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Video: The YT Mob is 'Taking a Break' in 2022

Dec 21, 2021
by James Smurthwaite  

The YT Mob has announced it is taking a break from World Cup racing in 2022 via a YouTube video.

bigquotesAll great things must end, it's time to pause the chapter with The YT Mob as you know it. Over the years we've celebrated success with the World's best, developed #youngtalent and shared plenty of #goodtimes!

It's not bye, it's see you later—YT Industries

We're not sure what this means for Dakotah Norton, Dave Trummer, Oisin O'Callaghan or Guy Johnston yet but we'll update you with more news as we get it.

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129 Comments
  • 278 1
 YT spent their DH budget on the Capra release video
  • 29 1
 "taking a break" I see what you did there
  • 10 0
 Former downhill racer Martin Whiteley founded 23 Degrees Sports Management in 2000, the company which owns and operates The YT Mob. His previous teams have been Trek World Racing, Team G Cross Honda and Global Racing.
  • 18 2
 Do we need to start a Go Fund Me for YT?
  • 14 2
 Definitely suspect this is as much a Martin Whiteley thing as it is a YT thing. Seems neither are great at long term relationships.
  • 2 2
 @mysticmountainadventures: He's explained that it was YT in a comment below, and that fits with their commitment issues TBH. Maybe they'll be back with a high-pivot Tues and more podium contenders in 2023, or maybe they'll just focus on freeride for a few years?
  • 2 1
 @chakaping: whoa! the captain says it was't him? where have we seen this before? takes two to tango.
  • 1 0
 Not a very gwinteresting video..
  • 166 6
 The brand that just doesn't care and uses everyone. Dreams.
  • 44 3
 Sounds like, "yah the DH team wasn't making enough money to bother so... later?". Business is business I understand but I'm into supporting bike companies that actually care about .. bike.
  • 87 3
 Seems like everyone jumped all over Gwin when he left, but the picture is getting a little clearer, right?
  • 16 3
 @TheR: people love to hate for no real reason, sadly
  • 11 0
 @kennyken1015: Well, it’s all a business, really. From both ends.
  • 8 3
 @kennyken1015: It’s a business for sure, but when you’re dealing with passion (bikes, it’s not like they are selling washing up liquid), these decisions are far more impactful.

Look, they aren’t going to lose any sales from this tomorrow. Or next week. Or probably next year. But as a brand that recently sold to the delights of PE, I’m just over it.
  • 7 1
 @cougar797: It really depends on how they are honoring all outstanding contracts related to the team. They might make offers to key members (riders, mechanics, managers) to pay their salary but not send them to races, doing something else for the company (managers/mechanics) or just being paid their normal salary to ride at their own expense (riders). Not having to actually operate would slash the budget by a lot and, although unfortunate, everyone would be financially intact. Riders should be free to sign with other teams and would likely forfeit their YT money upon doing so, but it would give YT incentive to see their riders to a better team.

If they don't do something darn close to this, then they'll definitely be on my bad list.
  • 2 0
 Seems like they should all compete at Rampage next year then if they want a bike sponsor.
  • 2 0
 @Lanebobane: Oh no I’m sure your up the correct metaphorical tree. Just for a bike company of that size to just decide not to run a UCI WC crew… there is a principle of the matter piece to it. They aren’t running a yt crew and accruing expense because they don’t need to in order to sell bikes. Other brands find a way to manage the expense because they want to race. I just respect the latter.
  • 124 1
 Good thing they did a worldwide competition to find the next greatest WC jr so they could fold the team shortly therafter.
  • 81 1
 Yt bikes and the Yt mob are different. Martin runs the mob with Yt supplying bikes. Maybe Martin wants a break from running wc dh teams for the last 20+ years.
Yt will have a factory team for 2023
Martin will return with another team
  • 54 2
 Hold on - logical conclusions and facts? What is the meaning of this?
  • 13 3
 Sounds like conspiracy theorist misinformation. Deplatform him!
  • 169 2
 Hey Guys, please note this video is a YT production, with no input from 23 Degrees. It's YT that came to us wanting to take a break for their own reasons. Dave and Dak are signing for other World Cup Elite teams, they'll announce in January I assume. Oisin has a ride next year, and I believe Guy has some plans, but not fixed yet. It's true, I've been on the circuit for 26 years straight, so a break, especially after 2 years of covid travel hassles, isn't a bad thing, and for sure I and my race team staff want to be back at the finish line supoorting our new team's racers in 2023.
  • 12 2
 @captain23: A bit shafted there by the sounds mate. What can you do, Start up another Commencal team they have faster bikes anyway. All the best
  • 8 0
 @captain23: Damn, sorry this happened. You built a bad ass team. Looking forward to seeing the next! Enjoy the rest.
  • 6 0
 @captain23: thanks for setting things straight Martin. Glad to hear the riders are signed for next year. Gonna miss the mob on the circuit though.. you had put together a hell of a great team. Can’t wait to see what’s next for you and the crew. All the best!
  • 6 0
 @captain23: Martin has created the most iconic WC teams from the early 2000s and have done so since then so definitely has earned his right to take whatever break he needs, although is a big loss not having him in the circuit with a squad next year. Do rest and come back with something amazing again please.
As for YT sad to see a brand entirely disbanding a whole team without a reason but we all could presumably relate it to budget cuts. Because that's pretty much what we can assume when we are not told otherwise. What we need is more brands to step up, breed teams, be consistent on the long term and help young talent to have support at the races, specially in the year of the bike boom seems more fitting not to cut on what makes the soul of the sport. Wasn't fan of the YT Mob but still a big loss for the WC circuit.
  • 12 0
 @captain23 Really hope this gives you the opportunity to court a team title sponsor from outside the cycling industry.

