Santa Cruz Syndicate Through 2015 And Beyond

Santa Cruz Bicycles keep the Syndicate family rolling together through 2015, and beyond...

Reigning DH World Champion, Greg Minnaar has signed with the Syndicate for a further 3 years, as has continually rising Rat Star, Josh Bryceland. Meanwhile, Steve Peat, the man for whom the media are running out of legend-themed superlatives, has now signed for a further 5 years.

"With the 2013 World Championships being held in my home town, this year will be the biggest of my life" declares Minnaar "we've spent years refining both the bike and the team dynamic, and I couldn't imagine going into this season with any better setup".

"This year's gonna be banging," said Bryceland, who is currently out training in California. He then added something about "loving it", "getting rad" and "being focused"... we think.

Bryceland's early mentor, Peaty, remains similarly enthusiastic, even after so many years.

"I love racing as much now as I did when I first started," says Steve. "For me, there was never any question about sticking with Santa Cruz for the rest of my professional racing career... so long as they'd have me!"

"Steve is one of a kind in the industry right now," replied Rob Roskopp, team owner. "His 20 years of racing and product development experience is invaluable, and I want to keep that knowledge here within the team."

In addition to downhill races, the Syndicate also looks set to compete in a select number of Enduro World Series rounds in 2013.

"I'm eager to see how the whole Enduro World Series format develops," says Roskopp. "Given all the scandals in cycling recently, I think everyone in downhill can feel proud of what they've built... all in spite of the poor direction our sport's had from the top. The Enduro World Series gives gravity racing a fresh opportunity to develop a self-sustaining model, free from the sort of illogical constraints the World Cup faced. So for that reason, Santa Cruz will be an Official Supporter of the series."

The Syndicate is also proud to announce they'll be working with all their World Championship winning partners once again for 2013.

The squad's first official outing of the year is in March, when they head to Spain for the annual pre-season test session with Fox Racing Shox. All riders will be on the new production V10c frames, the exact same models as those available to the public.

Racing kicks off in April with the traditional DH season opener at Sea Otter (USA) on April 21st. The first round of the Enduro World Series takes place on May 19th in Punta Ala (ITA) whilst the Syndicate's World Cup campaign proper starts on June 9th in Fort William (GBR).

The Syndicate retains the indomitable Kathy Sessler as team (& team party) manager, with tech support from Doug Hatfield, Jason Marsh and the occasional cameo.

"We do our best to build a sense of stability and family within the Syndicate," concludes Roskopp. "Maintaining long-term relationships with the right athletes, personalities and crew is key to that. It creates something greater than the sum of its parts, and that's what delivers consistent performance over time... which I think our track record proves."

2013 MacMahone Killmeister

KILLMEISTER is a full suspension frame designed for downhill cycling on particularly steep, rocky trails. The herring-bone system helps intendly for high speed descent and easily push, or shuttle via chairlifts or motorized vehicles, to the trailhead. Internal cable Routing (ISR) stops for rear break, 100% CNC machined yoke, the connection of bottom bracket and seat tube get more dedicated & supple ride at higher speeds.

Recommended use: Downhill
Material: AL7005 T6
Size : 390.5mm
Weight : 3800g
Rear shock: Rockshox VIVID COIL R2
Wheel travel: 203.6mm
Color : White, Black, Silver, Raw

MACMAHONE CYCLES

2013 WIndrock Round 1 Race Report By GoJamMedia

Winter time is typically the time for either the dust to collect on your downhill gear, train in prep for the coming season, or hit the slopes with the board or skis. Hogwash! How about a two race series in one of the nastiest sets of trails in the SE? Why you ask? Why-a-not? In Windrock, TN there’s a core group of riders that come together almost every weekend and this would be the bunch that would answer the previous question with, “Because we can!” With a focus on keeping it “Grass Roots”, the trail of choice for round one would be Snakerock Trail with a slight twist making use of a section of Bedrock. Now Snakerock is probably the most tame trail that Windrock has to offer stretching about a mile over 959 feet of elevation, but it really never lets up. It constantly keeps you on your toes never giving you a second to relax…….. it really is what Downhill is supposed to be like.

Leading up the race the entire Southeast region went through three days of constant rain followed up by a about a half day of snow. Most expected trail conditions to be nothing but a mix of peanut butter and soup, but surprising other than the short stint on Bedrock into the natural drain of the valley, it was just about perfect. Not too dry with about 85 to 90% of the trail tacky like you want it. Mornings were a tad on the chilly side, it is Winter, but no signs of powder to be found, clear blue skys and temps in the mid to upper forty for two day’s worth of riding is really the perfect formula for an awesome race weekend.

Staying true to the concept of keeping it real, the crew decided to keep it to just two classes for the 30 riders that showed up. Not a big turnout you say, no matter, that was EXACTLY what the crew wanted. Low key, Grass Roots and lots of fun. Lining up was totally up to the riders, though most of the Open (Pro) class did choose to wait til the end of the pack. 29 Amateurs would lay down the best they could. In the end it was 3. Chris Fisher, 2. Jerry Mailloux and 1. Wes Childers. The Open class would come down to a battle two east coasters and one surprise west coaster attending school in KY. Kyle Grau (EC), JD Swaguen (WC), and Jay Fesperman (EC). Kyle ended up just missing Jay Fesperman's time by 0.7 sec and it would be JD taking the top spot by an impressive 13.2 sec over Fesperman (suffering from a crash on Bedrock) with a time of 3:33.60. There is no doubt for the final race in the Windrock Winter Series, the east coasters will be anxious to take the crown back from JD Swaguen.

