Martin Maes Signs with Orbea Fox Enduro Team

Dec 13, 2021 at 3:27
by James Smurthwaite  

Martin Maes has announced he has signed with Orbea bikes for the 2022 season and beyond.

GT announced that its 9-year partnership with the Belgian rider had ended at the start of the month and speculation had been rife since then about where his future could lie. Martin has been incredibly successful with GT from finishing fourth as a 16-year-old at the first-ever EWS in Punta Ala in 2013 to becoming one of the fastest and most consistent enduro racers in the world and then winning his final ever race with the team at the Tweed Valley in October.

photo

Orbea has also gone through some team changes this year with Damien Oton retiring after two seasons with the team and Evan Wall moving on to a new setup after his Pinkbike Academy contract ran out. Martin will join Vid Persak and Laura Charles on the team as the flagship rider and will be hoping to continue his winning form as he returns to full-time racing following the birth of his son in June. Another interesting thing we picked up from the press release is that Martin's downhill cameos are set to continue with Orbea. We'll wait and see if this means Orbea has a downhill bike in development or if Martin will be racing World Cups on a shorter travel bike as he did for GT this year.

photo

bigquotesWe discussed our concerns and objectives; our values and challenges; and we found common ground that has since blossomed into a concrete relationship that starts now. I already feel at home at Orbea. It is a family that has grown steadily in recent years, and I’m attracted to its philosophy, its products, its people, and its way of working. I come to give my best, just like them. And for the rest, next season will tell,—Martin Maes

photo

bigquotesWe have chosen each other because of a shared goal: to win the EWS and develop the best products. We’re ALL IN! We are going to do our very best, each and every day, to achieve the goals that we have set for ourselves. Let’s give it all, let’s be all in.—Iñaki Ucín, Orbea Sponsorship Manager

photo


Author Info:
jamessmurthwaite avatar

Member since Nov 14, 2018
1,770 articles
Must Read This Week
Kona Bicycles' Parent Company Appoints New CFO, Intends to Sell Brand
64647 views
Downhill Bikes of Sea Otter - Part 1
46813 views
Brian's Randoms from Sea Otter 2024
44679 views
Randoms Round 3: Dario's Treasures
44550 views
Pinkbike's DH Fantasy League: Get Your Team On The Line - Fort William is in 10 DAYS!
39721 views
Randoms Round 1 - Sea Otter 2024
38214 views
[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Araxá XC World Cup 2024
38159 views
Spotted: Frameworks Racing DH Bike with Electronic Fox Shock & Unreleased Enve Rims
37300 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

110 Comments
  • 149 2
 Am I the only one without a mustard jacket this season?
  • 75 0
 French or Dijon?
  • 45 0
 or Colonel?
  • 3 1
 @bigtim: TierenTeyn mustard is the best Smile
  • 5 0
 @bigtim: Colman’s stock plenty :-)
  • 16 0
 Pardon me,but do you have Grey Poupon?
  • 18 0
 ... if you don't have to be considered a rabbit and be shoot, yellow is great.
  • 1 0
 @bigtim: bénichon please
  • 2 3
 @likeittacky: Grey Poupon is the only choice here
  • 2 0
 @GBlanco: Just how big were those rabbits. Smile
  • 12 0
 Hi @NoahColorado , I am born in Dijon and I don't have a mustard jacket.
  • 1 0
 @mtbschrader: 1,75? m.pinkbike.com/news/mountain-biker-in-spain-shot-after-being-mistaken-for-a-rabbit.html
  • 4 1
 @swenzowski: lol. Maille for ever
You can't beat mustard on tap

