YT Joins The World Cup with Aaron Gwin and Angel Suarez

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.”

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.

About YT Industries:
In 2008, CEO Markus Flossmann founded YT with the aim to build competition-ready, affordable dirt jump and slopestyle mountain bikes for talented young riders. After only eight years, the product range includes high-end downhill and enduro bikes, which are awarded with renowned prices on a regular basis. The secret of success: high quality products, fair prices, the direct selling method which eliminates the profit margins of middlemen, an unmatched reputation and last but not least world-class team riders like Cam Zink, Andreu Lacondeguy and Aaron Gwin, who have joined the YT family.

By now, YT has established distribution channels in Europe, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Asia and Africa.

YT Industries Launches Its 2016 Bike-Range

While some might still be recovering from New Year’s Blues, YT has already shifted into the next gear. The gravity experts from Forchheim turn it up a notch and release their 2016 bikes today. Along with new graphics, the 2016 bikes are also equipped with brand new suspension parts. In addition to the proven RockShox suspension, FOX forks and shocks are now on board for this year as well.
For 2016, the top models of the enduro and downhill range are equipped with FOX suspension parts. The extensive configuration options in terms of rebound and compression are going to be appealing for racers and pro-riders alike. In addition, the Pro versions of the bikes are equipped with full-on racing parts, which leave no wish unfulfilled. In addition to the specification updates, the bikes also receive a completely fresh look. The CAPRA and the TUES are going to blast through the woods with a hot new look, which is characterized by a straightforward appearance and new color-options. All in all, YT’s 2016 range is extremely versatile: from high-end bikes for professionals and racers and comp-level bikes for the middle segment, all the way to entry-level bikes for young talents on a budget. All of the above can be found on a brand new, easy-to-use, and thoroughly re-designed YT website.

CAPRA CF
The carbon version of the enduro bike offers three different options: CAPRA CF Pro Race, CAPRA CF Pro, and CAPRA CF Comp. Both Pro models are equipped with a FOX 36 Float Factory fork and a FOX Float X2 Factory shock, that offer plenty of settings for suspension-savvy racers and trail-surfers. The CAPRA CF Pro adds even more suspension-travel to your ride: with a full 180mm up front, with 170mm out back the CAPRA CF Pro is definitely ready for rough terrain and trips to the bike park. The name of the top model, CAPRA CF Pro Race already reveals its character: made for racing without compromises. The bike is equipped with top-notch components which are extremely tough and light. Some other highlights of the bike, beside the FOX 36 fork and the Float X2 shock, are the DT Swiss carbon wheelset, the Renthal carbon bars, as well as the super-crisp SRAM Guide Ultimate brakes. The CAPRA CF Comp does not need to hide behind the Pro versions: the combination of the RockShox Lyrik RCT3 and the RockShox Monarch Plus RC3 lets you easily handle chunk, roots, and drops. 1x11 is standard on all three CAPRA CF models.

TUES
Improving the TUES was quite a difficult task. After all, it has grown up quite a bit and has become a sophisticated downhill bike, full of character. It has proven that it can easily handle the monster-sized jumps at the FEST series and the massive abuse inflicted at Rampage. For 2016 the TUES CF Pro comes equipped with new suspension components. The FOX 40 Float Factory fork and the FOX Float X2 Factory shock are a killer team, which in combination with tough parts makes the TUES CF Pro a perfect companion for your next race. Carbon wheels, carbon cranks, and carbon handlebars keep the weight low and the speed at a maximum. The TUES CF Comp is rigged with the dream combo of the RockShox Boxxer Team and the RockShox Vivid R2C. The DT Swiss wheels plus the full Renthal cockpit smoothen out this rad package, which is suitable for almost every rider - the TUES CF Comp is easy to handle but still fully suitable for racing. For young talents on a tighter budget, YT offers the TUES AL, which is a well-equipped door opener for those looking to get into the business of downhill.

2016 YT Bikes