Wyn Masters Starts Fundraiser for Privateer EWS and World Cup DH Riders

Jun 7, 2019
by Ed Spratt  
Wyn Masters amp Martin Maes

Wyn Masters has started a fundraiser page to give an award to the fastest privateer at downhill World Cups and EWS races.

The goFundme page started on June 6, currently sits at €7,578 of it €10,000 goal and has been set up by the GT Factory Team racer to help support riders without the funding of a team at all World Cup downhill races and selected EWS events for the rest of the season.

At the end of each round, Wyn will be presenting the fastest privateer with an award for the raised funds as he says: "It’s a tough road to making it to be a pro rider competing as a privateer and for a lot of these guys and girls every little bit helps a lot."

So far after less than two days, the page is over half of its goal, although on goFundme the goal is simply a milestone and does not have to be reached like similar online fundraising sites, the largest donations have come from Propain Bikes and Stans No Tubes who have both donated €1,000 to the cause.

bigquotes"Raising money to donate to the fastest Privateer award, at each of the UCI MTB world cups this season and the selected EWS events that I will be doing the WynTV video series at.

It’s a tough road to making it to be a pro rider competing as a privateer and for a lot of these guys and girls every little bit helps a lot.

So will be presenting these awards each event this season."— Wyn Masters


Attending World Cup and EWS races as a privateer is expensive with sometimes little reward, so this idea from Wyn is a great way to help ensure a strong future for the sport.

Check out the fundraising page here.

Posted In:
Racing and Events Wyn Masters Enduro World Series


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119 Comments
  • 167 1
 Great idea, what a top bloke. I saw he gave 50 euros of his own cash the first winner last week, hopefully he get's a good pot to give her a bit more! Good on Stan's and Propain for putting their money in.
  • 18 1
 classy move
  • 13 42
flag downcountry (Jun 8, 2019 at 8:29) (Below Threshold)
 This is awesome, but why doesn't the industry foot the bill? Odd that fellow riders and community members should be paying to get a talented privateer into an opportunity....
  • 90 2
 @downcountry: Hmmm. Because they are privateers? I mean, if the industry would sponsor them ..... . Ah, never mind.
  • 15 0
 @trek pick up Nina Hoffmann!!!
  • 12 0
 Exactly @mitochris: I mean if you can’t spot a wyn wyn situation.
  • 5 15
flag konmtb (Jun 8, 2019 at 12:42) (Below Threshold)
 @downcountry: you are right man!
  • 4 0
 I'm sure this idea will have a few sponsors beind it pretty quickly. €1000 per round is nothing for a big brand, especially one running a big truck, multiple mechanics and riders etc.
  • 13 2
 @downcountry: either you're pulling everyone's chain and really can't figure out why the industry isn't footing the bill, or you're really just THAT stupid. I really can't tell at this point.
  • 4 1
 @downcountry: some of the companies that are in MTB don't actually make that much bottom line. That's why
  • 1 0
 @MrDiamondDave: syndicate!!
  • 2 0
 @gt bicycles: pick up Nina Hoffman!
  • 112 3
 Monster energy should sponsor it just to fuck with redbull
  • 67 1
 I felt really bad watching Wyn present it to Hoffman. I felt like it took a week extra because he thought he had something lined up and someone must have failed him so he just used his own money. Wyn truly encompasses mountain biking and what makes mountain bikers a special group. So while sram charges $2k for a groupset, pivot debuts a bike over $11k, and a pair of shorts that don't even have pockets costs $100, we got mountain bikers using their own money to give awards to other mountain bikers. Nice effort, industry.
  • 118 0
 She will get more from the funding too, and so far we have had two brands commit to some great donations!
  • 44 0
 @wynmasters: I hope your talent and heart carries you far outside mountain biking. You're someone that others need to see and learn from.
  • 8 0
 This is mountain bikers we're talking about here. By far the best group of people. Where else would a guy start a fund for up and coming riders?? Thanks Wyn
  • 1 0
 @wynmasters: Class move.
  • 27 0
 Gotta be in it to Wyn it!
  • 3 0
 FACT
  • 24 1
 There’s 31,000 of us playing Fantasy DH - it’s not going to take too many of throwing in 10 euros each to make a pretty sizeable pot. Come on folks, pony up...
  • 37 0
 Take it a bit further, put a 5$ fee to participate and put it all into the pot. @pinkbike
  • 23 1
 You mean there are only 31,000 playing fantasy and yet I am still in 21, 872nd place??? I really suck at fantasy DH.
  • 1 6
flag Bikerhasi FL (Jun 8, 2019 at 10:05) (Below Threshold)
 Dude I‘m 87th ????
  • 4 0
 @hirvi: I'm actually not against that idea! Ordinarily I don't like pay-to-play contests but having a tier of people who pay (and get better prizes each round), but then have both tiers in contention for the final prize, could make for some serious fundraising potential
  • 4 0
 I like the fact that Fantasy is free, and the minute you involve one brand as sole sponsor, it becomes their project. I feel that the DH community is small and passionate enough to own this and make it a success. But that’s just me after 2 glasses of wine!!@Lookinforit:
  • 1 0
 @Thor44: I like it's free too (although I actually just use it to keep track of my favourite riders) but I also think it would be an easy way to make some extra funds. That is, if people don't donate enough into this otherwise. I think they will though so shouldn't be any need.
I do want it to stay free
  • 3 0
 That would be gambling and therefore illegal in some countries...
  • 1 0
 @Boardlife69: Think that's bad I somehow haven't even cracked the top 40,000!
  • 15 0
 What a champ
  • 7 0
 Your a good man Wyn masters. Over the last 10 years in Canada prizes for the races have dropped right off the map. And it's getting harder for young kids who don't have parents with deep pockets to get even parts they need on there bikes to race. Never mind those kids or young adults I guess get and travel there, to make a entrance in the world cup. Your a champion
  • 10 1
 Superb initiative!!! Respect Man

