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Sooo does this mean Dante gets to go back up to the Factory team?
This topic has been talked about by people in the sector for some time (since the departure of commencal), it was a good move by Canyon to step away. I was surprised that Canyon hired him with these allegations. If they turn out to be true, it's very bad for the brands he still represents.
He raped a girl. Commencal kicked him to the curb. Canyon got fooled into signing him without getting told what happend. They found out and sacked his ass.
Some people at Canyon didn't know.
I find that difficult to believe. French DH is a tight community, the younger female riders around the national team are a very close group. We heard about the goings on in August and we are way out on the fringe!
Streisand effect coming.
that post got edit quickly… who was the important person, who knew?
I edited it because I can't say for certain that that's the case, but if even I had heard the rumours (with no industry connections/insiders), I find it impossible to believe that someone like Barel wouldn't have. Even if he hadn't, someone in the team absolutely would have done, and again I find it hard to believe it wouldn't get raised.
However, I don't find it impossible to believe that someone high up at Canyon could be unaware of these rumours, but then be unhappy if they found out their new marquee signing has a fairly big black cloud over them and do something decisive about it immediately.
Here's an article about the case in Vojomag: https://www.vojomag.com/news/apres-commencal-le-tres-etrange-depart-de-thibaut-daprela-de-chez-canyon/
the R accusation is no trivial matter. My brothers roommate had his life ruined over one (he was never charged with anything). On one hand I can see companies just not wanting to deal with any drama at all, too much of a headache, or if they are willing to cut him maybe they are aware of some serious meat to the accusation.
I used to be of the opinion "lets not pass judgement until there is a conviction in a court of law" but lately I haven't had much faith in the (US) legal system.
if the accusations are true, the end of his racing career is gonna be pretty low on the list of things he should be worried about
Can you imagine the shitstorm when the pinkbicycle comment section hears about this?
I am sure they have heard about it but, for some reason, the site seems to have not acknowledged it to this point. Odd
Not odd at all with the recent changes over on PB. Completely different place over the last 12 months.
Regarding the larger story, either more came out to Canyon or it finally reached the people that should have known prior to the signing. Either way it is a very poor look for Canyon to not have investigated privately prior to signing him.
That being said, corporate responsibility in these issues still leave a lot to be desired. Take a look at how Redbull is handling the Chris Horner issue where they cleared him and then put the accuser on unpaid leave after a massive data dump put it all out in the open. Now they are trying to pretend that everything is normal.
Is there an English language news source? Has he been arrested or questioned by police? This is a real world crime. Why is there only a "mountain bike world" consequence?
Corporate responsibility, and the MTB (especially gravity) boys club doesn't always go hand in hand.
But wouldn't reporting on Thibaut getting a contract after an alleged sexual assault be fighting the whole boys' club image they are trying to ditch? Thibaut getting a ride among those rumors certainly reeks of a boys' club...
Yeah, that's hella thizz-face stanky. But maybe he just hated the Sender?
Edit - I didn't know about the allegations
Unless it’s been edited, there’s no further information in this article
I have 0 trust in the legal system for this topic. Maybe its worse now, maybe its always been this way (insert astronaut meme).
Either way, what do we do? Do we continue dragging his name through the mud based on rumors of allegations? What if hes not innocent? Should there be no consequences just because the legal system isn't reliable or effective? How is anyone to know?
well to be fair, any mtb site would think about posting it standalone as news, tricky..... here it was brought up in the forum... no way to control it..(and a thumbnail in the main page now directed to the thread..)...
he is not a trophy celebrity that could have been trapped into a situation like this, for the exposure and money, thats for sure...
Exactly this, if the authorities are involved for a serious crime as this is, would he be even allowed to leave the country? Because right now it seems like there are only biking consequences and its really weird.
The Vojo article in French is actually a Belgian publication, it is the only article I have seen in French or English and is very much a response to the social media post and comments underneath, no additional information is provided.
The French racing forums, in which a number of French team managers and media people participate, have absolutely no comment or accusation. All the accusations have been on insta or in this thread.
