[OriginalDonk]

Looks like Lopes and Ibis have parted ways. Sounds like it was mutual but didn't see that one coming.

Ibis site has a photo of Lopes charging through what looks like an EWS finish and links to this page with an awesome array of Lopes photos and videos:

Moving On | News | Info | Ibis Cycles US

"Our time working with Brian was filled with thrills, victories and lasting memories - from an unprecedented string of victories on Whistler's A-Line to the first World Cup victory in the XC Eliminator in Houffalize. We'd like to thank Brian for all he contributed to the ongoing Ibis story and wish him the best in his future endeavours." - Scott Nicol, Ibis

 

[hillharman]

Really curious to see what he'll be riding next.

 

[budgie]

I wouldn't be surprised to see him move into MX, since the team development that he's been doing lately seems to have been quite successful. MX has to be more lucrative than the bike industry, and as a 40+ year old dad, I expect the demands of being a sponsored MTB rider -- travel, for one thing! -- for the long term just doesn't make sense. I'm sure we'll still see him racing: just perhaps not as much as in the past. It's been fun to watch what he's done with Ibis I must say, and too bad to see it come to a close.

Also fun to speculate who will replace him on the Ibis roster!

 

[agleck7]

Interesting idea. And if he's affiliated with an MX team, don't they usually have an MTB sponsor, so he'd just be on that brand?

 

[hillharman]

The issue is that while he's one of the greatest mountain bikers of all time, what evidence do we have that he'd be competitive in MX?

 

[agleck7]

Not racing, but coaching. He's already coaching pro riders like Cole Seely.

 

[Dibbs_]

He wanted a slacker head angle

 

[slyfink]

I'm more curious to know who Ibis will bring in to replace him... They have ACC racing Enduro... will they sponsor another enduro racer, or sponsor a rider from another discipline? I think it will be indicative of where their development strategy is going.

 

[inter]

BL was seen having lunch with Hans Rey (GT rider), not sure the relation is.
Ibis certainly need a good rider to replace BL. Maybe Custis Keene?

 

[me and my bike]

BL was seen having lunch with Hans Rey (GT rider), not sure the relation is.
Ibis certainly need a good rider to replace BL. Maybe Custis Keene?

They're neighbors down here in laguna lol. So dont think their is anything there. My money is on lappiere!

 

[OriginalDonk]

I'll second Lapierre as a likely option given how involved Joe Binatena at Lopes' Shop BikeCo is with their product development. I'd say a dark horse would also be BMC. BikeCo is getting more involved in that brand and they've brought on some serious talent in the past few years (Julian Absalon for XC, strong road team, and Aaron Bradford for Enduro).

If he keeps racing would he stick with X-Fusion or help Lapierre with their EI tech. Interesting to see how it shakes out.

 

[Yody]

Ibis should send Jeff Kendalweed on a World Enduro Tour

 

[me and my bike]

Ibis should send Jeff Kendalweed on a World Enduro Tour

Enduro World Series announces the 26 official teams for 2014 | Enduro Mountainbike Magazine

Did they not already?

 

[MTBMILES]

I vote for Jeff too!


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[d-bug]

Ibis should send Jeff Kendalweed on a World Enduro Tour

Hell yeah! He gets my vote, no questions asked!

 

[mdc]

Shaun Palmer!

 

[Maverick005]

He wanted a slacker head angle

Maybe he wanted a dedicated 160mm 27.5"

 

[odin]

Bikemag already released additional info:
News: Brian Lopes Signs Deal With New Sponsor | BIKE Magazine

 

[Just J]

Bikemag already released additional info:
News: Brian Lopes Signs Deal With New Sponsor | BIKE Magazine

Hmmm interesting, how about throwing Intense in there? If BriLo is looking for a future after racing it might be possible that he go work for a Socal company and one with pretty big changes going on such as Intense...

Anyway good luck Brian, I rode with him the day before the WC in Dalby Forest 3 years ago, nice guy and amazing to see him cut trails like nobody else!

 

[jon123]

Any word on who wanted out their deal? Lopes or Ibis?