2023/2024 was a wild off-season, with some teams closing, new ones stepping in to fill the void and all kinds of shuffling amonst the world’s top talent. But, with the release of UCI official 2024 teams list, the speculation is mostly wrapped up for the year. Mostly.
Even with a ream of rider announcements over the last month, there are still several big surprises to be found in the list. Especially for Canadian racing fans in enduro and downhill.
What really exciting news is hiding in the pages and pages of rosters on the 2024 UCI team list?
The Bulldog is coming to Canada
Well, for Canadian downhill fans, it is really cool to see Brook Macdonald joining the Forbidden Synthesis. The Vancouver Island brand launched its Supernought recently and, while the team has several riders already racing it, it’s sick to hear the Bulldog will be on one at World Cups this year as well. He’s ride alongside Magnus Manson and a fleet of Australian’s, with returning Conner Fearon joined by William Ireland, William Hynes, William Pope on the downhill side. In a “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” move, the enduro team of Emmy Lan, Rhys Verner and Alex Storr remains unchanged.
With Greg Minnaar joining Norco, Macdonald on the Synthesis, and We Are One launching a new project, Canadian downhill brands are looking as strong, both in domestic and international talent, as our country’s riders have for years. Exciting times!
Danny Hart moves to Continental Nukeproof Factory Racing
One of the biggest question marks at the end of 2023 was the fate of Danny Hart. When the iconic racer was let go from Cube Factory Racing, he made it clear he did not yet have a new team lined up. Fans can now relax, knowing the Redcar Rocket will be supported by Nukeproof Factory Racing. Hart joins Harry Molloy, Veronika Widmann and Christopher Cumming on the four-rider squad.
Rocky Mountain’s enduro team looks a little different
The long-running Rocky Mountain Race Face Enduro Team is looking a little different for 2024. The team is now called Rocky Mountain Gravity Racing and, with the name change, is based out of France. Much of the 2023 roster returns, aside from Andréane Lanthier Nadeau who left for Commencal 7Mesh. Remi Gauvin, Lily Boucher and Emmett Hancock are all back, but now joined by a quintet of French riders. Luca Fourcade, Justine Henry, Alizes Lassus and Enzo…
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