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Loic Bruni signs for new Specialized Gravity Team

· By Press Office · 10 comments

Specialized will partner with Pure Agency in 2016 to form a new Specialized Gravity Team, supporting the 2015 World Champion Loic Bruni, Junior 2014 Junior World Champion Loris Vergier and first year junior Finn Iles on the UCI World Cup circuit. The team will all be racing aboard Specialized bikes and select equipment pieces next season.

ccs-62657-0-51649800-1452072614.jpgLoic Bruni disbelief – by Michal Cerveny.

Troy Brosnan will remain and star on the Specialized Racing Factory team, a separate set up, but with the same ambition.

Loic Bruni had this to say about the change, “I’m really excited about changing rigs for many reasons, and it gives me coherence in the way I see my career. The team and I have worked hard during the past few years to reach a high level. We have all ambition and we are all able to deliver really professional work while still having fun. I was really seduced by joining such a big family. The brand already has a great history, and I’m excited about being part of it—it’s always been a dream. Reaching this step is a big satisfaction for me and the team, it is what we need and we know Specialized is the right partner for new things. I’m looking forward to ride well with my Rainbow Jersey and the Demo, of course, I’ll try to do great stuff with it. We are already working on the bike and tires to be ready for the season 2016 that is promised to be a blast.”

“I’ve been with the team since I started on the World Cup circuit, and I always thought that it was almost perfect, with good friends, good atmosphere, and good sponsors. And now, a dream came reality, riding with the biggest brand in the world with still the same crew is an amazing opportunity that I’m really proud of. Really excited for the future!” – Loris Vergier

ccs-62657-0-03861200-1452072615.jpgLoris Vergier in Leogang – By Michal Cerveny

“2015 was in many ways our best season yet,” said Benno Williet, Team Manager for Specialized’s Factory MTB programs. “The overall structure of the team finally came together and the results the guys achieved on the race course really backed that up. At the end of the season, we bid farewell to Aaron Gwin after an awesome season, but at the same time, we look forward to the future and are excited to be supporting more riders than ever before. Between Troy on our Factory Team, and then also Loic, Loris, and Finn, four of the very best riders in the world will board a Demo at the highest level of completion. It is a youthful, super talented roster throughout, so it is safe to say the future is bright!”

ccs-62657-0-97439200-1452072613.jpgFinn Iles – by Michal Cerveny

“This, my second year in the team (Pure Agency), is going to be exciting. I am super happy to be continuing on with such a good group of guys. Last year was an awesome experience, to see how well the team worked together blew my mind. With this upcoming year being my first year of racing junior, I am honored to have such an amazing brand behind my back. I think this is an amazing opportunity, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. Heading to California in January to link up with everyone is something I’m really looking forward to!” – Finn Iles

With a full team presentation to follow in early 2016, Loic, Loris, and Finn will rely on the radical S-Works Demo 8 carbon downhill race frame with single-sided seatmast as well as Specialized 2FO shoes and full complement of Downhill Tires.

ccs-62657-0-53992900-1452072142.jpgLoic after a race winning run in Andorra – Photo by Michal Cerveny.

“I was really proud to work with our partners, and in the eight years, we created something really special, but when we had first contact with Specialized, we felt that it was time to move. The opportunity was unique, because we had the chance to keep the same working process with same staff and riders. They understood that a good result is not just a good athlete or the best bike, but also a great atmosphere, where everybody in the team is able to make his own contribution to perform. To be honest, we also had another good financial offer, a higher one, but it was definitely a different way of work, and it was not the first choice of the key guys in the team. When the boys tested the bike, it confirmed everything. We have the feeling, too, that R&D is really strong and all details are well thought on the bike. One last detail, but maybe the most important detail in our decision: Loic and I received a personal message from M. Sinyard, and I don’t know a lot of bosses who are involved like this in Sports Marketing. It showed us how the company is passionate about DH and racing. We really appreciated this.” – Laurent Delorme – Pure Agency Manager

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Comments

Odinson

Jan 6, 2016, 9:26 AM

Butthurt Specialized haters inbound...

Headshot

Jan 6, 2016, 9:28 AM

Gwinn races off without a chain to make space for Bruni and co. Love it!

Shebeen

Jan 6, 2016, 9:38 AM

Don't quite understand how two teams make sense. Same pits?

Stretch

Jan 6, 2016, 10:20 AM

Don't quite understand how two teams make sense. Same pits?

 

the one is just the bikes - the other one is everything..so troy will continue wearing specialized pj's while loic will will keep his kit sponsors and just switch to specialized bike. I guess they will have the same pits...but I am really interested to see if the gravity team gets trade status with them all wearing different kits

Odinson

Jan 6, 2016, 12:36 PM

It's probably similar to Formula 1. Merc is an engine supplier to Williams et al, but the teams remain independent of one another.

 

Spez provides the bikes and rubber, but Pure Agency is free to run the team as they see fit.

rock

Jan 6, 2016, 1:05 PM

Same as Trek Factory Racing in the states and the Trek team that 23 degrees management......same bikes, different teams.

Guest

Jan 6, 2016, 4:20 PM

good for Loic and may he put down some plenty hurt 

Gen

Jan 6, 2016, 6:04 PM

Aaaw was kinda hoping he would go to santa cruz.. could he have the same effect Sagan had on the road side and make Spez cool?. .

 

But I swear if they put him in those clown pants there will be no hope of anything cool.

 

Edit.. I see it's not THAT Spez team..

Gen

Jan 6, 2016, 6:08 PM

He is a talented rider.. sure he will do great things..

Hairy

Jan 8, 2016, 12:02 AM

Going to be an interesting season!

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