images.ctfassets.net/8xaf2jrhnd49/1L7I6sYwQioD2afZ7ys193/8dac2cb53370b97ae301e04e9d459e92/image_pompe_moutarde_fraiche_vedf.jpg?w=1800&q=50
  • 1 0
 @bigtim: I'm confused,isn't it the same ?
  • 7 0
 @fracasnoxteam: The very best french mustard is "La Moutarde de Meaux" camarade.
Maille is not bad, but try la moutarde de Meaux to know what is a badass "moutarde à l'ancienne" Wink
PS: Andouillette de Troyes AAAAA au four + échalotes + moutarde de Meaux + Chablis for the win!
  • 1 0
 You just prompted all mtb apparel companies to make a mustard color jacket this year.
  • 2 0
 @danstonQ: Andouillette + mustard for the win ! But as a postride booster, not pre ride...
  • 1 0
 @fracasnoxteam: Eat your mustard, don't wear it !
  • 1 0
 …yes
  • 1 0
 Pat.............with his massive tool?
  • 3 0
 I make mustard in the morning after a curry night
  • 97 0
 Ok Martin, for this last shot I want you to take your helmet off and look directly into the Sun.
  • 13 0
 i had to actually watch it for that, normally i just go to the comments
  • 10 0
 So funny, why did they do that ?
  • 7 0
 @Ricolaburle: Looks like the director was too focused on the framing of the shot, with the scenic valley background and part of the ridge as middle ground, to notice the human in the foreground
  • 5 0
 Baby bird eyes
  • 52 0
 Flo is going to have quite the mentor this season
  • 7 0
 I truly hope Flo gets it. She is awesome.
  • 50 0
 There goes the budget for Pinkbike Academy 2023...
  • 4 0
 Maes is filling the hole Oton left.
  • 2 18
flag agnostic (Dec 14, 2021 at 11:57) (Below Threshold)
 @islandforlife: who?
  • 9 5
 @agnostic: Your mom.
Maes is filling her hole,or something like that.
  • 12 0
 Go go Martin Go! I am your fan. I Hope orbea do a DH bike for you.
  • 4 0
 That is a good point. If he wants to race a DH race, what bike will he use? Orbea does not have a DH bike, so would he race on another manufacturer's DH bike or just decide not to race DH anymore?
  • 1 0
 @tacklingdummy: new orbea bike incoming!
  • 1 0
 Or they'd just long shock a Rallon and put a fatty fork on it.
  • 1 0
 @tacklingdummy: He probably won't race any downhill races and just focus on enduro to become the EWS champion.
After the DH Worldcup in Maribor he realised, that he can't keep up with a non DH bike.
  • 2 0
 @chri92: 2 disciplines plus a baby seems too much even for superman...
  • 1 0
 Diorbhhea isn't going into the DH space, he will have to rig something up.
  • 16 5
 Secret Pro?
  • 11 0
 when they recorded PBA was in the middle of the EWS season... so maybe someone would had noticed that Martin wasn't at the races
  • 56 0
 aaaand, dont think some guys in PBA would beat this guy....
  • 1 0
 @Joakinho: Read above "...and Evan Wall moving on to a new setup after his Pinkbike Academy contract ran out...."
If I didn't miss anything, Martin wasn't the secret pro then.....
  • 1 0
 @JoeMisc: Ok. Likely that Evan was the secret pro then. I hope they reveal it at the end.
  • 11 2
 Orbea´s EWS videos are always way too serious and over the top Mission Impossible style.
  • 8 1
 Rallon is a beast if a bike,
  • 1 1
 Currently trying to decide between a new rallon or the Occam LT. Ride mostly steep tight South Wales tracks and the occasional park day. Anyone ridden either/both?
  • 7 0
 @L0rdTom:

I’ve got the occam. It’s 100% a trail bike. Can’t take a bash guard, 66/65° head angle, light and poppy.

My mates got the rallon. Still a nice light bike, but definitely more fit for purpose if you’re riding on the more technical end of things.
  • 2 0
 @L0rdTom: I had an occam and it definitely left me wanting more for park days. Rallon seems like a solid shout
  • 2 0
 @L0rdTom: what Deadweight says below is spot on. Occam LT is poppy and fun and really capable for a trail bike. Climbs great. Rallon is a beast and is very fast and capable when the trails get rough and technical. Climbs well for a big bike but not as good as the Occam... obviously.

