Top 10 For All TWR Downhillers At 2012 Sea Otter

Aaron Gwin led the way with a 3rd place, closely followed by Neko Mulally joining him on the podium for 5th. Justin Leov was also in the mix with a 7th showing everyone that on this course our team had the greatest combined horse power of the weekend.

The Sea Otter Downhill course is notoriously lacking in topography and for this reason the riders opted to run their Enduro bikes, the superb Trek Slash 9. We are very fortunate to have committed sponsors who not only helped us with the extra equipment to allow the Trek Race Department to build these bikes up specifically for the Sea Otter event, but Shimano also provided all three riders with the brand new Saint Group-Sets to race on. With the top 5 in the final results including power house riders like race winner Jared Graves (AUS) as well as Mick Hannah (AUS) and Brian Lopes (USA), it was great to see Neko so close to his mentor team mate in that top 5.

Aaron said: "I had an awesome time this weekend. Sea Otter is always one of my favorite races of the year. The atmosphere is always cool and the amount of people who showed up to see us was crazy. I rode my Slash this weekend since the course was pretty flat, that thing is a blast! My race run went pretty good too, times are always tight and the pedaling makes you hurt! Overall it was a fun weekend and solid results for the whole team. Thanks to everyone for coming out!"

Neko said: "I was really happy with how our equipment worked this weekend. The Slash was the perfect bike for Sea Otter's downhill track and the new low knob tires we had from Bontrager m ade the bike incredibly fast. Getting a chance to ride all the components in the new Saint group-set also felt great. I put down a solid run in the final, but I feel the bikes we had helped a lot."

Justin said: "I felt a little off today with my run. My fitness is great I just need a little fine tuning. On the positive side my bike was feeling great all weekend with the new tires and Saint group-set. A noticeably quieter ride with the derailleur and much faster shifting with the new Saint shifter." The team now heads north to Port Angeles, Washington State, for the opening round of the US MTB Grand Prix, where they'll be back on their Session 9.9's.

Full Sea Otter results can be seen here: http://www.seaotterclassic.com/raceresults/index.cfm/2012.htm

More info on Trek's Slash 9 can be seen here: http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/technical_trail/slash/slash_9/#

Following the team on Twitter @trekworldracing

Willow Rockwell Retires From Mountain Bike Racing

Trek World Racing's Willow Rockwell (USA) has announced that despite her best efforts to return to the sport of mountain biking after taking time out to have her daughter, the reality of the situation is nothing like she had imagined. In this past week Willow has decided definitively that it's time to stop racing for good and focus on her new family.

Recent experiences at the opening round of the World Cup and in training back home have acted as wake up calls for Willow who's found herself needing to be honest about being able to push herself so hard whilst also being the mother of a new-born baby.

The 34 year old has had an illustrious career in the sport which has included 2 bronze medals at the World Championships, as well as numerous Continental and National Titles, and was ranked as high as No.2 in the world on the UCI rankings in 2011. As ambassador for Trek and Gary Fisher bicycles, there are very few athletes who have given so much, since her first days with the Subaru-Gary Fisher program, which she joined in 2005, through to joining Trek World Racing at the beginning of last year. Willow has always been a top professional for all of her sponsors.

Willow released a statement which in part says: "After much soul searching, and many tears, I have decided to end my mountain bike racing career. I committed to racing for 2012 before having my child. There was no way I could have predicted the changes that have occurred within me. Thank you for your support during this time of intense decision and transformation. I especially thank my Team Manager Martin White ley and my team, Trek World Racing, for understanding that sometimes life has other plans. Enjoy every moment on the bicycle, for every moment adds up to create your life!"

Team owner Martin Whiteley says: "It's true that we are sad not to see Willow racing in our team colors again, but it is equally true that we are fully supportive of her decision, and we are grateful for every day we had Willow with us on the team. Eternally positive and a great spirit, she will be missed not only from our family, but from mountain bike racing in general."

Willow's retirement is effective immediately and she will not appear at this weekend's World Cup event in Houffalize or the Sea Otter Classic as previously planned. Trek World Racing has no plans to replace Willow for season 2012. Willow's husband Myles continues with the team in his highly valued role as Downhill Rider Liaison.

Tracy Moseley Announces T-Mo Racing

Tracy Moseley, the 2011 downhill World Cup champion and 2010 downhill World Champion, will be refocusing her racing efforts in 2012 under the T-Mo Racing banner. The Trek-sponsored rider will expand her racing calendar to include a variety of race formats next year.

