Jesse Melamed Joins the Canyon CLLCTV Enduro Team

Jan 27, 2023 at 2:17
by Ed Spratt  
Photo: Sterling Lorence

One of the big off-season rumours has finally been answered as Canyon announces Jesse Melamed is joining the Canyon CLLCTV Enduro Team.

After leaving the Rocky Mountain team Jesse Melamed has made the jump to the CLLCTV Enduro Team and will be racing alongside Dimitri Tordo and Jose Borges when the Enduro World Cup series kicks off in March.

Photo: Sterling Lorence

bigquotesI am stoked to be a part of the Canyon CLLCTV! Canyon is a brand that is passionate about racing and one that will always push the limits of what is possible, and that's an exciting journey to be a part of. I can't wait to see what we can achieve together.— Jesse Melamed

bigquotesJesse has shown incredible speed in the past seasons, and already his input and approaches to racing and finding speed on track have been super valuable. Without a doubt Jesse will add a vital dimension to the team. His great performances will help us get to the next level as one of the most inspiring teams on the UCI EDR circuit— Fabien Barel


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206 Comments

  • 353 10
 JSS MLMD
  • 29 2
 WH?
  • 36 0
 WTF
  • 9 5
 YSSSS
  • 82 0
 BBQ
  • 22 4
 JSS MLMD JS CLLCTV
  • 8 5
 @hubsti: ^^^ Damnit! Not sure I should be mad or happy I can comprehend all of that statement. Canyon brainwashing/conditioning I suppose? Big Grin
  • 12 5
 We all knew this (or pretty much any Canyon article) would get a post like this. Just didn't expect it to become a top post. Say whatever you want, but it probably does qualify as strong branding if people automatically keep coming up with variations of what is unmistakably yours. Rocky Mountain is the one with the best url though. Canyon should take bks.com.
  • 9 2
 @bman33: WSH! THT JK WNT RGHT VR YR HD!
  • 9 2
 MNYTLKS
  • 17 0
 You'd think Canyon would have enough money to buy a vowel or two after that bike boom
  • 3 2
 WRST KPT SCRT!
  • 12 2
 WTF HPPND T JCK MR ??!??!
  • 1 0
 @SchalkMarais: Left the team months ago.
  • 1 1
 @btjenki: I forgot about that. Duh!!?!!
Wonder where he is going to pop up though…
  • 1 0
 @SchalkMarais: YT or possibly Trek
  • 4 1
 WLL JSS RC DHWNHLL?
  • 1 0
 @btjenki: YT
  • 159 3
 This is a very weak press release for the Current Enduro World Champ! Big swing and miss in my opinion.
  • 40 5
 Yeah. Pretty lame. Not a fan of Canyon either. Oh well
  • 3 0
 Yea, wonder if they didn't have all their media together and were being forced to launch the news because he was riding the bike around Squamish and it was bound to get exposed in the next few days. Odd weak release for sure. Also, Canyon in Europe so this was a remote job. But still...
  • 11 0
 @btjenki: hes been riding around Squamish for 2 weeks now…Doubt they were being forced…My guess is that Canyon is putting their money on racing instead of wasting it on overpriced PB…The world knows now…thats good enough in my book.Sure, Id like to see flashy stuff but I also appreciate the financial decision
  • 2 0
 @neroleeloo: Yes, aware he's been riding it around for two weeks--that's why I said that it's going to get exposed any day now via locals. ... I don't personally care that it's not flashy. Just stating reasons it might not be. The obvious reason it's not flashy is money, but I was trying to throw out some other possibilities.
  • 8 0
 Canyon is probably having supply chain issues with their PR department
  • 3 0
 @mattmatthew: they need to consolidate their cold calculated mind to aproach cold calculated consumers...
  • 5 1
 Not as big of swing/miss as that "best of" Moir goodbye vid. Talk about blowing it.
  • 1 0
 Even Sterling Lorence seems to not take it too seriously this time...
  • 1 0
 @mattmatthew: Jesse will make Canyon famous!
  • 80 2
 Good job with your trolling to cover up your accident in front of the espresso machine with the canyon reflection
  • 38 0
 Can't believe he got you again, this post is just commitment to the bit... I expect him to turn up on a RM wearing nothing but a Canadian flag at the first event!
  • 1 0
 Where can you find this pic?
  • 14 0
 @rain164845: Vitalmtb forum, Team rumors thread, page 25
  • 4 8
flag mininhi (Jan 27, 2023 at 5:12) (Below Threshold)
 JSSEMLMDCNYNCLTVTM2023EWSWRLDCHMPNSTKD
  • 10 0
 @winko: you just broke the code of "the other page"
  • 3 0
 @ciechan: holy hell that whole thread was a rabbit hole
  • 8 0
 @winko: www.vitalmtb.com/forums/The-Hub,2/2023-TEAM-RUMORS,11486?page=24
  • 1 0
 @Mugen: We all know Jesse is here reading the comments and laughing is ass off at that
  • 74 0
 "Jesse has shown incredible speed in the past seasons" That statement sonds like he is some up and coming junior racer, not the reigning champ
  • 68 0
 When does MelMel TV drop?

