2014 Team Updates - Who's In, Who's Out?

Samwell
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Samwell 1/19/2014 12:45pm
1/19/2014 12:45pm Edited Date/Time 1/19/2014 2:35pm
Edit : Seen on Faustin's facebook, he will Join the Commencal team, and not the Commencal Riding addicition team...
Faustin is bloody talented, super fit and shreds hard. He won a french cup last year in front of Remi Thirion on the track of Meribel which will hold the 2014 world cup.
And since you need two pilots to make an UCi team, Faustin will need another pilot with him on the Commencal team...

About Morgane, she was spoted a few weeks ago in south of France riding a Evil...The question remains about a whole evil world cup team or a CK evil racing team and another evil team with american riders...

About the commencal riding addiction, it seems that it will be Cam Cole with Mitch Thirion, Pompom and the Ruffin brothers...
Big Bird
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Big Bird 1/19/2014 2:41pm
1/19/2014 2:41pm
I just got done watching a best of Gwin vid on YouTube. It was easy to hate on him when he was dominating and making the World Cups kind of boring, but I really miss having an American champion. We know that he lost his mechanic back to Hill, but have there been any other announcements from Spec? I can't remember if his was a multi year contract.
CaptHappy 1/19/2014 11:55pm
1/19/2014 11:55pm
Maybe this helps to finish the jigsaw a wee bit?
fabdemaere 1/28/2014 2:08pm
1/28/2014 2:08pm
A young Frenchman by the name of Faustin Figaret has just (like a week ago) been signed by Commencal, but on a new team, according to an interview with Max Commencall.

French forums are now heating up, and a lot of people are saying that Cam Cole will be his teammate.
They are also saying - and here comes the really interesting part imo - that Rémy Métailler would be the third rider on that team.
In case you have a bad memory, he's the French rider who produced some amazing Whistler edits last summer.

He has put his DH bike for sale and has announced that he would be getting his new bike (from a new sponsor) in a couple days, hence the rumor.
Big Bird
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Big Bird 1/28/2014 7:23pm
1/28/2014 7:23pm
I was wondering about him. He looks so freaking fast, but I'd never heard of him. I'm stoked to see him on a good team.
fabdemaere 1/29/2014 5:04pm
1/29/2014 5:04pm
I just had a conversation with Rémy, he told me he did not have the required 20 UCI points, so him on the WC team isn't an option.
An another note, Commencal have not entered the EWS, but Nico Quéré is still sponsored by them. Could he be on their new DH team?
Also, notice that Cam has FOX suspension on his bike and not BOS (or maybe they cleverly replaced their red caps by blue ones and painted the piggyback), so unless he has an individual sponsorship with FOX (which - assuming their site is up to date - is not the case), it's unlikely he'll be on that new team, considering Max Commencal said that they'll be strengthening their partnership with BOS.
sspomer
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sspomer 1/30/2014 7:54am
1/30/2014 7:54am Edited Date/Time 1/30/2014 7:57am
Fredleth wrote:
Loic Bruni on Redbull:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=696396697067822&set=a.451272134…
Good find!

From Loic's page - "Full of goals for 2014, Red Bull athlete now, what an amazing dream for a rider! Hopefully it will give me some wings ! Enjoying Queenstown's views and putting a foot on the coming races ! Share bros !"


photo by Miles Holden
number31crf
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number31crf 1/30/2014 8:59am
1/30/2014 8:59am
fabdemaere wrote:
I just had a conversation with Rémy, he told me he did not have the required 20 UCI points, so him on the WC team isn't...
I just had a conversation with Rémy, he told me he did not have the required 20 UCI points, so him on the WC team isn't an option.
An another note, Commencal have not entered the EWS, but Nico Quéré is still sponsored by them. Could he be on their new DH team?
Also, notice that Cam has FOX suspension on his bike and not BOS (or maybe they cleverly replaced their red caps by blue ones and painted the piggyback), so unless he has an individual sponsorship with FOX (which - assuming their site is up to date - is not the case), it's unlikely he'll be on that new team, considering Max Commencal said that they'll be strengthening their partnership with BOS.
Pretty sure if you get signed to a WC team you are exempt from the 20 point rule. Like in the US you just have to petition and you get "signed" to team USA for regular WCs and you get to ride without your 20 points so as long as he is legitimately signed to commencal he can race a world cup season. Motocross is the same way I believe, thats how ryan dungey got picked up straight out of the intermediate class.

