Events

The YT Mob: YT joins the World Cup with Aaron Gwin and Angel Suarez

By Press Office · 53 comments

The bike manufacturer YT finally shares its secret and presents its first Downhill World Cup racing team named “The YT Mob”. None other than American Aaron Gwin along with Spanish Youngster Angel Suarez will stir up the downhill world, while the team will be operated by 23 Degrees Sports with Martin Whiteley as Team Director.

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Exactly one week ago the terrible news about the death of YT team rider Kelly McGarry made headlines all around the globe. The team at YT is still at a loss for words regarding the sudden loss of this extraordinary character. Unsure about the right moment to release the much-anticipated news about Aaron Gwin and the downhill team, YT has now decided to make it official: Aaron Gwin is coming to Forchheim!

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After an extensive search, the 28-year-old downhill superstar has decided to join the German bike manufacturer. Aaron Gwin’s team mate is 20-year-old Angel Suarez from Vigo, who can look back on a very successful motocross career and who has already showcased his immense downhill racing potential with a top 20 finish at the World Cup in Lenzerheide in 2015. With the Mob, YT joins the World Cup circus for the first time in its history.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL_3xbXL3jY
Finally, the long-awaited wish to send the TUES onto the world’s toughest tracks to prove that the downhill machine is not just a top-notch freeride beast, but also a proper racing tool is now coming true. With his distinctive racing focus and his untamed will to win, Aaron Gwin adds a new dimension to the YT family. It was particularly important for Gwin that his new bike sponsor shares the same passion and dedication for downhill as he does. With YT he has a like-minded crew on his side, one that is completely committed to the gravity aspect of mountain biking. The set-up of the bikes out of Forchheim could not be any better: The kinematic concept and the geometry of the TUES convinced the multiple World Cup winner already after the first ride. There will be no changes made to the frame itself, Gwin will ride all the World Cup races with a stock TUES frame.

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So, has YT had a change of heart, deviating from their Good Times mentality to now only heavily focus on nothing but rankings and podiums? “No way”, says CEO Markus Flossmann. “Good Times is also the motto of our YT Mob. We are going to offer our riders the best bikes and conditions, so they can focus on doing their thing. The fun of racing will always come first, because eventually the rider who can stay relaxed and calm during the heat and stress of racing will take the win. We are beyond thrilled to have Aaron and Angel joining us.”

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Gwin is also excited about his new sponsor: “The unbelievable hype that we’ve seen over the last few weeks and the feedback of the fans were incredible, but I am really happy to finally announce the news. We are a great match because the guys at YT share the same passion for mountain biking as I do. I am sure we will have a great time together. The TUES is perfect and I am really happy to officially ride it from now on.”

In addition to YT as title sponsor, the YT Mob will have the following co-sponsors: e*thirteen, Onza Tires, TRP, Renthal, SDG, Motorex, ODI, Cane Creek and Alpinestars.

Comments

Capricorn

Feb 9, 2016, 8:35 AM

That's my thinking. Will see how he's riding, but he's from an MX background, and he's already got a top 20 (Lenzerheide iirc) so he could be a good shot. 

 

As much as I hate to say it though, the YT has more chance of being at the top under Gwin. Gah! 

 

nothing a moerse crash won't fix :P

Headshot

Feb 9, 2016, 8:43 AM

I recon Gwin will absolutely dominate on that bike. He likes it and it has great reviews. I would buy a YT because Gwin chose it - not because I am a fan, just because I know he knows what he's doing...

popcorn_skollie

Feb 9, 2016, 9:02 AM

I recon Gwin will absolutely dominate on that bike. He likes it and it has great reviews. I would buy a YT because Gwin chose it - not because I am a fan, just because I know he knows what he's doing...

 

The fact that he's happy with a stock frame seemed like a bold premature statement given how pedantic Gwin is. I guess there's alot of testing ahead for them. Thing is, Gwin can pin it on any bike. But in the game of inches and seconds whether he'll take any podiums on a new bike is anyone's guess really.

Captain Fastbastard Mayhem

Feb 9, 2016, 9:05 AM

The fact that he's happy with a stock frame seemed like a bold premature statement given how pedantic Gwin is. I guess there's alot of testing ahead for them. Thing is, Gwin can pin it on any bike. But in the game of inches and seconds whether he'll take any podiums on a new bike is anyone's guess really.

Yeah. From what he said, though, the YT frame was pretty much exactly what he wanted the Spaz guys to change the Demo to ito geometry. 

 

Fully agreed on the development. And they're happy to accommodate that. 

LazyTrailRider

Feb 9, 2016, 9:07 AM

the race kit is better than that Spaz shite they used to wear.

