Miranda Miller and Kate Courtney off Specialized

Specialized is starting off 2019 by saying good-bye to two women’s world champions. Current XCO world champion Kate Courtney and 2017 downhill world champion Miranda Miller ended their time with the big red “S” as of January 1st, 2019.

Neither athlete has yet confirmed where they will land for the coming season.

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There’s a time and a place for everything. For me to have not only time, but a place with the @specializedgravity and the Specialized Enduro Team has been an honour & a privilege. I found companionship in @finniles that created some of my fondest memories to date and an irreplaceable friendship. @loicbruni29 remained a hero but became a brother who I love dearly. @lacrete5, Laurent and especially @kevjoly gave themselves entirely to me before they even got to know me. That is something I will always remember and try to pay forward. My story has often been one told around broken bones, surgeries, crashing and burning and comebacks. But it’s time for a new story, a new time and a new place. Thank-you for having me along! ❤️ @benno_willeit @patyyoung @curtiskeene @hannahbarnes66 @jaredgravesmtb

A post shared by MIRANDA MILLER (@mirandamillermtb) on Jan 1, 2019 at 11:59am PST

Miller, of Squamish, B.C., raced with Specialized Gravity Racing for two years. During that time, she became the first Canadian woman in 20 years to win downhill mountain bike world championships. In Cairns, Australia, Miller turned around an injury-filled season to win the women’s elite world championships in 2017. In 2018, the Canadian earned top-10 results in World Cup downhill and Enduro World Series events.

RELATED: Watch: Miranda Miller’s amazing rainbow winning run

Fellow Canadian downhill racer Finn Iles will remain on Specialized Gravity Racing, along with reigning downhill world champion Loic Bruni.

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All good things must come to an end! We’ll always remember the positive vibes you bring to the team! Thanks for an amazing two years! Wish you all the best for the futur Mimi! #Rainbowforever ? #MillerTime

A post shared by MTB Downhill Team (@specializedgravity) on Jan 2, 2019 at 6:28am PST

Kate Courtney surprised the field to win the XCO race at 2018 UCI mountain bike world championships in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, passing her teammate Annika Langvad of Denmark on the last lap to capture the rainbow jersey. Courtney had slowly worked her way up into the World Cup top-10, but had yet to finish in the medals at any single round. It was Courntey’s first year racing in the elite category after a very successful under-23 career.

The young American had already been with Specialized racing for five years of her young career before she announced her departure. Langvad has confirmed she will remain on Specialized going forward, though she will also be focusing more on the road, where she will race with the Specialized-sponsored Boels Dolmans team. The two top cross country athletes started 2018 racing together on a two person team at the ABSA Cape Epic, winning the South African XC stage race.