Who Will Race World Cup DH For Specialized Next Year?

Jan 5, 2013
by Julian Coffey  
If there's one thing we have on Pinkbike, it's gearhead race fans with an opinion. If and indeed when a big team move happens at the big red S, now is the time to speculate. Sam Hill's departure from Team Monster Energy - Specialized left a lot of fans in shock, and it also leaves a sizeable hole in team manager Sean Heimdal's race program. While the news of Hill's exit has filled both the forums and front pages, there has been little discussion as to exactly who could replace him.

photo

Brook MacDonald and Sam Hill talk line choice at the 2012 Hafjell, Norway, World Cup.


The end of the 2012 racing season brought several contracts to an end, and while some riders opted to stay put, others are still in limbo as to what bike they will be aboard for 2013. Many people have their money on World Cup crusher Aaron Gwin making the move to the the empty seat at Monster Energy - Specialized but really, how many athletes leave Red Bull? Factor in his re-signing with Trek World Racing and there is slim chance of Gwin on a Demo 8 Carbon.

And what of Brook MacDonald, the Kiwi who took his inaugural big league win with a victory at the scenic Val d'Isere round? The Bulldog is under Martin Whiteley's 23 Degrees management umbrella, so it is possible that he might take the retiring Justin Leov's spot on the Trek World Racing team, a team Whiteley runs. MacDonald's stock is on the rise after his World Cup win, which could mean that Specialized will make a bid for his talents. Then again, he also runs the same blue and silver helmet colours as Gwin.

Another contender, albeit one with less pedigree than the two previously mentioned, is Mitch Ropelato. The well-liked and talented rider is comparatively inexperienced, but that didn't stop him from stepping up as a substitute rider for Team Monster Energy - Specialized when Troy Brosnan sat out part of last season due to injury. Ropelato, who races for Specialized Racing - USA Gravity program, took to the pressure well with a very impressive 13th Val d'Isere. It might only be another year or two before Mitch is making for the podium at a World Cup race, or maybe Specialized thinks it will be sooner...

photo

Ropelato stepping up to the plate with a solid 13th place in Val d'Isere, France. A sign of things to come, but will he be the main man?


Finally, what team manager wouldn't want a two-time World Champ on their team? The South African just re-upped his rainbow stripes with a 'Champs victory in Leogang, and has been riding a Santa Cruz on the Syndicate program for many years. If Minnaar became a free agent, although likely a very expensive one, there could be some movement in the Syndicate camp. The same could be said of his teammate, Josh Bryceland, a rider that seems poised to step out from the large shadows cast by his successful Syndicate teammates.

Greg Minnaar was also hiding the new stripes .
It would take some getting used to to see Minnaar on anything other than Santa Cruz.

Specialized and the Demo 8 haven't been on the box nearly as much as one would expect, so it makes sense that we'll see this debate resolved in short order. Did you pick the right guy? Did we miss anyone? Will Monster and Specialized continue together or will we see some change there as well?



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Racing and Events Specialized


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420 Comments
  • 615 5
 I guess I'll do it...
  • 60 5
 well... someone has to Wink
  • 42 2
 well played
  • 24 11
 Adam brayton?????
  • 52 80
flag mattbeer FL (Jan 5, 2013 at 15:53) (Below Threshold)
 Speculating is useless. The fans don't decide a professional riders career path. Maybe Pinkbike could ask - What does the riding public wants to see in a World Cup track?
  • 15 7
 @matt-beer American venues and 4X tracks that once built are maintained and raced on year-round. Oh, wait--fans don't decide that either...
  • 14 16
 im glad so many people picked ropelato! hes a very speedy
  • 155 4
 My brother has a friend whose girlfriends dad knows some guy who is cousins with this one guy from America who says that Gwin is joining the Specialized.
  • 22 7
 @yeahbro Good one, thanks for the laugh Smile
  • 11 11
 ^ That would be cool but Gwin signed with Trek for another 3 years (if I remember right)
With that said I guess it comes to who provides the rider with the best platform to perform their talents and who is willing to pay more Trek or Specialized.
  • 44 2
 Am I the only one that thinks Troy is going to do very well this year?
  • 25 7
 why in the world would Gwin even think about leaving Trek which is no doubt the top pro team on pretty much every level ???...makes no sense whatsoever...
  • 19 1
 Money can do everything in our world! In my opinion Team Monster Energy-Specialized will no longer exist in 2013... Specialized Factory Team with Troy being personnaly Sponsored by Monster and a certain Red Bull rider...
  • 8 0
 I agree. I personally think they'll push troy to the top riders spot and add another up and coming rider.
  • 14 2
 Troy will now be the number 1 specialized rider IMO , he is gonna destroy it this year
  • 4 1
 Agree with a few above, they don't need anyone else but Troy and they'll prob keep Mitch on too. Troy is fast enough to podium and most likely win once he shakes injury and is back up to speed and Mitch is on his way up. Over the next 3 years Troy will be a podium regular and Mitch breaking the top ten.
  • 5 11
flag bikounet (Jan 6, 2013 at 4:06) (Below Threshold)
 I...... Think you forgot Mr. Brosnan who's like... Faster than a plane!
  • 1 2
 We will soon see what will year 2013 give us but now we can only speculate! Thats my opinion Smile
  • 5 4
 why does it matter who rides for them?
  • 3 2
 Haha^^
  • 5 8
 why does it make a difference who rides for them? i dont get it... just go ride
  • 13 2
 Bring Palmer back....
  • 4 0
 someone needs to make fantasy world cup. like fantasy basketball only infinitely better cause it would be about wc dh
  • 2 0
 www.ridemonkey.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=112801&d=1357549200
  • 1 0
 How old is that post? Shit storm coming?
  • 1 0
 www.facebook.com/thesensus
  • 1 1
 Wont be long until Honda make a comeback with there Asimo robot riders,thats the only way i can see Gwin ever being beat.
  • 1 0
 He will get beat , maybe not this year but it will come , this current pace will seem ' normal ' soon enough and a new rider will step in and be the man to beat !
  • 1 0
 Who ever it is they are breaking out of a contract, If i remember rightly Brook isn't actually signed up for another year with mondraker...?
  • 2 0
 Nop! Brook's contract ended after last season...he had a 3 year deal with MS...2 years with evil and when MS made the switch to Mondraker...he had to run for MS for one more year!
  • 1 0
 Brook would be a good choice.
  • 1 0
 It's Gwin www.vitalmtb.com/interstitial?page=%2Fnews%2Fpress-release%2FAaron-Gwin-Mitch-Ropelato-and-Troy-Brosnan-Team-Up-With-Specialized-in-2013%2C705

