After 38 years of marriage: Hans Rey and GT separate
He shaped the brand like no other - and now it's over: After 38 years of close collaboration, Hans "No Way" Rey and the American bike manufacturer GT Bicycles are parting ways. In a moving video message, the mountain bike icon announced the end of the long-standing partnership.
What began as a one-year adventure in 1987 quickly developed into one of the most formative collaborations in MTB history. Back then, the young Swiss rider, newly crowned world champion in trials, traveled to the USA to take a break from his studies, explore the country and learn English. On his trip, he met GT founders Gary Turner and Richard Long - and literally arrived in the right place at the right time. The sport of mountain biking was on the verge of its breakthrough, and Rey was to play a key role in this.
Instead of joining the racing circuit, Rey's spectacular stunts and adventures were based on the then completely new concept of extreme mountain biking. Together with GT, he paved the way for a movement that later became known worldwide as freeride.
In a recently published YouTube video, Hans Rey says: "It's very sad that a business decision has been made to temporarily pause GT. My contract has been terminated. No need to feel sorry for me - I had an incredible time living my dreams. And I'm not done yet. But of course my heart is heavy." Nevertheless, he is hopeful: "I've always hoped that GT would return one day - and maybe I'll get the opportunity to be part of it again. In the meantime, GT will always be family to me."
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