2013 Trek World Racing Adds Three New Riders To The Team

Trek World Racing is excited to announce its much anticipated line-up for the 2013 race season, a roster which sees a mixture of race winners, World Cup podium riders as well as up-and-coming talent. All the riders selected for the program have the same philosophy and clearly have youth, talent and massive potential as key ingredients.

Headlining the team line-up is the Kiwi duo of Brook MacDonald (pictured above right) and George Brannigan (pictured above left). Brook MacDonald is the 2009 Junior World Champion and has recently scored his first World Cup win at 2012s Round 6 in Val dIsere, France, bringing his World Cup podium tally to 4 so far. George had his first taste of the World Cup podium when he finished 2nd at Round 7 last year in Hafjell, Norway, just missing the win by 0.4sec. His current UCI world ranking of #9 is a testament to his 2012 season of consistent results.

These two riders join American Neko Mulally (pictured below right) who enters his 4th year with the program, and his 2nd as an Elite rider. Last year was his most successful to date seeing him break into the World Cup top 15 and knocking on the door of the top 10. Even though Neko is still the youngest rider on the program, turning 20 next month, he carries a wealth of experience for his age as he enters the new season.

Making his debut onto a pro-team ride is Scottish talent Greg Williamson (pictured below left) who has impressed a number people with his recent results, most notably a number of top 20 World Cup placings despite very little support. His 15th in Hafjell after qualifying 19th, and a 17th in Fort William, shows he has strength on different styles of tracks and can earn points for his team.

Brook MacDonald says: "Being on Trek World Racing represents a fresh start for me and Im looking forward to all the new things Ill experience. Im really excited to be joining this team for the next 3 seasons and working with my new team mates and new bikes. The combination of the Session 9.9 with Fox Shox and Shimano has been pretty lethal the last 2 seasons!"

George says: "I'm so excited to be a part of Trek World Racing. This feels like the opportunity I need to improve my results and still be consistent. I know any team run by 23 Degrees has produced real talent and I want to make the most of this opportunity to get where I want to be. The group of team mates will be great and Im sure the support will be top notch. I cant wait for this season!"

Greg says: "For me, joining Trek World Racing is a dream come true. Ive been working hard for a long time to get onto a professional team like this. The roster this year is awesome, theyre all hard workers and dont do anything half-heartedly, so Im really looking forward to learning a few things and stoked to get back racing."

The four full time downhill riders will be joining Justin Leov (NZL) who we recently announced as our Enduro rider. Justin will be doing selected downhill events as well as acting as a mentor to the team. At 28 years of age, 10 years on the World Cup circuit and entering his 5th year with our program, Justin is the perfect role model for the other 4 riders.

The team is proud to confirm the following sponsors who have committed to the program and the new line-up. Shimano (Brakes and Drive Train), Fox Racing Shox (Suspension), JBL by Harman (Sound Systems), Bontrager (Tires and Wheels), Royal Racing (Competition and Casual Clothing), Seven (Body Protection), FUNN (Handlebars/Stems), MRP (Chain Guides), DT Swiss (Hubs), SDG Components (Seats and Seat Posts), SRM (Power Measurement), Motorex (Lubricants and Cleaning Products), Ryno Power (Sports Nutrition), ODI (Grips), Cane Creek (Headsets) and Alpinestars (Team Baggage).

The team was recently informed by the UCI that it had successfully completed the registration process for 2013, and will be informed on February 7 whether it has been awarded one of the 15 Elite Team spots, something we are quite confident of achieving with our current roster.

The team website currently has the profiles of all 5 riders in the Downhill section of the site. In the coming weeks well be updating the site with a new Enduro section.

2013 Australian National Series Round 1 At Mount Buller

Under 19 Female:

1. Tegan Molloy 4.09.65

2. Danielle Beecroft 4.14.19 + 4.54

3. Elle Wale 5.33.05 + 1.18.86

Under 19 Male:

1. Thomas Crimmins 3.27.91

2. Dean Lucas 3.29.66 + 1.75

3. Luke Ellison 3.30.39 + 2.48

4. Aiden Varley 3.32.52 + 4.61

5. Ben Hill 3.34.01 + 6.10

Elite Female

1. Caronline Buchanan 4.06.42

2. Claire Buchar 4.07.14 + 0.72

3. Lisa Mathison 4.16.32 + 9.90

4. Madeline Taylor 4.23.80 + 17.38

5. Shelly Flood 4.42.75 + 36.33

Elite Male

1. Sam Hill 3.22.02

2. Chris Kovarik 3.23.68 + 1.66

3. Connor Fearon 3.24.08 + 2.06

4. Ben Cory 3.26.31 + 4.29

5. Graeme Mudd 3.27.66 +5.64

2013 DRD Team Announced

Escondido, CA (January 17, 2013) – Dean Racing Development (DRD) is proud to announce our factory downhill mountain bike race team for the 2013 season.  Team DRD will be comprised of an elite 3-person roster consisting of former US & Pro GRT Champion Cody Warren, as well as young & rising talents such as Mikey Sylvestri, & John Keep. The DRD team will be competing downhill and enduro disciplines in the USGP, Sea Otter Classic, US National Champs, Crankworx, select World Cups, World Championships & select Enduro specific events.
 
Cody Warren returns to the DRD team for his 3rd season.  As a veteran rider, Cody has a plethora of victories & titles under his belt.  Cody’s highly regarded resume will lead the team domestically as well as being a mentor to the younger riders.
 