Can't believe how dominant Gwin and Troy will be now. DEMOlishing the field...
  • 1 0
 Turns out @YeahBro was right! Smile Nice one dude! Smile www.pinkbike.com/news/Aaron-Gwin-Signs-With-Specialized-Video.html
  • 147 2
 i hope smith stays with devinci
  • 38 20
 I don't think Steve would do that.
  • 66 2
 ^ i think he means he wouldnt leave devinci
  • 55 4
 haha pinkbike doesnt care...negative props to all
  • 8 23
flag betsie (Jan 5, 2013 at 13:37) (Below Threshold)
 I wonder where Stevie Smith will be this year... I heard Devinchi got the cheque book out to keep him.
  • 30 3
 Stevie Smith won't leave red bull sponsorship, Bryceland on the other hand already has Monster Energy sponsorship.......
  • 15 5
 I heard a man say, that another man said, that he heard..... wink wink
  • 8 3
 I hope he stays with devinci because the two of them make a killer Canadian combo, but as far as the bikes are concerned the wilson is probably more similar to the demo than anything else out there.
  • 49 5
 KONY- SPECIALIZED 2013!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 6 1
 its gonna be ropedope
  • 3 1
 Hasn't specialized lost their links with monster anyway?
  • 1 5
flag hoolydooly (Jan 5, 2013 at 17:10) (Below Threshold)
 No, they lost their links with Mad Catz i think.
  • 3 1
 Ahh :3 Well, guess we will have to wait and see Smile Don't want the syndicate to change around though Frown
  • 2 1
 He will never leave!
  • 3 0
 If they can't find anyone ... You know where to Find me specialized Wink
  • 16 0
 I heard that Valentino Rossi will join specialized.
  • 1 0
 Steve to stay at Devinci for sure...
  • 1 0
 who cares about Specialized? Three guys on the podium for Davinci! What more is there?
  • 80 0
 Cedric flat out said he will never ride for any other company than santa cruz
  • 52 0
 i cant see any santa cruz riders leaving
  • 20 0
 Leaving santa cruz considering the new v10 and riding fox and shimano would be foolish, at least from a setup standpoint, theres obviously more to it than the bike you ride but still.
  • 17 0
 Knowing the Santa Cruz Team a bit, I would say that in any team it is more than just money, it is also about people and how they fit in, seeing the santa guys together I think it would be very very very very strange if one of them left, i would be shocked...they are more than just riders in that team...
  • 30 20
 Who in their right mind would want to go from a V 10 to a Demo? Especially if you had been on the V 10 for years like Minnar, the speculation in this piece about him leaving Santa Cruz for Specialized is ridiculous. They are about as different suspension designs as you can have, and the V 10 is probably a better bike for Minnnar since its pedaling responsiveness compliments his strong legs.
  • 11 26
flag donpinpon29 (Jan 5, 2013 at 15:58) (Below Threshold)
 Chuck norris would take a demo!
  • 18 9
 ^^Protour^^ hater
  • 20 23
 I don't hate the Demo, or Specialized for that matter. The Demo is a decent bike, but the V 10 pedals better, has more travel, is more adaptability and adjustability, and it's also lighter. The one advantage the Demo might have is that it has a low, stable, consistent feel, but it is nowhere near as stable in rough terrain as the V 10 in the 10" mode.

I sorta wonder if Sam is leaving maybe pauly because of the bike, correct me if I'm wrong but he only had 2 world cup wins and the World's win on the Demo. Compare that with how much he won on the DW Link Sunday: there is no comparison. He was dominant on the Iron Horse but not at all on the Demo. Other than Hill I can't think of another racer who has won a
world cup race or World's on a Demo.
  • 9 0
 You guys forgot the wheels, I'd never switch of Enve's if I had 'em!
  • 11 0
 Hill designed the current demo! he left due to needing a spark that he has lost.
  • 5 0
 I've been injured a bunch myself...it takes time to come back. I can't imagine how much it would take to get back to WC race speeds, especially when those speeds have been elevated by the likes of Gwin, Gee, Minaar etc... Sam Hill definitely needed a new spark, whatever it was.. Only proof will be seeing someone else on the Demo. BTW... Didn't Troy win on a Demo or am I mistaken? Cheers
  • 19 0
 I have a spark, but I don't think it's 120mm of travel will be enough...
  • 5 0
 His racing results at specialized were like this due to major crash induced injuries protour! He played a major part in designing the demo frame that's seen all over the place today so I personally think your statement here has no weight behind it. You can say the same thing about trek! No ones done the same amount of high end results on the session as Gwinn has! It's because the man had his part in testing and improving the design..... This is what top flight, professional riders do for a living. They race but more importantly, they help test and change designs on prototypes
  • 6 2
 @protour, have you actually ridden either bike? if the bike had anything to do with it, pedalling characteristics and travel would be the least of it. Both bikes pedal well when set up properly. more travel isn't always better, as world cup results show pretty obviously. But what do we know about Sam Hill and Troy Brosnan, thats really different about Minnaar and Peat? Size. The Demo was built around two short(ish) pro riders, the v10 around 2 big dudes. The demo has one of the shortest rear ends in the business, and the v10 one of the longest. Reckon that might be a factor?
  • 2 3
 Steven seagal is signing up with santa cruz! Roskopp told me
  • 8 14
flag Protour (Jan 6, 2013 at 6:21) (Below Threshold)
 The longer chainstay length on the V10 has to do with the limitations of the suspension design, not because Santa Cruz has tall racers. They shortened it last year, now it's about as short as they can make it, and with 10" of travel you don't want the short rear ends of the Demo. The longer chainstays help it grip better and keeps the wheel on the ground.

The fact remains that the Demo has only won 2 World Cup races, that's a pretty poor record for a bike that is so popular and has been piloted by so many fast racers.

It's also a fact that the FSR design feels mushy to pedal, especially with 8" of travel and platform pedals like Sam has. He is giving up fractions of a second to guys on more responsive bikes like Gwin and Minnar in every pedal section, it's pretty hard, if not impossible, to make up those losses on other parts of the track. Might be why Sam wanted to give another brand a try.
  • 4 4
 I have to say I loved the Demo for years always wanted one, after saving up and finally getting a demo 7 and converting it it 8" I have to say it's the worse bike i have ever ridden and will be swapping back to my old glory frame,
I race amateur and by no means fast but i can put in a quicker time on my old Kona coilair AM bike than i can on my demo every single try on every DH track I have done. now I'm no Professor but that has to say something.
  • 4 0
 Protour, forget all that. A guy has to make a living... period. Even the bike Gwinn rides is not factory, it's a large with a med seat tower etc..If it's time to go, it's time to go.
  • 4 4
 the demo was never fully designed for a race track. it is definatley not the best race bike out there even if its the carbon one. but we need to remember that racing is not all it was built for, just look at the claw and matt hunter! on a race track i would choose a v10 any day. but not at the bike park or in utah
  • 9 2
 ok... maybe i'm biased as I own a demo, the 2013 one (alloy), which is designed to be a race bike - the BB is too low and the HA too slack for a typical bike park surely?
but Protour - I can tell you for a 'fact' my demo doesn't feel mushy to pedal with flat pedals. It's quick and snappy, and the 'fact' is the back end makes it flickable. with a bit of leg strength, which Hill doesn't lack, it's quick, and ridiculously quick through the corners. yes, minaar and peaty beat him on a lot of pedal sections, but then hart on his glory beat those guys on the motorway at fort bill. my point is, any good pedaler with a well set up rear shock on most modern bikes will be fast.
btw, your 'fact' about winning 2 world cup races... Charre Morgan, 2012 World Champion, Troy Brosnan, 2010 - 11 Junior World Champion (with a time in 2011 that would have put him 2nd to Hart in the Elites), Sam Hill, 2010 World Champion. I make that 4 World Championship races to add to your 2.
in conclusion Protour: stop using the word 'fact'.
  • 4 1
 Own a '12 Demo and the only way I can make the suspension feel 'mushy' is by running it severely undersprung.

