2026 Team Rumors

Let me tell you something about Pivot, they definitely have the money to support a strong DH/Enduro team. Their bikes are great, and the Phoenix is selling really well. I actually had to wait eight months for my frame because my dealer told me they’re prioritizing full builds. And this season, I saw a lot of Phoenix V5s at the bike parks. BK might be the official owner of the team, but I’m pretty sure Pivot has a say when it comes to signing riders. Most of the team struggled with injuries this year, and Bora Bora was their top performer, I honestly think he’s capable of cracking the top 10. Aside from him, though, several of their riders are nearing the end of their careers. My guess is they’ll start focusing on signing some promising juniors and helping them transition to the elite level. The team already has the infrastructure of a big outfit, so I don’t see them leaving the World Cup scene anytime soon. Plus, Chris Cocalis mentioned in an interview that having a World Cup team is really important for testing their products, so I’m sure they’ll stay involved.

Haven’t listened yet, but the text summary for latest Inside Line/ B Practice podcast indicates that Dak is without a sponsor (fingers crossed it’s a joke). 

I am impatiently waiting for it to hit the front page because for some reason it will never play for me Apple Podcasts now.

It won't play for me either so I had to use Spotify. 

Listening right now... Hopefully Dak finds a good ride.. 23rd overall coming back from a major injury isn't a bad thing..  He's definitely the guy who's the working man's hero.. Plus, the US Open win and a 4th for the end of the season should show the potential is there.

If Dak is let go it's a harsh decision from Mondraker. The guy worked his way back from a serious injury to a top 10 world cup result and won the US open. When Dak is back to full strength he's a podium threat next year for sure. 

Maybe Pivot should pick up Dak and Dylan Maples (I'm assuming he will leave Commencal to make way for the Alran brothers). That would be a solid lineup. 

I don't want Dak to go to Pivot

They discuss his future later in the pod. Pivot doesn’t seem likely from what they said. Norco or Intense both seemed possible. 

Also: the way the whole thing is discussed is kind of strange. There is never a mention of “I won’t be back with Mondraker” from what I heard. It just seems that they haven’t necessarily renewed his contract YET. Also possible they made an offer (possibly reduced salary) and he’s chosen to look elsewhere. 

I would love to see Dak on Mondraker one more year. In the past he’s talked about needing stability and consistency in his program to be optimized. Starting all over on a new bike and team… not optimal. 

Mondraker for the consistency. Norco with Greg or Crestline with Aaron? I think any of those would be fired up to have a healthy and fit Dak for 2026 and hopefully beyond. 

nice vision, but:

where would he land in the `26  terror snakepit of hell?

I can't see that happening.  Look at how much Richie has struggled, and he's generally stronger/healthier and had better enduro results.  Don't get me wrong, I think he absolutely deserves to be on a good team, I just don't think switching to DH will help.  The new crop of young DH kids are just too freaking fast.

If Dak could go to Norco that would be my top choice personally. They seem to be as committed as any team could be. 

AG7 to Norco.

a little too early to start drinking eh

Finn Iles to Norco.

Gwin Racing switching to Norco wouldn't be too crazy.. Unless Troydon has started producing the DH bikes again..

I just put GOAT w/ GOAT 2nd position randomly.

Figure what’s more deadly than GM dialing everything together with AG7 . Won’t happen…but I assume Troydon doesn’t have a bottomless barrel of money?

I don't know how deep his pockets are, but he knows he'll sell more ebikes than DH bikes..

Dak to Norco would give Norco the carryover they will need when Danny Hart's contract finishes up. I think Danny has to the end 2026 on his contract does he not?

Dak will be interesting to see because he has very particular bike set up and beliefs in that (what the proportions should be etc). I think it was his bike check at Sea Otter or something where he discussed his whole idea of longer chainstays (460 current I believe), his higher desired stack that he can run because of CS, suspensions set up, and more. All this definitely became more achievable with all the changes he can make with Proto Mondraker.

Some of these bike fits would not be the jam for him based off those things. Pivot would be an awful combo based off what he likes. Norco would be better (helps having Kirk and Greg being taller and working on the protos).  Just two examples.

He's a particular guy so will def be interesting to see which direction he goes. Hope all the best for him!!

Mondraker was and is a strange brand. Especially in the US. Literally the only thing that that got me looking at them was Dak. I need a new racebike coming up and depending on when/if they dropped a new one I was going to take a look. They have a high high bar to cross to get me to commit to a purchase and doing Dak a dirty would make the bar just a little higher. 

Finally finished the pod. Hoping Dak lands somewhere that will suit him!

He could go back to Aaron Gwin's team. The only reason he left before is Arin did not have the cash, maybe that has changed. 

Doesn't Aaron have some ownership (or at least equity) in Crestline?  Not sure why he'd walk away from that...

Gwin is part owner of Crestline, I don't see him giving up on that and it would be pretty weird for him to race for another brand.  Would be great entertainment though so I hope it happens.

In the WBD B Line video after MSA, Finn’s comments about struggles this year and being able to get work in on the bike right after the season ended – now that he has recovered a bit – implied he is staying with Specialized. 

Does anybody think the specific reason Mondraker is dropping Dak is to afford to pick up somebody big? Or is there no logical indication who that could even be? Dropping Dak for nothing seems odd...Unless they're outright struggling and can only afford Ronan and Pinky I guess? dunno... not seein da vision herrre

Gwin owns part of Crestline.  Hard to see him riding another bike...

Totally forgot about that...