The Dorval AM team feels like the only thing that isn't the tail wagging the dog.

Car manufacturers, international shipping companies, laundry detergent....etc. We need that back in the sport.

Feels like if you do it, it will jog the memory of other team managers that there is money that doesn't involve cannibalization of the cash inside the industry.

Cheers!!! Beer But easy on the wine. Pace yourself...it's a long 12 months....
  • 3 0
 @suspended-flesh: someone tell him it's 2021 we don't do that anymore!
  • 1 5
flag likeittacky (Dec 21, 2021 at 18:37) (Below Threshold)
 Or Martin gave his life to Christ and Markus doesn't like GOD.
  • 32 3
 Looks like that if you're riding for YT you should always be on the lookout for another ride because you never know when they're going to pull the plug. Shit for their riders.
  • 30 2
 Yea , I heard they told their team riders that their bikes were out of stock and the estimated time of arrival was Sept 2022.
  • 5 1
 Is it the Mob or just the bike brand? Veronika Widmann and Harry Molloy got ditched when they were racing stickered up YT bikes. Either way, I suppose Commencal has a team for everyone (with two different DH bikes) so that's what everyone will be riding next year.
  • 2 0
 I was reminded today that most of the DH industry is on 1 year contracts anyway, so the scramble isn't as unexpected to riders as we think from the outside.
  • 3 6
 from what i understand, anyone who rides a YT should be on the lookout for another ride. because they break.
  • 19 0
 I too like to produce slick hype videos to announce that I fired a bunch of people.
  • 11 0
 You're all fired, Merry Christmas!
  • 8 26
flag likeittacky (Dec 21, 2021 at 18:31) (Below Threshold)
 Like a vax mandate by the Biden MOB
  • 1 0
 @likeittacky: I too RANDOMLY capitalize words to MAKE them SEEM like my MESSAGE is more importanter than it REALLY is
  • 1 0
 @ryd-or-die: AS WITH YOUR MISSPELLING TOO.

Sorry you're jealous of my metaphorical YT MOB post!
  • 2 1
 @likeittacky: hey I spelled it that way on purpose you insufferable twat.
  • 1 0
 @ryd-or-die: "importanter"- Sure you did numb nuts
  • 1 0
 @likeittacky: look dude i promise you I did it on purpose, but I do feel bad you're incapable of understanding sarcasm in text. Tsk tsk.
  • 1 0
 @ryd-or-die: LMAO!!
  • 16 0
 I heard in a podcast that with playstation 4's being sold out there was no point marketing the playstation 4. Maybe YT heard the same podcast.
  • 3 0
 Sony dgaf about that for the PS5 though.. Sold out for months but ads everywhere
  • 28 15
 About three years ago when everyone was fanboying the crap out of YT, I said that it was a terrible company with mediocre bikes and that Marcus was an idiot who had no idea how to run a company. I would always get downvoted to hell. Glad to see everyone else is coming to the same conclusion now.
  • 1 0
 Ha yea, everyone just loved what the brand was all about.
  • 1 0
 I also don´t like YT since the Gwin story, but Markus if anybody knows how to run a company. Until now it worked perfect. And my guess would be after the world recovers (if it recovers, fingers crossed) then the brand will keep growing. They have all the hype, a good product, increased prices when the exposure was there, still sold out everything. The man did it right. Does not make a sympathic company, but the 19 year old who watches the latest sick edits on instagram doesnt really care
  • 21 6
 Now a large reason why I'll not be considering a YT anytime soon. At this point they seem more of a meme than anything.
  • 11 4
 That's kind of like saying you wouldn't consider a Trek because Rockshox SRAM Trek race team folded up.
  • 5 2
 Mob is sep than factory.
  • 14 1
 @suspended-flesh: Maybe I should have said it's the final reason? Their marketing campaigns, general aesthetic, attitude, stories of poor customer service and now this all led to my sentiment. If YT wanted to keep racing but the owners of Mob didn't they could certainly start their own team, etc. Maybe they will and I'll have to eat crow when announced in a few weeks? Doesn't change that I just don't see myself aligned with the overall vibe they have.
  • 6 0
 YT Mob = Your Terminated -Move On Boys
  • 1 0
 @likeittacky: good one!
  • 12 2
 Might have something to do with new ownership trying to pinch ever penny they can.

