Arielle Martin and GT Part Ways

The rumor was rampant around last week’s Interbike trade show that GT would be making some serious changes/cuts to their team.  Word was that they may be suspending support of the Joey/Jerry Bradford grassroots team, and that Arielle Martin might be cut from the team as well.  BMX NEWS saw Arielle in the crazy Wednesday aisles of the show, walking around like any other BMX Racing star (including dR, Maris Strombergs, Cristian Becerine, Stephanie Barragan, Danny C and more)…thus, nothing unusual about her presence there.  But by dinner time Wednesday, table talk was centered around the pickups and cuts in the BMX Racing universe.   Unfortunately, it seemed that Arielle’s name kept coming up on the latter. We first tried to confirm it with GT, and their spokesperson declined comment at the time, but promised to get back to us “next week” (this week).

Late Friday, BMX News contacted Arielle directly to find out if the rumor was true, or just one of those BMX Grapevine things.  This morning, she responded by saying “Looks like I need a new ride.”   Apparently, Mike Day and Joey B are safe, at least for the moment, as it is told that their contracts run through the end of next season.  But one industry insider was noted as saying “who knows…if they (GT) want to get out of the deal, I’m sure it’s no problem for their lawyers to figure out a way to do it.”  It is important to note that there is NO indication of that, whatsoever.

It was curious, however, that the GT booth was devoid of any BMX Racing bikes, nor were posters or graphics featuring their riders (including their Olympic Silver Medalist) present.  A spokesman said that GT was “Committed to BMX Racing,” and that new products were in the pipeline (which seemed plausible, given the frame Mike Day was riding in Chula Vista, and the 2010 line posted on the GT Web site).

We are currently waiting for confirmation on whether this change takes effect immediately, or if Arielle will be in her GT uniform for the Disney Cup and ABA Grands.

BMX News will keep you posted on Arielle’s progress in finding a new ride. We have no doubt that she will land a tasty new deal soon.