Alex Ohman on his first event, “Our first event went really well. We had some beautiful weather with some world class competition and the racers laid down some FAST times. The weekend started out a little on the muddy side, but you can’t ask for a better race day than what we got. Everybody’s out here smiling and I don’t see anybody with anything less than a grin on their face. I couldn’t be happier!”

Next up for Alex Ohman and the crew? Back in a month for the last race of the series on February 17. And if you are going to come, bring your balls and your fitness as racers are in store for a treat…… a full run from the top of the world to the bottom, down Windmill trail. 1500+ feet of elevation, 2-ish miles of track, equals about a 10 minute ride (it’s not yet on Strava). A LONG RACE COURSE for sure!

Thanks to Clealan Watts for the shuttle, Alex Ohman for putting the effort forth to see this event come to life with some support the boys at the Trials Training Center (TTC) and lastly the event sponsors, Billy Goat Bikes and Red House Bikes. See you back in a month for the second and last race in the series on Feb 17.

Open: Results

1. JD Swanguen 3.33.60
2. Jay Fesperman 3.46.80
3. Kyle Grau 3.47.50
4. Eric Vest 4.01.10
5. Josh Patton 4.07.20
6. Sally Wilkinson 4.28.10
7. Colonel Clealan 4.28.40

Amateur: Results

1. Wes Childers 4.16.60
2. Jerry Mailloux 4.20.10
3. Chris Fisher 4.21.60
4. Geoff Boone 4.32.10
5. Brett Zook 4.40.70
6. Craig Fitzgerald 4.50.30
7. Wendell Hatton 4.51.90
8. Zach Miller 4.53.40
9. Troy Roberts 4.55.40
10. Andy Riche 4.55.60
11. Nathan Hoff 4.57.10
12. Michael Kane 4.59.20
13. Tom Robertson 5.07.00
14. Randy Simpson 5.11.40
15. Dave Raymond 5.29.20
16. Jeff Pane 5.33.70
17. Shawn Tyra 6.11.90
18. Phil Marsh 6.49.00
19. Enrique Gaona 7.13.20
20. Dave Fopp DNF
21. Zack Slaybaugh DNF
22. Ace Savarese DNF

2013 GoJamMedia Introduction

Go JaM On it!

2012 was a big year! It seems personal interests grew beyond expectations and resulted in lots of new friends, lots of great relationships, and one new venture. What venture you might ask? Well, one of those newly formed friendships lead to two guys each with similar skills and interests to the formation of GoJaMMedia.

Now, who or what is GoJaMMedia? That’s simple, just a mix of some words and letters. Ok, so you take the word “Go”, the letter J from “Jay Schultz”, the letter A from “And”, the letter M from “Matt DeLorme”, Media…. Slap them all together and Wala! = GoJaMMedia!

Matt DeLorme, of Frederick, Maryland comes to GoJaMMedia with five years shooting the MTB racing scene for the best Gravity rag in the world, Decline Magazine (www.declinemagazine.com) and two years shooting for one of the best online MTB news sites on the web, VitalMTB (www.vitalmtbcom).

Asked about the new venture, Matt stated, “2013 is shaping up to be a huge year for my career as a professional photographer. The formation of GoJAMMedia is an exciting new venture for me. I am thrilled to be working with a good friend, and talented photographer to provide a better photographic media product. The ability to bounce creative ideas of each other is in my mind what will be a huge part of this ventures success. I'm looking forward to providing the best possible coverage of east coast action sports!”

The other half of GoJaMMedia, Jay Schultz of Mauldin, South Carolina, has been handling all things Press and
Media related for Team BGB-Mountain Khakis in 2011 and 2012. His long passion for photography stems from a past life spent on the motorsports circuit as photographer from 1997 to 2007. After a few of life changes and moves up and down the east coast, going fast on two wheels has become focus of his time and energy.

Jay Schultz on GoJaMMedia, “There were definitely some bumps in the road in 2012, but that’s a part of personal growth. If you aren’t learning something about yourself, others, and what you love to do, they there’s something systemically wrong. With two guys with almost exactly the same M.O. (Modus Operandi) in terms interest, one placed in the SE and one placed in the NE, we’ve got an equation that works great for the both of us. I am SO stoked!”

Although out of context (or not on the MTB scene), GoJaMMedia was formed while the fastest sportscars in the world where pounding the pavement at Road Atlanta. Neither of the crew is leaving their roots, whether MTB racing for Matt or a return those via Motorsports for Jay….. that’s the beauty of where this pair is going, a combination of the two. From covering every UCI WC round to the American LeMans Series keep an eye out for Matt or Jay. As always, don’t be shy, stop by and say Hi! See you out there!

Website: http://www.gojammedia.com
Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/GoJamMedia
Twitter: http://twitter.com/GoJaMMedia
VitalMTB: http://www.vitalmtb.com/community/gojammedia,19973/all
Vimeo Channel: https://vimeo.com/gojammedia

Mikey Sylvestri Wins The 2013 Nevada State DH Championships

DRD’s Mikey Sylvestri won, for the second year in a row, the Nevada State Downhill Championships this past weekend at Bootleg Canyon, in Boulder City, Nevada.  On the rough, moon-like terrain of Bootleg Canyon, Mikey demolished the competition by nearly 5 seconds!
 
Mikey said, “I had a great time this weekend out in Bootleg!  I’m pretty pumped on my win there!  I felt strong and I knew all of the lines well, so I knew I was going to be competitive.  My qualifier went pretty smooth, & I knew I had it in me to finish on top for finals.  I’m just happy to start the season off with a win and focus on what’s ahead!”
 
Recently signing with the DRD Professional Race Team, Mikey has already shown that he’s a force to be reckoned with this season!