Greg Minnaar off Santa Cruz Syndicate? Team Rumours in MUTN Podcast with Andreas Kolb

Did not see that coming....if true . I assumed he'd have another serious go in 2024 after some bad luck last season then become an ambassador type rider but always on Santa Cruz . 

I'm guessing that Norco would have less resources and would pay less  than Santa Cruz as well so it will be interesting to see his reasons for the move .

I'd love to see him win another world cup , maybe a fresh team will help him . Be interesting to watch .

The clock is ticking for both Greg and Aaron really. I'd like to think that 2024 might be their last hurrah and they both go out having a really strong season with some podiums and who knows even a win. But winning in DH these days is just so so hard, and Amaury will be back next year...

Or is it Pon downsizing further after cutting off the GT team?

I’d imagine Santa Cruz want better younger riders on the team that they can pay less, not rocket science 

There are only 2 ways I can see that happening. Either big budget cuts at pon or very deep pockets elsewhere. Thinking about it another team might let him move into team management which I can’t see happening at sc unless peaty has had enough

Perhaps he wants to move to a team where he is the number 1 rider.  I imagine Jackson and to some extent Laurie, are the main contenders and he might need more of the teams focus.  Either that or he was going to leave this season and just let his contract expire and got a suprise offer in elsewhere.  

I thought there was another rumour of Laurie leaving the team too?

Jackson and Nina are bound to be the focus of the team as they are the 2 producing the results

Yeah I heard a rumour that Laurie Greenland might be leaving the Syndicate as well?

So, in English, Minnaar maybe leaving Santa Cruz.......

I've never understood the MTB media using the term 'off' when somebody leaves a team. No other sport uses it.....

The pod suggests Laurie has signed a contract extension with them.

I’m guessing that Norco would have less resources and would pay less  than Santa Cruz

I reckon they would be paying as much or more than SC. And I guess SC won't miss paying Greg's wages when they've got three other riders capable of winning WCs.

It was also mentioned about Continental Nukeproof switching to GT as a frame sponsor (also part of the Pon group, alongside SC) and signing Danny Hart.

The Fury looks like a competitive bike, so fingers crossed that one comes off.

I’ve never understood the MTB media using the term ‘off’ when somebody leaves a team. No other sport uses it…..

They've pinched it off motorsport, eh?

Jackson and Nina are bound to be the focus of the team as they are the 2 producing the results

I listen to a fair few pods and according to them LG has had a difficult season due to an ongoing debilitating illness which meant he was rarely at his best at most races.  Despite this he's been posting fast times at various points and podiumed at the World Champs.  Fit and on form he's still very much a top 10 rider and podium threat.

Did warnerbros/UCI update how North American viewers (norcos larger market) can watch the 2024 racing yet?

I don't see Norco having the budget for this even if they could justify it with confirmed accessible race coverage.
I was expecting Norco as one of the more likely big brands to fail too, so minnaar level budget?
Of course there could be other factors that go into a contract short of typical "rider = exposure" that make this viable both ways.

I don’t see Norco having the budget for this even if they could justify it with confirmed accessible race coverage.

Does seem odd in the current industry climate, yep.

Maybe they have an out-of-industry co-sponsor?

Or a moneybags investor?

There's been friction in the Syndicate this year. Minnaar had some issues with his mechanic Lyle Hyslop who is also the team manager since Kathy Sessler moved on. They had a fall out earlier this year and he brought in a new mechanic to replace Lyle but he remains as team manager. I'm wondering if that has something to do with this rumour

Boom!

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That would make perfect sense Bob 👍

That post you linked seems to have been removed now Hannah, you better just tell us what it said.

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End of an era!!

Strange that the Syndicate were posting footage on Instagram of Greg in Spain on the bike a couple of days ago.

Is the “Pushing the boundaries… or the people around him” with a cut to Lyle around 1:08 a slightly barbed commentary?

Could very well be!