South African MTB star Candice Lill has announced that she will continue as a “privateer” in 2025. This decision comes after extensive discussions and considerations with her husband Darren, who supports the move.

In 2024, Lill delivered a standout performance on the international stage, leaving many fans speculating if a factory team would sign her for the 2025 season. Highlights include securing bronze at the  Marathon World Champs, finishing fourth in the XCO World Champs, missing the podium by four seconds, and finishing third overall in the UCI Mountain Bike World Series.

“I don’t like the word ‘privateer’ because it seems to suggest that one doesn’t have support, which in our case couldn’t be further from the truth”

However, Lill has chosen not to sign with a factory team. On an Instagram post, Lill clarified that while the term “privateer” is often associated with a lack of support, this is not the case for her setup. “I don’t like the word ‘privateer’ because it seems to suggest that one doesn’t have support, which in our case couldn’t be further from the truth,” she said.

She emphasized the importance of her relationships with sponsors, noting, “We treasure and value the relationships we have with all of our sponsors.” Lill believes this approach aligns best with her unique circumstances and allows her to maintain flexibility while staying true to her goals.

Looking ahead, Lill and Darren plan to work with their current sponsors and welcome new partners in 2025. Further details on these partnerships will be shared in the coming weeks.

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