The current Demo has a very new school DH feel to it, it wants to skip over the rough stuff as opposed to ploughing through it and it loves to be jumped and hopped off any obstacle that stands in your way. It's slack, long and the low bb makes it corner like no other.
If pedalling efficiency was the be all and end all to success in DH the V10 would win every WC race, it isn't though, a bloke called Aaron Gwin is smashing it on a glorified single pivot. ;-)
  • 1 3
 On a none related subject is anyone selling a demo, I'm after one for under £1500 needs to be 2011 or newer, I think that's all there worth now Sam hills not riding one, I've just got to sell my nuke proof for £2500 which shouldn't be hard because there the best bike in the world.!!! Not that Sam hill wouldn't thrash 99% of the people on here on the BMX ha

Haha
  • 2 1
 Demo's are pretty jumpy compared to a lot of DH bikes so that could be why sam moved, its either that or he was offered more money
  • 3 1
 I didn't say the Demo's were a horrible peddler but they are definitely not as responsive as a V10,I've ridden and climbed them both. The Demo is fast in alot of situations but I wonder if the chainstays are a little short for wide open World Cup downhill tracks. sometimes when the rear wheel starts to drift you can't get it to come back and it washes out, like what happened to Troy last year at at Worlds. A longer chainstay helps keeps the back wheel on track. I think if you running a super slack head angle you also need a little longer chainstay to help keep the bike up, especially in off-camber situations.
  • 3 0
 I guess we'll see just how bad the Demo is when Gwin rides it in the WC this year. ;-)
  • 6 0
 You climbed/went uphill on a downhill bike? There's your problem!
  • 3 0
 drifting rear wheel? sounds like a good time to me!
  • 77 5
 Who cares, Nukeproof is where it is at now... Special bikes are so 2012 :o)
  • 6 2
 Speeking of last year, anyone selling a demo, I'm after one for under £1500 needs to be 2011 or newer, I think that's all there worth now Sam hills not riding one, I've just got to sell my nuke proof for £2500 which shouldn't be hard because there the best bike in the world.!!! Not that Sam hill wouldn't thrash 99% of the people on here on the BMX ha

Haha
  • 57 0
 Mitch Ropeleto already posted on Facebook a picture of his 2013 Specialized Monster Energy jersey...
  • 12 1
 Vital already spilled the beans that Annake Bearton is racing for specialized world cups
  • 8 1
 ya mitch already rides for spesh
  • 4 0
 norco we know that he rode for the usa gravity spec team know hes on the energy team
  • 2 0
 he rode for em last year tho to replace troy, i guess that wasnt quite official tho.
  • 47 1
 Some say, that he uses roots and rocks instead of toilet paper... All we know: He's called The Stig!!!
  • 18 0
 Some say his testicles have their own gravity field and others say he only knows two facts about ducks but both of them are wrong. All we know is, he's called The Stig.

Good stuff, I bet he/she/it would come in first place every time, even on a hardtail
  • 7 0
 I'm betting on The Stig too!
  • 37 1
 I heard it was Rob Warner!
  • 11 0
 damn it I was going to play that card
  • 6 0
 Rob + dh = robs dirty downhill buisness
Rob + dh + monster energy = oh my god
  • 1 0
 what about ballantine's as helmet sponsor for rob?
  • 45 11
 Martin Soderstrom!
  • 12 29
flag mrskabs (Jan 5, 2013 at 12:53) (Below Threshold)
 Umm....he's a slopestyle/street guy not a World Cup racer
  • 51 3
 Yea but have u seen him on a dh bike?
  • 39 4
 Still absolutely shreds DH, like Semenuk
  • 15 1
 Yep! He raced 4x world cup on his singlespeed
  • 7 1
 When you speak about "style riders" what about Mike Hopkins...
  • 28 2
 seeing soderstrom ride downhill in the wc would be sick
  • 8 0
 Despite how I find him truly amazing rider with awesome style, racing is something completely different and unfortunately will never going to happen. Would be still really amazing Big Grin
  • 8 1
 @cameronumf yes but his background is slope/street. DH with Semenuk or Soderstrom is COMPLETLY different from a Minnaar, Gwin or Hart
  • 35 2
 bringing skinny jeans and flannels to the wc would be sick haha
  • 15 1
 yeah, I want to see flips on final jumps Big Grin
  • 4 3
 would be great to have some of those guys riding in the wc!!
  • 7 1
 söderström joined the dh race at dirtmasters festival last year and his results weren't wc level
  • 11 3
 Kenny smith.
  • 2 1
 Sodderstrom is too valuable to specialized, they wouldent let him get on a dh bike for world cup with the chances of getting hurt!
  • 3 2
 He raced one of the 4x world cup rounds
  • 8 1
 Go home your drunk
  • 2 0
 Soderstrom was too tired in dirt master DH. ..he might nailed it to podium hahahah it would be sick
  • 2 1
 @ AdamGarcia I think most people would agree that slopestyle is equally dangerous if not more.You can get pretty wrecked when you flip and/or do any other crazy slopestyle stuff.
  • 1 0
 @SupraKZ Very true but they would not want him to be in both sports and only be able to put in half effort in both. Also if he gets hurt in one, he's out for the other.
  • 2 0
 www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XbKKK0szko check this shit out!!
  • 2 0
 he was at rampage... what do you mean he can't race DH?
  • 2 0
 lol rampage and world cup dh are completely different aspects
  • 2 0
 I love the irony of "they wont let him to DH for fear of injuring himself for SS"
  • 14 0
 What are the chances of Monster following Hill over to CRC team? Hill took them to Specialized, maybe they will stay together. I'm sure CRC wouldn't mind a big money sponsor for the team.
  • 2 0
 Yes, good thought!
  • 3 0
 from the sam hill/crc article it says he will keep Monster as his helmet sponsor. Sam didnt take monster to specialized anyway. The monster energy/mad catz team were on iron horse which went bust so the whole team moved to specialized bikes
  • 3 0
 Agreed. Whos to say that his loyalty to Monster didn't have something to do with his departure. Could be that Specialized has had plans to form a factory team which includes RedBull. This may have forced a dissolution of the Monster deal which he may have not been happy with. (of course pure speculation on my part)
  • 12 0
 i'f love blenki to move to the big s...he needs a fresh start, he doesn't suit lappierre and he has too much talent and style to waste!
  • 5 0
 true that mate Smile
  • 1 0
 if Blenki has as much potential as we all believe him to have, then Nico is the best man in the world to tap into it, he won't have that at the big S
  • 11 2
 Dont see aaron gwin leaving doming on trek or the santa cruz team splitting I'm guessing troy will be the man for specialized. maybe a stevie smith or brook the bull dog.Dont see danny leaving giant.Minnaar peat and josh they seem to have great fun together and have youth and exp. to help develop josh who could have a good yr. no way gee is leaving the gt team unless whole family goes over.I see them funding a young guy to back up troy, like mitch love to se stevie go there to get some great support by big company and tear it up.Like to see cedric make big come back but highly doubt specialized take big rick on a broken down old dog no disrespect on cedric he still kills it.Gonna be hard to replace the hill monster.They will be looking for young guys for the future.But what do i know haha.They can always bring me aboard for a gopher haha.All i know is looking forward to the new season with more 10 riders hitting the top making it more exciting.
  • 10 3
 I think spesh will have tried their best to get Gwin out of his trek contract so we'll see how that goes

