GT and Brian Lopes parting ways

Many of you have asked "Is it true?", regarding the rumors flying around about GT and Brian parting ways. In short "yes", it is true! After seven years of a mutually successful partnership that produced: Four World Championship titles Three World Cup Overall titles One National Championship GT Bicycles has decided to take their legendary "race-inspired" brand in a "new direction". Which leads me to question what the "new direction" is, since Brian has been supplying them "wins" from the get-go. It is clear to me that the only "direction" to go is down, specially after this year's World Championship win. With that said, I don't wish for that to happen, since we have been fortunate enough to meet some great people through GT, but I do whole-heartedly question the thinking and strategy behind it this "new direction" set forth by corporate. There is no doubt that life doesn't evolve without change, one needs to keep moving forward in order to improve. This holds true for all facets of life; training, riding, relationships, careers, etc. This encompasses chapters closing so that new ones may begin. 2007 marks the end of the Lopes/GT chapter in Mountain Bike racing and opens up a whole new chapter just waiting to be written! I would like to take a moment to "THANK" the people who made a difference during the 2001-2007 partnership: Mark Peterman, Robert Stemen, Robert Kahler, Pete Garsky & everyone at the GT/Lake Forest, CA office. All the GT distributors who supported Brian & pushed the brand. Chris "Monk" Vazques, Steve Spencer, Jill & Bryn, Burry & Todd...gonna miss our traveling family! Source: www.brianlopes.com