As for cam, I noticed that he was riding the commencal without any stickers on his forks. Maybe a sign of just testing the frame to see if he even likes it but has not received suspension from BOS yet as he hasn't been signed?
sideshow
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sideshow 1/31/2014 12:42pm
1/31/2014 12:42pm
bturman wrote:
Dirt Norco is no longer on Norco - http://www.vitalmtb.com/news/press-release/Norco-Bicycles-Parts-Ways-With-Dirt-Norco-Race-Team,955

Who will the team ride for in 2014? You'll find out soon...
I am very curious to see what they have up their sleeve. Main stream brand? Boutique brand? Up-and-coming brand? Doc McFly? Huffy? *DUNDUNDUUUUN*
dphilpott 1/31/2014 12:59pm
1/31/2014 12:59pm
number31crf wrote:
Pretty sure if you get signed to a WC team you are exempt from the 20 point rule. Like in the US you just have to...
Pretty sure if you get signed to a WC team you are exempt from the 20 point rule. Like in the US you just have to petition and you get "signed" to team USA for regular WCs and you get to ride without your 20 points so as long as he is legitimately signed to commencal he can race a world cup season. Motocross is the same way I believe, thats how ryan dungey got picked up straight out of the intermediate class.

As for cam, I noticed that he was riding the commencal without any stickers on his forks. Maybe a sign of just testing the frame to see if he even likes it but has not received suspension from BOS yet as he hasn't been signed?
Not quite, it used to be only juniors on trade teams that didn't require points.

The 20 point rule stands for everyone I believe. It used to be a lesser amount, 5 points I think?

He can still race if he's granted entry via a national jersey...

"1. Having obtained at least 20 UCI points in the UCI DHI individual
reference ranking (*).
2. The national federations may enter a maximum of 6 supplementary
riders per category. These riders must wear national team clothing.
3. Women junior riders (aged 17 and 18) belonging to a UCI ELITE
MTB team or a UCI MTB team.
"
iceman2058 2/2/2014 11:08am
2/2/2014 11:08am Edited Date/Time 2/2/2014 11:09am
Sean Heimdal has put out word that his Mad Catz Racing program will take a break for 2014.
__________________________________________________________________________
It’s been a long run for the race team that’s been globally recognized as Mad Catz Racing, Mad Catz/Orange, Mad Catz/Iron Horse, Monster Energy/Iron Horse, Monster Energy/Specialized and the past season as Specialized Factory Racing. Over the years, the program has collected countless podiums around the world, several World Cup titles and 8 world championships.



These accomplishments couldn’t have been achieved without the amazing athletes, awesome mechanics, great supporting sponsors and lots of dedication from everyone involved with the program.

I sit here thinking if this is a short term or permanent end, but either way, I know it’s the right decision at this time. I’d originally started the program on pure passion for the sport, walking away from a career job in 2002 to build a dream team and definitely achieved more than I could have ever imagined. Now that we no longer have input into the program, the fun has faded and the vision is blurred. We’ll take all the good memories, move forward, and cheer the athletes on from behind the tape for now.

I’d like to thank all athletes for contributing to the success of the program - Sam Hill, Troy Brosnan, Brendan Fairclough, Mitch Ropelato, Aaron Gwin, Nathan Rennie, Jared Graves, Bryn Atkinson, Sabrina Jonnier, Justin Havukainen, Mathieu Laurin, Scarlett Hagen, Cody Warren, Jason Codding, Phil Tinstman.



Thanks to all the supporting sponsors over the years- we did our best to build relationships for long term, help develop the best products for the fans and keep things fresh n exciting- Monster Energy, Mad Catz, SRAM, Rock Shox, Truvativ, Avid, SDG, DT Swiss, Renthal, Troy Lee Designs, Team Associated, Maxima, Alligator Cables, Crank Brothers, e13, Five Ten, Specialized, Iron Horse Bicycles and Orange Bikes.

