Andreu Lacondeguy Bids Farewell to YT Industries

Dec 26, 2019
by James Smurthwaite  
Andreu won best line of the fest. Obviously.

Andreu Lacondeguy has today announced he will be leaving YT Industries after 8 years with the brand. Andreu won YT their first and only Rampage title in 2014 and has been on the podium twice more since then, he was also a pioneer in the FEST series that has been a transformative force in freeride mountain biking.

bigquotesIt feels weird to say that I will no longer ride for YT Industries in 2020. Its been a crazy ride! Thank you for the last 8 years! From Bergline, X Games and all those crazy dirt jump comps to the top of Rampage and the creation of the Fest Series... thanks for being there and thanks for the support. I wish you guys the best in the future! It's now time for me to take a step forward and switch my program to something new! Thanks for the good times guys , see you in the mountainsAndreu Lacondeguy

bigquotesEight years ago you chose Good Times & have since then contributed significantly to the development of our brand. You took the sport to the next level and became an inspiration to a whole generation of freeride mountain bikers. You have redefined Rampage with us, celebrated successes at the X-Games & other contests like Fest Series and you presented us with the craziest edits! There are so many other great moments that we shared with you and they’ll always be part of our history! You will always be a part of the #YTFAMILY, we wish you all the best for your new chapter! See you in the mountains buddy!YT Industries GmbH


We'll update you with more news on Andreu's new sponsors as we get it.

Author Info:
jamessmurthwaite avatar

Member since Nov 14, 2018
1,770 articles

92 Comments
  • 207 15
 Nico and Andreu start a freeride bike company that only have 26 inch wheels. They can take my money now.
  • 5 10
flag Kimura (Dec 26, 2019 at 8:10) (Below Threshold)
 You always have the best comments. I want to join you at highland in 2020
  • 13 1
 nico is on transiton now
  • 18 3
 @YellowFlowers: Until it's official I'm allowed to fantasize.
  • 2 2
 @Kimura: Any time man. You know where to find me.
  • 5 2
 So glad i started my new company ,"Old Unemployed " this year !
Picking up some deals at Bargain basement prices!
  • 26 5
 The best way to end up with a million dollars owning a 26” wheel only bike company would be to start with 3 million.
  • 6 1
 They can keep up with the latest mullet trend also by offering a 27.5 front wheel. All party out back, still a pretty damn good amount of party up front.
  • 2 0
 Its funny how everyone would ride 26" but then kona releases a 26" sick freeride bike designed by graham agassiz in 2018 or so and no one buys it ahah. I guess they're so keen on 26" to not to feel so bad while they are broke...as soon as they have the money, we know where it is going
  • 2 0
 @Zeeroone: I currently ride one. It's by far the best freeride bike I've ever owned. The thing rides like a long travel slopestyle bike the way I have it set up. Fortunately there are enough of them out there I can grab one relatively cheap if I ever need another one. They're a hidden gem for sure.
  • 54 2
 "Will anybody be riding for anybody this year?"

