Madison Saracen & Danny Hart to Part Ways at the End of the Year
Danny Hart and Madison Saracen will be parting ways at the end of this season after Madison announced this morning it will not be renewing Danny Hart's contract. Danny joined the team at the start of 2018 on a three year deal after a move from MS Mondraker and has delivered one World Cup win, eight World Cup podiums, and a World Championships bronze medal in a successful period of his career.
Alongside his success on the race track, which includes two World Championship titles, four World Cup wins and two senior National Championship titles, Danny Hart is also owner of Descend Bike Park in Hamsterly Forest and a strong advocate for mountain biking in the UK and beyond. The news of Danny's departure was unexpected and we were surprised to see it relegated to one sentence at the bottom of a press release. We understand Danny already has a deal lined up for the next three years although there is no word on who the brand is at this time.
Dominic Langan, CEO of Madison, said: "I would like to thank Danny for everything he brought to the team over the last three years and I wish him every success for the future."
Danny Hart said:
 | All good things come to an end at some point, but not quite yet. I’m proud of the things we’ve achieved as a team, but let’s not forget there’s still time for more success in the upcoming races, and that’s what we’re focused on. Madison Saracen are bringing in some new riders and team members and hopefully setting themselves up for further success in the future, it's awesome to see. Obviously we’ve jumped the gun on ourselves a little with this news – for sure there’s exciting news to come from me in the near future, I’ll share more later this year. Thanks again for all the support, buzzing to be back racing. |
In other Madison Saracen news, the brand have announced that it has signed two new riders and brought in a former rider as an Assisstant Manager.
The big signing here is Veronika Widmann, who makes the move over from the FS Team. Widmann finished the 2019 season as the third ranked woman in the UCI rankings after she earned four World Cup podiums over the season. Veronika said: “I’m beyond stoked and grateful for the opportunity to begin with Madison Saracen. It’s a dream setup and I can’t wait for the new season.”
Widmann racing for the FS Team at Snowshoe last year, it's great to see her getting the chance to show what she can do on a Factory team.
Next up is Junior Jordan Williams, who comes on board after impressing on the British domestic circuit while racing for Maidson's development team. He will be mentored by Matt Walker who will be staying on the team and hunting down podiums and wins.
The final addition to the team is Harry Molloy. Molloy raced for the team in 2011 before moving on to form his own team with Widmann as one of his riders. Harry will be supporting the riders at races as well as taking on some individual challenges on Madison Saracen's sponsors' products.
Will Longden, Team Manager said “I’m excited to be heading this talented team of riders, who each show a fresh enthusiasm and determination to achieve their best. It reignites my passion for the sport and I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead. Getting stuck in to what Madison Saracen Team is all about, developing talent to the highest level and inspiring everyone to get out and ride.”
Dom Langan, said “I am delighted to see Jordan Williams move up from our development team to follow in the footsteps of Matt Walker, as the development of young talent is key to the ethos of the team. The Madison Saracen team enjoyed early success with our first female rider, Manon Carpenter, and I am very pleased to have Veronika joining the team with a very promising future ahead of her.”
Press Release: Madison Saracen
After a year where it’s fair to say that things haven’t gone to plan in the downhill world – or the sports world in general – here at Madison Saracen we’re looking forward to 2021 with a renewed sense of optimism and some changes to the line-up.
For 2021 we’re introducing a well-rounded team capable of great results in three different categories. First up is Jordan Williams, an exciting young talent who joins the Factory team to ride in the junior category after two successful years as a development rider. We’ve been committed to developing young talent at Madison Saracen, and with our Elite Male rider Matt Walker there to mentor Jordan he’s in good hands. Matt himself has his sights set on more World Cup podium success at the Elite level next year and we’re really excited to see him back on the hill on race weekend again.
Brand new to the team for next year is Elite Women’s rider Veronika Widmann. Ranked no.3 by the UCI, Veronika has shown tremendous improvement and determination to make it onto the World Cup podium and we’re incredibly excited that she’s chosen Madison Saracen to be the next chapter in her career. Veronika will be a valuable addition to the team both on and off the race track, and her presence and interaction with fans makes her an excellent ambassador for all things MTB.
Veronika said: “I’m beyond stoked and grateful for the opportunity to begin with Madison Saracen. It’s a dream setup and I can’t wait for the new season.”
One final addition to Madison Saracen as Assistant Manager is Harry Molloy, returning to the team where he was one of the original riders back in 2011. Harry has gone on to manage his own team whilst continuing to race, picking up knowledge and experience that will help all the team riders as he supports them on and off the hill. Harry will also take on some individual challenges and events that showcase the best in our sponsors products. From gravel to big mountain, it’s time to share some adventures.
Looking forward to 2021 Will Longden, Team Manager said “I’m excited to be heading this talented team of riders, who each show a fresh enthusiasm and determination to achieve their best. It reignites my passion for the sport and I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead. Getting stuck in to what Madison Saracen Team is all about, developing talent to the highest level and inspiring everyone to get out and ride.”
