In the last Downhill World Cup in Lenzerheide, Ireland's Oisin O'Callaghan rode in a private Troy Lee jersey, which he had bought in a local bike store shortly before the start. He quickly cut off the sleeve in the Irish national colors, which he is allowed to wear as the reigning national champion, from his YT team kit and pinned it to the new bodysuit with safety pins. "I didn't want to represent a brand in the race that wasn't paying me", explains O'Callaghan in in a remarkable video published on the Canadian platform Pinkbike on Thursday. For the first time, members of the YT Mob, the World Cup downhill team of the Forchheim-based brand YT Industries, give an insight into their situation. And it is anything but rosy following the bankruptcy of their employer.

The two World Cup riders Andreas Kolb and Oisin O'Callaghan and their team manager Gunnar Franke speak openly about the stressful time they are currently going through. All three report in unison that they themselves only found out about YT's insolvency via the press release in mid-July. A bitter realization for Kolb in particular, as he had only switched from the Atherton racing team to the German team at the start of the season. He said that he had turned down several better-paid offers for a four-year contract with YT. He preferred to make a long-term commitment. He was not told that YT must have already been in serious financial turmoil at the time. However, he had already noticed the first signs at the start of the season, says the Austrian.

Riders have to cover their own costs

At the moment, Kolb says in the video, he has to cover all his own costs. And that is likely to cost money, as the World Cup squad is now in North America. The penultimate race is scheduled for this weekend in Lake Placid (USA), followed by the season finale two weeks later in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada. In an obvious act of solidarity, the remaining YT Mob team is standing together. Mechanics and coaches are also overseas. Whether they are still being paid by YT or whether these costs will ultimately be borne by the remaining riders remains to be seen over the next two weeks, says Kolb. Fortunately, he still has other sponsors such as Schladming, 100% and Bell, who continue to support him. 

O'Callaghan is also riding to the end of the season as a privateer, he will no longer wear the YT jersey, but will still be on Tues Teambike. In an interview with Wyn TV presenter Wyn Masters, the Irishman talks about the team spirit that still holds the YT mob together. They are sailing a sinking ship by joining forces, he describes metaphorically. However, the support currently comes solely from the individual team members, above all Manager Franke, and not from the YT brand.

Kolb and Höll talk to new teams

What will happen after this season is still open. Kolb hints in the video that he may have already been signed to a new racing team. Details will be announced in mid-October, i.e. after the season finale. O'Callaghan also hopes to find a new team for 2026 on the basis of his solid performance, as he says.

One YT Mob member is missing from the Pinkbike contribution, however: Valentina Höll. The serial winner from Austria, who became world champion for the fourth time in a row this year in Champery and is currently leading the overall standings. When asked by Ride-MTB, she only wants to say this much about the current situation: "I'm trying to finish the season as well as possible, I'm currently leading the overall World Cup, that's what I'm focusing on. We have some good offers for next season, one is very promising. At the moment, like Andi Kolb, I'm not being paid and have to cover the costs myself." Höll has already been linked with a possible move to Commencal/Schwalbe/Les Orres, where Switzerland's Lisa Baumann is also under contract. In Lake Placid, she will be accommodated in the pit of her long-term sponsor SRAM, as her personal mechanic was unable to come to North America due to illness.

YT founder wants to buy back company

YT Industries also provided no information when asked on Friday. If you want to find out more about the background to the economic problems at the direct mail order company, we recommend reading Jeff Brines' blog. It explains well how the brand got into financial difficulties. Apparently, the business model as a direct mail order company selling comparatively inexpensive complete bikes, excluding the stationary trade and with expensive marketing, did not pay off. Even the takeover of a majority stake by private equity investor Ardian in 2021 could not change the decline. After Ardian announced in July that it would no longer finance YT, the company had to file for insolvency.

YT founder Markus Flossmann is currently trying to buy the company back and rebuild it. He stepped down as CEO in 2021 and returned to this role in 2024. In July 2025, YT applied to the Bamberg Local Court for debtor-in-possession restructuring proceedings - although this only affected the parent company based in Germany; the US subsidiary continues to operate. The YT management cited the after-effects of the coronavirus boom, tough price competition and delivery problems at a key supplier as the reasons. This step had unpleasant consequences for new customers because payments made before the start of the proceedings were considered part of the insolvency estate and were initially not reimbursed. However, Flossmann now guarantees that all those who have already paid for a bike will receive it or get their money back. It is unclear what the situation will be for the 150-strong workforce. The majority of them have now been made redundant. 

Links to the topic

• Video with YT Mob on Pinkbike
• Blog by Jeff Brines on the economic background