Thursday, December 31, 2009

Transition Bike's Factory Race Team for 2010!


Transition Bikes is pleased to announce the launch of their highly anticipated Factory Race program!

To aid in this new direction Transition has hired Lars Sternberg as an athlete, and team director. Joining Lars on the squad is the world renowned duo of Jill Kintner, and Bryn Atkinson. In her first year racing professional Downhill, Jill will bring the fitness and bike handling skills that have made her an Olympic BMX Bronze Medalist and 4X World Champion to a whole new riding discipline. With many years experience racing at the Elite level, Bryn is a regular top ten finisher in World Cup rounds. Together they will embark on one of the most progressive schedules in 2010. While Bryn will be attacking the downhill World Cup circuit, Jill and Lars will be setting their sights on the North American race scene. In between World Cup rounds Bryn will be returning to join the team for key North American events.

More details, pics and video inside!



Transition Bikes have kept a watchful eye on the race segment for some time now. With the rise and fall of the infamous NORBA Nationals, and the resurgence of multiple successful regional series’, Transition Bikes feels it is the right time to take a leap into the race realm. The team will be participating in gravity events around the globe, documenting their trials and tribulations on and off the track, and bringing this story to the public. Transition’s very own Media Wizard Brad Walton will be traveling with the team to compose this story.

Lars had this to say about his new position at Transition:

“I feel so fortunate to have had the support of Fluidride for the past three years. It is due to them that I have been able to maintain my position within the industry and earn this new opportunity. Being able to continue to race professionally, and now utilize the skills I have learned off the bike, and now as team manager is a dream come true. I am beyond stoked to have Bryn and Jill join me as fellow teammates. They are two of the hardest working individuals out there, and I am so glad to be able to help them continue to achieve their goals. Rounding out our program with Brad’s talent behind the lens is just the icing on the cake. The new season can’t start soon enough!”




Lars Sternberg



Jill Kintner


Bryn Atkinson


Transition Bikes Co-owner Kyle Young says:

“Over the years, my interest in downhill racing has grown right alongside the interest shown by our customers, and it seems now is the perfect time to really dive head first into the race world. We finally have a full fledged World Cup level downhill bike and what better way to kick this off than to create a top level race team that shares our vision to represent us around the globe. The first step towards developing our race program was hiring Lars Sternberg, which brought a great new angle to the company. He has deep roots in racing (both BMX and MTB disciplines), and it has been really fun working with him to develop the strategy and focus of our team. Having riders that are approachable, friendly and interesting both on and off the bike is tremendously important to me and from the first time I met Jill and Bryn I could tell they would be great people to represent Transition Bikes. We are stoked to have them as part of our family. It will be great fun to watch Lars, Jill and Bryn as they compete around the globe.”

The Program has already enlisted some of the best component support in the business. Competing aboard Fox Racing Shox equipped TR450’s, Doubles, Banks, and Coverts. The team equipment also includes Crankbrothers wheelsets and pedals, KORE handlebars, stems, saddles and posts, Maxxis tires and tubes, E.thirteen chainguides, ODI grips, THE helmets, Dakine riding gear and luggage, Cane Creek headsets, Obtainium titanium springs, Jagwire cables, CadenceWORKS titanium hardware, and Jetlites lighting systems.

Stay up to date with all team happenings here.



Keep an eye out for the Transition Racing team at a 2010 event near you!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Junior Downhill Sensation Neko Mulally To Join Trek World Racing

Trek World Racing confirmed today that young American star Neko Mulally from Pennsylvania will be joining the team for a full World Cup program, as well as other key events throughout 2010. Neko will be joining gravity team mates Tracy Moseley (GBR), Justin Leov (NZL) and Andrew Neethling (RSA) racing the Session 88. His first race for the team will be in Vigo, Spain, at the end of March.



Neko has had an impressive 2009 season, despite being too young at 16 years to race World Cups, he had the privilege of being the course fore-runner at the Mont-Sainte-Anne and Bromont World Cups, and had some great results throughout the year in east coast racing culminating in a win at the Pro Gravity Tour finals. At Crankworx his 5th in the Canadian Open Downhill, only a few seconds behind established World Cup top 10 pro's, really turned some heads. He also had a 4th in the Dual Slalom at Crankworx.

