The current men’s downhill World Champion Loic Bruni will be riding on Specialized bikes in 2016

Bruni’s team mates, 2014 World Champion Loris Vergier and Whistler sensation Finn Iles, will also be joining the Big S as they are all contracted together by Pure Agency.

>>> Watch Loic Bruni’s World Championships winning run here

The team will be known as Specialized Gravity Racing and will be racing aboard Demo frames with select Specialized equipment. Troy Brosnan will also be racing on Specialized but as part of a separate Specialized Factory Racing team, meaning there will be two major Specialized set ups in the World Cup pits next year.

The move follows Aaron Gwin’s departure from Specialized Factory Racing after he claimed it was unwilling to meet his salary demands.

The three riders previously rode for Lapierre but had to switch frames as their contract ran out and Lapierre refocussed its racing efforts on enduro and e-bike racing.

Bruni said: “The team and I have worked hard during the past few years to reach a high level. We have all ambition and we are all able to deliver really professional work while still having fun. I was really seduced by joining such a big family. The brand already has a great history, and I’m excited about being part of it—it’s always been a dream.”

Watch our first look at the 2016 Specialized Stumpjumper Range

Benno Williet, team manager for Specialized’s Factory mtb programs, said: “At the end of the season, we bid farewell to Aaron Gwin after an awesome season, but at the same time, we look forward to the future and are excited to be supporting more riders than ever before.

“Between Troy on our Factory Team, and then also Loic, Loris, and Finn, four of the very best riders in the world will board a Demo at the highest level of completion. It is a youthful, super talented roster throughout, so it is safe to say the future is bright!”