2026 Team Rumors

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Brian_Peterson
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Canyon Country, CA US
9/15/2025 11:29am

Maybe one, or more, of those 4 are in a contract year?

brash
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9/15/2025 2:11pm

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. 

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Brian_Peterson
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9/15/2025 3:14pm
brash wrote:
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...

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...

1
mfoga
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Moreno Valley, CA US
9/15/2025 3:34pm
mfoga wrote:

Yeah he got a whole point for winning.  😮

NJPA Rider wrote:

Ridiculous. It should be worth more. That would get more riders doing more events. 

I have a feeling that Red Bull dont play ball with UCI.   I don't think hardline is worth much either. 

1
BGoldstone
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Squamish, BC CA
9/15/2025 4:15pm
mfoga wrote:

Yeah he got a whole point for winning.  😮

NJPA Rider wrote:

Ridiculous. It should be worth more. That would get more riders doing more events. 

mfoga wrote:

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.

BGoldstone
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9/15/2025 4:23pm Edited Date/Time 9/15/2025 4:24pm
brash wrote:
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...

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. 

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.

2
xy9ine
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ZW
9/15/2025 5:50pm
brash wrote:
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...

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. 

while i don't think he's really a podium contender, remi certainly has entertainment value; love seeing his creative lines. 

4
pK
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FR
9/16/2025 7:44am Edited Date/Time 9/16/2025 7:51am

Vali and Kolb will get a GIANT deal. 

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

 

4
t.odd
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CA
9/16/2025 8:14am
brash wrote:
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...

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. 

xy9ine wrote:

while i don't think he's really a podium contender, remi certainly has entertainment value; love seeing his creative lines. 

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.

metadave
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Revelstoke, BC CA
9/16/2025 8:36am
10fd19d8-8ad8-4128-9a02-84103bee2fde

 

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12
9/16/2025 8:51am

Vali and Kolb will get a GIANT deal. 

pK wrote:
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...

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

 

1) ✅


2) Teams with 2 RB Helmets (FMD, Specialized, Santa Cruz). Athletes (Asa, Ronan)? 

3) Ellie ? 🤷🏼

Grumbly
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9/16/2025 9:24am

Vali and Kolb will get a GIANT deal. 

pK wrote:
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...

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

 

manny.bike wrote:

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. 

6
9/16/2025 9:51am
pK wrote:
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...

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

 

3. Felix (and Oscar) Griffiths’ mom is Gillian Anderson 

13
saskskier
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Calgary, AB CA
9/16/2025 10:00am Edited Date/Time 9/16/2025 10:06am

Vali to Specialized would be a pretty strong (and overdue) first female elite rider to the Factory Racing team...

8
1
Primoz
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9/16/2025 11:13am
pK wrote:
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...

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

 

3. Felix (and Oscar) Griffiths’ mom is Gillian Anderson 

I went the same direction, but then, if it's a riddle, does it even say anything other than this (well known) connection?? 

2
lloyd506
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9/16/2025 11:26am
saskskier wrote:

Vali to Specialized would be a pretty strong (and overdue) first female elite rider to the Factory Racing team...

Didn’t Miranda miller ride on the factory team? When she won world champs? 

7
9/16/2025 11:52am
saskskier wrote:

Vali to Specialized would be a pretty strong (and overdue) first female elite rider to the Factory Racing team...

lloyd506 wrote:

Didn’t Miranda miller ride on the factory team? When she won world champs? 

yes she won on specialized in cairns with loic.  

6
9/16/2025 12:31pm

Vali and Kolb will get a GIANT deal. 

pK wrote:
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...

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

 

Now we are talking rumors...

4
BGoldstone
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9/16/2025 12:32pm
Grumbly wrote:
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...

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. 

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

2
casey79
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Sydney, NSW AU
9/16/2025 1:23pm
Grumbly wrote:
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...

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. 

BGoldstone wrote:
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...

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. 

1
earleb
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North Vancouver, BC CA
9/16/2025 2:05pm

Damn I was hoping for a hotly contested Snow Bike Worlds with lots of big names fighting for points. 

4
saskskier
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Calgary, AB CA
9/16/2025 2:15pm
saskskier wrote:

Vali to Specialized would be a pretty strong (and overdue) first female elite rider to the Factory Racing team...

lloyd506 wrote:

Didn’t Miranda miller ride on the factory team? When she won world champs? 

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? 

BGoldstone
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9/16/2025 6:07pm
Grumbly wrote:
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...

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. 

BGoldstone wrote:
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...

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

casey79 wrote:
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...

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. 

Yeah. The October deadline is for registration, the first ranking determines status. Not clear what the difference between reg and status is. 
 

IMG 1655
9/16/2025 6:59pm
saskskier wrote:

Vali to Specialized would be a pretty strong (and overdue) first female elite rider to the Factory Racing team...

lloyd506 wrote:

Didn’t Miranda miller ride on the factory team? When she won world champs? 

saskskier wrote:
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...

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? 

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? 

John Stewart Popcorn GIFs | Tenor
 

7
GeorgJung
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Munich DE
9/17/2025 12:14am

Nina Hoffmann was seen at dinner with the Specialized team in their hotel in Lenzerheide… maybe it was just Jordan Williams?

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2
othello
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GB
9/17/2025 2:12am
Aon racing to disband at the end of this year? Not really much from them, lots of injuries and some team riders not mention the brands...

Aon racing to disband at the end of this year? Not really much from them, lots of injuries and some team riders not mention the brands in social media. 

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. 

1
owl-x
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9/17/2025 6:28am
GeorgJung wrote:

Nina Hoffmann was seen at dinner with the Specialized team in their hotel in Lenzerheide… maybe it was just Jordan Williams?

My man paints a picture even without the cryptic clipart.

GossBoss!!!

1
saskskier
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Calgary, AB CA
9/17/2025 6:28am
lloyd506 wrote:

Didn’t Miranda miller ride on the factory team? When she won world champs? 

saskskier wrote:
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...

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? 

Lacanuck24 wrote:
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...

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? 

John Stewart Popcorn GIFs | Tenor
 

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. 

4
owl-x
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Shell Beach, CA US
9/17/2025 6:33am

Could also just, you know, pay them all!

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