Hello Vital MTB Visitor,
We’re conducting a survey and would appreciate your input. Your answers will help Vital and the MTB industry better understand what riders like you want. Survey results will be used to recognize top brands. Make your voice heard!
Five lucky people will be selected at random to win a Vital MTB t-shirt.
Thanks in advance,
The Vital MTB Crew
Maybe one, or more, of those 4 are in a contract year?
Thirion had a good year I think, Qualified constantly, always in the mix. Guy is OG as it gets (oldest besides Gwin?) and still a podium threat.
He's probably been good to help develop the bike, too...
I have a feeling that Red Bull dont play ball with UCI. I don't think hardline is worth much either.
It’s 10 points for a win at the urban dh races. Hardline is the same. Only a red Bull vs Uci thing in the sense that red Bull runs them as small invite only races.
Luke has made every final except one this year. The Jewett brothers just signed this year, most likely on 2 year contracts. Dane is first year elite and Jakob has been injured for a chunk of the season. Should be interesting when the new team rankings come out tomorrow. All of points where on the table at worlds, points to 60th place in elite. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Giant move past a few teams as all 4 of their racers scored points.
while i don't think he's really a podium contender, remi certainly has entertainment value; love seeing his creative lines.
Vali will go with her coach…
A top team will have three RB helmets in it’s pit
A junior, who is a union member, has a mother who likes to solve paranormal investigations
one of the all time greats of challenging conditions! he's such a technician and always my feel good dark horse pick when it gets nasty.
Nothing boring happening here 😮 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQp4KQdcFwk&t=37s
1) ✅
2) Teams with 2 RB Helmets (FMD, Specialized, Santa Cruz). Athletes (Asa, Ronan)?
3) Ellie ? 🤷🏼
Asa just signed a 3 year contract this spring with FW.
Speaking of FW, woof. Those updated team rankings. I though junior got the same points at elite? Angel being out all season and Anna just coming back from injury is rough.
3. Felix (and Oscar) Griffiths’ mom is Gillian Anderson
Vali to Specialized would be a pretty strong (and overdue) first female elite rider to the Factory Racing team...
I went the same direction, but then, if it's a riddle, does it even say anything other than this (well known) connection??
Didn’t Miranda miller ride on the factory team? When she won world champs?
yes she won on specialized in cairns with loic.
Now we are talking rumors...
Juniors get less points in the finals and no qualie points. You would think FW would get a wildcard slot based on Neko’s work with WB and having Asa and Ana.
Not clear on when the cutoff for the points is but probably a few people looking at the Snow bike worlds as it’s a big chunk of points
For UCI Downhill teams in 2026, the "cutoff" for World Series Team status is the last Tuesday in October 2025, with the top 10 ranked teams securing a two-year status and teams ranked 11-15 receiving a one-year status based on their UCI ranking points at that time. Additionally, the UCI MTB Team registration deadline for the 2026 season is November 15, 2025.
Damn I was hoping for a hotly contested Snow Bike Worlds with lots of big names fighting for points.
I stand corrected, but how long ago was that and how many years has it been since they've had a female on the DH Factory Team? Are there any other World Cup DH teams without an elite woman?
Yeah. The October deadline is for registration, the first ranking determines status. Not clear what the difference between reg and status is.
Giant Factory, Rogue Racing, and Scott Factory are only men. From what I've been told, Giant won't add an elite woman to their roster for DH. That's on brand with how they handle XC with separate LIV and Giant Factory teams. Apparently, there's no interest in starting a LIV DH team... until now???
Three Red Bull helmets is a good one since Vali leaving SRAM seems and the three potential suitors letting her continue her own partnerships seems unlikely. Spiciest situation of the silly season! Could we see another RB helmet make a move? Would the Syndicate drop Nina for Vali?

Nina Hoffmann was seen at dinner with the Specialized team in their hotel in Lenzerheide… maybe it was just Jordan Williams?
Reece is a savvy operator and I cannot believe for one minute he set-up AON on 1 year deals. Their biggest problem is a lack of points with Hatty and Reece missing races due to injury. They are outside the top 15 and fighting for those wildcard slots for next season.
My man paints a picture even without the cryptic clipart.
GossBoss!!!
Laurie for Vali? He hasn't had the same success Nina's had over the past few years and I feel like it'd make more sense to replace him than her.
Could also just, you know, pay them all!
Post a reply to: 2026 Team Rumors