After hair-raising rumours and plenty of confusion, it's finally official: downhill superstar Aaron Gwin is moving to YT Industries. This will no longer be news to most people, because in addition to the uproar on social networks over the past few days, our Sister magazine FREERIDE already predicted a month ago that Aaron Gwin would switch to the Forchheim-based direct mail order company. In addition to YT, the US boy will also be sponsored by Fox, e*thirteen, Alpinestars, Onza and many more in the coming season.
From Specialized to YT: Why?
But why actually? Why did the overall World Cup winner switch from a market giant like Specialized to the up-and-coming but still small YT team? There are several reasons: "It's normal for athletes in any sport to change teams or companies. Not because you don't want to continue together, but because either the team or the athlete no longer values the other as they see fit," commented Gwin on the end of his contract with Specialized.
Appreciation seems to be an important topic for Aaron Gwin. Money plays a role in this, of course, but not only, as he explains in an interview with Pinkbike said. Personal appreciation and the opportunity to give feedback on the products are also important to him. He also believes it is important that the company responds to his feedback on its products. Both of these things were probably no longer the case at Specialized.
Does the geometry fit? Check!
YT, on the other hand, immediately contacted Aaron Gwin when the first rumours emerged that Gwin would be leaving Specialized. Although YT's World Cup team was actually only planned for the 2017 season, the opportunity to sign the 14-time World Cup winner accelerated the process considerably. Aaron Gwin had already heard of YT - the manufacturer from the Franconian town of Forchheim - through Cam Zink, but Gwin had never ridden one himself before. Naturally, the first thing he did was check out YT's downhill bike, the Tues, on the website, particularly with regard to the geometry. And was pleasantly surprised.
"Really every geometric change I wanted to have on my old bike had already happened here. I just had to laugh. It was the Gwin bike before I had even ridden a metre," he is reported to have said. Personal contact with the team also seems to be very positive. When Gwin asked whether the company would not only listen to his feedback on the bike, but also implement it, YT reacted with astonishment. Of course they would listen to the feedback, as that was one of the main reasons why they wanted to work with Aaron Gwin in the first place.
In addition to Aaron Gwin himself, the young Spaniard Angel Suarez will also be competing in the World Cup for YT and, as a protégé, may also learn a trick or two from his experienced team-mate. Cam Zink and Andreu Lacondeguy will continue to fly the YT flag in the freeride events. The moment of truth for the new team will come on 9/10 April at the DH World Cup in Lourdes beat.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
