5 Downhill World Cup Team Changes That Went Under the Radar
Now that the official downhill teams are confirmed for 2019 let's have a look at the some of the news that doesn't involve Trek, Gwin or the Athertons.
1. Unno down to one rider
One of the big absentees from the UCI team list was Unno Factory Racing, who are no longer registered as a UCI trade team. We spoke to the guys in Barcelona and they said, “Although not registered as a UCI Trade Team, UNNO Factory Racing will support Greg Williamson at all 2019 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup races, and other selected events. The updated team structure, along with current and new sponsors, will be announced in due time ahead of the opening of the season.”
One of the big absentees from the UCI team list was Unno Factory Racing, who are no longer registered as a UCI trade team. We spoke to the guys in Barcelona and they said, “Although not registered as a UCI Trade Team, UNNO Factory Racing will support Greg Williamson at all 2019 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup races, and other selected events. The updated team structure, along with current and new sponsors, will be announced in due time ahead of the opening of the season.”
2. Jackson Frew with Kona.
Having had a great 2018 season with a 25th place at world champs in Lenzerheide and a second place at the US Open of Downhill, Frew has officially joined the likes of Connor Fearon and Miranda Miller at the Kona Factory team.
Having had a great 2018 season with a 25th place at world champs in Lenzerheide and a second place at the US Open of Downhill, Frew has officially joined the likes of Connor Fearon and Miranda Miller at the Kona Factory team.
3. A Cannondale downhill bike?
Having joined Cannondale in 2018, Matt Simmonds took a year off from World Cups to race the EWS and other selected events, but this year he has been registered with the American brand's XC team and will be returning as the only rider on a secretive downhill program. We contacted Cannondale but they have nothing to announce right now apart from confirmation that Matt will be back racing downhill. Surely this hints that a new downhill bike is coming soon?
Having joined Cannondale in 2018, Matt Simmonds took a year off from World Cups to race the EWS and other selected events, but this year he has been registered with the American brand's XC team and will be returning as the only rider on a secretive downhill program. We contacted Cannondale but they have nothing to announce right now apart from confirmation that Matt will be back racing downhill. Surely this hints that a new downhill bike is coming soon?
4. Magnus Manson on Canyon Factory Racing.
After a few years racing off his own back, it’s great to see Magnus Manson get full factory support. For the 2019 season we will continue to see Manson riding the Canyon Sender but now he will now be joining Troy Brosnan, Mark Wallace and Kye A’Hern on Canyon Factory Racing.
After a few years racing off his own back, it’s great to see Magnus Manson get full factory support. For the 2019 season we will continue to see Manson riding the Canyon Sender but now he will now be joining Troy Brosnan, Mark Wallace and Kye A’Hern on Canyon Factory Racing.
5. One Vision Global Racing no longer a trade team
One Vision Global Racing will not be attending the World Cups as a trade team in 2019. Jack Reading, team manager, and now the team's sole rider said the change was "partly because we only have one rider, and partly because we’re not quite sure where all our registration money goes!” Instead, the team plans to buy pit space directly from the organisers at DH world cup rounds, Innsbruck Crankworx, three Enduro World Series races and select British National events. In another change for 2019 Reading will be switching from Nicolai Geometron bikes to the Commencal Supreme 29 with SR Suntour suspension.
One Vision Global Racing will not be attending the World Cups as a trade team in 2019. Jack Reading, team manager, and now the team's sole rider said the change was "partly because we only have one rider, and partly because we’re not quite sure where all our registration money goes!” Instead, the team plans to buy pit space directly from the organisers at DH world cup rounds, Innsbruck Crankworx, three Enduro World Series races and select British National events. In another change for 2019 Reading will be switching from Nicolai Geometron bikes to the Commencal Supreme 29 with SR Suntour suspension.
Photo: Hoshi Yoshida
Check out the full team listings here.
CORRECTION: Article edited to reflect the fact that Anxo Perez Torrado will not be racing World Cups alongside Angel Suarez this year as originally stated. While Anxo is on the team roster, he will not be racing World Cups but will be doing some local races where he lives while also assisting Angel as a support mechanic.
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UCI elite MTB teams registered with the UCI receive a series of benefits which include,
but are not limited to:
1 Priority in the expo zone (stay set up in the expo area throughout duration of event).
2 80m2 world cup tech space free of charge.
3 Benefits as specified above for UCI MTB marathon series races.
4 Team registration directly through UCI, not through national federation.
5 Online registration to world cup events for riders in a UCI elite MTB team.
6 Priority line riders confirmation at world cup race venue.
7 Exemption from entry fees to world cup events for all team riders.
8 Exemption from entry fees to any race on the UCI calendar for all team riders with
the exception of stage races, UCI MTB marathon series, eliminator and enduro
events.
9 World cup rainbow passes for riders and staff. The passes are issued on a quota
based on the number of riders as follows: teams with 2-3 riders obtain 6 passes,
teams with 4 riders and more obtain 12 passes.
10 1 media access per team at world cup events, indicated on the rainbow pass.
11 3 World cup parking passes per team.
12 World cup season long feed/technical assistance zone passes.
13 Separated space in feed/technical assistance zone.
14 UCI elite MTB team page on UCI website.
15 Access to the UCI arbitral board for their riders, their paying agents and the UCI elite
MTB team's principal partners.
16 Information services and publications in addition to the regular distributions.
17 On-site services and benefits at major UCI events (including world championships).
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