 

Gwin didn't wear Specialized kit, he was on TLD.

popcorn_skollie

Feb 9, 2016, 9:11 AM

Gwin didn't wear Specialized kit, he was on TLD.

 

Thats true. But the stars and stripes kit is still the worst thing anyone ever wore.

popcorn_skollie

Feb 9, 2016, 9:14 AM

I doubt YT will ever wrap a TUES in that spangled banner ***. 

Headshot

Feb 9, 2016, 9:22 AM

Gwin didn't wear Specialized kit, he was on TLD

 

The fact that he's happy with a stock frame seemed like a bold premature statement given how pedantic Gwin is. I guess there's alot of testing ahead for them. Thing is, Gwin can pin it on any bike. But in the game of inches and seconds whether he'll take any podiums on a new bike is anyone's guess really.

Ya maybe - but this didnt happen overnight so he must have done some testing...

 

The TLD kit would explain why Brosnan looked several degrees worse than Gwin, which is not to say the TLD stuff was great at all - I'm with you on the stars and stripes ugliness.In fact much of the recent TLD kit is damn ugly.

Capricorn

Feb 9, 2016, 9:53 AM

Yeah. From what he said, though, the YT frame was pretty much exactly what he wanted the Spaz guys to change the Demo to ito geometry. 

 

 

the cynic in me thought, just a second or two, that that comment by Gwin was a bit of a backhand aimed at spesh:

 

"Literally, every change that I wanted to make to my last bike, geometry wise, was where their bike was now. I kind of had a laugh at that."

 

seems like he wanted more changes, on a brand new design of Demo? :whistling: . Interesting stuff that can be read into that statement of his. ;)

Mntboy

Feb 9, 2016, 9:57 AM

That's my thinking. Will see how he's riding, but he's from an MX background, and he's already got a top 20 (Lenzerheide iirc) so he could be a good shot.

 

As much as I hate to say it though, the YT has more chance of being at the top under Gwin. Gah!

Don't think that Mx is a deficit ito skills/ability in fact maybe an advantage? Seem to recall that all of Minnaar, Hannah (both) and the Atherton's all have MX backgrounds or use MX as part of their training. And indeed you recall correctly about Angel's top 20 performance, it was at Lenzerheide. He should learn loads under Gwin, as much as I hate saying it he is one hell of a rider/racer!
Hairy

Feb 9, 2016, 9:58 AM

the cynic in me thought, just a second or two, that that comment by Gwin was a bit of a backhand aimed at spesh:

 

"Literally, every change that I wanted to make to my last bike, geometry wise, was where their bike was now. I kind of had a laugh at that."

 

seems like he wanted more changes, on a brand new design of Demo? :whistling: . Interesting stuff that can be read into that statement of his. ;)

Have you seen the interview with Loic where they test the Demo out, have an idea RE a new link .... Spaz engineers go away and comeback the next day with a newly machined lump of alum for the team to test. 

 

Something tells me the Spaz boys are not holding back for Loic and the team.

Capricorn

Feb 9, 2016, 10:26 AM

Have you seen the interview with Loic where they test the Demo out, have an idea RE a new link .... Spaz engineers go away and comeback the next day with a newly machined lump of alum for the team to test. 

 

Something tells me the Spaz boys are not holding back for Loic and the team.

 

link, no problem. overnight special.

Frame changes, wait. hang on. what?

popcorn_skollie

Feb 9, 2016, 10:28 AM

Have you seen the interview with Loic where they test the Demo out, have an idea RE a new link .... Spaz engineers go away and comeback the next day with a newly machined lump of alum for the team to test. 

 

Something tells me the Spaz boys are not holding back for Loic and the team.

 

Meanwhile at syndicate Ratboys like: 'What? you changed the tyres? Cool! lets pin it!'

 

Can't remember where I read that but it made me chuckle.

Duane_Bosch

Feb 9, 2016, 11:01 AM

Yeah. From what he said, though, the YT frame was pretty much exactly what he wanted the Spaz guys to change the Demo to ito geometry. 

 

Fully agreed on the development. And they're happy to accommodate that. 

Yeah that's called let's sell more bikes marketing BS. Busting whips for the camera in Fontana is a far cry from a race run in Val Di Sole.

 

As Harry says in Day's of Thunder. There's nothing stock about a Stock Car.

Hairy

Feb 9, 2016, 11:37 AM

link, no problem. overnight special.

Frame changes, wait. hang on. what?