“I’m pumped for another year with DRD,” stated Cody Warren.  “Racing the USGP’s is where I want to put my effort.  This team is the best program to tackle that series.  2013 is a new exciting year for DRD and I’m pumped to be a part of it.  The team is growing with experience and structure.  There are a couple of changes to the roster and sponsors that are going to make it an exciting year.”
 
Joining Cody will be 23 year old Mikey Sylvestri.  Touted as one of the most gifted US prospects in recent years, Mikey has shown glimpses of his talent, besting many of the world’s top racers at highly competitive events.
 
“I’m excited to be a part of the DRD program this year,” exclaimed an excited Mikey Sylvestri.  “Being a part of a strong and sound team is going to help me get to the next level of my racing career. I’m excited to race with my teammates Cody & John, and am anxious to work with my new team manager, Jeremiah Dylan Dean “
 
22 year old John Keep also joins the DRD program, but is a familiar face to the team.  John was an original founding member of the DRD program in 2010.  John has grown to be a competitive figure in southern California, & has his sights on a full national tour.
 
John Keep said, “2013 is going to be a great year for the DRD team. I’m excited to work with such a great group of guys.  Knowing that we have the best sponsors & products supporting us is such an asset for any rider who is looking to be competitive.”
 
The 2013 DRD team will see numerous improvements & changes, not only in personnel, but with sponsors as well.  A new title and frame sponsor will be named in the upcoming weeks.   Stay tuned for upcoming race reports, photos & videos from the newly redesigned DRD race team!

Fix It Sticks

APPLETON, Wis. - January 16, 2013 - One of the most trusted tools in any cyclist's workshop - the three-way hex wrench - inspired a radically redesigned multitool from Fix It Sticks, a new company currently raising capital on crowdfunding site Kickstarter.com.

The campaign on Kickstarter.com begins on January 16 and runs for 30 days to raise money required for a full production run of Fix It Sticks. Backers will also be a vital source of information for product testing prior to a wider market launch in the spring of 2013.
 
"Using a three-way wrench last winter while training in my basement I was struck by the simplicity of the design and the ability to gain leverage to tackle my suddenly dislodged front derailleur," said Founder Brian Davis, a Cat 3 racer in Wisconsin. "I kept thinking I'd love to have something like that on the road with me and the idea was born."
 
Fix It Sticks' minimalist two-piece design allows cyclists to customize the tools they pack in a lightweight, compact set that contains no moving parts.
 
Fix It Sticks underwent multiple rounds of prototyping to arrive at the current version, which will closely mirror the production tool, complete with eye-catching and durable anodized finish.
 
"So far, we've built and sourced everything in the immediate area of Appleton, Wisconsin," Davis said. "We'll be keeping all the production in the U.S. so we can ensure the best quality product."
 
Keeping with a local, low-impact ethos, Fix It Sticks will be shipped with minimal packaging and a carrying case made from recycled inner tubes.
 
"We wanted to create a simple case for a simple tool," Davis said. "If you lose the case, you can make a new one in about 30 seconds from an old tube."
 
For more information about Fix It Sticks, visit www.facebook.com/fixitsticks. To visit the Kickstarter campaign, visit www.kickstarter.com/projects/fixitsticks/fix-it-sticks-a-fantastically-unique-bicycle-multi.
 
About Fix It Sticks
A new twist on a cycling multitool, Fix It Sticks gives cyclists a lightweight, high-leverage multitool without any excess. The unique design uses two different sticks that combine to form a T-handle. Similar to a three-way wrench found in every cyclist's toolbox, except compact enough to ride with. More information can be found at www.fixitsticks.com.

Felt Becomes Top Level Sponsor Of The SoCal High School Cycling League

TEMECULA, Calif. – The SoCal High School Cycling League is excited to announce a sponsorship agreement with Felt Bicycles, whose contribution adds significant support to the continuing growth of high school mountain biking in southern California.

Felt, which has signed as a top SoCal sponsor, has been a sponsor of cycling programs ranging from professional mens' and womens' road squads to Olympic Time Trial Gold Medalist Kristin Armstrong to X-Terra and triathlon professionals to Olympic Track Cycling Silver Medalist Sarah Hammer to mountain bike and cyclocross professionals.

SoCal’s executive director, Matt Gunnell, said, “It is very exciting that such an internationally well known southern California based cycling brand has decided to join the high school mountain biking revolution by supporting the SoCal High School Cycling League in bringing cross-country mountain biking to high school student-athletes across the region. Our mission is to put cycling on the same footing as more established high school sports like football, baseball, and basketball so that years from now kids won't have a memory of a time when mountain biking wasn't a school sport. As we are a self-sustaining organization receiving no support from the schools it's critical that companies and individuals with parallel interests get involved. We know Felt will be a great partner moving forward.”

"The enjoyment and benefits that come from cycling have long been clear, and the emergence of mountain bike racing as a high school sport is something we fully support", says Felt Bicycles' President, Bill Duehring. "Since our inception we have been an organization steeped in the culture of racing, and to this day that holds true. Many of us at Felt, myself included, have children who participated in high school sports, so the choice to support the SoCal High School Cycling League was an easy one. The League represents an introduction to the sport for many of these kids and we are privileged to be associated with such a worthy effort.”

Look for upcoming opportunities to purchase two of the highest end Feld Edict LTD mountain bikes to support the League. Additionally, Felt and the SoCal League will be running an essay contest this spring in which the SoCal League student-athlete winner receives a Felt Nine Series bike for their efforts.