Ahh, the silly season continues
.
There really doesnt seem to be a whole lot happening in the MTB world right now. Most companies are throwing it into overdrive getting ready for the upcoming holiday season. As for the athletes, most of the main players are already set into a multi-year contract with their main sponsors. For the most part, I'd expect to see small changes in 05, but there are a few major rumblings to check out
Most surprisingly, is that Mike King has yet to score a ride for 05. The former Haro Adidas team manger & racer has said that he will be back for next year, but he might put his own package together (a la Lopes & Peaty). So if he's not on you team....watch out!!
Speaking of Haro, no word has yet to be said on who they will fill their vacant position with, or even at all. However, the remainder of the team (Hannnah, Warren, Sheppard & McGrath) looks secure on their return next season. Still a powerhouse!
2004 US Downhill Champion, Duncan Riffle, has joined Yeti Cycles. He'll be joining the powerhouse of Jared Graves, Ross Milan & Jill Kintner. No word on the XC crew as Paul Rowney had retired during the season in '04, and Trent Lowe will be joining the Gary Fisher squad.
Among the few teams going for bit of a facelift include the MadCatz IronHorse team. So far, Ive only heard that Sam Hill is schedule to return. Rumor has it, the IronHorse squad might be adding another DHer (to be later named); as well as potentially adding a XC rider to promote their line of Azure & Warrior xc bikes. (Ill miss the classic A frame design still the best hardtail Ive ridden to date)
Another team thats going through an overhaul .well rather dismantle, is Giant. The only rider youll see sporting their frames will be American star Tara Llanes. Rememer the almost sale of the Giant squad to Maxxis last year? Well I guess this was just the next step no team. Tara will most likely be putting her own deal together as well.
One rider on the move will be David KlaassenVanOorschot to KHS Bicycles. Dave wanted to express his gratitude to Jeff Steber & the rest of the crew at Intense... "I'd really like to thank Intense for our relationship these past four years. It was an honor riding for such a prestigous team with great products." This will be the first major team change for DK in quite a while. In fact, I cant really remember seeing him on any other frame than an Intense since I met him in 01.
Speaking of Intense, you wont be seeing any drastic changes for them either in 05 except for the departure of David KlassenNowRidesforKHSschot. However, itll be damn exciting to see Chris Kovarik back on the circuit. Chris has already made his presence know placing 5th in DH & 4th in MTX in the first round of the Austrailian National Series. As Im sure you are all aware that Chris missed the entire 04 season from a broken leg sustained in a motocross accident. Also back will be the current 4x World Cup Champion Sabrina Jonnnier. She too will be returning form a horrific accident crashing in the 4x race in whistler this summer which made her miss the last races of the season. & yes, both Intense hotties April Lawyer & Niki Gudex will be back as well.
Utopia Optics is currently looking for top amateur & pro riders alike. Interested? Youll be in good company, Utopia has recently signed the current DH World Champion Fabien Barel to their team. There are also a couple of other top pros in the works. Go to www.Sponsorhouse.com or www.UtopiaOptics.com for more info.
Anyone live in Irvine, Calif? Watch your back! Sanjay Shanbhag just bought a Husqvarna TC570 -- that's right....SuperMotard! so stay off the streets, sidewalks, or...hell anywhere! the boy's crazy! haha
Of the surprising list of riders looking for a ride, a few top the list. Bryn Atkinson, Jared Rando, & Dustin Adams. How can these guys not have a ride?? Dont make me put my own team together & stomp all you fools! Interested in picking up a top NORBA / World Cup rider for your team? Contact me at jdd@dylandeandesigns.com & Ill put you in touch with them.
Almost forgot to mention. Stik "has left the building". If you haven't been to his site recently (though he mentioned it a while back elsewhere), Stik has retired from the world of Mountain Biking. What will he be up to?? Check out www.shoptangerine.com. Stik will be running the online shop for 'Tangerine' a clothing boutique based in Temecula, Calif. Now the question is....who will be the wrench behind Brian Lopes??
Thats pretty much about it for now, but heres a few new rider websites to check out
www.duncanriffleracing.com
www.jaredrando.com
www.toddbosch.com
www.sarijoergensen.com
www.kathypruitt.com (coming soon)
& www.jeremiahbishop.com (yeah, hes a xc racer, but hes also an old high school buddy of mine from Maryland gotta hook a brother up!)