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/specialized-gravity-team-testing-winter-2016.html

 

 

What's that? You say you'd like to see how a bike performs with a different flex characteristic on the back end? One (or is that two) chopped chainstay coming right up. While possibly not ideal for all tracks and riding styles, if there were to be a time and a place for such a modification now the team has some data to back it up. This is not something you'd likely see being tried for the first time in the middle of the season, but in off-season test sessions it's just one of the many many stones not left unturned. 

 

 

With only one link to share, Loris gets his chance to see how it performs once Loic has finished putting it through the paces. While Loic runs a coil spring, Loris has found that the airspring and likely its more progressive spring rate to be preferable on his Demo. Also of note is that Loic and Loris always go back to their base settings to close the session in order to fully understand the changes made. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not.

Capricorn

Feb 9, 2016, 11:42 AM

 

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/specialized-gravity-team-testing-winter-2016.html

 

 

What's that? You say you'd like to see how a bike performs with a different flex characteristic on the back end? One (or is that two) chopped chainstay coming right up. While possibly not ideal for all tracks and riding styles, if there were to be a time and a place for such a modification now the team has some data to back it up. This is not something you'd likely see being tried for the first time in the middle of the season, but in off-season test sessions it's just one of the many many stones not left unturned. 

 

 

With only one link to share, Loris gets his chance to see how it performs once Loic has finished putting it through the paces. While Loic runs a coil spring, Loris has found that the airspring and likely its more progressive spring rate to be preferable on his Demo. Also of note is that Loic and Loris always go back to their base settings to close the session in order to fully understand the changes made. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not.

 

 

chainstay snip-snip was quite interesting. But if you are going to those lengths, and Gwin himself wanted to make frame changes, then has to wonder if they got that frame right.

 

But that's from a consumer's perspective. Duane's quote summed it perfectly for the fans: "There's nothing stock about a stock car".

Duane_Bosch

Feb 9, 2016, 11:48 AM

 

But that's from a consumer's perspective. Duane's quote summed it perfectly for the fans: "There's nothing stock about a stock car".

Even if they run "stock" frames they use offset bushings, Offset headsets, headset spacers, Custom linkages. Etc Etc.

Yes the frame and swing arm might be stock but that's hardly stock IMO. These guys ride on a different planet compared to us plebs.

GLuvsMtb

Feb 9, 2016, 11:58 AM

Hmmm. I'm on the fence to whether this is going to be a Toyota and F1 or a Porsche and Le Mans story...

Headshot

Feb 9, 2016, 12:29 PM

Even if they run "stock" frames they use offset bushings, Offset headsets, headset spacers, Custom linkages. Etc Etc.

Yes the frame and swing arm might be stock but that's hardly stock IMO. These guys ride on a different planet compared to us plebs.

That may well be the top teams but there are still plenty of racers without this level of tech input methinks. Its not about the bike :-) unless it has a motor.

Captain Fastbastard Mayhem

Feb 9, 2016, 1:35 PM

Aaaaaand YT is available in RSA. 

12729313_10153708877921622_1675680017424
Roman Kumpers to WP Downhill Classifieds

YT-Industries Bikes now available in South Africa!
Enquiries - sa@yt-industries.com

Skott5

Feb 9, 2016, 2:03 PM

 

Aaaaaand YT is available in RSA. 

12729313_10153708877921622_1675680017424
Roman Kumpers‎ to WP Downhill Classifieds

YT-Industries Bikes now available in South Africa!

Enquiries - sa@yt-industries.com

 

 

48k for the CAPRA AL ... got the prices yesterday 

Skott5

Feb 9, 2016, 2:06 PM

Sorry pricing as follows:

 

Capra CF Comp - R 78,900.00

Capra AL Comp 2 - R 59,000.00

Capra AL Comp 1 - R 58,000.00

Capra AL - R 49,900.00

Bizkit031

Feb 9, 2016, 2:09 PM

Aaaaaand YT is available in RSA. 

 

 

 

12729313_10153708877921622_1675680017424 Whaaaaat no man.

 

 

 

Roman Kumpers‎ to WP Downhill Classifieds

14 mins

 

YT-Industries Bikes now available in South Africa!

Enquiries - sa@yt-industries.com

 

Captain Fastbastard Mayhem

Feb 9, 2016, 2:38 PM

Sorry pricing as follows:

 

Capra CF Comp - R 78,900.00

Capra AL Comp 2 - R 59,000.00

Capra AL Comp 1 - R 58,000.00

Capra AL - R 49,900.00

Yep. Thanks ZAR. Just priced the Reign Advanced, which used to be the best value carbon bike in that segment. 84k at current exchange rates. This time last year it was 52k or so.
Odinson

Feb 9, 2016, 3:16 PM

The sound of those freehubs whizzing has me all hot and bothered.

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