Dom Langan, CEO of Madison and Sportline, said “Firstly I would like to thank Danny for everything he brought to the team over the last three years and I wish him every success for the future. I am also delighted to see Jordan Williams move up from our development team to follow in the footsteps of Matt Walker, as the development of young talent is key to the ethos of the team. The Madison Saracen team enjoyed early success with our first female rider, Manon Carpenter, and I am very pleased to have Veronika joining the team with a very promising future ahead of her.”
As you may have realised by now, we have made the decision not to renew Danny Hart’s contract for next season. Thanks to Danny for a great three years including a memorable World Cup win in Snowshoe and best of luck for the future.
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Danny has traveled to races on his own for a while now, in his own van with his own people. Also had a kid. Lots of changes, and he's probably better putting his own program together. Seems to suit his personality.
"pauljameshart - The truth will come out. Seriously he is better off out of such a toxic environment."
Not the first time his dad has gone full weapons grade idiot.
Well known for this.
For sure something has gone wrong
As it goes I think everyone has heard different stuff. Lapierre wanted to keep him but Giant offered him a ton of cash I believe. I think Giant wanted to keep him but he wanted to do something different. Mondraker I'm not sure what everyone has heard but from my understanding the split was entirely on them. As for this one, maybe they tried to give him a covid pay cut and he didn't accept it, that's my guess. A lot of companies have got rid of people, tried to cut people's contracts down and used covid as an excuse. Pure conjecture on my part: Madison tried to give him a one year deal at 20% less than he makes now. They used covid as an excuse, but Paul Hart cracked the shits because he knows every model was sold out this summer due to covid. No fookin way he's having that. Now Danny is off to another team, even though he really likes the current bike because they made it for him in its current guise.
Let's see where he ends up. I bet it's not Mondraker.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBqViVFbXg8
It’ll come out in the wash at the end of the year who he signs with, at this point we can only speculate but he is very pally with Minnaar and Vergier so SCS could be possible
You spelled Manon Carpenter wrong.
Reality is, bike setup and characteristics built for the rider is key.
Horst links were designed to isolate braking forces by using the seastay to mimic a floating brake arm, essentially keeping the caliper level through the travel.
Why is this something we don't see more of? Thats simple... sort of. What characteristics do each manufacturer want in each bike?
Many linkage designs can drastically reduce this force, and some almost completely eliminate it.
Take a minute and picture a complete bike. Under braking forces what happens? Well one thing that's almost certain is the fork will dive. So in theory if the frame sits into its travel, the geometries will remain neutral. This is a positive... the negative being the suspention stiffens and essentially will pack out.
Keeping the brake forces away from the suspention maintains small bump compliance, but pitching the rider forward in return.
Frame designs are simply checks and balances. There is one right or wrong way as each platform will perform very well when done correctly, but will it perform for the particular rider. Danny is a guy who's known for not really using his brakes, so its same to say when he does, the effects are likely less drastic. Adding in the low pivot point, makes the bike more susceptible to feedback on smaller bumps due to the limited rear axle path, the effects woukd be minor, but enough to gain traction under the correct pilot.
BUT!! keep on mind Im always wrong
So what do the world champ wins (2) WC wins and multiple podiums make him?
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So you saw the Press Release as well... Nice
*Downhill used in reference to discipline, before anyone mentions that all hill-based descents are downwards.
I sold my Myst at the first opportunity and bought a Comm. Like everyone else.
Correction - things haven’t gone to plan in the world world. (Not a typo)
To summarise:
Not about money.
‘Toxic atmosphere’ in the team.
There’s obviously more going on here than meets the eye, but we’ll find out in due course.
JP
See 12:47 here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEFql5Yxay0&ab_channel=GTBicycles
The futures bright, the futures....
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOVKANECxjg
www.schwinnbikes.com/collections/cruiser-bikes/products/sting-ray-kids-bike
The other thing to take into account with Madison/Saracen is they are bringing young riders into the sport with sponsorship, these are the lifeblood and future of this unique sport.
“ Saracen will cease to be offered to the trade at the end of 2020 and that is because we have not had the traction or the commitment from the IBD we had hoped for with this brand and it was unprofitable to continue. This is not the case with Ridgeback or Genesis where we are very much focused on ensuring we have a quality network of IBD stockists who add value to the brand and in whom we are looking to invest in in-store branding and other support initiatives.”
Quote from the Madison CEO.
“We are no longer going to run the YT mob program”
Follows up with a press release announcing a new roster without Aaron and Neko and saying they won’t be participating in World Cup races.
Like many have said, Danny probably got fired because he cost way too much for the company.
If he sticks with a UK brand, I think the Atherton’s should sponsor him. Or maybe he goes back to Giant.
If you don’t know the facts, don’t make up your own shitty assumptions and then wank all over each other online about it afterwards.
Just because Danny was World champ doesn’t make him an angel. Just because Will didn’t smile at you at a race doesn’t make him a c*nt.
That might all be nice, they might all be c*nts. You will never know.
Don’t believe everything you read or see online kids. Now step away from the key boards before you get another RSI and you can’t ride you bike for a week. You probably can’t even get out of the f*cking car park anyway.