Introducing The 2016 Specialized Gravity Team

Specialized will partner with Pure Agency in 2016 to form a new Specialized Gravity Team, supporting the 2015 World Champion Loic Bruni, Junior 2014 Junior World Champion Loris Vergier and first year junior Finn Iles on the UCI World Cup circuit. The team will all be racing aboard Specialized bikes and select equipment pieces next season.

Troy Brosnan will remain and star on the Specialized Racing Factory team, a separate set up, but with the same ambition.

Loic Bruni had this to say about the change, “I'm really excited about changing rigs for many reasons, and it gives me coherence in the way I see my career. The team and I have worked hard during the past few years to reach a high level. We have all ambition and we are all able to deliver really professional work while still having fun. I was really seduced by joining such a big family. The brand already has a great history, and I'm excited about being part of it—it's always been a dream. Reaching this step is a big satisfaction for me and the team, it is what we need and we know Specialized is the right partner for new things. I'm looking forward to ride well with my Rainbow Jersey and the Demo, of course, I'll try to do great stuff with it. We are already working on the bike and tires to be ready for the season 2016 that is promised to be a blast.”

"I've been with the team since I started on the World Cup circuit, and I always thought that it was almost perfect, with good friends, good atmosphere, and good sponsors. And now, a dream came reality, riding with the biggest brand in the world with still the same crew is an amazing opportunity that I'm really proud of. Really excited for the future!” - Loris Vergier

“2015 was in many ways our best season yet," said Benno Williet, Team Manager for Specialized’s Factory MTB programs. "The overall structure of the team finally came together and the results the guys achieved on the race course really backed that up. At the end of the season, we bid farewell to Aaron Gwin after an awesome season, but at the same time, we look forward to the future and are excited to be supporting more riders than ever before. Between Troy on our Factory Team, and then also Loic, Loris, and Finn, four of the very best riders in the world will board a Demo at the highest level of completion. It is a youthful, super talented roster throughout, so it is safe to say the future is bright!"

“This, my second year in the team (Pure Agency), is going to be exciting. I am super happy to be continuing on with such a good group of guys. Last year was an awesome experience, to see how well the team worked together blew my mind. With this upcoming year being my first year of racing junior, I am honored to have such an amazing brand behind my back. I think this is an amazing opportunity, and I can't wait to see what the future holds. Heading to California in January to link up with everyone is something I'm really looking forward to!" - Finn Iles

With a full team presentation to follow in early 2016, Loic, Loris, and Finn will rely on the radical S-Works Demo 8 carbon downhill race frame with single-sided seatmast as well as Specialized 2FO shoes and full complement of Downhill Tires.

“I was really proud to work with our partners, and in the eight years, we created something really special, but when we had first contact with Specialized, we felt that it was time to move. The opportunity was unique, because we had the chance to keep the same working process with same staff and riders. They understood that a good result is not just a good athlete or the best bike, but also a great atmosphere, where everybody in the team is able to make his own contribution to perform. To be honest, we also had another good financial offer, a higher one, but it was definitely a different way of work, and it was not the first choice of the key guys in the team. When the boys tested the bike, it confirmed everything. We have the feeling, too, that R&D is really strong and all details are well thought on the bike. One last detail, but maybe the most important detail in our decision: Loic and I received a personal message from M. Sinyard, and I don’t know a lot of bosses who are involved like this in Sports Marketing. It showed us how the company is passionate about DH and racing. We really appreciated this.” - Laurent Delorme - Pure Agency Manager

Specialized Gravity Team

The Ripple Effect: Rogatkin Set To Make Waves In 2015

Munich, March 24th 2015 – In 2014 the new kid on the block, Nicholi Rogatkin from Boston (USA), created ripples in the FMB World Tour scene – this year, he is pre-qualified for the FMB Diamond Series and ready to make waves. Riding with the support of new partners, in 2015 we could be witness to another rider joining the ranks of the top dawgs on the scene.
 
Last year took mountain bike slopestyle to a whole new level. Athletes were dropping new tricks left, right and centre. Nicholi Rogatkin was one of these athletes and 2014 was only his debut season on the FMB World Tour. This dark horse rode out of the shadows at 26TRIX (Leogang, AUT) when, after an incredible trick battle with other world-class FMB athletes, he finished the weekend with a win. Triple tailwhips, long dart fronties, and cashrolls are just some of the bangers on his repertoire.
 
Nicholi quickly earned a spot in the FMB Diamond events and after finishing 6th overall in 2014, he is now pre-qualified for the 2015 FMB Diamond Series. Riding for Specialized, KALI, Ninja gloves and armed with the support of new partners, including head partner XDubai, DT Swiss, VP Components, Spank, Continental and Alpinestars, Nicholi is ready to start a promising and glorious year. Nicholi’s manager, Tarek Rasouli commented: "I am excited to see Nicholi going into his 2nd FMB season. Nicholi has worked hard during the off-season to be fully prepared for the competition this year. The additional support from his partners is another great confidence boost as well."
 
Nicholi's bike for 2015 screams "technical", "finesse" and "state of the art" - with top notch specifications, he is equipped for action:

Just recently, Nicholi joined the line-up of elite showman at Masters of Dirt in Vienna. This none competitive event with big jumps and high level of riding is a good warm-up for the season ahead. The FMB Diamond Series will be at the top of his list because this is where the FMB World Championship is won, but we can also expect to see him at Gold events such as 26TRIX (AUT), Colorado Freeride Festival (USA) and FISE. First FMB highlight event will be the Diamond event, Crankworx Rotorua (March 29th, NZL), followed by the Silver event Vienna Air King (April 12th, AUT).

