Now it’s finally been revealed who’ll replace Aaron Gwin on Trek World Racing – Brook MacDonald, George Brannigan and Greg Williamson (hey, it is a pretty big hole to fill, after all) – we figured it was about time for a round-up of all the latest Downhill World Cup team news. Here’s how things currently look for 2013, along with some spy shots of the new bikes – we’ll update this article as more info comes in.
UCI Elite teams
Commencal
Team name: Commencal Riding Addiction
New arrivals: Rémi Thirion (France)
Departures: None
Continuing team members: Myriam Nicole (France), Gaëtan Ruffin (France), Thibaut Ruffin (France)
Bike: Commencal Supreme DH V3
Looks like Remi Thirion is going to fit right in at Commencal Riding Addiction! Source: Facebook.com/commencal
Devinci
Team name: Devinci Global Racing
New arrivals: Mark Wallace (Canada)
Departures: George Brannigan (New Zealand)
Continuing team members: Stevie Smith (Canada), Nick Beer (Switzerland), Gianluca Vernassa (Italy)
Bike: Devinci Wilson Carbon
Back in black – Stevie Smith’s got a new paintjob for 2013. Source: Twitter.com/stevesmithDH
Ghost
Team name: RRP Ghost
New arrivals: Petra Bernhard (Austria), Johann Potgieter (South Africa), David Trummer (Austria)
Departures: TBC
Continuing team members: Johannes Fischbach (Germany)
Bike: Ghost DH 9000
Giant
Team name: Giant Factory Off-Road Team
New arrivals: Marcelo Guttierrez
Departures: None
Continuing team members: Danny Hart (UK), Andrew Neethling (South Africa)
Bike: Giant Glory
Danny’s Glory is ready for battle. What’s with those mismatched grips? Source: Instagram.com/dannyhart1
GT
Team name: GT Factory Racing
New arrivals: Taylor Vernon (UK), Martin Maes (Belgium)
Departures: None
Continuing team members: Dan Atherton (UK), Gee Atherton (UK), Rachel Atherton (UK), Marc Beaumont (UK)
Bike: GT Fury
Read our story about the 2013 team here.
Taylor’s already shown what he’s capable of on his GT Fury. Source: Twitter.com/TaylorVernon67
Intense
Team name: SC-Intense
New arrivals: Lewis Buchanan (UK), Joe Connell (UK)
Departures: Joshua Button (Australia), Florent Payet (France), Roman Roschi (Switzerland), Faustin Figaret (France)
Continuing team members: Miriam Ruchti (Switzerland), Lars Peyer (Switzerland), Joel Andrey (Switzerland)
Bike: Intense M9 FRO
The Suspension Center team are planning to run 650b wheels this year. Source: Facebook.com/intensecycles
Lapierre
Team name: Lapierre International
New arrivals: Emmeline Ragot (France)
Departures: Cam Cole (New Zealand)
Continuing team members: Sam Blenkinsop (New Zealand), Loic Bruni (France), Loris Vergier (France)
Bike: Lapierre DH Team
Read our story about the 2013 team here and then watch Loic in action below:
Source: 100% Loic Bruni – Stepping up to the Pro ranks from 100%
Mondraker
Team name: MS Mondraker
New arrivals: Morgane Charre (France), Innes Graham (UK)
Departures: Emmeline Ragot (France), Brook MacDonald (New Zealand)
Continuing team members: Damien Spagnolo (France), Markus Pekoll (Austria)
Bike: Mondraker Summum
Nukeproof
Team name: CRC/Nukeproof
New arrivals: Sam Hill (Australia)
Departures: Matti Lehikoinen (Finland), Alex Bond (UK), Lewis Buchanan (UK)
Continuing team members: Matt Simmonds (UK), Joe Smith (UK)
Bike: Nukeproof Pulse
Catch up with the latest on Sam Hill’s new team and bike here.
