Blade chain ring which has been designed to handle the biggest DH hits with the race ready weight of an enduro crank.

“DMR are like family to me and to have them join my other family, SCOTT-Velosolutions is amazing. I am so excited to have Gaetan and Claudio running the Deathgrips. Switching to new products is always a challenge but with DMR I have complete faith in their products.” - Brendan Fairclough

TRP Cycling will also join the SCOTT-Velosolutions team in a move that will see them be the second team to run the product on the UCI World Cup Circuit. Given the development and testing that TRP brakes have been put through there was no doubt in the team’s mind that TRP and the G-spec break is the product of choice.



“The opportunity to work with a collective of brands of this caliber is an incredible one for any mechanic. TRP have proven themselves as winning brakes and I am beyond confident that this partnership is going to help drive the team forwards.” Gavin Black Head Mechanic

SCOTT-Velosolutions also welcomes their new head mechanic Gavin Black who joins the the team from Radon Factory Racing. He replaces Benoit Vergnaud who worked with the team for over 7 years. Benoit’s commitment to SCOTT-Velosolutions was second to none and greatly appreciated. As the team embark on this new journey, Gavin is certain to be a valuable and talented addition in 2018.

In a final twist for 2018 the SCOTT-Velosolutions team have joined forces with LEATT as the official kit and protection partner of the team. Gaetan and Claudio will be riding in the full range of DBX gear and helmets.

2018 is a big year for the SCOTT-Velosolutions team and the team are proud to welcome their new partners. SCOTT-Velosolutions have always challenged the status quo and now have the chance to work with a collective of industry leading partners who love this sport as much as they do.

The team is excited to continue to partner with industry leading brands Schwalbe, Syncros, Deity and E-Thirteen. These companies have provided invaluable partnerships and they offer the very best product the team could hope for.

SCOTT-Sports and Velosolutions remain the driving force behind the team. SCOTT’s commitment to the team is stronger than ever and with the combined passion of Velosolutions, 2018 is set to be their strongest year to date.

“SCOTT-Sports is committed more than ever to downhill racing and we are working as close as possible with the riders across the board to ensure that 2018 is a year to remember.” Ben Walker – SCOTT-Sports
Voxran
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2/15/2018 7:40am
Dylan wrote:
Rumor confimed, Unno will be on the World Cup circuit in 2018. Looks like we will go racing World Cups this year, more on the news...
Rumor confimed, Unno will be on the World Cup circuit in 2018.

Looks like we will go racing World Cups this year, more on the news soon! . #rideunno

A post shared by UNNO (@rideunno) on Feb 15, 2018 at 12:21am PST

By the look of the fork, it looks like they will run on Formula suspensions !

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