In addition to black ice and good intentions, the turn of the year is characterised by a wild rotation of professional racers among the teams. In order not to lose track, here is a summary of the team changes for the 2021 season.
Team change in cross country:
Replacement for Ferrand-Prevot: Emily Batty joins Canyon
The 32-year-old is a veteran of the world's top XC riders. 12 years ago Emily Batty to the Trek Factory Team. To date, she has been Canadian champion four times, third in the overall World Cup twice (2016 and 2018), fourth at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and won two bronze medals at the World Championships. At the 2012 Olympics, she even competed with a broken collarbone and finished 24th. "It's time to turn over a new leaf," says Batty. She is referring to the switch from Trek to Canyon, the Koblenz-based bike manufacturer. Both the Canadian and the Canyon team are looking forward to working together as a family. After the chaotic 2020 season, Batty and Canyon have their sights set on the World Championships, the World Cup and the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Sina Frei and Barbara Benko leave the Ghost Factory Racing Team. Swiss rider Sina Frei is moving to Specialized Factory Racing. It is still unclear which bike Barbara Benko will be riding next season. The vacancies in the Ghost factory team will be filled by Nicole Koller and Nadine Rieder team. With the former Swiss junior champion Nicole Koller and the reigning German marathon champion, two strong riders complete the team from Waldsassen. In addition to the World Cups, the Olympic Games in Tokyo are also on the agenda.
The XC racer Linda Indergand is leaving the Maloja Pushbikers and joining the Liv Factory Racing Team. The 27-year-old finished eighth at the 2016 Olympic Games, runner-up in the 2017 European Championships and tenth at the 2019 World Championships. In addition to medals at the top of the world rankings, the Olympic Games in Tokyo are high on the Swiss rider's calendar for 2021.
The Scotswoman Isla Shortthe French cyclocrosser Arnaud Jouffroy and the 23-year-old Italian Virginia Cancellieri are expanding the Orbea Factory Team in 2021. Shimano is also strengthening the XC racing team from Spain.
The Centurion-Vaude marathon team becomes Trek-Vaude. The Austrian Daniel Geismayrwho last raced for the team, is switching to Trek-Pirelli at the start of the year. The new Trek-Vaude MTB team includes Gregor Raggl, Karl Markt and Mona Mitterwallner, some of Austria's strongest riders. In addition Antonia Daubermann and marathon ace Sascha Weber.
Maxime Marottethe multiple French XC champion, is switching from Cannondale to Santa Cruz for the coming season. The Californians obviously want to get involved in the XC circus. At his side in the Team Santa Cruz FSA drives Luca Braidot.
The reigning XC world champion Jordan Sarrou is leaving the Absolute Absalon team with BMC as his bike sponsor. In 2021, the Frenchman will ride for Specialised go to the start. Just like Sina Frei, Gerhard Kerschbaumer and Laura Stigger.
The exceptional racer and XC legend Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, was world champion in the road, cyclocross and cross country categories - all at the same time. A world record! After three successful years, the Frenchwoman is leaving Canyon. She now rides in the racing team of her partner Julien Absalon.
Simon Andreassen was previously on Specialized. Now the XC racer from Denmark is switching to Cannondale. The South African, Alan Heatherly also switches from Specialised to Cannondale.
That's what happens in the downhill:
That Loris Vergier has been leaving the legendary downhill racing team Santa Cruz Syndicate since the end of 2020. However, it was initially unclear which team the Frenchman would be riding for next season. It has now been announced that the 23-year-old will be racing for Trek in 2021. His team-mates next season will be Kade Edwards, Charlie Harrison and reigning world champion Reece Wilson.
Vali Höll in new World Cup team
Since it was clear that Vali Höll leaves the YT mob, there has been much speculation as to which bike she will be rocking the world's downhill slopes on in 2021. Now it has been announced that she will be riding for the newly established Rockshox Trek Race Team will start. The Austrian will be joined by Jamie Edmondson from Scotland, Canadian Ethan Shandro and 15-year-old Tegan Cruz from Pemberton. In addition to the UCI World Cup stops, Crankworx events and selected EWS races are also on the agenda. The Rockshox Trek Race Team will exist alongside the Trek Factory Racing Team.
As early as 2001 Tomás "Tomi" Misser on the hunt for seconds with Modraker. 20 years later, he returns to the Spanish bike manufacturer. This time as a brand ambassador. The 46-year-old was recently under contract with Orbea.
Phil Atwill back at Propain
Style master and all-round talent Phil Atwill will be back on Propain bikes in the starting blocks of the Downhill World Cup from this season. This has now been announced by the Lake Constance-based manufacturer. The Brit already rode for Propain from 2016 to 2018, switched to Cube for two years and is now returning. Atwill will compete in the World Cup, but as an independent athlete and not as part of the Propain Factory Team. In addition to downhill races, he also has other events and video projects lined up.
Vali Höll, Cam Zink and Adolf Silva leave YT
Almost seven years ago, YT took the just 12-year-old Vali Höll under contract. The epitome of a young talent already has two world championships and overall World Cup victories under her belt as a young rider. She will be chasing seconds in the newly established Rockshox Trek Race Team in 2021. She will also Cam Zinc left the YT mob. Freeride legend and Rampage all-time favourite Zink has been riding YT bikes since 2014. It is still unclear which bike he will start on in 2021. Regularly rocks Adolf Silva Events like the Dark Fest or the Rampage. However, no longer on YT from 2021. The Spanish trick machine has not yet announced a new sponsor.
The Spanish downhiller Angel Suarez is leaving the YT Mob and will be riding for the Andorran bike supplier Commencal from this year. In addition to the World Cup races, the 24-year-old will be involved in the development of the downhill bikes. A number of video projects are also in the pipeline. We are excited.
Danny Hart switches to Cube
It has been known since the middle of last year that downhill ace Danny Hart is leaving the Madison Saracen racing team. He will join the Cube family from the coming season. The father of a young daughter has signed a long-term contract with the Bavarian bike manufacturer. Also Max Hartenstern will remain in the team. The 5-time German downhill champion wants to make a start in the World Cup in 2021.
Rémy Métailler rides for Propain
Rémy Métailler, the YouTube star and freerider, has been riding Cube bikes for four years. Now it's time for a change. His bikes will continue to come from Germany. Propain signs the Canadian-by-choice under contract. In future, he will be shredding the trails around Squamish on Tyee, Spindrift and co.
Yoann Barreli no longer actively rides enduro races, but he rocks the trails around Sqamish BC and produces YouTube videos. At the end of 2020, he announced that he would be leaving his long-time sponsor Commencal. In 2021, he will be flying over Squamish's trails on bikes from US manufacturer Guerrilla Gravity. Guerrilla Gravity stands for sustainability, innovation and maximum riding fun.
Yoann Barreli rocks the trails in 2021 on bikes from the young US brand Guerilla Gravity.
The Scottish enduro racer Lewis Buchanan announced at the end of 2020 that he would no longer be riding for Forbidden and Fox. Instead, he will start 2021 on bikes from the Canadian cult brand Norco. The suspension comes from DVO.
