Cannondale to exit top-level cross-country racing after 2026

Cannondale calls time on its factory program

Cannondale is set to leave top-level cross-country racing, with the brand announcing late last week that 2026 will be its final year sponsoring and fielding a top-level mountain bike program.

That makes this more than a routine sponsorship change. Cannondale Factory Racing has been a visible part of the elite cross-country scene, and the reaction described by road.cc - unwanted and unexpected among mountain bike race fans, riders, and rival teams - tells you how embedded the program has become in the sport’s top tier.

Why it matters

Factory programs shape more than start lists. They provide structure, equipment development, rider support, and a clear competitive identity at the highest level. When a brand like Cannondale steps away, it narrows the top-level team landscape and signals a meaningful shift for cross-country racing heading beyond 2026.

The immediate takeaway is simple: one of the sport’s recognisable factory presences now has a defined endpoint. The wider consequence is that riders, rivals, and the race ecosystem will have to adjust once Cannondale’s top-level backing disappears.

Full details are at the linked road.cc source.