I think Stevie smith seems pretty sorted with devinci and they will have paid good money to keep him.
There is no need to mention Gee and GT have already announced their team for next year (they have a couple of young guns now for downhill and enduro) Cedric has his own team and after all his time on the circuit and recovering from injury that is where his focus will be from now on. I'd say Bulldog would be a good shout if it weren't for him already being on redbull and i think redbull have already announced their 2013 athletes (danny mac posted a photo of the red bull team today)
I dont see why spesh wouldnt just run with Troy and Mitch. I think troy will easily fill Sam's shoes in terms of results (last years aussie nationals troy came out on top and he also had second fastest time after danny hart at 2011 worlds) and mitch is the fastest pump track rider in the world and everybody recognised his potential..
I think Josh bryceland would be up for a move from santa cruz to get out of the shaddow of Greg and Steve.
I would be pretty shocked if Greg left santa cruz

I'd offer my services but unfortuantely already swapped my demo for a nukeproof. before it was cool!
  • 7 1
 Too many words, read chrispaulmtbs last line though and I lol'd lol
  • 3 3
 I just needed to spraff all my thoughts....but yeh sam hill comes to me for team advice, he made me race the nukeproof on flats and crash. Thats when he knew the bike had his name on it
  • 1 2
 Gwins signed for 2014 to. I don't
  • 1 0
 On the note of red bull athletes.. Anyone notice that Gee and Rachel Atherton weren't on the list? They ain't goin to spesh obv but just thought it was odd...
  • 7 3
 That is exactly what their plan is, go with Troy and Mitch, and one or two other racers. It's an exciting team already, since they are both young and improving. You can't really just replace Sam Hill, there aren't too many active legends like him available.
  • 5 0
 Rule of thumb when it comes to success. When you are on top of the world like Gwinn is , with a massive globally supportive machine and a world class trainor like Tomac, you don't mess with success.... even if their is a possibility of a bigger payday. Money IS NOT everything in Gwinn's case and who is to say he'ld be able to recapture his dominant position if he were to jump ship . He seems to have all the support he needs right now. I cannot see how Spesh could improve upon his current support. There is no way he leaves Trek before his new deal is up.
  • 3 0
 mitch and troy are both so young they're going to pick up someone expierienced
  • 2 0
 Troy pretty much consistently beat Hill in the Aussie rounds and Champs before last WC season, quali'd and placed ahead in a few WC races before getting injured. As mentioned above, was the second fastest time of the day at Champery world champs when Danny won and was just off the podium at PMB (a pedally 'big man's' track) with a slow puncture slowing him down on the final section.

They don't need someone experienced who demands a massive pay cheque if they have an up and coming rider who has already shown potential to be the greatest in the World.
  • 2 0
 Troy is by far my favorite rider, kicking ass for the little dudes!
  • 1 0
 I heard hill was holding back at the Aussie rounds last year to focus on the worlds, could be wrong though.
  • 1 1
 True racers do not hold back. WFO
  • 3 0
 So he missed most of two seasons racing, I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't quite give it 100 percent in the pre-season. These racers are still people, having to sit out almost 2 seasons isn't fun and I think he'd be trying to stay on the bike before the wc season started.
  • 14 1
 Greg Williamson should be up there !!! 38th overall and a 15th at Hafjell
  • 6 0
 yeah, Greg williamson should definately get it, he was on fire last year.
  • 7 1
 I think Mick Hannah could be a good outside bet. With troy as an up and coming rider and someone that will be capable of podiums and maybe even a race win next year I think they'll be trying to hire someone consistent, and with enough experience to be able to give constructive feedback to aid development. Although, judging by that team rumors comic I reckon that Greg Minnaar is their real target...
  • 5 0
 Mick Hannah may be riding for polygon next year, he was seen testing one in whistler. Bulldog on specialized would be sick!
  • 2 1
 The puzzle pieces are starting to come together...

ride.io/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/A-3TL7qCcAAQNQK.jpg_large.jpg
  • 1 0
 I agree Bulldog would be f*cking sick. He is a beast. But I'm sure the ReDBull/Monster conflict makes that a no go. My guess is McDonald will take Leov's spot. If that is the case, we may see multiple #1 and #2 podium spots for TWR next season.
  • 6 0
 @ K3ano, mate thats a Holly riding that bike, Holly Feniak, World Champ, new deal.

In the Pinkbike thing on why Hill left Spec, there was a comment;

- From www.pinkbike.com/news/Inside-...Nukeproof.html

"Sean, first things first, will we see Team Monster Energy-Specialized for the 2013 season?

Sean: Some final details are being sorted so I can’t comment on whether there will be a “Monster Energy-Specialized” team at this time. Either way, Specialized will have a great World Cup program and Monster Energy will also continue to support athletes and programs globally".

So maybe there won't be Monster sponsorship. Also, think that Berrecloth and Soderstrom ride for Red Bull, i know the DH team is different, but i reckon they'll find a way.

