2020 Syndicate Team Launch

Here's a little something to whet your appetite whilst we wait for the 2020 season to get underway....

The Syndicate have released their team for the 2020 season. There's no big surprises on the roster, Greg, Luca and Loris are still flying the flag for our favourite DH Team on the planet, but look a little closer and there's something hidden behind their seat tubes that we're very, very excited about - rumour has it that the V10 is 300% faster now!

As well as getting (probably) their dream sponsorship deal with the best bike shop ever, the team has spent the off season puzzling with the V10 ...again! The eagle eyed amongst you might have noticed Loris & Luca have gone all business up front and party at the rear, rocking the mullet setup for the first time. Our web & marketing guy Rob must have heard "mullet" whispers before the rest of us, but he's got the wrong end of the stick and is currently rocking a 90's Pat Sharpe 'do...

We'll have more info on Stif and The Syndicate in the near future, we're still a bit speechless for now - needless to say we're beyond stoked to see our logo on the bikes and shirts of our favourite team. It's beyond our wildest dreams and we really, really can't wait until the season can kick off safely (and we can finally get Rob to a barbers!)

In the mean time, Stay Home, Stay Safe and check out the bikes below.

The Bikes

Greg Minnaar

Greg first started racing BMX at 4 years of age. He soon moved over to motocross and raced for 11 years before his parents bought a bicycle shop and his path to DH stardom began.

Greg was initially inspired by the rivalry between Nico Vouilloz and Steve Peat. He worked his way up to the Santa Cruz Syndicate team to eventually ride alongside one of those childhood heroes.

Greg's won back-to-back World Championships on the Syndicate, and is widely recognized as one of the smoothest and most consistent DH racers on the circuit.

Read more about Greg's setup on santacruzbicycles.com

Loris Vergier

From Nico Vouilloz to Fabien Barel and more recently, Loïc Bruni, the South of France has consistently delivered some of the most dynamic downhill racers to ever grace the podium. For Loris Vergier, this mantle has not only been met but consistently upheld on the racetrack.

His journey into the world of bicycles and dirt would come from his father, also a passionate mountain biker. From the local BMX track to the most challenging and demanding downhill racetracks in the world, Loris’ rise through the ranks has been nothing short of amazing.

Finishing 5th overall last year, Loris was the team’s highest-placed World Cup rider. There is no pecking order on the team, but this rooster in fox clothing is certainly shaking up the chicken coup.

Read more about Loris's setup on santacruzbicycles.com

Luca Shaw

Arguably one of the most exciting young talents on the World Cup scene, American Luca Shaw is poised to upset the apple cart in a big way. Hailing from North Carolina and introduced to two-wheeled sports by his father and older brother, Luca’s path to elite downhill competition started age four, racing bar-to-bar in BMX. Countless trips to national races would follow, building the foundations of what was to come.

After entering his first mountain bike race at 13, it wasn’t long before Luca discovered the world of downhill racing and the rest is history.

Luca was unlucky enough to break his collarbone during testing in April last year, meaning the 2019 season was spent marching back to fitness. And march he did. A 10th at the World Champs (Mont Sainte Anne) and a 14th in the World Cup overall, he signed off 2019 with a 4th place at the US Open (Big Bear). Luca’s already opened 2020 with a 2nd place at the USA National in Windrock, reminding us that the boy who scored two junior World Cup wins and three fastest World Cup qualifiers in 2018 is the man to watch again this year.

Read more about Luca's setup on santacruzbicycles.com

Read more about the whole syndicate team on santacruzbicycles.com

Feeling Inspired? Check out the Santa Cruz V10