Another World Cup Team Bites The Dust As Bike Industry Reels From Downturn
Mondraker Bikes announced recently that they will no longer be working with MS Mondraker, their World Cup Downhill team of the last 10 years. Mondraker closing the door on its downhill division is unfortunately not surprising as a large chunk of companies have pulled out their racing divisions since the end of the 2023 season.
Take a look at Mondraker's announcement below.
"More than 10 years of triumphs, of podiums, of World Cups. More than 10 years of work, evolution, sweat and tears. It’s time to say a huge “Thank you!” to the pit crew and riders of the @msmondrakerteam for everything they’ve done over the last decade, and for taking Mondraker’s colours to the top steps of podiums all over the world.
It’s the end of something that will be a part of Mondraker’s history forever. Frankly, it’s the end of an era. But… it’s also the start of something new.
RACING NEVER ENDS" - Mondraker via Instagram
This trend of companies pulling their World Cup Downhill and Enduro teams has many fans and athletes alike worried for the future of professional racing.
On the one hand, a lot of it can be chalked up to the bike industry as a whole's downturn since the post-pandemic boom which we all knew was coming eventually. On the other, now that the mountain biking bubble has burst, fans are worried that racing might not bounce back for quite a while as it is a luxury for companies to support teams.
With the future of racing facing something of an existential crisis, it will be interesting to see how athletes and the institution of World Cup racing adapt. Will companies find it in their budgets to begin supporting teams again soon? Or, will athletes begin looking for support outside the bike industry?
Several influencers have already begun to explore sponsors outside of mountain biking. It's only logical that we will begin to see more of this in racing moving forward as riders are going to have to get creative to stay in the series.
2024 will be a strange and telling year for professional mountain biking. We just hope for an exciting season at the very least.
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