In a week that we know is going to be filled with team news, we start off with a bit of a downer as Chain Reaction Cycles/Nukeproof is winding down its World Cup team.

The team will now (probably understandably) be throwing its full weight behind Sam Hill and and an enduro set up on the new Carbon Mega. Hill will be joined by two young pinners in Elliott Heap (who switches disciplines form downhill) and Kelan Grant.

CRC said: “We feel to concentrate 100% on one discipline is the right thing to do. After 10 amazing years of competing in the UCI Downhill World Cup with some great results and great times we’ve decided to take a break from downhill racing at World Cup level for this year to concentrate on the EWS and a few other select events.”

The team will leave the World Cup circuit with two wins to its name (thanks to Sam Hill in 2014) and a clutch of podiums from Mike Jones and Hill.

This leaves Mike Jones searching for a new ride and following his ambitions in downhill. He just posted on Instagram:

Well what a 4 years it has been, can’t thank @teamchainreactioncycles and @pager7211 for such a rad time! Also like to thank the big man @samhill13 for everything he has done for me this past 4 years and helping me out so much!! But it’s time for us to part ways and for me to start my new adventure! Would like to wish the team all the best for the enduro side and hopefully see you guys at some races next year!! Let the new adventure begin!!!

A post shared by Mike Jones (@mikejones35) on Jan 2, 2018 at 3:28am PST

Nukeproof will continue to race downhill with Wideopen-Nukeproof running their development for youths in the UK, all round radical sausage Jackson Davis racing and whipping his way around the world at Crankworx events and their fast female Sandra Rübesam racing select World Cups and IXS cups, they just unfortunately didn’t have an option to compete full time at all the DH world cups.