Tom Isted & GT Part Ways, Isted Without a Frame Sponsor for 2021

Dec 12, 2020
by James Smurthwaite  

Tom Isted has announced 2020 will be his last season with GT, leaving him without a sponsor for 2021.

Isted joined GT at the start of 2018 after six years on Mongoose. He has now become a regular face on the FEST series and Audi Nines, and has picked up a top ten result at the McGazza Slopestyle at Crankworx Rotorua.

Tom Isted super flip.

bigquotesSo this will be my last year riding for GT Bicycles. Just wanted to say thanks for the 3 years of support just want to say thank you to Mork Noble and Steve Spencer.

At the moment I don’t have a frame sponsor for next year so I’ll be on a GT but not on GT.—Tom Isted

We hope Isted is able to find a new frame sponsor soon and we'll keep you updated with any news.

Posted In:
Racing and Events Racing Rumours GT Tom Isted


Must Read This Week
Review: 2021 Fox 38 vs RockShox Zeb - Single Crown Standoff
59154 views
Throwback Thursday: 8 Old School Rides from Pinkbike Staff
56847 views
First Look: Fuji's Rakan LT Adds Travel, Keeps Weird Suspension
49642 views
Round Up: 26 EWS Cockpit Setups Past & Present
47303 views
Propain Acknowledges Long Lead Times and Price Increases
46206 views
Gravaa's New Wheels Will Allow Tire Pressure Adjustments While Riding
45251 views
Video: Wade Simmons Challenges the Impossible Climb & Shares his Tech Climbing Tips
41599 views
First Ride: 2021 Nukeproof Giga - Because They Could
38725 views

57 Comments

  • 211 2
 Going into 2021.... This will be my 42nd year without a frame sponsor.... I feel your pain Isted... It's a stinger for sure...
  • 4 0
 Ahaha, I feel you there bro!!! My bicycle is my life, and I'm freaking bad at it, and have been doing it for 29 years. "Ahhhhhh the good life, wher the draems R mad". "That's a toilet Jim".
  • 109 1
 Sand the frame down and unbrand the f*cker if they’re not paying the ££ ride it
  • 3 0
 Starchem Synstryp...no sanding required...
  • 9 0
 Yeah custom paint job time! I have friends who buy "Yeti" and "Santa Cruz" jerseys to match their bikes. Like, cool that you like your bike, but... they aren't paying you to market them haha!
  • 5 0
 @jwestenhoff: Guess that’s the same for all of us with our Fox, TLD etc jerseys and pant combos haha!

(Contradicted my initial point here)
  • 65 1
 26 Isted
  • 8 1
 Well played sir

Oh, and no, its notSmile
  • 8 2
 @TadejStrah: Oh yes it is (pantomine season ;-)
  • 26 0
 Yeah it really sucks that there is no fucking money in Slopestyle mtb
  • 6 0
 People (we) all assume we can go watch each event for free. That is one big problem. Moto cross, not for free, and stick/ball sport, not for free, etc.
  • 4 0
 Honest question, is it really that bad? My instinct tells me that because of social media, freeride and slopestyle should have a good amount of exposure for people outside of the cycling world. My thought was that a company will lose money on their dirt jumpers but will rope in the crowd of people buying a budget hardtail after watching a slopestyle highlights video on youtube
  • 6 1
 @thats-joe: Top dogs like Emil earn around 200k per year. But other people that are a little bit further down the ranks have nearly no chance to get any big sponsors that actually pay enough for the risks your taking. There aren't just enough brands involved.
  • 3 0
 @Freeshreding: Thanks! Yeah, I guess using my example, only the top 3 guys' runs would get that level of exposure.
  • 2 1
 @Freeshreding: no chance he's making 200k a year
  • 1 1
 @Freeshreding: where did you hear that from? I seriously doubt he would be earning anywhere near that
  • 2 1
 @Freeshreding: I suppose I better learn to 360 then...
  • 17 0
 Bummer. Isted's been killing it lately.
  • 12 2
 I only know who he is because he has been in Sam's videos. So I think Haibike should hook him up
  • 7 2
 With an e-dirt jumper bike? or a repainted Ghost or Lapierre frame.
  • 4 0
 @kroozctrl: you mean the brands that haibikes parent company also own? ????
  • 13 1
 ebike filter not working.
  • 7 0
 It's mad when someone that can throw huge double flips in anywhere can lose a sponsor, the guy is so talented, not sure what gt are thinking
  • 8 0
 I'm confused, is it Tom or is it Ted?
  • 4 0
 Tom is Ted
  • 2 0
 @JamesE420: Jed's dead
  • 1 0
 @KoanB: Kenny‘s dead!
  • 9 3
 Keep your gt frames and dont break them. No need for a sponsor
  • 13 0
 And who's going to pay for all the travel to events? It's a catch 22.
  • 5 1
 If want someone to design you a custom bike, hit me up. I have big dreams and mad MS Paint skills.
  • 1 0
 I get that the top level of slopestyle riding is kind of limited in terms of earning a living wage but surely this kind of bike is easier to sell than a downhill bike or 5 grand enduro bike, it seems like getting kids riding dirt jump bikes would be a bit of a gateway drug for a bike manufacturer and someone like Tom gives good media exposure for relatively little outlay.
  • 4 0
 For some reason I feel like he should ride for Norco.
  • 4 1
 Hopefully this Cornishman will find another frame sponsor dreckly...
  • 1 0
 damn, Toms such a nice dude and his riding has got insane! hope he gets a new deal! I feel like GT arent a great fit and dont promote him enough anyways.
  • 3 0
 Slap a PornHub sticker over the logo… they got deep pockets!
  • 1 0
 so clearly he's gonna be on that DJ that for whatever reason "won't be released'
  • 1 0
 One of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet on the trail too, good luck for next year Tom.
  • 1 0
 Yeah, he’s even bigging up GT even though they appear to not want to sponsor him any more
  • 1 0
 Tommy, give Josh a ring on the tele and see about Cannondale... or maybe Sam could build a proper haibike for ya!
  • 2 0
 Spray painted forks and all
  • 1 0
 I generally ride my bikes for 5 seasons, so if I could just get a "frame sponsor" every fifth year, I'd be golden :-)
  • 1 0
 so bumbed for the dude, he is becoming one of my favourite riders
  • 1 0
 @Tom, has to be a Tora with your name on it!
  • 3 4
 Lucky you are not racing DH or Enduro, those bikes are like 5x the price of a dirt jumper.
  • 2 4
 Don’t think he’s taking his slope bike to Audi nines bro
  • 4 0
 Really cause most guys did. @bulletbassman:
  • 4 4
 I'm still at a loss, is it worse not having a frame or riding a GT?
  • 3 0
 I have the GT hardtail and love it! They make some good bikes, not sure what you're on about.
  • 1 1
 He should ride for Proper Bike Co.
  • 2 3
 Maybe he'll have to switch to walking....poor fellah!!
  • 6 9
 OK
Below threshold threads are hidden

Post a Comment



Copyright © 2000 - 2021. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.011563
Mobile Version of Website