pbs.twimg.com/media/A-moRHiCIAAWxI9.jpg:large

Plus, as i said further down the page, that's a Brook, flowing through the middle of the page, toward the $$$ as Whitley and Gwinn look on. Some fella on an Aussie site pointed that out, he gets the props, i's bet money on it being true.
  • 1 0
 Ah yeah, missed the holly leaf - just saw the rainbow heading for the gold! Good spot by whoever it was on the brook though. I dunno, for some reason I just didn't see him on specialized - would be sick if he does end up there though! I could definitely see some good rivalry forming between him and Brosnan too.
  • 7 1
 this is the first solid discussion on a Minnaar move. This could get very interesting indeed. Greg moving out of Syndicate could give bryceland the room he needs to grow. For too long he's been the understudy to two giants of the game. Where Minnaar goes to is almost irrelevant: it's the fact he is moving that's more interesting.
  • 9 0
 I hope its Ropelato!!!! Local Utah pride haha
  • 3 0
 i would love to see Ropelato as a full time rider with specialized
  • 9 5
 There is a lot of weight riding on this decision. Think about it... Trek played the perfect card and the perfect moment with Aaron Gwin. Yeti makes a better bike in my opinion and I think many agree. It was tough to see Yeti bring him all the way up to the top and then have him walk away because Trek had the $$$. Yeti is small and cannot afford multiple mechanics, trainers, and all the plush perks he receives from Trek. Trek picked him at the top of his game and wrote a fat check. Their marketing strategy and budget are great, while their bikes are OKAY. I see a similar situation emerging here possibly with Smith.
  • 6 1
 Totally agree with you. And it would have been cool if Gwin stayed on yeti..
  • 13 1
 Not to get into a pissing match, and this has nothing to do with Yeti, but the Session line is a little bit more than OK.
  • 1 3
 marketing works all right, I was under the impression yetis weren't very good... still an awful colour tho
  • 4 1
 Yeah, I hate to say it but I think it's only a matter of time before Trek try to snap up Richie Rude from yeti Frown
  • 6 0
 Everyone loves to hate on trek because they're huge and sometimes their o.e.m. specs are annoying (cough, bontrager, cough!) but having ridden the session I can attest that it is more than just "O.K." Ive also seen at least 3 reviews that called it the best DH bike of all time, including one by pinkbike itself. I think you might be a little bit biased L.O.L.
  • 4 0
 Yeti is a company that develops riders, gets them racing under a factory banner and gives them a shot at making something of themselves. Once their riders are good enough to get picked up by other teams and make decent money they pass them on and pick up another youngster. just look at Gwin, Leov, Blenkinsop, Eliot Jackson, Cam Cole, and im sure theres more that i cant think of off the top of my head.
  • 4 0
 Spot on. John Tomac, Myles Rockwell, Missy Giove, & Julie Furtado all started with Yeti.
  • 2 0
 ......... and richie rude the next HUGE american downhill star.
  • 1 0
 I did speak to some dude from Yeti at a trade show (can't remember who it was, sorry) and he insisted that Yeti DID have the cash to hold onto Gwin, and could have keep him for at least another year or 2, when he started winning everything BUT it would have meant dropping Richie Rude, Jared Graves and the entire sponsorship program for everyone else in the company, and run a 1 man WC team. They decided that wasn't the way they wanted to go, so let him go to Trek.
  • 2 0
 jfyfe, I'm not saying that I dislike the trek bikes, they are some of the best bikes around. I'm saying that it's a bit crap that they don't produce their own racers, they just buy them from smaller teams that can't afford to turn down a huge offer. brit-100 I think that is what's going to happen to Rude as he continues to get faster Frown
  • 1 0
 It might be an easier pill to swallow if look it at like the this....niche bike companies like Yeti, Turner or ORANGE, are like the farm teams and the big money, global, mass production companies are like the big leagues. I'm sure you can appreciate this seeing as though Peaty, the grand daddy of Brit downhill, got his start on Orange bikes until he outgrew them. Besides, I haven't heard too many Brits complaining about Hart on Giant bikes and they are the biggest most commercial company on earth. Don't forget too....Trek was completely out of DH WC recognition until they cameout with the Session series. They knew they had a winner and needed a promising rider to race it.
  • 3 0
 I am biased, I race for Yeti. But I could have made the same point with any small company. The frustrating thing is that the big guys (especially trek) are really focused on the business, and they buy up guys like Gwin because they really dont have their heart into the culture of the sport. Dont get me wrong, there are amazingly dedicated and passionate people who work with trek, but im talking about the outlook of the company as a WHOLE. We do need companies like Trek. They have generic bikes and they are great at pulling up their average consumers to get on "real" bikes over time, growing the sport. Yeti is Race only. So I guess they all rely on eachother. It is just unfortunate that the big guys grab these top riders right as our sport is becoming more and more publicly recognized and televised, so to the average person it looks like the big guys are doing all the work, and their sales are rocketing and the little guys doing the footwork are getting smothered. But they will never die because WE know whats up!
And finnrambo .... dude, stop listening to whoever you are hearing that from, because yeti makes the most amazing bikes ever.
Yeti, Canfield, and Santa Cruz.... those guys hold the passion.
  • 2 0
 Peaty was killing it on a GT I-Drive well before Orange...
  • 1 0
 would like to add Intense into the mix of those builders above
  • 5 2
 Probably from top riders, Steve Smith is the one with the lowest pro deal, and Specialized may do him a offer that he can't reject and Devinci doe$n't have the power to keep up...
Brook the Bulldog, and Aaron Gwin are almost impossible, as their agent's Martin Whitley is the team manager of TWR, so you just need to add 2+2... and own's the 23 degree management company who negotiate the pro deals... check the website: www.23degrees-sports.com/athlete_management.php
The same applies to Danny Hart and Giant with all the cash they need to secure him... it would be too expensive... and this is not the time for madness...
And as far as I know, right now Greg Minnaar's agent, and for the past ten years, is also Martin Whitley, and the thing's couldn't be any better between Minnaar and Santa Cruz, as world reigning champion...
So, to me, the only rider with margin to improve as a athlete from this year top ten, and which is a secure play, for sure is Steve Smith... which probably is what Spesh is looking for... a top rider, who can assure them presence in every world cup podiums!
  • 4 0
 I dont see Stevie (and Gabe) leaving Devinci at least not this year. With Todd and PerformX handling all his training needs hes in a pretty good place. Besides hes already spent most of the fall/winter filming Devinci 2013 videos.
  • 5 0
 Why is Gee Atherton on there? Everyone knows he is signed with GT for a few more years and has no intention of leaving them anytime soon.
  • 3 0
 my prediction is the 'monster' part of the team will be dropped and specialized will start a works team with ropelato, brosnan and a female rider... because more teams need to show support for the female aspect of downhill!!!!
  • 3 0
 Totally! Make a team of awesome up and come'ers - ropelato, brosnan and my choice for female riders....Holly Feniak (she so good and with the support of a big company like specialized could be winning world cups any time. I think a lot of female riders would be purchasing a demo 8 after watching her ride with such style on it! (oh, and probably some guys too!))
  • 4 1
 The only logical choice would be Brook MacDonald. Specialized needs someone who has won at least 1 WC and needs an aggressive rider. Brook is one hell of an aggressive rider and is built like a Bull. I would love to see Brook ride for Specialized, I'm sure they both could compliment each other very well.
  • 1 0
 yep
  • 5 0
 261 people voted danny hart when giant have already announced their team haha
  • 8 2
 only steve peat vote!!! woop!
  • 2 0
 I expect Specialized to go with a world cup factory team starting in 2013, it's the logical choice as they already have a few factory riders racing WC's and with Troy the only man left from Monster Energy-Specialized, it would make sense to put together a factory based team moving forward. I honestly don't expect to see any of the guys listed riding for specialized in 2013, but I could be wrong and it will be exciting to see what happens!
  • 2 0
 I agree, If they are wanting a big name that wears a RedBull lid, they are going to have to part ways with Monster. It makes sense for Specialized to have a factory team, they have the money and don't really need Monster Energy now, especially that their affiliation was through Hill who's no longer there.
  • 2 0
 Or will troy be moving to Trek in the near future? whens his contract up?
  • 5 0
 I laughed at seeing Steve Peat on the poll, there's no way he or Minnar are leaving Santa Cruz! (I hope...
  • 6 0
 Cedric is the coolest Motherfucker ever but i think he is done
  • 5 0
 True facts. Split from Monster. Full factory team. Troy, Mitch and......Brook.
  • 1 0
 That would be sick!
  • 2 0
 Mitch will likely be on the team no matter what. He practically is already. However, he's not the "replacement" rider. He's replacing Brendog's place from two years ago if anything.

Aaron Gwin's departure from Trek would be huge news. And Specailized seems more likely to drop Monster than Gwin is to drop RB and sign with Monster. But regardless, HUGE news. And that would leave holes at Trek that only Brook McDonald could fill in.

Or Brook McDonald just signs. Seems more likely.

