Trek puts an end to the historic Trek Factory Racing and will compete as Trek-Unbroken

Trek strengthens its factory structure in MTB and will compete as Trek-Unbroken starting in 2026

Trek has announced a significant strategic move in its elite mountain bike programs. Starting in the 2026 season, its official Cross Country and Downhill teams will compete under a new common name: Trek-Unbroken, resulting from the alliance with Unbroken, a brand specialized in sports recovery supplementation that has gained popularity in recent months for its "salmon" pills.

The new Trek Unbroken brings salmon pills from the road to MTB

The agreement makes Unbroken the title sponsor of the American brand's MTB teams, a somewhat unusual decision so far in such powerful factory structures as Trek's, clearly reflecting the new landscape in which the World Cup operates.

The relationship between Trek and Unbroken began in 2025 within the Lidl-Trek WorldTour, when the product was introduced to the road team following the recommendation of former cyclist Andy Schleck to the team's doctor, Jens Hinder. After internal testing, several riders, including Mattias Skjelmose, highlighted its positive effect on recovery during grand tours.

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This same approach was later transferred to Trek's MTB programs, where the product quickly gained acceptance among XC and DH riders, subjected to a demanding schedule of travel, training, reconnaissance, and races at venues such as Val di Sole, Les Gets, Nové M?sto, or Mont-Sainte-Anne.

Although mountain bike races are much shorter than road races, with one hour in XCO, around 20 minutes in short track, or just a few minutes in downhill, the physical toll is constant. Impacts, vibrations, and explosive efforts make recovery between heats, training sessions, and competition days crucial for performing at the highest level throughout the week.

According to Trek, the continued use of Unbroken helped its riders reduce accumulated fatigue and muscle discomfort, allowing them to maintain a high level of performance throughout the entire international calendar.

Beyond the sporting aspect, Trek's move has a clear interpretation: the MTB World Cup has definitely entered a new era. That one of the most solid and recognized factory teams in the global landscape incorporates a main sponsor in its name is an unmistakable sign that the level of professionalism and structural costs continue to grow.

It will become increasingly difficult to compete at the highest level without substantial budgets and strategic partners that provide more than just visibility. The case of Trek-Unbroken is a clear example of where elite MTB is heading.

Trek emphasizes that Unbroken has not limited itself to putting its name on the team but has been present at several World Cup events, gaining firsthand knowledge of the particularities of XC and DH and working directly with riders and technical staff.

With a roster that includes names like Evie Richards, double world champion, Riley Amos, U.S. national champion, and young DH talents Lachie Stevens-McNab and Sacha Earnest, Trek-Unbroken faces the future with ambition and a strengthened structure for 2026 and beyond.