And what a massive change for Jesse, almost every component is different.
  • 5 1
 With a little more bear he could pass for Moi moi on that picture...
  • 21 0
 Huge respect for Jesse but the chemistry/atmosphere between MoiMoi, Partyboy and Mr. Bomba will be hard to beat.
  • 1 0
 still on maxxis rubber!
  • 4 0
 I’m worried party boy won’t get the same coverage.
  • 1 0
 @Zachmozach: it would have been clever to leave both and be and inseparable pack
  • 59 2
 I like Jesse but I can't forgive Canyon's font or the team's vowel intolerance.
  • 130 0
 Do you have irritable vowel syndrome?
That can be quite uncomfortable, I hear.
  • 5 2
 Wht d y mn?
  • 4 0
 Skewed Helvetica Narrow? Yeah way to take a beautiful font and ruin it.
  • 40 2
 Could have at least got a new kit for the year. Just looks like Moir wannabe in that kit.
  • 11 0
 Yep. Not a particularly great looking kit either to be fair, there's something about the sleeve strips that make it look really dated. I assume they'll do a new kit and bike colour reveal nearer the first round, unless budgets really are getting cut back that much this year!
  • 13 0
 @CleanZine: Jesse's green camo Rocky kit with the flag on the sleeve is one of the nicest I've ever seen.
  • 3 0
 that jersey with the stripes on the arms looks like an '90s track suit
  • 2 0
 With all this awaiting time I was expecting him (or Moi ) to appear with some sort of a cape and FX... Hope YT show us how it's done...
  • 2 0
 @PauRexs: Metaman, express elevator! Dynaguy, snagged on takeoff! Splashdown, sucked into a vortex! No capes!
  • 19 0
 Stoked for Jesse to get paid, guess I missed the news about him leaving Rocky Mountain. Gonna take a minute to adjust to that. That team had the best vibes.
  • 11 0
 The dude seems pretty down-to-earth and practical in his interviews. The bottom line is these people have shelf lives and are sacrificing a lot in terms of what they could be doing if not for racing. They have to take the best deal they can get, I hope the bike can keep up with him.
  • 14 0
 The worst-kept secret of this years' silly season.
  • 13 1
 In comparison to Rocky Mountain ( and it's deep mountain bike roots) Canyon just seems a bit...blah.
Dig Jesse though and wish him the best for the upcoming season.
  • 3 2
 It's literally the opposite. Literally.
  • 10 0
 Just a bad attempt at making a joke about a canyon being the opposite of a mountain...
  • 4 0
 @boozed: the best jokes are there ones you have to explain, eh
  • 1 0
 @chakaping: Oh definitely!
  • 1 0
 @boozed: That's Gorgeous
  • 12 0
 Can we enumerate how many people are actually riding for them.
  • 5 1
 There is the Canyon Road Team Womens and Mens

The CLLCTV

Fabio Wibmer & his Cousin

The Japanese Trial rider

there are many mores?
  • 6 0
 @Hamburgi: there's also the FMD racing team that the Seagraves are riding for, and also the Canyon Pirelli DH team and the Canyon Dainese enduro team, just to name a few. Sure there's more still?
  • 6 0
 @Hamburgi:
Plus Brad Simms
And don’t forget they just signed Sam Pilgrim, too
  • 4 0
 @SeanF82: Braydon Bringhurst
  • 2 0
 @SeanF82:

This is crazy, isn't it?