Next year*
  • 12 9
 Next decade you mean?!
  • 43 2
 Congrats for joining Commencal Andreu
  • 21 3
 I want to see him at Hardline next year....please!!!
  • 2 0
 for sure! watching AL race Hardline would be a hoot!
  • 17 2
 Andreu will be fast and FURIOUS next year
  • 3 3
 SUPREME choice!
  • 2 2
 He COMMENCES something new for sure
  • 1 3
 Another one: I send him a message earlier today, but no COMMEN or CAL so far..
  • 16 3
 I love this guy, total headcase.. can’t wait to see him taunting airtraffic control on a new bike.
  • 12 1
 Didn’t see this change coming. He definitely had a great run on YT. I hope his next sponsor makes 26s for the rest of us to get on. Definitely curious to see where he lands.
  • 4 9
flag theronsta (Dec 26, 2019 at 13:11) (Below Threshold)
 How so? They’ve been dumping their older riders to better suit their name, YOUNG talent
  • 2 1
 @theronsta: maybe his new FMX sponsor requires exclusivity. If you saw his IG stories you can see there are other goals afoot.
  • 7 2
 @theronsta: wtf? You mean tippie?
  • 3 1
 @oskimtb there’s always an outlier. I’d bet money they drop angel after this year if he doesn’t put out
  • 9 1
 Andreu on a Huffy? Cannot confirm
  • 4 4
 Huffy only sponsors plant based athletes
  • 5 1
 @ibishreddin: I’ve never seen a lettuce riding a bike!
  • 2 1
 @tobiusmaximum: then you aren't doing enough mushrooms
  • 8 1
 YT seems to be cutting all their high profile riders and going to much less known riders.
  • 14 2
 just speculation but it could be they just can’t afford these guys anymore. They were a very young company that jumped in head first and made very big investments in top riders. They landed the top DH racer, along with a bunch of very high profile free riders as well like zink and Andreu. These upfront investments just may not have paid off. By all accounts they make a good bike, but are there really enough YTs out there for their revenue numbers to be able support a stable of the top riders. It never really seemed to and it may now just be catching up with them.
  • 8 2
 @sino428: Pro athletes are always on the hunt for a better deal. If you are one of the world’s best at what you do, you change teams or build your own. I believe he is going to focus more on moto-related shredding, however.
  • 17 1
 @sino428: It could also be the other way round: When they were a young, not so well known company (in North America at least), they needed top athletes to generate publicity. Now that everyone and their dog knows who YT is and what they sell, other types of advertising might be more effective.
  • 4 1
 Doesn’t YT stand for Young Talent? Would seem like young guns is the point.
  • 1 1
 @Ttimer: yes definitely could be that too. But all the big brands, which are as well known as any, still go after the big names.
  • 11 3
 @bonfire: YT stands for YouTube. Prove me wrong.
  • 3 2
 @sino428: I think they just figured out that they don't have to sponsor big name riders to sell a lot of bikes and make lots of money. They tapped into the best strategy for selling bikes: Sell excellent bikes directly at much lower prices. Their only issue is to keep up with demand. They are always sold out of common sizes. The 2020s are coming though.
  • 1 3
 While YT has a strong image among a certain segment of riders, maybe the company is suffering from availability issues (seems like many of their models and sizes are eternally out of stock), being near the back of the line at production facilities, etc. and isn’t actually as profitable as their image may suggest? Just speculation here.
  • 5 5
 @tacklingdummy: rumour on the street, they’ve had to cut big name contracts to cover their warranty claim costs...
  • 1 2
 @JimmyWeir: No need, kinda the whole point of marketing.
  • 1 1
 @bonfire: Perhaps. However, they moved to a much more expensive area (San Clemente), so I'm thinking they are doing better. Just speculating though.
  • 5 1
 @sino428: YT did get Christopher Walken for a commercial. Maybe that's where all their money went lol
  • 1 1
 they land some high-profile riders to show what the bikes can do - and now they promote their young-talent - if they stay true to what they claim, it's a bike that can win wcs for around 5k, affordable to everyone - then again, i'm totally biased as i absolutely love the bike and the brand and the ideals behind it - the "live uncaged" video will never leave my watch-later playlist
  • 1 0
 I fugging love this guy!! goodluck with the next chapter you're a legend.. still remember you in NWD!! and then the first time I ever saw this dude in person was close to the step up he double flipped HAHA FUCK YEAH KEEP SHREDDING
  • 5 1
 Commencal!!
  • 4 1
 what a massive loss for YT. strange.
  • 1 1
 YT was lucky to have him as long as they did and don't control his destiny.
  • 3 1
 Andreu on an Atherton in 2021, after taking the year off to be the first to backflip his apartment. Mark my words. Or not.
  • 3 1
 Hyper. All their pro bikes are one offs anyway. Easy for a 26
  • 3 1
 Seems like lots of old guard riders are mixing it up this year
  • 3 1
 Did i hear EarlyRider here?
  • 3 1
 So, I guess after 8 years, he is no longer Young Talent...
  • 2 1
 Andreu will go back to Kona!!
  • 2 2
 Eddie off Pivot also.. Didn't see that coming. Fuck.
  • 1 1
 Really? That's interesting... well shit, www.instagram.com/p/B6bWvlLBjzc, surprised this isn't on PB front page as well
  • 1 1
 @chacou: if you read between the lines, he never actually says he’s leaving Pivot, just thankful for his time there, etc. Eddie is a known prankster and likely just messing with everyone. Possibly the reason Pinkbike didn’t make a post about it.
  • 2 1
 @rcmalinchak: yeah, upon further reflection on this he's probably trolling, maybe the "more news to come in the new year" is going to be Pivot pro model riding slippers, hemp thongs on recycled rubber soles Wink
  • 1 1
 Ridin Polygon Bikes with Sam?
  • 1 0
 Rose bikes Smile
  • 1 1
 how on earth it's been 8 years! damn it, time's fly.
  • 2 3
 he will quit mtb switch to moto
  • 1 1
 Congrats Andreu !
  • 9 11
 Him and agassiz on Evil bikes would be awesome
  • 1 5
flag blackbirdworks (Dec 26, 2019 at 9:07) (Below Threshold)
 That is my guess also.
  • 22 5
 Evil needs to get a big boy bike. Slapping a dual on the insurgant doesnt count
  • 10 2
 @owlie: As an Insurgent owner, I can confirm.
  • 4 7
 @chriskneeland: Im also an Evil owner.
  • 2 3
 @owlie: worked ok for Aggy at the page.
  • 4 1
 @Chonky13: idk man. The fact that they had to put a motocross tune on the shock says otherwise
  • 1 2
 @Chonky13: Is that why he didnt do a 2nd run?
  • 1 1
 I could totally see that going down
  • 1 1
 @owlie: Atheletes are realizing it's more about being there and cleaning your line than winning. They are all top level riders, which is a win in my book. #RageFest2020
  • 1 1
 @Chonky13: If you get invited back. No doubt in my mind Aggie could have used more bike.
  • 1 1
 @owlie: I wouldn't pass judgement so fast. Special tunes for rampage is obvious. They feel locked out. That being said the wreckoning with a push is insanely capable as is Aggy. If you understand the consequences of crashing hard at rampage and having to come back time and time again you wouldn't judge someone for not taking their second run.
  • 1 1
 @dirtbagluvin: How many riders were on trail bikes this year? How many chose to have a trail bike? How many HAD to ride a trail bike?
  • 1 0
 @owlie: Kevin wants to build a DH bike, there just isn't the market right now. Don't worry, I'll keep elbowing him.
  • 1 0
 @dirtbagluvin: Tell him if it's 27.5 he can take my money now.
  • 1 0
 @dirtbagluvin: I have a session 9.9, a patrol and a Calling. If I had to keep one it would be the Calling. Even at the bike parks I can have fun on this bike.
  • 1 3
 He's going to Mongoose.
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