Figured I’d start a new topic for next year so we can begin speculating on things. Just saw news that both Haley Smith and Finsty are out at Trek Driftless. I wonder if they would have been regardless or is this in reaction to both being out of the LTGP?
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Nah because Paige didn’t make it back in either and seems like she is still on the team …
Paige is in the GP, look at the post right above yours…
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Oh wtf my bad. Thought she was hurt like half the year ?
Since it’s cold outside and I have nothing better to do: what’s your picks for top 3 for male and female? Mine:
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Sophia. Keegan (always pick the underdogs I say)
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Melisa Rollins. Matt beers
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Sarah Strum. Alexey V
excuse the formatting I’m on my phone.
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It wasn’t a crazy assumption because she was injured for a large chunk. I think that regardless of results, they knew that she is one of the top women so she has earned that spot for next year.
My picks are boring AF, but I’ve gotta go with who I think the best racers are.
Men: Keegan, Cam, Beers
Women: Sofia, Rosa, Karo Migon
Male: Beers, Keegan, Simon
Female: Sofia, Melisa, Rosa
As an aside. What do we think about rumored Specialized super team?
Dylan Johnson brings more eyeballs to the Grand Prix than darn near anybody. Out for 2026. Whaaaaa???
Joe
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Dylan agrees that he didn’t deserve a spot based on his results over the last 4 years. He will be fine I think doing his thing still.
As for the Specialized team, I believe the rumors that Keegan and Mads and Beers will be on their offroad team this season. It makes a lot of sense since Sofia is, Matt is a buddy of Keegan’s, and they can then more easily team up for Cape Epic. I wouldn’t say it is a super team because I don’t really think gravel teams will be acting like road teams anytime soon, but we’ll see. If one of them sells out his own race for the other, I will change my mind. Until then, they are teammates in the, I’m not going to pull because X is up the road type of teammates and that’s about it.
Surprised to see no one picking Cam besides me so far. Did you guys see how strong he was this year? Being marked isn’t going to make it any easier to hold his wheel and the guy is really skilled on the bike so no weaknesses going from gravel to mtb or vice-versa. Simon would be my fourth guy if I could’ve picked four. He’s a monster too.
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Cam should easily be considered a contender. He’s 100% capable to win, but there are a handful others that wouldn’t surprise me.
I’m a huge Cam fan. He rides super strong and every clip I’ve seen he’s always so happy, energetic, positive, joking around, etc. kind like the energy Kate Courtney had post Leadville (and seemingly often anyways).
I’ve also seen several people mention when racing with Cam that he seems to not have much of an off switch and just grinds hard all the time and makes it really hard for those around him.
Lots of great people in the Grand Prix and a lot id like to see win.
I’m excited for more competition in the women’s races. The gaps in skill levels have been closing and making the races much more entertaining.
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This is exactly how he is on course as well. I had the privilege of racing with him once a couple years back and for the brief time I got to spend with him while he was dropping me, he was super nice, courteous and friendly. He’s also the fastest person on a bike I’ve personally ever seen. He can continue to dig seemingly forever. If you follow his strava, you’ll see some truly crazy stuff. Absolutely count him in the running for another victory in 2026 I’d say.
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It would certainly add some interesting story lines and might make for more strategic racing. In another thread, there was some discussion on how Matt and Keegan would help each other if they end up as teammates. Clearly, they are both heavy favorites in the Grand Prix with their own ambitions. Maybe Specialized plans to add another rider in a more defined support role. I heard on the recent TR podcast that Alex Wilde is going to try to be a full time pro for the next 2 years, but he didn’t go into detail about any team/sponsor changes. He did say he’s still be riding specialized, but would still be with Cycle Sport. It would be interesting if Specialized somehow folded him into the off road team with Matt and Keegan. The fact that he wasn’t included in the Grand Prix next year might actually be a good thing, makes it a little easier for him to race for himself while also supporting Keegan and Matt. As a long time Specialized employee, it wouldn’t be a huge stretch to think Specialized is helping to fund Alex’s transition to full time pro. All just “wild” speculation, but he’d be a perfect complement to Keegan and Matt.
Good points. It hasn’t been mentioned but did Alex apply for this year? Obviously he is more than capable as shown with his Sea Otter finish.
I assume he did apply, but they got rid of everyone under Zach Calton at 12th to make room for new people. Alex was 17th overall out of only like 19 that actually finished the thing out. It’s rough, but they only get six race days and have to make five of them count. It’s only getting more competitive.
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He said on IG that he applied and wasn’t selected if I remember correctly. I hope his new focus on being a full time pro for the next 2 years pays off for him. His appearances on the podcast over the years have definitely helped make me a fan of his, so it’d be great to see him have further success.
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Alex is also one of the only pros that seems to leave his ride data unprotected on Strava which is cool.
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Did Keegan leaving kill HtSQD or did it folding cause him to leave?
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I suspect the contract was up this year, and Keegan was surely a super hot commodity. Without him, Santa Cruz probably didn’t want a ‘team’ and will just sponsor individual riders like most bike companies do in this space.
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