Specialized Hint at New Rider for 2020

Nov 22, 2019
by James Smurthwaite  
Loic s World Champs colorway.
Will another frame be joining these two in 2020?

Specialized Gravity have decided to kick the team rumour mill into gear with a tease that they will be fielding a third rider next year.

Loic Bruni and Finn Iles were the only two riders on the team in 2019 after Miranda Miller left to race enduro for Kona last offseason. The team has today updated the bio of its Instagram page with a blank tag, indicating a third rider is joining the team next year.

The bio currently reads:

bigquotesSpecialized Gravity
MTB Downhill Team
Loic Bruni - 5x World Champion | ‘19 World Cup Overall Winner
Finn Iles - ‘17 Jr World Cup Champion - ‘16 Jr World Champion
@?

The team also posted a story that indicated a new rider was inbound.

At the moment we can only speculate who it might be but with two established podium riders in the team, we can't imagine it will be another Elite Male rider. More likely, Specialized will want to add a development junior to bring up into the senior ranks, as they did with Finn Iles in 2014, or a woman to replace Miller.

We've reached out to the team for further information and will update this piece if we hear anything more.
photo
Screenshot of Specalized Gravity Racing's Instagram story


Posted In:
Reviews and Tech DH Racing Racing Rumours Specialized


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217 Comments
  • 444 23
 Specialized Gravity
MTB Downhill Team
Loic Bruni - 5x World Champion | ‘19 World Cup Overall Winner
Finn Iles - ‘17 Jr World Cup Champion - ‘16 Jr World Champion
@ Epstein didn't kill himself
  • 43 233
flag steflund FL (Nov 20, 2019 at 6:49) (Below Threshold)
 this is so god damn played out.
  • 121 2
 @steflund: can't let this die. Oh wait
  • 37 10
 @steflund: no it's not
  • 46 4
 @steflund: how can a cover up be played out lol
  • 69 16
 How long will this Epstein stuff keep hanging around??
  • 79 7
 @RCederholm: Until all the sick f**ks involved in this GLOBAL fiddler network are brought into the light for all to see. Whoever they are and regardless of how rich and powerful they are.
So don't get distracted by the slight of hand of "I'm peach mint" or Brexit and get angry at this instead.
Use your Internet connection to find our all you can about this elite ring, because that's what it is whether you want to believe it or not.
Remember when Cosby was a lovable TV doctor...
  • 24 2
 @Dropthedebt: i think it was a joke......
  • 10 0
 @zaalrottunda: Indeed it was ("hanging around"). I, personally, agree that it smells rotten.
  • 24 0
 @Dropthedebt: The head of Australians Catholic Church is currently in jail for being a fiddler. Two Ex Prime Misters are leading the charge for his release, along with Murdochs press. This shit goes all the way to the top!

Ps: Dean Lucus is selling his Scott DH bike, maybe he has gone to SPAZ
  • 7 0
 @up-left-down-right:
You are so right... It goes to the VERY TOP.
  • 5 0
 Is it still suicide if you had yourself killed?
  • 28 0
 Fake noose
  • 3 0
 Epstien left his body double hanging
  • 13 0
 @Dropthedebt: Couldn't agree more. These disgusting criminals need to all be imprisoned regardless of their political or religious affiliations and regardless of their power or authority. Unfortunately, this is run like any other organized crime and they've paid off or bought out many of the powerful individuals who could actually do anything about it.
  • 4 1
 Marc Marquez
  • 5 7
 @RCederholm: who the f*ck is Epstein
  • 6 0
 @chriskneeland: it think it becomes "second degree suicide"
  • 2 1
 @chyu: most motogp racers are roadie...............
  • 1 0
 @up-left-down-right: unlikely, A few days ago he posted pics from Georgia testing Gamblers for 2020
  • 10 0
 I'm going to get in nice and early.... Prince Andrew didn't kill himself.
  • 8 1
 @dropthedebt that comment made my morning... "what do Christmas lights and Epstein have in common? They don't hang themselves"
  • 4 7
 @Dropthedebt: Just ordered my tinfoil hat. #illuminaticonfirmed
  • 3 1
 @chriskneeland: I have a brilliant line of Heavy Duty Reynolds Wrap™️ Protection available. It come as a set with a blindfold and earplugs making it perfect for those who choose not to see or hear what is hiding in plain sight.
It's the perfect seasonal gift for all in this joyous season of Peace & Love for all mankind.
  • 2 11
flag chriskneeland (Nov 21, 2019 at 8:24) (Below Threshold)
 @Dropthedebt: No need...the tinfoil hat will tune me into all the grand conspiracies no one can ever provide any evidence for! Some call it delusion, others...well they don't call it anything because they don't waste time thinking about made up nonsense.
  • 4 0
 @chriskneeland: Hey that's all cool man. tup
  • 3 0
 @Radley-Shreddington: No, when it's announced next month it'll be explained by him being a passenger in his dad's car. That way everybody will accept nothing shady has occurred.
  • 4 0
 @metaam: The minute his Mam says 'Dad's driving you', he knows he is done.
  • 2 0
 @chriskneeland:
Nope, this could happen.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karoshi
  • 1 0
 @steflund: clearly there is still some mileage left...
  • 3 0
 @Dropthedebt: word. Epstein is but the tip of the iceberg.
  • 2 0
 This rider gets a cool debut and the top comment devolves into this. Only on PB lol.
  • 1 0
 @jeremiahwas: Yeah man...PB should have just made a new article. Stoked for Camille though!
  • 2 0
 @chriskneeland: hey just know you don’t have to worry about the clintons with your views. The rest of us are going to go the way of the Christmas lights and Epstein....
  • 2 0
 @scotttherider: .........and get hung?
  • 2 0
 @zaalrottunda: and end up getting hung...yeah....
  • 191 1
 "Specialized Gravity Tease New World Cup DH Rider"