m.pinkbike.com/news/yt-industries-acquired-by-private-equity-group-ardian.html
  • 2 0
 I am sure it has something to do with the bottom line
  • 11 3
 YT - You're Through

That being said, effin' love my 2019 Capra, have it fully tweaked & tuned to my style and its a blast...but will prob try a Transition Spire or similar just to do something new. I've also heard a ton of bitching from people saying cust-service is bad, but I've not once had that issue...have gotten near-immediate replies every time I emailed about a part, credit for a stolen package, and my main gripe was just that I couldn't score a YT hat or classic big-print YT logo shirt for about 2 years.

Everyone's gotta bitch and moan about something though (self included) or it wouldn't be The Interwide Webs so - ya just gotta take it w/ a grain of salt. Bummed to hear the crew is not riding in 2022 and hoping they get other sponsors vs getting dumped at the holidays...they have enough money to at least cover them for 2022 unless they gambled it all away in Vegas
  • 6 0
 Why do they feel the need to make a video that suggests there doing something cool?
There making people redundant from what i can make of it.
No doubt there are some young riders who were really looking forward to next season some may have had contracts that probably arent worth much more than arse paper.

Merry fuc*in Xmas.

I hope the riders and mechanics go onto to have success elsewhere, good luck to you all.
  • 5 0
 either: the pros couldnt get warranty parts or YT realise they are going to still sell out of every bike for 2022 so why burn money on pros?
  • 1 0
 It's probably the latter. Pretty sure they're pre sold through the year and pocketed the team cash.
  • 3 0
 My best guess is they don't have the bikes. You could have conceived and given birth to a baby in less time than it took me to pre-order and get delivery of my Decoy. And I sold my 2019 Capra for 80% of the price I paid new a year prior, when does that ever happen?
  • 5 0
 Wonder how that feels for a rider who's contract isn't up yet. That's strange.
  • 4 0
 Hopefully pay out the remainder of their contracts. YT would still save by not having to finance all the travel and associated race costs. I wonder how much notice their riders got?
  • 4 0
 I'd bet $100 that all of their contracts have clauses that cover them in the event of just this kind of thing happening. Their former team riders are almost definitely SOL, unless they had the foresight to negotiate something more favorable before signing.
  • 5 2
 I mean that’s what they did to Aaron Gwin and Neko Mullally. It’s YTs way of doing a mass firing. And then restart the program with new “Young Talent.”
  • 3 0
 @VtVolk: My thinking is if someone really wants to race like Dakotah who seems to be on the brink of some big breakthroughs, but can't break their contract to ride with someone else for a season... I wonder what they do... Like, do they just go rogue and take the bike they have to the races with no team support?
  • 1 1
 @WasatchEnduro:

Ask Martin Whiteley, not YT Industries.
  • 1 0
 @kroozctrl: Yall a bunch of uninformed rat-packers.
  • 2 1
 @ct0413: Seems to me Dak should be able to terminate his contract without repercussions being He was hired as a WC racer and they canceled the season on Him. Anyone?
  • 7 1
 Could be that YT is refocusing on customer service and production.
  • 4 0
 If that's so wouldn't they want that to be made clear?
  • 2 1
 They better, I've been waiting for a seatstay since late July.
  • 7 1
 This is a big pile of smelly bullshit.
  • 3 0
 I hope the riders had advanced notice and arent left hung out to dry. I believe Gwin was cut very late and with no notice, that's a crappy move. Hope that's not the case here!
  • 3 1
 The bottom fell out of their program once Gwin left. No disrespect to the riders that came after that, but didn't seem like YT had the same energy as when Gwin was on. I have to speculate the investment on the team and bike development fell after that as well. It's a real shame.
  • 3 0
 It's not bye, All great things must end
it's see you later, it's time to pause
hash-tag hast-tag hash-tag
yt-mob-not-yt-factory