PS: is Wyn Masters the brother of Ed Masters or do they just have the same name?
  • 116 1
 They are not related. One is a Kiwi and the other is a caveman.
  • 8 8
 They're brothers
  • 48 0
 Father and son
  • 5 0
 @h-beck83: papa wyn
  • 9 0
 Twin cousins.
  • 10 0
 brother and sister
  • 57 0
 They are the same guy. One is with a haircut, one is without
  • 2 1
 @StevenJohn: ????????
  • 10 0
 Step-sisters, but they don't know yet...
  • 3 1
 @martin737: Thanks, I almost pissed in my pants / Best response among the others / You win a chocolate medal AND my eternal respect as ``most absurd privateer of the month``.

Now the question is: ``should we tell them?``
  • 1 0
 Master and apprentice
  • 6 0
 Just had another thought about this. I pay Dorna $150 a year to subscribe to Moto GP so I can watch the races live.

I don't pay anything to watch MTB on RedBull and I enjoy it just as much.

I've just donated to the page and I'll see it as my annual subscription fee. So in a roundabout way, RedBull are paying for it.

To the people asking if the same people will get it each week, (Nina) how about one award per rider per season? Then it will be spread across a bunch of privateers. It could go so some poor soul down the order who snaps a frame, or a leg and cops a big hospital bill?

If this takes off though I do think Nina should get a 2nd award and Wyn get his 50 Euros back!
  • 8 1
 I really hope he gives more to Nina Hoffmann, she definitely deserves it! Mad respect to Wyn, he is a proper champ for doing this!
  • 8 0
 Bulldog donated €300...legend!
  • 4 0
 Wyn has come up with this idea off his own back, so I'm sure we don't need to question his choice of recipient. He is clearly a man of great character who remembers what it's like to try and travel the world and field a competitive bike with zero coin. As I understood it Nina got the first award due to being well up the order as a non factory rider.

If 31,000 playing Fantasy DH league each year only paid $1 each for the entry, that would still be over $2k per round even if you included the World Champs. $1k to top male/female privateer would make a big dent in airfares, tyre bill, accommodation, whatever.

I'm off to drop some Aussie dollars on Wyn's page.