 

Nicholi himself could not be more eager to build on the success of 2014: "Joining the MTB world has been unreal. All of my experiences so far have been mind blowing and unforgettable. I couldn't be more stoked on all the companies I'm working with in 2015. I'm fortunate to pick the very best companies to dial in every part of my bike. And in addition I'm happy to represent a new company, XDubai who is here to put Dubai on the map as a destination for generations to come."
 
Follow Nicholi Rogatkin on Facebook and Twitter.

Specialized Announces 2013 Enduro Race Team

Specialized is proud to announce its new Enduro team for the 2013 season. The Specialized Racing Enduro Team is comprised of the North American Enduro Tour Champion Curtis Keene, and current 4X World Champion and native of the Netherlands Anneke Beerten. The team will compete in the Enduro World Series, Big Mountain Enduro events (BME), as well as the North American Enduro Tour.

“I'm really excited to be part of the Specialized Global Enduro Program for 2013 and beyond,” Says Keene. “Specialized has put an amazing program together along with SRAM and Troy Lee Designs to give me the best equipment and support possible. I'm very grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to racing. The season can't get here fast enough – let's do this!”

Defending 4X World Champion Anneke Beerten is also excited about the 2013 Enduro season stating "After a couple of successful seasons in 4-cross and winning the World Championships back-to-back I’m looking forward to defending my rainbow jersey and to change my focus to enduro racing. I am really excited to join the Specialized Racing Factory Enduro team, a team and brand that share the same passion as I do for racing and riding bikes. With Specialized on my side, and the best bikes to ride, I am convinced that it is going to be a great new season!"

Sports Marketing Manager Geoff Rogers stated “Curtis and Anneke have a very diverse skillset which makes them super fun to watch. We feel very lucky to have such great athletes on the team and are really pumped to see so much growth and awareness around the enduro racing scene!”

For 2013, Curtis and Anneke will be racing on S-Works Enduro, and S-Works Stumpjumper FSR bicycles. Both riders will also be outfitted with the Specialized Command Post BlackLite, S-Works MTB shoes, saddles and tires as well as Roval wheels.

Specialized Signs Aaron Gwin

The mountain bike off-season is almost as interesting as the hockey/football/basketball off-seasons, with transfers and team changes becoming as talked about as the racing itself.

It was obvious something was moving in Aaron Gwin’s camp. The rumbles and murmurs had been building. Then when it was revealed Hill was moving on from Specialized, leaving a gap in the roster of one of downhill mountain biking’s most powerful teams, speculation roared as to who would replace the man who used to be the most dominating and frightening downhill racer.

In the past two years, Gwin has grasped the crown as the most dominant downhill racer. He has trampled on the competition, becoming the most successful American downhill racer of all time, and in record time. He won the World Cup overall in 2011 and 2012, becoming the first American to ever win an overall, and being the first man to win five World Cup DH races in one season. That was in 2011, in 2012 he only won four WC races. Gwin joins Specialized riders Troy Brosnan and Mitch Ropelato.

“I’m super excited to start this new chapter in my career with Specialized bicycles,” says Gwin. “The entire Specialized staff has welcomed me with open arms and I’m blown away by the level of support they’ve shown me. This is my dream program and I can’t thank them enough for this opportunity. Bring on 2013!”

Team manager, Sean Heimdal, is equally upbeat about Gwin joining the team. “The combination of Aaron Gwin and the Specialized brand have an American storyline written all over it that was always meant to be,” explains Heimdal. “Aaron will not only bring another element to the program, but it’ll be amazing watching this trio ripping down the tracks together. We can’t wait to get started with this new exciting opportunity and look forward to the season ahead.”

Sam Hill's 2013 Custom Pink Specialized Carbon Demo 8 Frame Is For Sale

FORT WILLIAM, Scotland -- For the 4th year in a row, Monster Energy Specialized's Sam Hill will be wearing pink instead of the usual Team kit in an effort to raise awareness and funds for cancer research at this year's Fort William, Scotland World Cup. The 5-time World Champion will be riding a one off pink 2013 carbon Demo frame (*SEE SEPERATE AUCTION #180902202246*), 2013 Troy Lee Designs kit and special edition Spy eyewear as he races for the win at Ben Nevis on June 10th. Following the event Sam is auctioning off his race gear (Jersey, Pants, Gloves, Goggles and Shoes) as well as his custom painted pink 2013 Specialized Carbon Demo 8 Carbon frame that will be the very first carbon Demo released to the public.
 
Hill is excited to once again be tackling more than just the track, in Scotland. "I'm really excited about heading back to Fort William this year. It’s one of my favorite tracks on the circuit and it gives me an opportunity to help raise breast cancer awareness. This year will be no different and I will be rocking pink once again. We will be auctioning off my race gear and pink Specialized Carbon Demo frame for charities that will help fight breast cancer."
 
Specialized Bicycles says: “We are so proud to of Sam for helping to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research.  We hope this one of a kind carbon Demo will get riders and advocates everywhere excited to contribute to such a good cause.”

Team manager Sean Heimdal says: “It’s great to keep this great tradition going for a fourth time. Fort William’s wild crowd support adds extra attention to the cause and Sam’s an amazing catalyst for increased awareness. What a great opportunity for someone to make a difference in breast cancer research with the added bonus of picking up a carbon Demo before anyone else in the world!”

This auction is a Fund Raiser, which will benefit "The Weekend to End Women’s Cancers™" walk in Montreal, Quebec Canada.

Auctioned items include:

Custom painted pink 2013 Specialized Carbon Demo 8
Size: Small
with: headset, rear shock (steel spring) & seatpost.

Sam Hill's Carbon Demo On Ebay