2026 Team Rumors

Angel Suarez on Aventon.

World Cup Performance Meets eMTB Innovation, Aventon Partners with Downhill Pro Angel Suarez Alonso

The Spanish elite racer joins the e-bike brand’s MTB roster, bringing World Cup pedigree to production bike development

Brea, CA June 11, 2026 – Aventon is solidifying its high-performance aspirations by announcing a strategic partnership: Effective today, June 11, through December 31, 2026, Aventon will step up as the title sponsor of downhill pro Angel Suarez Alonso’s privateer racing program. The 30-year-old Spaniard from Vigo, who has proven his pedigree with multiple World Cup podiums driving for high-profile factory teams in recent seasons, will represent the brand globally as a brand ambassador. Beyond his duties between the tape, Suarez will play a pivotal role in content creation and serve as a technical advisor for the development of future model platforms.  

Race Precision Meets Freeride Heritage 
With this move, Aventon adds a crucial dynamic to its growing MTB roster. While established mountain bike icons like Brett Tippie and Richie Schley champion community engagement and classic freeride spirit, newcomer Angel Suarez infuses the uncompromising, focused perspective of an active elite racer. Following a lengthy injury layoff, Suarez made a statement return to the circuit with a strong 16th-place finish in Loudenvielle.
For his Downhill World Cup campaign, Angel will compete on a frame of his choice, while fully relying on the Aventon Current EXP for all E-MTB projects, training regimens, and media shoots.

Invaluable Feedback for Production R&D 
For Malte Homeyer, Global Brand Director at Aventon, this partnership marks a major milestone for the brand's credibility in the core performance segment:
“Our brand philosophy is built on making adventure accessible to everyone. However, to guarantee maximum reliability and refine our bikes performance, we need to push our technology to the absolute limit in the harshest environments. Angel is an exceptional athlete with an incredibly deep technical understanding of bike setups. He’ll be putting our E-MTBs through the ringer on the world's most demanding trails, and his raw, unfiltered feedback will feed directly into our production R&D. At the same time, we are proud to back his privateer World Cup program and introduce Aventon to an entirely new, performance-driven demographic.”

For Suarez, the partnership perfectly balances athletic independence with professional backing:
“After more than a decade racing professionally at the highest level, I still feel incredibly motivated every time I line up at a World Cup. What makes this chapter even more special is that I’m doing it through my own project, with full control over every decision and the freedom to build something that truly reflects who I am as an athlete.

Having the support of Aventon means a lot to me. They share my ambition, my passion for innovation, and my drive to keep pushing forward. I’m excited to bring my years of racing experience into the development of future E-MTBs and help create products that riders genuinely enjoy.
Their e-bike has become a key part of my daily training routine, so being able to work closely with a brand whose products I actually use and believe in makes this partnership even more meaningful.”

Digital Content Blitz: Behind the Scenes of the World Cup Circuit 
Alongside the technical knowledge transfer, Suarez will spearhead a comprehensive content offensive. High-octane video projects and dedicated social media formats are slated for release across both Suarez’s and Aventon’s channels. The community can look forward to heavy-hitting E-MTB action, deep dives into bike development, and raw, behind-the-scenes insights into the grit and grind of a World Cup privateer's life. 
About Aventon:  
Aventon was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Brea, California. Born from a passion for bicycle racing, Aventon has grown into one of the leading ebike brands in North America. The company’s mission is to redefine adventure by combining innovative technology, thoughtful design, and an outstanding riding experience. Aventon controls the majority of its value chain internally and employs hundreds of staff worldwide to shape the future of two-wheeled e-mobility.

just like half the DH teams on intense M1s back in 1999 : )