They must have a massive budget for all these riders?

If someone can list all the teams, and riders, this would epic.
  • 1 3
 @Hamburgi: that's probably why they weren't keen to invest that much into superstar Moi +(500k?) when they could get the reigning champ for probably half... Very german aproach.
  • 3 1
 Enough to make me wonder if they should be spending some of that money on product development.
  • 1 0
 @Hamburgi: Sam Pilgrim
  • 7 1
 It's gonna be interesting whether he'll be on the Strive for the races (which Canyon officially labels as their enduro race bike)...
First Jack Moir riding the Strive two sizes smaller than the recommendation from the Canyon website, then Jesse Melamed choosing the Spectral...
  • 3 0
 I think it is just an announcement photo shoot. We will see the actual bike of choice on the first race.
  • 1 0
 the spectral is the "the bike" as its canyons most popular MTB.
  • 5 1
 Yea, the question will be in Canyon will do a smaller Strive size for Jesse and anyone else under 5'9". Or if he'll get a one off front triangle just for him. Or if he will use the Spectral or Torque. Current smallest Strive's reach is too long for him (based on everything he's said about bike sizes he prefers).
  • 1 0
 canyon posted today he's racing the spectral for the tasmanian rounds, then the strive for the rest of the season.
  • 1 0
 @macaroni69: Doubt he'll be riding the smallest size currently available, but maybe he'll put on a 27.5" rear wheel and a longer fork to decrease the reach slightly and be happy with that setup.
  • 1 0
 @c-radicallis: yes well the European block of races is not until June, so plenty of time for a new size/prototype/generation of strive to appear.
  • 12 2
 Love the rider... But why do I not like this brand?
  • 3 0
 I was meh on Canyon until I rode their Spectral last year. What an awesome bike.
  • 1 0
 @rrolly: It is great. Something about high progression bikes...You'd almost think they work really well.
  • 3 0
 @rrolly: a friend broke the swingarm and waited months for a new one
  • 2 0
 @vhdh666: In light of supply issues over the past two years, how would that be much different from other brands?
  • 1 0
 @rrolly: I don't know. But I think it's a bit strange that a 80kg 'easy trails' rider on an enduro bike breaks a chainstay
  • 1 0
 I think sometimes it (may) come down to boutique love. Yeah sometimes they break like any other brand as has been stated. But I had a 2015 RM Alt, great bike, snapped the chain stay twice, they were good and replaced it both times. Just remember the Slayer stay snapping in the PB test couple years back? Not having a go, I loved my 2018 Slayer, more capable than I am. My wife has a 2020 Altitude, they make great bikes! There are things about my spectral mullet I don't love, like bearing seals slipping off when trying to replace stays over main pivot after regressing, but it's still a great bike with a relative simple design that works for the riding it's intended.
Canyon invests heavily in riders period, they invest in racing heavily. That to me shows commitment to the sport, which imho commands a certain degree of respect. Boutique or not.
I also respect anyone who reads this whole rambling post.
  • 8 0
 Confirmed, good, I like it. Jessie, you give fire on stages, don't slow down!
  • 4 4
 as long as he's slower than Sławek, we're good.
  • 1 3
 @kopaczus: spierdalaj swoim nacjonalizmem
  • 2 0
 @kopaczus: Ja myślę, a raczej wnioskuję po dochodzeniach detektywistycznych na relacjach sławka że będzie jeździł na yeti Wink
  • 2 0
 I think, or rather conclude after detective investigations on the reports of Slawek that he will ride the yeti Wink
  • 9 0
 Mountain biking's best kept secret™
  • 9 2
 So Jack to Rocky Mountain RF Enduro Team ?
  • 9 5
 YT
  • 15 0
 @bashhard: Was just a joke, relax !
  • 2 4
 How about Pivot?
  • 15 0
 @Ricolaburle: Germans don’t joke
  • 2 0
 @NicolaZesty314: Well, the Canyon CLLCTV is no joke I guess !
  • 1 0
 @Ricolaburle: why? there's no need to relax here LOL
  • 5 0
 Good Luck!
It looks like SRAM has a new brake (at least for me) - don't you think? Both the lever and the caliper look to be different for me.
  • 1 1
 Also Those cranks look different too, maybe ride5dev cranks
  • 2 0
 @M-a-R-c-I Yes, racers have been on the new Codes, in public, since last summer. Official press release forthcoming.
  • 2 0
 @Gillesdenault: Yes, they're clearly the cranks SRAM showed off last year that were designed by AI.
  • 7 2
 Anybody catch the rear derailleur/cassette (he's standing w/ leg in front of it)? Sram about to drop that new standard on us. Get ready for some more obsolescence.
  • 1 0
 havent they been teasing it for a while? Schurter has been running the new one for a while no?
  • 1 0
 I think March
  • 1 0
 @Grosey This groupset has been in the public eye on racers bikes since world championships last summer/early fall.
  • 2 0
 New standard? Isn't it simply a direct mount derailleur that mounts to UDH-compatible frames?
  • 2 0
 I hope this means we see Canyon coming to Canada. There bikes, as a Canadian aren't much cheaper from other brands. Builds may be a bit better and more versatile but I would like to see them here. I'd probably buy one if they did. Shipping and duty is horrible otherwise
  • 2 0
 Outside of having a great rider no pun intended,local’s buying into Canyon need to be aware of the extra charges when purchasing from overseas. The Duties and GST in Canada are really expensive and when you order it remember to add a few zeros to the price.
  • 5 0
 Feels dirty. I liked it better the old way.
  • 5 0
 $$ talks and he deserves it
  • 2 0
 @jaydawg69: jep, canyon wants to sell bikes in Canada ... probably sells there more than in Australia, so having a Canadian rider on the roster is only logical
  • 4 0
 After years on Rocky this has to be a big money move otherwise why change, class so good luck to him he deserves it.
  • 1 0
 Super stoked for Jesse to have all of the hard work and results deliver a (hopefully) good contract that rewards him and helps support his life after racing. I hope the swap of nearly every component brand and frame suits him, and we continue to see him at the front.