WHat's the point of this post? nobody can buy a YT even if they wanted to.
  • 7 2
 LAME!!!!!!!! YT MADE THEIR MONEY NOW THEY ARE OUT!!!!! LAME!!! JUST DON'T COME BACK WE DON'T NEED BRANDS LIKE THIS.
  • 1 1
 Read up, Elvez.
  • 1 0
 They could be losing money with all the covid restrictions making things more difficult and everything is up in the air if certain events will get cancelled after investing in preppping, organizing etc. Just a thought but I also agree with people mentioning their becoming more invested in freeride
  • 6 1
 Hiring every Freerider on the Planet and then pulling out of WC DH
  • 5 0
 NOOOOOOO where is Dak going to go?
  • 2 0
 Right, similar situation happened to him with Devinci.
  • 3 0
 I was thinking the same....hope he has a ride for 22
  • 5 0
 There was a race at Leogang where he rode through the tunnel and then jumped out and landed in the next corner. It was sick AF.
  • 4 0
 Sounds like an intense situation.
  • 3 0
 @klerric: He's presently the USA's fastest boy - I'm sure he'll be hooked up. Syndicate!
  • 1 1
 @neimbc: Hot swap Luca for Dak?
  • 1 0
 norco
  • 1 0
 To my knowledge it’s not run through the company? It’s a team that yt supplies bike to, they might just have a factory team planned. But also I could fully see yt going all in on freeriders too tbh. They’ve seen to be moving that direction for years
  • 2 0
 Seems like next year has a lot of changes in riders for many teams. I'd say this is YT trying to either 1. save money OR Y 2. Make a clean break with this team and have a clean slate in a future season with a while new team.
  • 3 2
 So much ridiculous speculation, people pretending to be contract experts and getting angry about 'selling out'. If you read Mr Whiteley's post it clearly shows that this was a business decision, that neither side seems to be that unhappy and all riders are catered for. To assume any nefarious behavior is ridiculous. YT sell bikes, they make money, they can do what they want with the money, if you dont like it you dont have to buy their bikes. Pretending that the bike industry (manufacturers and team managers) have some higher calling other than business is naïve. The part people are complaining about is brand. These are not non-profit relationships nor are they social enterprises.
  • 3 0
 Maybe they could not get bikes for the Mob. Stock to arrive in 2023 only…
  • 2 0
 Interesting. Get pro rider's to develop the bikes. Sell lot's of bikes. Drop the riders that developed a great bike that made you lot's of money. Where do I sign?
  • 2 0
 What a load of conceited nonsense. I hope some more person-centred teams help these great riders fill the void.
  • 3 0
 They take a break so they can supply more bikes to sale
  • 4 1
 What does that mean for the riders like Decoata Norton.....
  • 2 0
 PE owners didn’t like that line item I suppose. They must be getting crushed with supply delays. Bummer for Dak.
  • 3 0
 I hear the Syndicate has some openings if anyone is looking for a job.
  • 1 0
 Sad to see...strange times we are in, hopefully the team riders land where they can.. also, not sure a video like this was necessary...
  • 3 0
 "neccesary" is not really in their vocab
  • 2 0
 Left their pro riders high and dry just like their customers with daily frame warranty issues
  • 5 1
 Mob got robbed.
  • 2 0
 All I want for christmas is Dak on a good bike. Mondraker would be sick? Or a supreme?? Imagine that.
  • 1 0
 I think a merge is coming. You can no longer pre order bikes on their web site. Makes me nervous for the order I just placed.
  • 1 0
 If you used PayPal there's nothing to worry about.
  • 2 0
 Well done video - until the last 10 seconds. WTF was that? "Are we done? Good I'm hungry."
  • 2 1
 They are selling out bikes a year in advance of actually delivering them, so they cant be short of money.
  • 3 0
 to be fair, would you bother with a marketing budget if you were sold out of bikes for over a year at a time.
  • 3 0
 If you only make a few, you can create an illusion of supply and demand.
  • 2 0
 Well this is... Interesting
  • 9 9
 Seems to be lots of people don’t know that the YT Mob are not the YT factory team maybe get your info right before commenting…..oh sorry forgot where I was.
  • 7 1
 The owner of the team commented above and said that it was YT who pulled out of sponsoring the team, not the team itself who decided to take a break.
  • 2 0
 the last few years have reflected pretty poorly on yt
  • 1 0
 Assuming Laurie is going to Syndicate, that would fill them up. So where does Dak go -- Canyon? Spesh?
  • 3 1
 YT becoming another Ellsworth Brand!!!!
  • 1 0
 Ok they responded to a comment on Instagram saying “we’ll be back” so definitely a factory team run by themselves lol
  • 1 0
 Dakota needs to be picked up by intense, they would make a killer team with Neko!
  • 1 2
 Gwin doesn’t want a competitor on his team. Said as much about why Neko is there.
  • 2 0
 crazy. Dakota is national champ, taking a break from that? smh
  • 3 1
 sold out unavailable
  • 2 1
 Does this mean these riders will have to get jobs?
  • 2 0
 Probably not. Great riders, all.
  • 1 0
 ….paused to go get the rest of his hands inked up.
  • 1 1
 Maybe YT is switching direction with it's race program and moving forward with a EWS-e race team,Wink
  • 1 0
 ie YT can't afford to pay them for 2022.....
  • 1 1
 "Cool" but not cool at all.
  • 1 0
 Expected...
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