I'm just a fan.
  • 6 0
 Specialized needs some ladies.
  • 2 0
 My predictions is this. Specialized is going to either this year or the next boot Monster Energy and conform to a Factory Team. Whoever they sign in replacement is going to make big bucks and have to conform to the world of now racing for a corporate team. Which is probably a HUGE reason why Sam left. All in all, my true and honest condolences for Specialized. Loosing Sam was business, but loosing Burry was tragic. Their race program will no doubt not be as strong this year.
  • 6 0
 Blenki Blenki pleaseeeeeeeeee Wink
  • 2 0
 I read somewere that this is bigger news than Sam moving to CRC, I read one of the top guys is breaking there contract... I can see Brook fitting in well with specialised, if its just a factory team then his red bull sponsorship is irrelevant.. Either way Troy and Mitch will be a strong team with almost gaurenteed top 20's at each race, so it will be interesting to see who will step into the big mans shoes for 2013.
  • 1 0
 word on the grapevine is mitch isn't going to be racing wc's. Apparently he prefers racing back home, and doesn't like being away from home for long periods of time. Specialized have already talked to him about it, and he turned them down i believe. We shall see though.
  • 1 0
 Shame if its true, hes such a pinner with so much potential, we will see!!!
  • 1 0
 mmendes888 im with you on stevie i think with the big money support he could jump up to the top more.Petey is on way out and see him finishing with sc. no talk about troy guess he is staying for sure.Think ropetola be a good young guy to develop with troy. Im looking forward to see what sam will do with nuke proof.Hope he hits the top spots again.First time i have chimed in on a post because I'm amped to see some changes up top.Keep seeing cedric but he has said not leaving sc.Like seeing all the post and different possiblities could be an awesome yr with some new winner this past yr.Want to see stevie and sam battle for overall.If greg were to leave sc and keep petey to help ratboy make next step be cool too.Whatever happens think its gonna be a hell of a yr and a lot fun to see what pans out.How about 2 first time winners stevie and bull dog killing it.Also hope to see cedric make a strong come back after that nasty injury great character for the sport.Lets get this shit started already!!!
  • 2 0
 Peaty isnt on his way out, people have been saying that for years and then he goes and has a season like he did in 2009. He's just has some bad luck in his runs but still has the pace. He would have been top 10 easily at leogang but took a chance which didnt pay off. As long as he is having fun on his bike you would be a fool to bet against the big man. But you're right this season is going to be great with all the changes, shame we need to wait till the middle of june for it to all kick off. I think the highlight of the year will be seeing CG on those new massive fort william jumps!
  • 5 0
 GET KOVARIK and RENNIE they are cheaper now!
  • 3 0
 The Red Bull problem of it being a Monster team won't make any difference because Specialized have already hinted at them splitting up from Monster.
  • 2 9
flag Protour (Jan 5, 2013 at 16:03) (Below Threshold)
 More like Monster dumping Specialized...
  • 5 0
 my reaction to most protour comments:


www.youtube.com/watch?v=22YWYAtcyEA
  • 3 0
 I could see Mic Hannah or Bryceland riding for Spesh. Ropelato is already a shoe-in so I think it's almost kinda silly to have him on the poll.
  • 2 0
 i voted for cedric... because i think it would be a great and interesting deal. i know he dont want to leave SC. So...Mitch Ropelato: young, talented, skilled...2 young guns to push
  • 2 0
 everybody seems to think Cedric is on SC. He isnt. He has his own team the' cedric cracia racing bragade' who have all their own sponsors, hope kenney racing etc and just happen to ride santa cruz and fox the same as syndicate. His team could end up ridind specilized bikes but it wouldnt have anything to do with him on the monster energy team
  • 1 0
 he does have a special relationship with sc, he was the only one riding the carbon v10 during prototype stages that wasnt on the syndicate. I dont see him leaving. spec dropping monster seems more likely to me, they want their own team, and a definite podium finisher to replace hill. Brook meets this with his podiums and win in the past. definite young gun on the rise for the next few years
  • 2 1
 I reckon that specialized will need to split from monster to secure a big name rider this year, would put my money on Brook macDonald or Stevie smith. Im sure with what they were paying hill they could buy someone out of a contract if they wanted them that bad.
  • 1 0
 Probably all the guys above have contract with some team and I am pretty sure they wan't to keep it. It is pretty bad PR and quite expensive to get out of a contract. It must be Ropelato. I think GM has a contract with Santa Cruz and he won't leave. The only other guy I could think is Ratboy. But why he would leave? He has been pretty happy with Steve and Greg and he can ride as fast as he can. No one tells him not to win?
  • 5 0
 Wow, good speculation...I mean specialation!
  • 2 1
 huge assumption made in this article is that Specialized team is the MONSTER specialized team. Even your own article a week ago and interview with the team S themselves said that is still under discussion. I wouldn't be surprised if Monster is dropped, leaving a lot of your analysis and judgements here invalid.
  • 1 0
 Maybe we all should know, that the word "guess" is mean not more than what describes,
Did we all...well not really all, forgot bike does not matter more than skills ?
No company will steal any one, from other one, an less there will be one with no contract for 2013.

Specialized do not desperately need some one, they got what they need.
  • 1 0
 Id like to see bulldog for bryce there like you said he is kind of over shadowed by minnaar and peat. It would be good to see minnaar move on I like a shake up every now and then, he would be expensive but surly spesh are worth more than santa cruz ? and it cant be hart as they have already released there team and he was on it.
  • 1 0
 My 2 cents is Ropelato has earned a spot, and while they belive in Troy and Troy has showed he can be a contender, throwing all the weight of the big red S on top of him after last season is too much, so they need somebody else.

I see Monster following Sam to CRC and Specialized going full on Red Bull, but I only have one doubt for that: Troy was on Monster too, is his contract up?

As far as who's the alpha dog they sign, Brook MacDonald would make sense, but Whiteley won't let him go easily, and Gwinn, well even less, but would be fun. Also, besides those two I can't think about anyone who's going to be free (or sort of) next year and big enough, because signing Bryce or Blenki I don't think it cuts it to really take pressure off Troy.

Btw, as far as ladies on Specialized go, remember current World Champ Morgane Charre raced on a Demo, so would make sense for them to make her full time team member I think.
  • 1 0
 I don't want Brook to leave mondraker, I think he's done well to carry on from the legend that is Barel and brought the brand into new light. Next year I'll be behind Sam, Brook and Troy. All great riders and seem decent guys
  • 8 4
 I could easily see Minar, or Hart riding speacilized
  • 4 3
 Hart is locked in with Giant. It would be sick to see Minar running with Specialized tho.
  • 3 0
 I think they should sign Jackson because he isn't riding for Yeti and because he will advertise well
  • 1 0
 but i think Jackson doesn't have the results to back him up.. he is a good rider though.
  • 5 0
 The Stig
  • 1 0
 I found following info:

"there is gonna be one hell of annoucement tomorrow in the mountain bike world! It involves the fastest man on planet and a new team! www.facebook.com/thesensus?ref=ts&fref=ts
  • 5 2
 Specialized is looking for the top of the foodline pbs.twimg.com/media/A-moRHiCIAAWxI9.jpg:large
  • 1 1
 Brook MacDonald?
  • 2 1
 That's clearly Aaron Gwin standing behind the tree with Martin Wheetley in the clouds and his TWR stick. As for the broken bridge..... beats me.
  • 1 1
 Oh, and it's pretty obvious that it's Specialized offering money money money to him to tempt him
  • 2 1
 That looks like a Brook flowing though the middle toward the $$$ though.....
  • 1 1
 i agree that that is probably martin whiteley but id say that is Brook MacDonald as that does look like a brook as topperharley has pointed out, and as the article said, bulldog already has connections with whiteley. So basically we are going to see bulldog on either spec or trek next year.
  • 1 0
 Yep brook and a duck as in Donald Duck
  • 1 0
 Shhhh jack, you know nowt!!!!!!!!!!! Hahaha.
  • 1 0
 Its adam brayton. It represents the garden of eden with adam and eve. It's not a broken bridge you meatball, it's a waterfall
  • 1 1
 Take a close look at the picture you mong, there is a bridge snapped in half with a little duck sat between the 2 broken pieces,