I do wish he was still with a more interesting brand (to me). Rooting for you anyway dude!
  • 1 0
 forget who is/was EWS WC - these companies are not charities! Canyon knows exactly their return on Moi Moi over the last 3 years from their balance sheet....the question is "did their marketing/sales dept. have any input into team management's direction or decision?".....I doubt it, but time will tell if this was a wise commercial move over to Jesse!
GOOD LUCK to both riders with their new bike brands.
  • 4 0
 Nice work Jesse! Congratz
  • 3 0
 No way!

Good luck Jesse Smile
  • 4 0
 What saddle is that?
  • 12 0
 Not quite sure...maybe they need a bigger logo?
  • 4 0
 WTB
  • 3 0
 @pyromaniac: I´d say so. There is some free space left on the pants anyway
  • 3 1
 ERGN
  • 3 0
 Does that mean the trolling comes to an end? Frown
  • 3 0
 Would have been awesome to see Jack and Jesse on the same team!
  • 4 0
 With both their contracts up for renewal it would have been an expensive (but very awesome) team.
  • 4 0
 You mean Jessie and James, but they are already on team rocket
  • 1 0
 @MartinKS: James who?
  • 7 4
 Bet he's stoked to get off Fox suspension at least.
  • 5 1
 Why do you say that? I'm don't have any myself these days, but I'm sure it works great if you're getting it serviced all the time.
  • 2 0
 See this is interesting, not so much for Fox, but the fact Jesse has said in numerous videos how He likes flight attendant and is jealous of it.