There really doesnt seem to be a whole lot happening in the MTB world right now. Most companies are throwing it into overdrive getting ready for the upcoming holiday season. As for the athletes, most of the main players are already set into a multi-year contract with their main sponsors. For the most part, I'd expect to see small changes in 05, but there are a few major rumblings to check out
Most surprisingly, is that Mike King has yet to score a ride for 05. The former Haro Adidas team manger & racer has said that he will be back for next year, but he might put his own package together (a la Lopes & Peaty). So if he's not on you team....watch out!!
Speaking of Haro, no word has yet to be said on who they will fill their vacant position with, or even at all. However, the remainder of the team (Hannnah, Warren, Sheppard & McGrath) looks secure on their return next season. Still a powerhouse!
2004 US Downhill Champion, Duncan Riffle, has joined Yeti Cycles. He'll be joining the powerhouse of Jared Graves, Ross Milan & Jill Kintner. No word on the XC crew as Paul Rowney had retired during the season in '04, and Trent Lowe will be joining the Gary Fisher squad.
Among the few teams going for bit of a facelift include the MadCatz IronHorse team. So far, Ive only heard that Sam Hill is schedule to return. Rumor has it, the IronHorse squad might be adding another DHer (to be later named); as well as potentially adding a XC rider to promote their line of Azure & Warrior xc bikes. (Ill miss the classic A frame design still the best hardtail Ive ridden to date)
Another team thats going through an overhaul .well rather dismantle, is Giant. The only rider youll see sporting their frames will be American star Tara Llanes. Rememer the almost sale of the Giant squad to Maxxis last year? Well I guess this was just the next step no team. Tara will most likely be putting her own deal together as well.
One rider on the move will be David KlaassenVanOorschot to KHS Bicycles. Dave wanted to express his gratitude to Jeff Steber & the rest of the crew at Intense... "I'd really like to thank Intense for our relationship these past four years. It was an honor riding for such a prestigous team with great products." This will be the first major team change for DK in quite a while. In fact, I cant really remember seeing him on any other frame than an Intense since I met him in 01.
Speaking of Intense, you wont be seeing any drastic changes for them either in 05 except for the departure of David KlassenNowRidesforKHSschot. However, itll be damn exciting to see Chris Kovarik back on the circuit. Chris has already made his presence know placing 5th in DH & 4th in MTX in the first round of the Austrailian National Series. As Im sure you are all aware that Chris missed the entire 04 season from a broken leg sustained in a motocross accident. Also back will be the current 4x World Cup Champion Sabrina Jonnnier. She too will be returning form a horrific accident crashing in the 4x race in whistler this summer which made her miss the last races of the season. & yes, both Intense hotties April Lawyer & Niki Gudex will be back as well.
Utopia Optics is currently looking for top amateur & pro riders alike. Interested? Youll be in good company, Utopia has recently signed the current DH World Champion Fabien Barel to their team. There are also a couple of other top pros in the works. Go to www.Sponsorhouse.com or www.UtopiaOptics.com for more info.
Anyone live in Irvine, Calif? Watch your back! Sanjay Shanbhag just bought a Husqvarna TC570 -- that's right....SuperMotard! so stay off the streets, sidewalks, or...hell anywhere! the boy's crazy! haha
Of the surprising list of riders looking for a ride, a few top the list. Bryn Atkinson, Jared Rando, & Dustin Adams. How can these guys not have a ride?? Dont make me put my own team together & stomp all you fools! Interested in picking up a top NORBA / World Cup rider for your team? Contact me at jdd@dylandeandesigns.com & Ill put you in touch with them.
Almost forgot to mention. Stik "has left the building". If you haven't been to his site recently (though he mentioned it a while back elsewhere), Stik has retired from the world of Mountain Biking. What will he be up to?? Check out www.shoptangerine.com. Stik will be running the online shop for 'Tangerine' a clothing boutique based in Temecula, Calif. Now the question is....who will be the wrench behind Brian Lopes??
Thats pretty much about it for now, but heres a few new rider websites to check out
www.duncanriffleracing.com
www.jaredrando.com
www.toddbosch.com
www.sarijoergensen.com
www.kathypruitt.com (coming soon)
& www.jeremiahbishop.com (yeah, hes a xc racer, but hes also an old high school buddy of mine from Maryland gotta hook a brother up!)
