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 .

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

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

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

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

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?

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.

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

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.

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