Great work Wyn.
  • 4 0
 Pretty proud to ride a Propain-Bike with Stan's wheels... To me it's no surprise, that Propain - probably the smalest manufacturer in that scene - has thrown in some serious bucks. Robert and David - the CEO's - have both been racing and can probably remember very well, what effort it takes to go racing all on your own.
  • 5 1
 Decided to chip in some money too, we get all this great coverage for free. Might as well support the riders that we love to watch...
  • 6 0
 Saint Wyn of Gnar
  • 11 7
 Specialized , fox , sram , Shimano , trek , we'd better be seeing big donations !
  • 33 4
 For what reason ? they all are already putting a bunch of money into a ninche market ....better open your pocket and donate your money to a cause you love instead of screaming for others to do so who are already putting money into it
  • 6 5
 @clemson: Niche market? you haven't seen the profits of Trek, Specialized, Bell, etc. The margins and profits are outstanding. Review some of which are publicly traded companies. Industry should pay up not the community.
  • 4 0
 @downcountry: I think he meant that Downhill is a niche market and he is right. DH is probably the smallest market for all of the companies listed.
  • 5 1
 @clemson: because those larger companies make large $$$ from Mtb. So they should give back. It would be great PR , and allow more good privateers to come out and make it to sponsored caliber. Remember that the support that those companies provide to sponsored riders = profit for them . They aren't doing it out of the kindness of their hearts.
  • 2 2
 @downcountry: niche =/= unprofitable
  • 4 0
 @downcountry: i m working in the bizz....the profit is peanuts compared to other industries and sports ....all those companies are already running factory teams in from xc, dh, cyclocross, enduro .... as long as no other sponsoring money from outside zhe industrie is coming in its going to suck ..... you know what it costs to run a factory team on a wc level... that foundraiser is a great way to support your sport with you own money ....like going to a nba game and pay your ticket ....
  • 3 0
 @DGWW: that money is not coming from selling dh bikes .... its coming from normal bikes to ebikes city bikes ....and normal mtbs ..... outside the pb fan dh gravity enduro fan base nobody cares about that sport .... go into a big bike store and ask a normal customer what he knows about dh wc .... that are the people who are bringing the money in.....
Don t get me wrong i live all that stuff and thats why you should get your wallet out and support it
  • 2 0
 @spoo: it may be niche for riding but it's followed by a much larger group of mountain bikers. Just look at the popularity of pinkbike.
  • 3 0
 @downcountry: they already do pay, it's called SPONSORSHIPS. You'll notice there are a lot of world cup racers that have them!
  • 1 0
 @downcountry: It's kinda like when Walmart runs food drives for their employees, but not as bad.
  • 1 0
 @Lookinforit: Niche usually means massive profits because you can set what ever price you want for your product.
  • 3 0
 @clemson: I think youre underestimating how much marketing and product development value dh has. I don't have a dh bike , but I watch what races religiously , it's like F1 for auto companies. Again the big companies aren't doing this out of the kindness of their own hearts. Also , what has you so convinced that i haven't supported Wyns fundraiser ? Who said anything about the big companies being the only ones who should donate ? If propain can do it , spesh can do it.
  • 1 0
 Will this be presented after every race weekend? Then one would have to donate again...?
Or just at the end of the season?

Generally I'd like to see more "awards" at the end of a season... e.g. "rookie of the year", "most stylish rider" etc.
  • 16 0
 Yeah I have 10 more races where I will do WynTV so will be presenting this award to the stand out Privateer at each of those.
  • 1 0
 @wynmasters: So you'll divide the total money collected by the races left and then we have the "prize money" for every race...?
  • 1 0
 @wynmasters: You sir, are a top class human being. Respect Lvl. +1000!

Much good karma to you.
  • 1 0
 @wynmasters: Just curious how will you define the stand out privateer? I only ask because there's a lot of money in that pool now (which is bloody fantastic mate!) but what if there's a stand out elite female as well as a stand out elite male for instance?