Well that's not very nice at all.
  • 22 4
 I hear it's Chuck Norris
  • 66 2
 @fantaman: I once saw Chuck Norris win a local Enduro race on foot
  • 28 2
 @fantaman: it will be a woman, probably his niece Chick Norris.
  • 4 0
 @DonkeyTeeth: barefoot & backwards
  • 2 0
 @DonkeyTeeth: All he had to do is show up. Everyone else forfeited at that point.
  • 4 0
 Chuck Norris once won a race on a exercycle
  • 103 1
 denim destroyer?
  • 26 1
 My bet is that he will ride for GT. They were helping him out a bit last year.
  • 43 0
 He will be riding for Levis
  • 27 1
 @t1000: he signed with Geometron because no other company could meet his requirement for having 501 reach
  • 5 1
 @WAKIdesigns: well played, sir. But back to the Epstein 187 reach
  • 2 1
 @WAKIdesigns: Hey, if he prefer zip fly (505 model) over buttons fly, he may as well stay on his XL-29er YT with 505 reach.
  • 2 0
 @t1000: Team Haro Lee Dungarees
  • 90 2
 Its me guys. Iḿ the new specialized Gravity Rider.
  • 2 0
 yes blake.
  • 103 21
 Gonna be that guy Randy
  • 27 8
 Randy rides for Transition.
  • 99 29
 Randy was the most annoying thing that happened on this website
  • 30 5
 @travieso429: there's been worse.
  • 1 0
 And we'll see RKO during races
  • 6 4
 My money is on Randy!
  • 35 2
 @travieso429: worse than Waki?
  • 39 4
 @travieso429: U sure bro?
  • 4 0
 @travieso429: haven't been around long, eh?
  • 3 0
 @makripper:

Randy riding a Session would be worse.
  • 3 1
 @WAKIdesigns: you're not so bad WAKI
  • 1 0
 @beater32: Randy screwed Sandy and their boy’s called Andy
  • 54 3
 The privateer Adam is getting his chance at DH this year. For Adam 2021 will be XC with American Eagle, 2022 Ebike with Giant, 2023 road with Pinarello, and 2024 triathlon with Cervelo. PB to Adam "Sorry Adam you should have read the fine print...you are in it for the long haul." Lol

That would actually be interesting to watch.
  • 24 0
 Don't forget 2025 fat biking for Salsa
  • 14 0
 @moose-tastes-good:
2026 Velodrome racing for Look.
  • 14 0
 @vjunior21: Round the world record attempt in 2027 for Moots
  • 7 0
 @moose-tastes-good:
Rampage for Karpiel in 2028
  • 3 0
 BMX for Mongoose/Ashtabula/Cook Brothers in 2028
  • 1 1
 @endlessblockades:
Slope Style for Trek 2030.
  • 3 0
 @vjunior21: Good call taking a year off in 2029 after all that.