Neko said today: "I'm so excited to get my first full pro tour of the World Cup circuit confirmed; to be racing at the level I have always dreamed of, and to have such a professional team supporting me. I'm stoked on the bikes and equipment and technology. I can't wait to learn as much as I can from my team mates. Like any junior in my position, I will be hoping to do really well in the Junior World Cup standings, and win a medal for the US at the World Championships at Mont-Sainte-Anne on a course I really like. I can't wait for the season to start!"

Team Director Martin Whiteley said: "Adding Neko to our team makes perfect sense. He has the right attitude, is a committed athlete who takes his training very seriously, and has a head that is far wiser than his years. He will fit in perfectly and we are confident we can support him in reaching his goals. Next year we will have 7 riders in total, with our 4 Downhill riders, Mathias and Lukas Flueckiger in XC, who both had impressive seasons with us this year, and a 3rd XC rider we'll be announcing shortly."

Trek MTB Brand Manager Michael Browne said: "Bringing Neko to Trek World Racing is an addition that makes sense on so many levels. His talent, professionalism and enthusiasm are something for all youth to look up to, and having a rider from yet another continent truly adds to the global scope of this program. We're excited to see what the best equipment, the best infrastructure and the best support can do for this young athlete."

A recent on-line audio interview with Neko can be viewed here:
http://www.descent-world.co.uk/2009/11/17/neko-mulally-audio-interview/

Trek World Racing has also confirmed the hiring of two new staff. Jessica Hayes as TWR's Public Relations Manager who comes to the team with a wealth of experience that spans Formula 1, Moto GP and Powerboat Racing among other sports. Gabrielle Murphy will be joining as a new soigneur for the team, and comes to TWR with years of experience in working for elite level road cycling teams.

For further Info on Trek World Racing: http://www.trekbikes.com/twr

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Sam Blenkinsop To Ride for Lapierre in 2010


Lapierre has been an active member of the international race circuit for many years now. For 2010 the French company has decided to take their sponsoring activities to the next level in order to reflect their export ambitions by creating a new “Team Lapierre International”, composed of the world’s best DH, Enduro and XC riders.



Sam Blenkinsop (NZ):
A young rider (21 years old), Sam already has a long list of podiums and even a World Cup victory under his belt. Talented, humble, and fast, Sam will be the leader of the new DH team.

“I’m excited to ride for Lapierre next season. It’s going to be great to ride alongside 10 time World Champ Nico Vouilloz, someone I really respect. I’m really looking forward to getting to know everyone on the team. I reckon the bike is the best looking bike out there and I can’t wait to start testing next month. After learning so much with my last team, I’m really looking forward to this new chapter in my career with Lapierre”.

Sam is personally sponsored by Adidas Eyewear, Five Ten and Skull Candy.




Nico is back ofcourse

Nicolas Vouilloz (FR):
Known as E.T. on the race circuit, the nickname is more than fitting for the man known for his incredibly clean speed. Nicolas has decided to participate in the 2010 Enduro races, along with a selection of prestigious rally car races (Monte Carlo and San Remo). Known for his attention to detail, you’ll also probably catch him hanging out at the DH race paddocks this year in his role as product developer for Lapierre…

Nicolas is personally sponsored by Bos Suspensions and the Alpe d’Huez ski and MTB resort.




Also coming to Lapierre is junior superstar Sam Flockhart

Sam Flockhart (UK):
Even though he was still in the junior category last year, Sam finished 15th in the overall of the Maxxis Cup in 2009! Determined, a hard worker, and virtually fearless, Lapierre has added this young and talented British rider to its roster. His main objective will be to learn from his more experienced teammates, Sam and Nico.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

2009 IMTTO Event Of The Year

After tabulating the votes of our Trade Team and Tech Support members, here are the top 25 events for 2009!

1 Mont-Sainte-Anne World Cup
2 Fort William World Cup
3 Offenburg World Cup
4 La Bresse World Cup
5 Schladming World Cup
6 Pietermaritzburg World Cup
7 Houffalize World Cup
8 Canberra World Championships
9 Maribor World Cup
10 Vallnord World Cup
11 Roc d’Azur
12 Crankworx Whistler
13 European DH Champs
14 Racer Bikes Cup Muttenz
15 Singletrack Weekender
16 Pump Track Worlds
17 Madrid World Cup
18 Bromont World Cup
19 Racer Bikes Cup Solothurn
20 Bundesliga Bad Salzdethfurt
21 Dirt Master Winterberg
22 Champery World Cup
23 Bern Bike HC
24 US Open
25 Mountain Mayhem UK

More info on IMTTO: www.imtto.com