2023 TEAM RUMORS

sorry guys, but i think that OF topic has been discussed enough in here. if you want to continue please do so in a separate thread,

thx

#backtoteamrumors

Martin Whiteley's 23 Degrees Sport is taking young talent Ross Kew under its wings to provide him the opportunity to race a full World Cup season in 2023, with the help of some other sponsors as well. A future star in the making? https://www.vitalmtb.com/news/press-release/young-talent-ross-kew-racing-full-world-cup-season-2023

That headtube will NEVER make it through the week at Rampage. 
 

Because…?

It's a trail bike, I don't think many would. I doubt it would hold up to space flight either.

Work it out! 

That's the Escarpe he happens to be posing with. They also make an enduro bike, Sommet.

I like the wit & sarcasm of Vital so much more than that copycat site.
@Mike_Scubadog has my respect for the moment.

As far as Strait is concerned, they don't make a dirt jump so how does that work?  Do sponsors buy guys who are dirt jumpers a Black Market M.O.B. & slap their sticker kit on it like the old days?  

And a DH bike. 

I think it is discontinued? You can search for it and get a link to the 2021 model, but it does not show up in the list on their website. Without a doubt Kyle will show up on the new version once he is riding DH again. 

In fact, after discontinuing their DH bike, I recon Vitus doesn't currently make any bike that could make it through Rampage in one piece...

Oh I didn’t know that. I know Joe Smith still rides one. He got 2nd or 3rd at Hardline on it last year. 

From the press release on here. 
 

New frame, same Kyle. From the Strait Acres Slalom Series to a bike park tour and elite global competition, Kyle Strait will be flying the Vitus flag all around the world. Kyle will be riding an Escarpe 275 as his go-to slalom rig. Additionally, look for him on the Dominer, E-Sommet, and Sentier this year. Kyle will also have his hand in designing several forthcoming models, injecting a bit of the Natty Daddy into the Vitus gravity line

Is it just me or do Strait and Zink turnover frame sponsors unusually quickly? 

Kyle has been on Commencal since 2015 - not sure what‘s quick about this 

Wow. Didn't realize he was with them that long. 7 years is a great run. I must be getting old. 

Not moi moi unless he inked more than just a new contract 

Disregard the last post, unless he managed to get full sleeves recently. Legs matches though

There is a 2022 model on the UK site, and I've just had confirmation from Vitus that a 2023 is coming at some point (looking to buy one)

On the other site, it mentions Charlie Harrison joining Santa Cruz in a development role... Vid on Insta with him riding that white SC with the green Lyrik.

I can confirm that an australian enduro rider that used to race DH, a canadian enduro rider that recently left an american brand factory team, a german enduro rider that left a german brand after 9 years are ALL part of a new Factory team of a big German direct-to-consumer brand. They've been shooting and shuttling in Finale last week.

So, YT with Moir, Kasper Woolley, and Christian Textor? 

Jack Moir, Christian Textor and Kasper Wooley on the YT Factory Enduro Racing team for the 2023 season!

Wow that's a crew of absolute shredders!

I'm especially excited to see what Chris Textor can do, now that he's finally on a proper bike. He's a real work horse of a guy, quiet and humble but gets big results. Multiple top-20 EWS finishes over the years, multiple times national enduro champion, former national DH champion, etc.

I wonder if Jack and Jesse are just waiting to see who drops first. Playing chicken with their new team announcements. Maybe they bet on who would slip up and get leaked first. 

Nah just the marketing departments waiting to have some photos and videos for a bigger announcement. Possibly the team equipment hasn't been fully confirmed at this stage.

Wouldn’t it be hilarious if Jesse went out and bought a Canyon, and maybe  got RM, and the rest of the team involved and has been getting all of us?? Because why would you let a champion go?

that would.mean he has pulled the greatest troll off. Again, a champion. 

The actual question is: Why would a champion let YOU (- as in: the team he came up with) go? Especially if the combination of rider, bike and teammates works this well.

This is obviously pure speculation, but I bet it comes down to money.

RM isn't a big brand, they don't sell that many bikes in the grand scheme of things. I don't think they can afford to pay him a big salary. The ugly reality of it probably is that Jesse has been doing it long enough just for the love doing it. He's probably at a stage in his life where he (additionally to just being a fast racer) wants to make some bank. Canyon probably simply made a better offer. Not judging though, I think he'd deserve it.

Super stoked to see Texi do well. He's got an awesome riding style and seems like a really nice guy.

Other site shows Blenki on Crestline.