River = brook
The duck = Donald duck

Brook macdonald it may well be holy shit it's all a guessing game
  • 2 0
 Ok some good points but what the f*ck does a broken bridge have to do with brook macdonald? and how the f*ck did you figure out that there's a duck sitting on the water? It looks much more like a waterfall with all the splash coming up
  • 1 1
 twitter.com/teamrumours/status/266591370934886400/photo/1 There's the team rumours drawing for Brook Macdonald. Can safely say that the one you're all arguing about is for someone else
  • 1 0
 Yeah it was yesterday's news now it's all a guessing game bored now
  • 5 1
 Bryceland to Specialized.
  • 2 0
 Mitch Ropelato i think! Because more of that riders get a contract with their teams....so i think they will stay with their sponsors
  • 2 0
 PUT SOME BRAZILIAN NAME IN... i wanna see LUANA DE OLIVEIRA and a talent brazilian guy on a good team... LUANA will be champion one day, she just needs the support to it
  • 1 0
 I have a friend working for their marketing group they are in touch with a rider originally from outside Europe but lives in the UK. He is a Monster but not sponsored by Monster .
  • 1 1
 Gwin with Troy = RedBull Specialized end of the story.Where does is say that Gwin has to drop RedBull in order to join Specialized???

Sean Heimdal from Spesh cleary said it wasnt a done deal yet with Monster and Aaron is THE ONLY logical choice as a replacement for Sam... Stevie needs to be more dominant/consistent before a high profile team like Specialized offers him a big dollars contract and all the other potential contenders are big enough to fill in for Sam.
  • 1 0
 How can anyone give up the full carbon Santa Cruz V10 for a Spesh? Big Grin Especially when that V10 is specced out in some god damn beautiful ENVE kit? Greg Minaar don't leave the Syndicate!
  • 1 0
 I think that Hart would flourish if he went there. Its the next logical step for him on a world class bike with a world class team. Im not saying Giant are not big but they are no way as big as Spesh.
  • 1 0
 who, in his right mind, would leave Santa Cruz???

You see them together, and that is not a team, that is a group of friends who go around the world, riding their bikes, and having barbecues, and all sorts of fun...!!!!
  • 1 0
 www.facebook.com/thesensus?fref=ts

There is gonna be one hell of an announcement tomorrow in the mountain bike world. It involves the fastest man on the planet and a new team...

Who is the Sensus? Anyway.....
  • 3 0
 I THINK LIAM JONES SHOULD RIDE FOR SPECIALIZED!
  • 3 1
 haha, dont see why people have voted for gee moving to specialized when they have just signed with GT
  • 2 0
 Exactely, in the last episode of four by three they kind of present the 2013 team an both dan and gee said that they are stoked to ride and train with the new kids tylor and martin in 2013, so it's kind of sure that the athertons will stay.
  • 4 0
 Barbara Streisand Big Grin
  • 3 0
 33 votes for Steve peat of the santercruz Steve peat Syndicate ?? really
  • 1 0
 Marc Beaumont? GT is all about the athertons now. I'm sure he would be keen to get onto a team that would support him as equally if not more then what GT is.
  • 2 0
 SODerstorm! lol he can handle it, FMB and UCI. lol
also i think blenki needs a new sign, he has big potential.
  • 1 1
 Word on the twittersphere is it's adam brayton.

I also seen that someone asked adam if the new frame he's testing is "special" to which he replied "haha". Maybe a slight clue there
  • 1 0
 @yeahbro well look who was right haha, and all you people thought he was lying haha, that or it was a plain fluke on his behalf!
  • 4 0
 Me!
  • 4 0
 Palmer!
  • 3 0
 Yeah!!! And Josh Bender too!!!
  • 1 2
 I see ol Ratboy going over to the big S. However, l feel that Specialized wants some big bang to equally replace Sam Hill. Minnaar, while l didnt think of that before this artical, l could totally see that. Mass exodus at Santa Cruz? Hmmmmm
  • 2 1
 Gwinn. Fairclough. Atherton. And hill are all signed. What about minaar. Or Danny hart? Are the signed anywhere? If so, I'll have a go for ya.
  • 5 1
 Your mom!
  • 2 0
 It's quite likely Mitch will be riding for them but i don't think that will be their top contender.
  • 3 0
 i mean ill race but the results may be lacking
  • 5 6
 Can we please stop the bullshit speculation about sponsors and who's riding for whom and feature said riders actually riding/videos about riding or pictures of said riders riding? Ugh. You guys are worse than PEOPLE magazine this week. Frown

You don't know what's going to happen. The average Pinkbike member doesn't have a clue about what's going to happen... Hell, with the exception of a very few select members of the industry and the actual riders, no one really knows what's going to happen.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming. Wink
  • 8 1
 NO! That's the point of having a thread and... We like it.
  • 2 0
 Well im joe average and I knew Sam Hill was leaving Spesh ages ago, oh probably cos a WC rider told me lol, Sam's still sponsored by Monster as well.
  • 1 0
 A specialized factory development team with several up and coming riders from across the globe getting there support and making up there World Cup team.
  • 3 0
 The word in morgan hill is tom mad dog roth will sign this week,
  • 3 0
 I'd much rather be on that Santa Cruz V10! ;D
  • 3 0
 Who cares. They already have the most talented rider.
  • 2 0
 seriously thinking it could be bryceland he came 6th overall last year so,,
  • 1 0
 can i do it please ? i realy want a demo, i dont care if i break my legs racing just aslong as i get a specialized demo for free Big Grin
  • 3 0
 My Guess, Danny MacAskill and Pee Wee on his beachcruiser.
  • 3 1
 I got 3rd place at my local track one time....i am the rightful heir to the crown
  • 2 0
 What if Gwin's contract is with 23 Degrees and not Trek? 23 Degrees switches their operation over to Specialized.
  • 3 0
 It's ratboy. He's already on monster and his contract with santacruz is up
  • 1 0
 In the post about Sam leaving spech the team manager said that monster and spech would probably do their own thing in 2013, that would resolve the problem with redbull...
  • 1 0
 mitch ropelato... because iv met him and hes really nice, talks to everybody, isnt stuck up, isnt a douch, and is interesting to talk to!
  • 2 0
 i'd go with Blenky... that guy looks like he's having fun on the bike... consistent as well
  • 2 0
 Pretty sure all these guys on the list are signed onto teams, irresponsible journalism. Wink
  • 3 0
 how can anyone even vote for gee atherton ?
  • 1 0
 i would love to see danny hart!! with that whips and with that style that specialized provides the racers, man, he would be the one!
  • 1 0
 I feel Troy is enough but spez probally feels hes not consistent enough. hes more then capable of an podium finish. Hes like a Danny Hart.
  • 1 0
 Whenever I think of Sam I think of Specialized, When I think of Gee it's Commencal, etc. I have a hard seeing riders on other rigs.
  • 1 0
 man all you guys who dont know the answer are really funny trying to figure out who is already signed for specialized haha
  • 1 0
 and you know the answer?
  • 1 0
 yes
  • 1 0
 new Team RED BULL SPECIALIZED: Gwinner, Brook Mcdonald.