Sam’s Nukeproof Pulse has already taken him to first place at the first Aussie national. Source: Instagram.com/samhill13
Polygon
Team name: Hutchinson UR
New arrivals: Holly Feniak (Canada)
Departures: Tim Bentley (South Africa)
Continuing team members: Mick Hannah (Australia), Tracey Hannah (Australia), Fabien Cousinié (France), Guillaume Cauvin (France)
Bike: Polygon DHX
Santa Cruz
Team name: Santa Cruz Syndicate
New arrivals: None
Departures: None
Continuing team members: Greg Minnaar (South Africa), Steve Peat (UK), Josh Bryceland (UK)
Bike: Santa Cruz V10c
Saracen
Team name: Madison-Saracen
New arrivals: Sam Dale (UK)
Departures: Josh Lowe (UK), Will Weston (UK)
Continuing team members: Manon Carpenter (UK), Harry Molloy (UK), Phil Atwill (UK), Jack Geoghegan (UK)
Bike: Saracen Myst
Sam Dale with his new steed. Saracen tell us the frame is ready for 650b wheels. Source: Saracen.co.uk/blog
Scott
Team name: Gstaad-Scott
New arrivals: Patrick Thome (France)
Departures: Romain Paulhan (France)? TBC.
Continuing team members: Brendan Fairclough (UK), Noel Niederburger (Switzerland), Floriane Pugin (France), Emilie Siegenthaler (Switzerland)
Bike: Scott Gambler
If your new sponsor is an Alpine resort, it’d be rude not to check out the slopes! Source: Scott
Specialized
Team name: TBC. Last press release called it the ‘S-Racing DH Team’
New arrivals: Aaron Gwin (USA), Mitch Ropelato (USA, previously stood in for an injured Troy Brosnan but wasn’t an official factory team rider)
Departures: Sam Hill (Australia)
Continuing team members: Troy Brosnan (Australia)
Bike: Specialized Carbon Demo 8
Read our story about the 2013 team here.
Trek
Team name: Trek World Racing
New arrivals: Brook MacDonald (New Zealand), George Brannigan (New Zealand), Greg Williamson (UK)
Departures: Aaron Gwin (USA)
Continuing team members: Neko Mulally (USA), Justin Leov (New Zealand)
Bike: Trek Session 9.9
We’re expecting big things from Brook MacDonald on his new ride. Source: Instagram.com/brookmacdonald6
Other teams
BULLS
Team name: Team BULLS
New arrivals: Wyn Masters (New Zealand), Christian Textor (Germany), Tommy Herrmann (Germany)
Departures: None
Continuing team members: None
Bike: TBC
Kona
Team name: Kona Factory Team
New arrivals: None announced yet
Departures: None announced yet
Continuing team members: Mitch Delfs, Connor Fearon
Bike: Kona Operator
Labyrinth
Team name: Labyrinth Shimano
New arrivals: None announced yet
Departures: Rémi Thirion (France), Sabrina Jonnier (France, retiring)
Continuing team members: William Balaud (France), Antonin Gourgin (France)
Bike: Labyrinth Minotaur
Pivot
Team name: Pivot Cycles Factory DH Team
New arrivals: Bernard Kerr (previously rode for Pivot Cycles UK, not the factory team), Austin Warren (USA) – plus Bard Kerr (UK) for 4X
Departures: Luke Strobel (USA), Kyle Sangers (Canada)
Continuing team members: None
Bike: Pivot Phoenix DH
Unior
Team name: Unior Tools Team
New arrivals: Ruaridh Cunningham (UK), Jure Žabjek (Slovenia)
Departures: Harry Heath (UK), Maria Michalogiannaki (Greece)
Continuing team members: Jess Stone (UK), Žiga Pandur (Slovenia), Nejc Rutar (Slovenia)
Bike: Trek Session 9.9
Ruaridh seems pretty chuffed about his new deal! Source: Unior Tools
Yeti
Team name: Yeti Fox Shox Factory Race Team
New arrivals: Cam Cole (New Zealand)
Departures: Eliot Jackson (USA, retiring due to health issues)
Continuing team members: Jared Graves (USA), Richie Rude (USA)
Bike: Yeti 303 WC
Read our story about the 2013 team here.
Cam Cole’s new Yeti is looking sweet. Source: Instagram.com/camcolemtb