Personally I've always had weird issues with fox shocks, i can never seem to find a happy setting. the old SDU with megneg was one of the best shocks IMO. no doubt the 2023 is even better.(currently on factory fox stuff)
  • 3 3
 @chakaping: RS is vastly superior in MTB suspension right now over fox. MTB suspension is Fox’s least R&D’d sector of their suspension. all the goods go to snowmobiles, jeeps, etc.
  • 1 0
 @HeatedRotor: yea my Float X2 feels worse than my old DB Air IL... it's pretty insensitive and like always with Fox stuff the compression is overdamped IMO...everyone seems to be running Fox open or close to open. With the X2 again, while I was in the middle of the range on the Cane Creek.
  • 2 0
 Make that money! Racing careers are finite. Definitely gotta maximize what you can while you're at the top of your game.
  • 1 0
 I'm sorry but I certainly expected him to join something else besides Canyon....But I guess they probably pay much better than RM..
  • 1 0
 I love that the last cited sentence of Jesse is "Says Jesse coming into the 2023 season"
  • 3 0
 looks like jacks shirt
  • 2 0
 Riding with Party boyyyyy
  • 1 0
 Congrats Jessie. Look forward to seeing you on the top step this season again.
  • 2 0
 CNYN CLLCTV WLCMS JSS MLMD
  • 1 0
 They def need one of those X logos with some letter in each V of the X
  • 2 0
 Congratulations. All the best to him this season.
  • 1 0
 Got to admit it’s super weird not seeing him in a Canadian dinner jacket. Good luck JM. Let’s go racing
  • 2 0
 Easy swap for Canyon, him and Jack run the same size frame
  • 1 0
 Seems to be Canyon and Commencal are in a battle to see who can gain the most riders
  • 3 1
 Hopefully this will decrease the over priced rocky's
  • 2 0
 Guess Old McDonalds royalty fees on E, I, O were getting too steep.
  • 1 0
 will he be riding the spectral not the strive?. Strive in S probably too big
  • 1 0
 @Korbi777 Correct, current Strive S is too big... We'll see if Canyon finally brings out an XS size with a 430 reach so he can rider it.
  • 1 0
 Congratulations to the smoothest rider that I've ever seen. I hope Jesse wins it all again.
  • 1 0
 What's the best way to get your bike on the podium?
Canyon = SIGN EVERYONE!!!!
  • 1 0
 For real, what does CLLCTV mean?! Sorry if somebody already wrote about that but yeah, was always wondering...
  • 2 0
 It's the word "collective" without vowels. Ds that help?
  • 1 0
 @abhorred: Oh okay, I was thinking waayyy too much, thanks lol
  • 1 0
 Is it MPL SYRP, or MPL SRP? I'm not sure if Y is a vowel or a consonant in the Canyon alphabet. Either way congrats Jesse.
  • 1 1
 Good luck for this new adventure!
Now with this news, we expect more than Jack Moir's announcement...
YT or Santa Cruz?
  • 3 2
 Still no news on the updated sram AXS MTB groupsets
  • 3 0
 March
  • 2 0
 Spoiler alert...........UDH format direct mount with new shifter design........probably some clutch upgrade bits as well.
  • 1 0
 Review: still expensive, still a lot of derailleur bounce, except now different "ergonomics" and more proprietary mounting standards.
  • 3 2
 CNYN BLDNG QUT TH COLLCTN F RDRS NW. NOICE N JSS.
  • 1 0
 Jesse's so good, he knows how to pronounce CLLCTV...
  • 1 0
 I guess this that lebron/ VC money
  • 1 0
 Very strategic standing position in front of the derailleur haha
  • 2 0
 Told yas
  • 1 0
 Nicely hidden new SRAM products behind that leg.
  • 1 0
 Goes to show that its not the bike that matters, its the rider....
  • 1 0
 Is this team sponsored by some sort of closed circuit tv tech
  • 1 0
 Rumour has it the bb shell has already debonded
  • 1 0
 Looking forward to his Monster sponsorship next! lol.
  • 1 0
 Looks like everyone will be on Canyon bikes in 2023..
  • 1 0
 Good job mate, gotta pay the bills and build a future for yourself.
  • 1 0
 I hope he got a great contract and is the top paid Enduro rider out there.
  • 1 0
 Surprise, surprise.
  • 1 1
 canyon please new race new face)!!))
  • 3 2
 hpp fr hm !! Beer
  • 1 0
 new sram cranks there!
  • 1 0
 wh ffs?
  • 1 0
 who what why?????
  • 1 0
 Heck yeah Jess!
  • 1 1
 Ohhh nooo Why the hell? There are still no gos on this planet
  • 1 0
 Shuuut uuuup!
  • 1 0
 Any news on Moi Moi?
  • 1 0
 This is insane
  • 1 0
 jack for jesse
  • 6 7
 Jack Moir on Trek... ;-)
  • 3 1
 True story
  • 1 1
 YT
  • 1 0
 @solf: he had a trek in his truck few weeks ago
  • 1 0
 @mxmtb: interested. I've heard yt from a place or two. But trek would be good for him for sure.
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