Thibault Daprela stunned race fans all over the world last week when he announced that he would be leaving Commencal MucOff by Riding Addiction to race for Canyon CLLCTV in 2024. The 22 year-old Frenchman took victory at the Pal Arinsal Andorra round of the UCI Downhill World Cup in 2023 and was already being touted by many to be a contender for this years crown.  

The move to Canyon CLLCTV will see him team up with their in-house living legend, double UCI DHI World Champion and reigning UCI E-EDR World Cup overall title holder, Fabien Barel. Barel has worked closely with the brands Gravity riders since he joined them back in 2013.  

Daprela’s move comes at the end of a formative 2023 season which saw him emerge from the shadow of the injured 2022 UCI DHI World Cup overall title holder, Amaury Pierron. In his absence, Daprela really came to the fore and took that victory at the fourth round of the season. His raw pace is widely regarded as being right there amongst the very fastest amongst the pro ranks but all too often mistakes in race runs have cost him the chance of a decent run at the overall title.  

Canyon’s hope is that teaming him up with the experience of Fabien Barel will help to mould Daprela into a consistent top flight performer. As things stand, the rest of the Canyon CLLCTV roster remains unchanged which would see their new signing join Troy Brosnan, Luca Shaw and Mille Johnset.  

Stay tuned to our complete list of 2024 UCI Mountain Bike World Series team changes right here as we continue our build up to the new season getting underway.