Oh. I guess I screwed up my BMX year.
  • 2 0
 @endlessblockades:
I wasn't going to call it out.

Besides, Adam can handle a one day event with a weeks worth of prep (Rampage) and BMX in one year. We might as well give him 2029 off. He will have had a long run of things beyond the 2022 Ebike year. Hehehe
  • 53 2
 It's Cathro for sure!
  • 49 0
 Can't see it, but that would be sensational. Really looking forward to seeing Cathro race next season. What a reaction he's going to get at Fort William.
  • 10 25
flag taskmgr (Nov 20, 2019 at 6:26) (Below Threshold)
 @Niseach1: he probably won't qualify. Look at his old world Cup racing history.
  • 7 1
 @Niseach1: www.rootsandrain.com/rider761/ben-cathro/results
  • 13 0
 @makripper: This doesn't say much about his results.. He's only done like 8 UCI races, had 4 DNF/DNQ's, a top 10, a top 50, and a couple top 40's. Guy is obviously fast but inconsistent at that level... locally he smashes, though.
  • 11 1
 @makripper: still better than most of what the Propane team did last year...
  • 10 0
 Cathro anounced his comeback on youTube wearing a Santa Cruz t-shirt, his sponsor for years.
  • 2 0
 @cgreaseman: plus his fitness is below World Cup level so some serious catch up to do
  • 1 1
 @enduroFactory: yup, not saying hes slow. he's just not going to be top 20 anytime soon.
  • 8 0
 @src248 Specialized would have to make a XXXXXL to fit Cathro, going by their current geo numbers.
  • 1 35
flag thesharkman (Nov 20, 2019 at 14:03) (Below Threshold)
 From the most exciting rider in Loic to the most boring person involved in DH, cathro? That wouldn't be a very good business decision.
  • 9 0
 @thesharkman: is it tricky having a burner troll account and a normal PB account as well?
  • 7 0
 @cgreaseman: Are you looking at his full results? He had many full or almost full World Cup seasons (2006-2011) and many top 20s. I'm probably showing my age here, but he's a legend. And not just for his PVC coated skinsuit in 2008 (that led to the banning of skinsuits in the sport). Smile
  • 47 1
 Keepin theme and diversity: Vali Holl?
  • 6 1
 Yeah!!! I agree!! Vali Holl would be an epic addition to the team. I could totally see her training alongside Finn and Loic
  • 2 1
 Agree, Vali Holl for sure. Was looking for the first person to comment on her, and am surprised it was so far down! I think it makes sense based on her past results as a junior and it seems like her current YT/SRAM team is a big of a hodge podge and Spec would definitely offer her better $ and support.
  • 12 2
 @codiiiiiiiiiiie: Vali stays at Sram/TLD on YT
  • 11 1
 @tgent: Holi is only doing half the season next year and has already confirmed she is staying with SRAM Team

