Joey Foresta Parts Ways with GT

Dec 18, 2022 at 8:38
by Ed Spratt  
Joey Foresta qualifying 2nd on his GT Distortion setup as a mini mullet - 27.5 front wheel and 26 rear wheel with a 50mm stem to make the bike a little bigger but not necessarily longer.

After joining GT in 2009 while racing BMX Joey Foresta has announced he will be starting a new chapter in 2023.

Moving from BMX to racing World Cups and Dual Slalom Joey has stayed with GT as he has moved across disciplines although he says a new career chapter in 2023 will mean parting ways with the brand.


bigquotesGT first picked me up when they were prototyping the speed series in 2009. I was 8 years old, racing BMX and had no idea the family that GT would turn into for me!

Since then, we have accomplished more than I would have dreamed of! GT fully supported me when I switched to mountain biking, gave me a shot at racing world cups and recently supported my pursuit of dual slalom. They have always put fun first and I think that reflects in the brand.

I will be parting ways with GT in 2023 to start a new chapter in my Career!

I want to give a huge thank you to Steve and the whole crew at GT for bringing me into the family and supporting every endeavor I choose. I’ll never forget all of the awesome experiences I had on a GT!

Cheers to the good times!— Joey Foresta


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40 Comments

  • 74 7
 There seem to be lots of people I've never heard of leaving teams recently.
  • 35 2
 He’s a pretty big name in the US if you follow dual slalom.
  • 13 21
flag jokermtb (Dec 18, 2022 at 10:53) (Below Threshold)
 @svenjamsa: Bernard Kerr beat him in the Dual Slalom finals at Crankworks 22
  • 40 0
 @jokermtb: But....he was in the finals.........against Bernard Kerr. Your point?
  • 12 3
 first signs of getting old
  • 19 1
 I’m staying with forbidden for the 3rd season
same bike same parts
  • 2 0
 I think the way the industry is heading recently and we can assume also in the coming months, many "lower tier" (no disrespect here, I might not use the proper term sorry) riders will have a hard time keeping their contracts with the brands. The latter will focus their expenses on the big names they have... Like Specialized dropping the embassadors/influencers program
  • 2 2
 i decided to move teams too
  • 4 0
 @svenjamsa: The same people who care about Slalom are the same people who care about who value wins @ crankworks events.
  • 4 0
 @svenjamsa: "Following" dual slalom is like following Haleys comet.
  • 38 0
 Say what you want about GT but I think its pretty cool that riders tend to stay on their team for longer periods of time compared to other bigger companies.
  • 11 16
flag scrawnydog (Dec 18, 2022 at 12:52) (Below Threshold)
 Yeah, but those salaries may be what's preventing them from making a mountain bike with relevant tech and geo.
  • 3 0
 @scrawnydog: lol
  • 7 0
 @scrawnydog: The "new" Force is a legitimately good bike.
  • 27 2
 Guess GT can't see the Foresta for the trees anymore
  • 1 0
 oooohhhggg
  • 11 0
 @jokermtb: don't worry, I'm a certified dad
  • 12 1
 ...Run Foresta Run
  • 3 0
 Ahhhh......there it is.
  • 19 2
 lost his bmx background
  • 1 0
 Came to say he has a BMX background, but your comment made me laugh, so I'll leave it there.
  • 9 1
 Gota pay Hans...
  • 8 0
 Fezz life
  • 2 0
 Adding some studs to the stable over there...
  • 4 0
 It’ll be good to see him flying some different colors, he deserves big support.
  • 4 0
 Steve is a rad dude, and so is Joey. Excited to see what the future holds for Joey.
  • 2 0
 Joey let me know if you now have any distortion frames available haha
  • 2 0
 Distortion, still the fastest trail bike I've owned....
  • 1 0
 Just had to Google that, never even heard of it! That was seriously ahead of its time!
  • 1 0
 I wish these were still made available to the public. Such a fun bike.
  • 2 0
 That mini mullet (+Joey) killed it at slalom
  • 1 3
 It was over the GT clothing. UCI stated that he couldn’t wear his clothing anymore as he used it for dual slalom and therefore no longer allowed in DH races. It wasn’t in the rules as only BMX and DH clothing was allowed. He said he could wear his jeans but they banned them as well. Pure funding issue.
  • 1 0
 Don't worry, everyone's getting back together in January.
  • 1 0
 How's that nobody talks about Blanki leaving norco??
  • 1 0
 this was posted 2 days ago, blenki just posted today.
  • 2 0
 fzzri
  • 1 0
 yep that makes sense. Everyone he was rolling with last race I saw him at was on DVO and Fezzari. Fezzari and DVO have a pretty bad ass upcoming team.
  • 2 1
 Breaking news.
  • 1 0
 Moving over to forestal?
  • 1 0
 Chris akrigg as well





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