I´ve got plenty of time on both btw, the new Rallon and the Occam LT.
  • 1 0
 Thanks for the responses, the main thing making me consider the Occam LT was the better fork and shock for close to the same money (M10 models). Having had a crap 3 position compression damper fork from fox before I'm a bit cautious. Ridden the M10 or M20 rallon @DougBasqueMTB?
  • 2 0
 @L0rdTom:

Go look on winstanleys by the way, rallon m10 and m20, L and XL on sale with a hood chunk of cash off!
  • 3 0
 Orbea doesn't currently seem to have a DH bike which is too bad because it was always interesting to see Martin race World Cups and World Champs.
  • 4 0
 On LINKEDIN Orbea seem to suggest that he will continue to race DH! I don't know if I´m able to link... if not check out their profile there.

www.linkedin.com/pulse/orbea-fox-enduro-team-welcomes-martin-maes-orbea-s-coop-/?trackingId=d5sR4udiT3ez9nhDAv0esA%3D%3D
  • 1 0
 @DougBasqueMTB: such as DH
  • 1 0
 @dkendy1: such as DH indeed! Meaning DH and potentially other races I guess...
  • 1 0
 @DougBasqueMTB: That is interesting. My guess from the article is that Maes will continue to ride DH, but perhaps not race DH. But that is still just a wild guess. Who knows, Orbea might be in the works with a new DH bike and Maes may ride it in a DH race. We will see.
  • 3 2
 The worst kept secret...

It's actually quite a risky move for Orbea.
If Martin isn't too 3/4 next season, assuming Jack makes a full recovery from his shoulder surgery and Richie can keep it between the tapes, what will it say for GT v Orbea?

Its interesting to see some riders move and their results move up or down with them.

Good luck to Martin for 2022. I think he has moved from a fast bike to a potentially faster bike which is gonna be rad to watch.
  • 3 0
 I look forward to seeing you on that new bike Martin, good luck next season.
  • 1 0
 OMG... when I see the bikes they use in the Acadamy... Good Luck, Martin. Either damper and forks are not adjusted, or the bikes are as stubborn as an old horse.
  • 1 0
 This wins for most authentic, spontaneous and heart-felt quotes of any press release in 2021? There, I said it.
  • 4 2
 Top boys all on maxxis now, assegai and minion dhr….
  • 14 0
 Sam Hill has something to say about this
  • 4 2
 All the top tires are pretty much the same. For pros it's all about the sponsorship package. Anyone else should arguably just pick one and stay on it for the reliable predictability of knowing your tires.
  • 2 0
 @bashhard: there were many years where this was true. 2021 was not one of those.

Hoping Sam finds the mojo again for '22, though. Racing is better with the old man around to keep the young guns honest!
  • 2 0
 Martin probably entered the Pinkbike competition.
  • 1 0
 Top rider on a top bike. Martin is gonna have that Rallon absolutely dancing. Much excite!
  • 2 0
 as we say in french : secret de polichinelle Smile
  • 2 0
 What does the Fox say?
  • 1 0
 Maybe you can find the answer here:

youtu.be/jofNR_WkoCE

  • 2 1
 Wellcome to Orbea Martin and good luck with the new project !!!
  • 1 0
 Another one of those well kept secrets.
  • 1 0
 Which means we won't see him racing DH every now and then anymore. Bummer
  • 1 0
 Gordons fisherman jacket makes the look.
  • 1 0
 Suddenly he has a son instead of a daugther
  • 2 1
 That’s cool.
  • 1 0
 Welcome Martin!
  • 1 0
 Congrats BTW Martin!
  • 3 2
 Secret Pro?
  • 12 0
 No way he can be beaten by any PBA contestant
  • 1 4
 @Ricolaburle: that's because he's all PED 'd up
  • 1 0
 They make a little blue pill for PED.
  • 1 0
 yas...go Martin
  • 1 0
 I fold ;((
  • 1 3
 I really hope Evan Wall will finish higher than Maes next year!!! (Evan in GT?)
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv42 0.036811
Mobile Version of Website