Every winter, once all the mountain bike races are finished, teams start their budget processes for the following season while riders start talking to new teams looking for new contracts, or the same teams to renegotiate. We call it the silly season, and it is.

We've been poking our noses into trucks all season, keeping track of who is going where. Sometimes we're right and look smart, other times we're totally wrong and just get teams (and some riders) mad at us. So with that in mind, let's look at who is going where in 2001.

Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA) is perhaps the biggest question mark on the DH circuit. With the folks from Team Sports unable to offer her more than a dual contract, she is talking to other DH teams as we speak. But word is that there's an exciting possibility for the current V-C (Volvo-Cannondale) downhillers for next season, involving a well-known bike company that does produce a DH bike. Otherwise, if she can't get a good DH ride, she could very well retire from DH and either concentrate on the dual, or leave the sport completely.

Brian Lopes (USA) is the dual World Cup champion, but until Cannondale decides whether to build DH bikes again, he is also talking to other teams.

Cédric Gracia (FRA) is another V-C alumnus who's seeking greener pastures. His stock has risen in the wake of his DH win at the Leysin finals, and he is reported to be talking with three bike companies right now, including Haro. But word is that his girlfriend and manager is investigating starting up their own team, and have been talking to Chausson about joining them.

Leigh Donovan, meanwhile, says she's extremely happy on the Schwinn-Toyota squad and would love to return to them next season. But Schwinn might not even have a DH team next season, so both Leigh and Elke Brutsaert (USA, Schwinn/Toyota) could be in search of another sponsor.

Subaru-Specialized, as you may know, is dropping their DH program. So it's bye-bye to Specialized downhillers, who are talking with other teams right now, while the cross-country riders make their own deals (see cross-country news below).

Tara Llanes (USA, Subaru-Specialized) is one Spec'd rider who watched her stock rise in the wake of her fast qualifying time at the Mammoth NORBA finals, but she was already one of the hotter riders. We hear she has five offers on the table right now.

Team Giant will be signing one of those Subaru-Specialized riders, as David Vazquez (ESP) joins Giant for next season. Giant is also looking for some female talent after two seasons of their boys-only club, plus perhaps another male rider to join Myles Rockwell (USA), who will return with the team. We would expect to see Vanessa Quinn (NZL, Giant) back on the squad to race NORBAs, and hear that Gracia has also been talking to Giant.

Sean McCarroll (AUS) is a question mark for Giant, but may also return next season. But don't expect to see either Jurgen Beneke (GER) or Rob Warner in a Giant kit next season, although Beneke might race NORBAs for the team.

Team Animal Orange, a British-based downhill squad, is rumored to be signing a sponsorship deal with an Info-Tech company that last year sunk $30 million US in Formula One Racing.

Greg Minnaar (RSA) is one of Animal's current riders who is in negotiations with them, but has three deals on the table. He's a hot prospect for next season, and could line up a sweet deal.

Steve Peat (GBR) is also rumored to be talking with Animal Orange, but they'll have to shell out a lot of money to afford one of downhilling's hottest riders.

In other GT news, Fabien Barel (FRA), who rode for the European program this season and reportedly earned quite the small salary, is talking to teams about a full ride, including of course GT. Meanwhile we expect to see Katja Repo (FIN) return to the team, but aren't sure about Eric Carter (USA). We don't expect to see Nolvenn LeCaer or Sabrina Jonnier (FRA) riding for the team next season.

Be-One will return with a strong DH team next season, with Bas DeBever (NED) and Gerwin Peters (NED) said to be riding for them again. The team isn't sure about Mickael Pascal (FRA), but hopes to sign him as well. They also want a good dual rider, and have reportedly been talking to Scott Beaumont (GBR), who currently rides for Kona/Ford Focus.

Missy Giove (USA) may have a new ride next season, as we hear word of a super-secret new team coming from Japan. They'd be well-funded and very international, and word is that the Missile has been contacted.

Nicolas Vouilloz (FRA, Vouilloz Racing Team) says he's committed to another season of racing on his high-tech new bike.

Everyone wants to know what will happen to this season's top Cross-Country trade team, Volvo-Cannondale. Well we won't know for two weeks, as Team Sports (the management company for the team) works out a deal between Volvo and whatever bike company can put up the cash — and bikes — for racing. It could possibly be Cannondale, or SoBe's team could become next year's A-Team while Volvo goes elsewhere, as another bike company could step up and partner with Volvo. We just don't know - but anything is possible, trust us.

We saw Caroline Alexander (GBR) talking to Gert-Jan at the Specialized truck back at the World Cup XC finals, and suspect there may some conversations going on there to hook up with the currently unsigned British rider.

Filip Meirhaeghe (BEL) says he'll find out "soon," whether he'll be racing for Theunisse and Subaru-Specialized next season, but says he hopes he will be there.

Bart Brentjens (NED) is looking for a new team for next season, and his results in Sydney could have a large bearing on those negotiations.

Bas Van Dooren (NED) is one rider who is newly signed to Specialized, leaving Be-One for his new team.

Team Giant's XC squad will retain the services of Christophe Dupouey (FRA), Rune Hoydahl (NOR) and Thomas Hochstrasser (SUI), while likely losing Dominique Arnould (FRA), Tom Larsen (NOR) and Yohann Vachette.

Miguel Martinez (FRA) won't be going anywhere, as he's got a contract with Full Dynamix through 2003.

[BACK TO THE TOP]

— Ari Cheren, MountainZone.com Correspondent