Special mention and extra thanks to the following people - Todd Seplavy, Stew Barnett, John Dawson, Jon Cancellier, Evan Warner, Brian Dalton, Ollie Thomas, ShaneHensley, Ian Collins, Reese Williams, Geoff Rodgers, Jason Chamberlain, Darren Richardson, Mike Redding, Stikman and Troy Lee.

Thanks to the photographers, magazines and websites for digging into the mud, cold, rain and sometimes snow to cover the action.

Of course, the big man that kept everyone’s bike together over the years supporting the program and had my back like no other, Jacy Shumilak who’s returning to Sam Hill’s corner for 2014!

In 2014,there are cool new programs and great athletes to watch.

HUGE THANKS TO ALL THE FANS…THANKS FOR FOLLOWING!!!

See you outside of the tape!

Photos by Sven Martin. Full news post from Sicklines HERE.
JonnyC
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JonnyC 2/2/2014 11:42am
2/2/2014 11:42am
good riddance
Beezkneez
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Beezkneez 2/3/2014 7:36am
2/3/2014 7:36am
Gotta wonder if Aaron coming over and getting everything he wants is what Sean meant by:

"Now that we no longer have input into the program, the fun has faded and the vision is blurred."

*stroking my chin*
Big Bird
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Big Bird 2/3/2014 8:53am
2/3/2014 8:53am
JonnyC wrote:
good riddance
Thats a bit harsh. I didn't think that a team could be so offensive to somebody. Anyway, where does that put Gwin? Is it a strictly factory team now?
iceman2058 2/3/2014 9:02am
2/3/2014 9:02am
JonnyC wrote:
good riddance
Big Bird wrote:
Thats a bit harsh. I didn't think that a team could be so offensive to somebody. Anyway, where does that put Gwin? Is it a strictly...
Thats a bit harsh. I didn't think that a team could be so offensive to somebody. Anyway, where does that put Gwin? Is it a strictly factory team now?
Yes, the Specialized Gravity Team with Gwin, Brosnan, and Ropelato, managed by Eric Carter.
fabdemaere 2/3/2014 2:21pm
2/3/2014 2:21pm
Beezkneez wrote:
Gotta wonder if Aaron coming over and getting everything he wants is what Sean meant by: [i]"Now that we no longer have input into the program...
Gotta wonder if Aaron coming over and getting everything he wants is what Sean meant by:

"Now that we no longer have input into the program, the fun has faded and the vision is blurred."

*stroking my chin*
Would not surprise me if that is what he meant.
Must be hard as a team manager to stay on good terms with sponsors, when a rider wants a bit from one, some from the other one.
Still blows my mind how SRAM accepted to sponsor him only for brakes and drivetrain
dirty booger 2/4/2014 3:54pm
2/4/2014 3:54pm
JonnyC wrote:
good riddance
Big Bird wrote:
Thats a bit harsh. I didn't think that a team could be so offensive to somebody. Anyway, where does that put Gwin? Is it a strictly...
Thats a bit harsh. I didn't think that a team could be so offensive to somebody. Anyway, where does that put Gwin? Is it a strictly factory team now?
iceman2058 wrote:
Yes, the Specialized Gravity Team with Gwin, Brosnan, and Ropelato, managed by Eric Carter.
Really, EC running the Specialized DH Team?? What happened to Hyper (or whatever it was)?

Hopefully he lasts longer than Ska Todd did....which was about a month after Mr. Hill came to Speshy.
sspomer
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sspomer 2/5/2014 12:41pm
2/5/2014 12:41pm
Freestyler updates.

Andrew Taylor is off Marin and on Norco
http://www.vitalmtb.com/news/press-release/Andrew-Taylor-and-Adrienne-Schneider-Evans-Join-Mike-Hopkins-as-Norco-Privateer-Athletes,961

Amir Kabbani is off Mongoose and on GT
http://www.vitalmtb.com/news/press-release/Amir-Kabbani-Joins-GT-Wingmen-Team-for-2014-Riding-Season,960



Fredleth
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Fredleth 2/6/2014 11:34pm
2/6/2014 11:34pm
And Mike Montgomery is on Mongoose along with Watts Smile
matt?
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matt? 2/7/2014 7:43am
2/7/2014 7:43am
Team Dirt Mag (Ben Reid, Harry Heath and Jacob Dickson) on Orange, which is interesting as I remember somewhere saying Orange were stopping with new DH bikes for a while?

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