Team Monster Energy Specialized: TB, MR

period.
  • 3 0
 Shaun palmer
  • 1 0
 damn you stole my idea...i would totally love to see palmer back in the wc.. in fact i think a lot of people would!! but i dont know if he could kkep up with the high standard nowadays.
  • 1 0
 I dont know who this is going to be i really hope it will be troy brosnan or Aron Gwin.
  • 1 1
 You gota think the they knew he was thinking about leaving I can't imagine that they would leave anything to chance. Any idea who is not signed.
  • 5 3
 Would like to see Hart on Specialized
  • 2 1
 how can anybody tell that gwin will be in specialized when he has contract with trek for 3 more years.
  • 1 0
 Signed not signed......these contracts can be bought but it'll take a global company (like Specialized or Trek or SC) with lots of capital to buy out one of these contracts. That's why this conversation has the drama it has. Because Specialized has the gaul and the dough to go and try to acquire a presently signed top 10 rider if they wanted. The question is wether or not one of these riders would be willing to leave a company who took a chance on them when they were just a WC podium hopeful.
  • 3 1
 So much more interesting than the January football transfers...
  • 1 0
 yeah but lets face it... gluing matchsticks onto tobacco tins while you're sat in jail is more interesting than the January football transfers...
  • 1 0
 I bet it's Gwin hahahaha !
  • 1 0
 i think specialized wants a rider that always take a place on the podium...
  • 1 0
 why are people voting for danny hart when it's already been confirmed he's still on giant
  • 1 1
 HEY SPEZ TRY AND GET JD SWANGUEN!!! - he was junior worlds silver medalist! never had a big break though... he might be better than Ropelato hehehe Smile
  • 3 0
 Spesh Get Loic Bruni
  • 1 0
 I'd like to see if Demo carbon could resist to the strenght and abuse of BROOKMAC ...... Big Grin
  • 1 0
 I think they'd be stupid to not keep Rape-a-lot-o. I think they'll end up with a thrid rider again. Time will tell
  • 1 0
 Mic Hannah = Polygon factory team
Brook MacDonald = Trek
Mitch Ropelato = Team Monster Energy - Specialized

hahahahah
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 Gwinner for sure - 100% on that one. Insider info.
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 50 bucks is Aaron Wink

He just signed with them
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 Brook!!!!!!!!!
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flag kostatrail (Jan 5, 2013 at 12:52) (Below Threshold)
 No, tio.....!!! We all want STEVIE SMITH !!!!!!!!!!!!!
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 Why would he want to sign with the big S.
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 maybe because he is the Big S (Stevie) himself Smile
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 bigger pay check, but i dont think stevie is that type of guy
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 Everyone has has a price because money says some sexyass stuff.
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 Angus Maddern!
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 yyyeeessss he could do well
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 Adam Brayton
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 I'll do it for free but i need all the equiment
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 Ill do it.. Sign me up and call me Susan.
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 I heard it was Paris Hilton, the dj'n aint working out to good ;-)
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 very beatiful the pictures
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 I believe Gwin would be a great rider for the spez team..
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 its aaron gwin
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 Rob Warner! That would be awesome!
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 @ yeahbro my dad went to trek headquarters and Gwin and the CEO told him that gain is signed for life.
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 they should keep brosnan, and ropelato. and maybe sign a junior?
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 I'd like to see Blenki in the top 5 this year..
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 brook macdonald, the kiwi all the way. but as long as he gets faster
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 aaron gwin !!!
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 well now we know dont we !!!!!
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 iss danny h already signed this year?
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 Yup, he's officially with Giant Razz
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 gwin
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 adam brayton !!
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flag anthonytutor (Jan 5, 2013 at 13:53) (Below Threshold)
 cant win a race .
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 Apart from the two Nationals he won this year by large margins.
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 Morgane Charre could ride on th official team
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 Not me!
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 Word on the street is Brook McDonald,Troy Brosnan and Adam Brayton
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 I hope hart stays with giant
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 Whoever it is, they'll have some large shoes to fill in Sam's absence...
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 brosnan?
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 Specialized will pay over and above to have the best, they paid 1 million dollars to Palmer back in the late 90s, they paid 1 million Euros to Alberto Contador to race road bikes, they will pay and out bid anyone to have them ride on the podium because that is what they do. Everyone bought up Demo bikes cause they were cheap and great bikes but a big name drives sales..I hope they pay 1 million dollars to the guy who will make FSR go away and finally retire that 30 year old suspension design. Thats what I want to see. Put 1 million dollars into a ride your bike to school program or something valuable that will sell bikes some other way than to one big rockstar who isnt giving back to the sport. Kirt Voreis is about the best person on the scene with that brand and that is who I would invest in...give that guy a raise and a bigger budget, he makes a difference..
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 id say Filip Polc
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 Its not going to happen but how sweet would it be if the Athertons started riding for spesh?!
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 Overalls guy at Windham said he'll do it
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 Troy and Mitch, whats all the hoopla?
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 i heard ricky carmichael was free. but really, i think its minaar.
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 1000$ it's Gwin!
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 big f"ckin suprise! Gwin gets the pot of gold
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 Aaron Gwin for the win!
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 Might be mistaken, but I think it was Gwinny?
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 I bet you any money it's Aaron gwin
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 mee!!! Razz
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 Ratboy!
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 Agreed!
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 Who did ratboy Rat out
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 I mintTrek
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 100%Mitch Ropelato
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 BRYCELAND
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 I am the Specialized rider 2013:P
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 kyle strait
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 Danny Hart!
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 h olo
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 danny hart anyone?
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 Guge?
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 Gwin with specialized!!!
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 think we now know
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 Aaron Gwin
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 looks like a trek
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 whoever want´s it
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 Il do it
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 mee! ill race!
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 Shawn Palmer.
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 i vote for gwinny
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 Specialized illuminati
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 Troy Brosnan FTW!
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 I guess Ill do it.
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 bryceland
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 GWIN!
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 now we know! Big Grin
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 Gwin it is!
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 Danny Hart on a demo would be so mint!
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 Brendog.
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 Graham agasiz
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 couldnt care less who rode for the special crew
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 Stevie and ratboy
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 Cedric!! Big Grin
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 he is riding for Canyon in enduro
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 I'ld be surprised if CG ever rides a WC race again.
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 erm, are you not thinking of Joe Barnes? Cedric rides for Santa Cruz...
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 Actually, he rides for his own team CG Racing Brigade. The team rides V-10's
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 www.cedricgracia.com/brigade/sponsors
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 you're correct. Though I was still right in saying that he doesn't ride for canyon - dunno where that came from?
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 if you look at the post about Joe Barnes riding for Canyon on Pinkbike, there is a comment at the bottom about them being joined by a famous frenchman. This is Cedric Gracia, though its not been officially announced yet
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 Youz all be botty boyz! Gwin be racing fo da Special Eyes and youz betta check yo selvs befo you reck yo selvs... Aiiiiii!
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 I can't understand a fucking word you post....I wish this site had a translation app for ...Goofy
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 humblegirlscout.. go home, you are drunk
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 Cole Seely.
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 Greta Garbo!
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 I think she wants to be alone.
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 Has Sam Hill left specialized then jeez they kept that quiet
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 cedric?????
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