Maybe Balanche as she mentioned in her interview she was moving to a new bike from Devinci
  • 2 1
 Vali is staying with her team
  • 1 1
 @paulskibum: Damn, well shows what I know. Why is she only doing half the season???
  • 1 1
 @tgent: I agree, sorry about my uniformed guess lol
  • 13 1
 @tgent: because she is a smart girl and is in her final schoolyear.... and knows that there is more in life than just riding bikes
  • 3 0
 @tgent: maybe finishing school?
  • 1 2
 @tgent: Because she looked at how much they were offering and said "for that money, I'll do four races and not one more"
  • 1 0
 @paulskibum: Ah that makes sense. I knew she was finishing school, but i thought that since she'd be competing out of juniors next year, that some companies would want to jump on her talent. It'll be exciting to see who they go with!
  • 1 0
 Vali was riding at Dyfi bike park in Wales on Saturday . Riding an Atherton bike , with Dan Atherton . Looking very rapid
  • 1 0
 @wrf2002: Fun news if true. Where are the pics?
  • 1 0
 @wrf2002: You're sure it wasn't Mille Johnset, other junior women, already with Atherton racing programs?
  • 1 0
 @Chuck629: No , it was definitely Vali
  • 37 0
 Plot twist; they don't have anyone and posted this to get the best options out of the comment section.
  • 32 0
 Is it going to be Joe?
  • 12 1
 Joe who?
  • 44 0
 no he is still recovering from ligma
  • 166 2
 @nskerb: Joe MOMMA!
  • 5 1
 @powaymatt: nice
  • 4 0
 @K1maxX: f*ck my cousin has ligma right now too
  • 1 0
 Yes
  • 7 0
 @K1maxX: wHaT's LiGmA
  • 10 0
 @colincolin: the most successful treatment of ligma is injections of updog
  • 11 1
 @nskerb: I cannot believe people are still falling for this in 2019.
  • 9 0
 @kookseverywhere: not funny. My friend died from snorting updog
  • 1 1
 @colincolin: ligma balls!
  • 25 1
 Adrien Dailly
  • 7 0
 Was thinking the same person, could have been a clue from Wynn TV at the end of the enduro season.
  • 1 0
 @jkelly21: Maybe
  • 1 0
 Hummmm nice idea! I'll love it.
  • 20 0
 jorge lorenzo
  • 4 0
 The speeds are too slow for him lol
  • 8 2
 @matadorCE: could you imagine a whiner like that in dh?
  • 1 0
 Nah, he can't ride bikes anymore!
  • 21 2
 Nina Hoffman
  • 13 0
 Will for sure be racing for Santa Cruz.
  • 3 5
 Is she not a bit....errr......German for the Frenchies?
  • 2 2
 My first guess... Support from SCS this season was logical due to his bike only, that doesn't mean anything else to me.
  • 14 1
 Maybe the Denim Destroyer. Maybe because he raced on Öhlins this year and because of his results he got invited.
  • 13 1
 I'm thinking female rider. Maybe Camille?
  • 2 0
 I bet on Camille too!
  • 17 6
 Richie Rude, he'll race both enduro and DH for them.
  • 5 0
 Makes sense to me!
  • 7 0
 I heard Jeremy McGrath was keen to win a title. Think he couldn't?
  • 2 0
 He's a fast dude. I did a lap with him and he was smashing jumps on an xc bike
  • 7 1
 Shaun Palmer is returning!
  • 7 0
 Shark Attack
  • 1 0
 Would be a good fit. A rider from the third big mountainbike continent. Would love that!
  • 2 0
 Everyone check the burgtec instagram story. They have released a picture with a set of ohlins forks and a scrubbed out frame with the caption “team rumours” It’s just speculation but not many teams run the ohlins forks.
  • 12 6
 Tahnee!
  • 9 0
 From a competitive standpoint, Tahnee would make sense, but they seem to want to keep FMD Racing together and this press release doesn't make it sound like they're also sponsoring Kaos's whip off world tour.
  • 2 0
 I was gonna say Tahnee as well, which would be awesome, but I think she's going to the Trek team
  • 6 1
 Tahnee just got paaaaaid, had a dope new adventure van on her Insta.
  • 1 1
 TFR doesn't want FMD. Do you think Tahnee would split from FMD? Do you think Trek wants Kaos? I'd assume at this point both of them have had some time on a Trek due to Kade, but that's a lot of baggage for TFR to handle just for one top notch (arguably the best current) elite female.
  • 2 6
flag wolftwenty1 FL (Nov 20, 2019 at 13:39) (Below Threshold)
 @BikesBoatsNJeeps: If Tahnee was smart she'd separate herself from Kaos. Kid is unreal on a bike but does not seem to have the mental game for racing.
  • 4 0
 @MikeyMT: meh seems like he has a lot of bad luck. It doesn't seem like he wants to be racing World cups either. He's fast and super talented, but so is Kade and he has a hard time qualifying. I think both those guys would rather be doing Crankworx, Hardline, Fest and Rampage. I know Kade at least has stated as much. But I imagine TFR wants results. Trek already has a slew of "ambasador" type riders, how many are they willing to support. Obviously riders with big social media followings help the brand, and having rad riders also ups the cool quotient, but you already have Cam M., R-dog, Steffi Martin, Semenuk, Casey Brown, and the list goes on of riders that only occasionally, or never, compete.