Regardless, you are a legend of a man and we're so lucky to have you as an ambassador for this sport!
  • 4 0
 @seidla: correct and now it’s a really good amount nearly more than the actual prize money, which is cool!
  • 2 0
 @doakwolf: then we would work out which performance was best, good thing is there is 10 chances for them to win the award so we will cover at least 10 riders including Nina who won the first one.
  • 1 0
 @wynmasters: The other cool part about this is each winner will get a little extra notoriety for winning the award. A little wynning spotlight will get their name out there.
  • 3 0
 Wow! Nearly reached the goal! Now Fully cheering for privateers now. Come on, folks -- throw some scratch at the young bloods of our sport. Top form, Wyn.
  • 3 0
 Great idea, however there's a blur to the definition of privateer : No UCI team or no sponsors ?
  • 2 0
 I would assume it can be essentially boiled down to whether or not you have your own personal mechanic. As those that do usually have factory support
  • 2 0
 i tell you what, after years in the wilderness, GT look like they've really started knocking out great bikes again. could be wrong though.
  • 1 0
 You should watch Rob Meets on red bull tv - the Brook McDonald episode specifically
  • 3 0
 @cuban-b: That’s just Brook’s take on the bike, which is fair. Wasn’t right for him.
Martin Maes doesn’t seem to have any problems with his GTs, though.
  • 2 0
 @mbray14: true, it’s just personal preference when it comes to equipment. Although I wanna say that Martin didn't start winning until the new DH bike came out. It could also be true that he’s simply getting better so it’s hard to tell what contributed most to his improvement.
  • 1 0
 So cool that Wyn is doing this. It'd be great if he looked at the privateer Juniors aswell, it'd be a way that they could get more coverage - in a few years they will be the tops riders in the sport.
  • 3 0
 Mad respect for you, Wyn, great job.
  • 2 0
 We need to have upvotes on articles so this can stay on the top page! Good man, Wyn!
  • 1 1
 Wouldn’t it be cool; to see some of the pros stick a few quid in. Along with some of the big manufacturers... we can live in hope ( pardon the pun )
  • 5 0
 Scroll through the names there’s quite a few pros who know what it’s like to be a privateer.
  • 1 0
 Wyn for Prime minister... Treats the people fairly and takes nothing but notoriety for himself!! Classy human Smile
  • 3 0
 No Paypal?
  • 1 0
 yeah, same issue. I don't have a CC.

@wynmasters any alternative ways of contributing?
  • 8 0
 will look in to it for you! Thanks very much
  • 2 0
 Guys like Wyn are what make this sport what it is.
  • 1 0
 Is Nina going to get this every round if nobody else does better than her? Which would seem quite likely.
  • 6 0
 We will be doing a new winner every round to make sure to spread the fund throughout the best performing Privateers
  • 2 0
 When he starts racing Masters he surely is goin to Wyn
  • 2 0
 Wyn you are a true gentleman!!!!
  • 1 0
 Que massa!! All the best for you and your fund Wyn ????
  • 1 0
 Great idea! makes it all worth while with a bit of help!
  • 1 0
 Wyn is the man! What a selfless great idea!
  • 1 0
 Good shit Wyn! Nice to see some one looking out for the up and comers
  • 1 0
 Thumbs up to Wyn for this! Top notch guy!
  • 1 0
 Wyn Mastered that! Bring those van campers some sunshine
  • 1 0
 Technically Gein is a privateer. Since he owns the team ????????
  • 1 0
 Gwin stupid auto correct. And stupid not able to edit comments section.
  • 1 0
 Athertons too. They own not only the race team, but the frame company too.
  • 1 0
 Only a winner could make such a classy move.
  • 1 0
 Andrew Neethling $69.....Nice!
  • 1 0
 The syndicate need puck up Nina Hoffman for next season.
  • 1 0
 Sick!
  • 1 0
 They aren't going to put anything in the pot!
  • 1 0
 @danposs86: they will promise to do though.
  • 1 0
 Brilliant idea..
  • 1 2
 Hey Wyn, Privateers from kiwi land should really be frontrunners. Costs more to get Europe !
  • 1 0
 Amazing!
  • 1 0
 Wyn FTW!
  • 1 0
 Wyn is a stallion!!!
  • 1 0
 well good idea
  • 1 0
 Good idea tup
  • 1 0
 Class move! Wyn win.
  • 1 0
 It's a win win situation
  • 1 0
 Wyn Master is the man!
  • 3 6
 There's about a million things in the world a go fund me would be better used for than some blokes biking holiday. Cycling isn't a fucking job is a hobby.
  • 1 0
 Trying to help out someone out who is giving everything they have to chase a passion and be the best they can at it is a bad cause?

You might be on the wrong website mate.







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