Update Friday 15 March: Canyon confirmed Thibaut Daprela’s departure from the CLLCTV in a statement that reads: “Following a mutual agreement, we would like to inform the Downhill community that Canyon will no longer be the official bike sponsor of Thibaut Daprela. This decision has been aligned and carefully considered between Thibaut and Canyon. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Thibaut for his service to Canyon CLLCTV racing team and we wish him a healthy and successful season ahead.”

Update Friday 15 March: Previous sponsor, Muc-Off, has responded with ‘no comment’ after we reached out for further details on this story. 

French downhill star and former World Cup winner Thibaut Daprela is leaving Canyon just three months after signing with the CLLCTV gravity team, in a move described as “mutual”.

Now instead of racing with factory team support, the former Commencal Muc Off rider will race as a privateer in 2024.

“I will race in 2024 as a privateer as it’s been decided mutually to end my partnership with Canyon Factory Racing,” Daprela said on Instagram.

The big question though, is why? We reached out to both Canyon and to Fabien Barel, who helps run the team, to ask why the sudden split, but have heard nothing in response.

Back in January when Daprela joined his new team Fabien Barel said: “It is a great opportunity for our factory team to welcome Thibault with his young age next to experienced riders like Troy and Luca. I have been following Thibault’s progression for many years, and his passion to win and determination are unmatched. I believe we have an incredibly strong team for 2024, and I deeply look forward to the coming season.”

Daprela’s page still lists Monster Engery, Fizik and Ride 100% as his personal sponsors.

We’ll update the story here when we find out more.