Pretty miserable news, hope the truth officially comes out so we can move on.
There are going to be no winners from this situation whatever the outcome.
There are less enlightened corners of the internet where this can be 'debated'.
Probably best we leave it be for now I think.
The Vojo article has been updated to include a response from Thibaut..
https://www.vojomag.com/news/thibaut-daprela-sexprime-on-a-clairement-essaye-de-me-detruire/
Vojo managed today to get in direct contact with Thibaut Dapréla who spoke publicly about his double departure in just a few months, first from the Commençal team, then from Canyon CLLCTV. Here are the pilot's reactions.
Before we begin, let’s provide some context. This Thursday, March 14, Thibaut Dapréla announced on his social networks his separation, by mutual agreement, from the Canyon CLLCTV team where he had only just arrived (at the beginning of January) from the Commencal Muc-Off team where he had been since his beginnings. This very surprising double departure led to a number of questions and allegations were made that these two departures were linked to extra-sporting reasons. You can find all the information in this first article that we published: After Commençal, the very strange departure of Thibaut Dapréla from Canyon .
We managed to contact Thibaut Dapréla directly, currently in Portugal to take part in a preparation race, this Friday March 15 in the morning. Here is the content of our exchange with the French pilot:
“ I did not wish to communicate further at the start, but faced with certain defamatory comments and allegations which come back to me from certain people who nevertheless shake my hand and smile at me when they see me but who attack me from behind, I would like to give some additional elements because this goes too far. It takes a lot of energy from me when I would like to devote myself to my sport and winning races. »
First of all, we asked Thibaut Dapréla the reasons for his departure from the Commençal team. “ It’s a considered decision. I wanted a change of horizon and I was very happy with this new start. Unfortunately, following the announcement of my arrival within the Canyon CLLCTV team, problems began because obviously people in the community who knew my sporting abilities perfectly did not appreciate the fact that I was riding for Canyon at all. From there, people clearly tried to destroy or even destabilize me with odious practices. These actions caused a lot of harm to me but also to my loved ones and my family, which demonstrates vile, disloyal behavior and very far from sporting values. I could never have imagined such a smear campaign. »
“ Unfortunately I can't say more because there is nothing to say. This is where it is terrible and frustrating for me and my family, my parents, my little sister. »
Then, we asked the question about leaving Canyon. “ This was done by mutual agreement, for legal reasons. On the other hand, I would like to point out that even if I ride within a private structure and if I am no longer part of the Canyon CLLCTV team, I will ride on a Canyon Sender next season. I will also keep most of the components that I have been testing for several months in order to capitalize on all the work done this winter. »
Finally, we returned to the allegations which point to extra-sporting reasons for the departure of Thibaut Dapréla from the Commencal/Muc-Off structures, then Canyon. “ There is no extra-sporting reason. However, given the way things are going, my family and I are now surrounded by advisors and lawyers in order, if necessary, to pursue anyone who still makes insulting or defamatory remarks about me. I don't like it but unfortunately, in today's society with the continued presence of social networks, we are forced to do this to protect ourselves. »
We will continue to keep you informed of any further developments.
So...Gwin's elbow is still a maybe & still very much sucks
"Unfortunately, following the announcement of my arrival within the Canyon CLLCTV team, problems began because obviously people in the community who knew my sporting abilities perfectly did not appreciate the fact that I was riding for Canyon at all."
That's cryptic.
Not cryptic. Just vague descriptions of a circumstance someone can't disclose in French either translated into English or a French person trying to speak English and it being transcribed.
Just read the whole gibberish as "I'm being vague and not saying anything"
A rape allegation is quite serious, there is no way Daprela will ever come out looking good EVEN if he is exonerated. OTOH, rape is a very serious crime which merits the worst possible punishment in the country where it was committed.
Departs from 2 teams in 3 months. Now has "advisors and lawyers" to deal with the rumors surrounding the circumstances. I'll withhold judgment until more facts come out, but I'll be very surprised if Daprela comes out of this clean.
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