I guess the question comes down to, what is better exposure, WCDH or social media.
  • 1 0
 Steffi Marth... Damn autocorrect.
  • 4 0
 David trummer should have a proper team contract. Top 15 rider in the world.
  • 4 0
 Could be David Trummer ????
  • 2 0
 Last season he said, that he will stay with "Team Racing Dudes" (YT)
  • 6 2
 Nina Hoffmann :-P
  • 3 0
 First person I thought of..
  • 4 0
 @sspiff: Would have been so cheap to put her under contract 6 months ago...
  • 2 0
 I bet on a girl, Veronika Widmann ?
A junior makes sense aswell : Cruz Lucas or Sherlock Seth ?
  • 6 0
 Yep , great addition to Iles Finn and Bruni Loic
  • 1 0
 Both already have sponsors for next year.
  • 3 0
 Would love to see Vergier team-up with Bruni.
  • 2 0
 could be. or shaw. they need a change up. formula isn't working.
  • 1 0
 Does that put Cathro on Vergier's Santa Cruz then?
  • 3 0
 @makripper:
That team is probably the most effective marketing tool in the WC atm, besides Bruni and Pierron (as individuals).
I highly doubt they'll let go of Loris.
Also, is his contract even up yet? I believe he still got time left.
Loris' problem isn't the team. He's just young and needs time to sort his mental game out. Shaw was on fire but got burnt and then injured. We need to wait and see how he does after full recovery. I'm pretty sure if those two can't fix their mental game on the syndicate team, no other team will work any better for them.
I would however love to see Lori's and Loic on the same team! That'd be so much fun to watch.
  • 1 0
 @Loki87: Loric wanted to ride in a different team to Loic, don't quote me on this but the vibe was he wanted to come out from Bruni's shadow so to speak IIRC.
  • 1 0
 @Ieazo: Fair point, didn't know about that.
  • 1 0
 @Ieazo:
Didn´t know that either. Still, i´d like to see the two together, just because it would be fun to watch.
For their individual growth it might be the right decision to stay on seperate teams though.
  • 3 0
 I hope it s a chance for a girl racer
  • 3 1
 Pinkbike please stop using ‘reach out’ or ‘reached out’!!!! It’s in every flippin article I read.
  • 2 0
 Yep is it trying to get the word count up? What’s wrong with asked?
  • 3 0
 Well I would expect a girl as the 3rd rider in team.
  • 1 0
 Hopefully its a female rider, big S has plenty of coin to throw at Tahnee or another top 5 elite rider to break contract....... or Graves wants to play for shits n gigs
  • 3 0
 Adrien Dailly?
  • 1 0
 Pretty sure it will be tristan lemire!! So stocked for him if thats the case !! He totally deserve it
  • 2 0
 Heard BigTim talking about career progression
  • 2 0
 Camille teased of it on her Insta…
  • 2 3
 Maybe that new kid.... whatzizname.... justasec.... Nick somethin.... no Nicholas... ahh.....Nickcoas.....ssss... .. Oh yea! Nicolas Vouillioz! Yea yea... I heard he's kind fast.
  • 2 0
 Up and coming american Chris Grice?
  • 3 0
 Prince Phillip..
  • 1 0
 Rumour is Prof Mama Jafali is out of contract and looking for a ride (with no sexual preference by the looks of things).
  • 2 1
 They just did this to see which rider they the fans want
  • 2 0
 Jack Moir!!!
  • 2 0
 John Cena
  • 9 8
 well obviously post impeachment Donald Trump.... make Merica great again
  • 4 2
 Its Rachel atherton...
  • 2 0
 Eddie the Eagle
  • 1 0
 " I heard it may be IXS racer Oisin O'Callaghan"
  • 1 0
 Word has it, it's @rockyj
  • 2 0
 Mary Magdalene
  • 1 0
 Thibaut Daprela - changes from Commencal?
  • 2 1
 Tahnee
  • 1 0
 Nina Hoffman?
  • 1 0
 It’s a girl
  • 1 0
 alessia missiaggia
  • 1 0
 Also had him on my mind!
  • 2 1
 Tahnee
  • 2 2
 Ben Cathro to splesh Tahnee Stays with Transition
  • 1 0
 My guess: Joe
  • 1 0
 Heather Swanson
  • 1 0
 Vali Holl
  • 1 0
 It’s a female I bet.
  • 8 0
 I've heard of those.
  • 2 1
 Chris Grice
  • 1 0
 New Insta story today from Specialized Gravity. Looks like I was the only one right! : ) LOL
  • 1 0
 Ruffin Thibaut
  • 1 0
 Missy Giovie? :o
  • 1 0
 Amaury Pieron
  • 1 0
 Matteo Iniguez ????
  • 1 1
 Preston williams
  • 5 7
 Totally thought they were getting a rider for a third world country, disappointed.
  • 5 7
 The good new would have been: they get rid of Finn Iles and get 2 new promising athletes.
  • 1 2
 Stocazzo
  • 1 2
 Valli Holl, -Duh.
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