Having begun her racing career in the early 1990s, downhill became Tracy’s speciality, although she has always enjoyed mixing up her mountain biking. Going forward, Tracy will return to her multi-discipline roots and will participate in several races in 2012, including World Cup downhill events, Pro Sprint Eliminator races, and a special focus on enduros.

“After 12 years on the World Cup downhill circuit and the achievement of all the goals I set for myself, I felt that the end of 2011 was a perfect opportunity to make a change in direction and pursue some new challenges,” said Tracy. “I would like to extend my thanks to Trek World Racing and everyone working behind the scenes at Trek for the most successful three years of my career to date. That support has allowed me to attain both a World Championship title and a World Cup title. I look forward to continuing my relationship with Trek as both an athlete and ambassador, as I pursue new ventures,” she added.

With support from Trek, Tracy’s new objective is to elevate her profile as an all-round mountain bike athlete. She has set goals to finish in podium positions across all of her planned races, and to gain points for World Championship selection in both cross country Pro Sprint, and downhill. She will have a variety of bikes from the Trek quiver to choose from, including a Session 9.9 and Slash, as she pursues her new aims. “We are delighted to keep Tracy within the Trek family,” said Trek UK’s Marketing Manager Andrew Griffin. “Her successful career and outstanding reputation made furthering the relationship an easy decision to make. We look forward to supporting the shift in her racing career,” he added.

2012 Trek World Racing Team Announced

Trek World Racing announces its roster for 2012, returning once again with an impressive line-up of Cross Country and Downhill riders ready to take on the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, World Championships, Olympics and a selected set of major events including Crankworx in Whistler, the Sea Otter Classic and the Sunshine Cup in Cyprus.

DH: As the number 1 Downhill team in the world this year, Trek World Racing will return with 3 elite men, namely Aaron Gwin (USA), Justin Leov (NZL) and Neko Mulally (USA). The 3 Downhill men will be aboard their Trek Session 9.9 carbon bikes and racing the full World Cup along with a number of MTB Grand Prix events in the US, Sea Otter Classic, Crankworx in Whistler, and other selected events.

Also new for the team in 2012 is the hiring of 2000 World Downhill Champion, Myles Rockwell, as a rider liaison assisting the riders with their training, strategy and racing at the World Cups and Worlds.

Tracy Moseley successfully raced for the program for last 3 years, taking 18 World Cup podiums (including 6 wins), the World Championship Title in 2010, and the World Cup title in 2011, however she has decided to take her career in a different direction in 2012. T-MO will be making her own announcement.

XC: The team will field 4 Cross Country riders including new signing Junior XC phenom Anton Cooper (NZL) who will be racing selected events throughout 2012 while continuing with his education. Willow Rockwell (USA) returns to full time racing after getting married and having a child in December with husband Myles, with the goal of being selected to race for the USA at the London Olympics. Returning for their 4th year with the team are the Flueckiger brothers from Switzerland. 2010 Under 23 World Champion Mathias, and Lukas who finish 5th at last year’s Worlds, will be opting to spend more time racing the Trek Superfly 29’ers in 2012.

Rider Quotes in alphabetical order:

Anton Cooper – “I am very excited to join Trek World Racing for the 2012 season. It is a significant step forward in my goals of becoming a World class rider. This is aided by the fact that the team’s focus is at the World Cup, World Championship and Olympic stage where they are able to provide top leve l support that is required to perform at this level. This is a great way to kick-start my career as a professional Mountain Biker and I look forward to what lies ahead.”

Luk Flueckiger – “I have more confidence than ever before. I will start my 2012 season where my 2011 season ended. The Olympics are my biggest goal for the year.”

Math Flueckiger – “2011 was my first year as a full time professional athlete. It was such a big change and I expected too much from myself after a season like 2010. I learnt so much in 2011, and I’ll bring all this experience to 2012. I won’t look at other riders, results, etc. I will focus solely on me! My moto will be ‘step by step’, improving throughout the year.”

Aaron Gwin – “I'm looking forward to the upcoming year. We had an awesome season in 2011 and I'm excited to get back to the races with my team!”

Justin Leov – “2012 is going to be an exciting year; with a new coach on board I feel a new motivation towards my ra cing. My hopes and goals are to have fun at the events like I did this year and aim for those top steps of the podium, which so many times have just alluded me.”

Neko Mulally – “I'm excited to go into 2012 and put together all of the experiences that have brought me to this point. I can see it coming together already. It's going to be awesome spending every weekend with people I love being around, I really can’t wait to go racing.”

Willow Rockwell – “I look forward to being the fastest mom on the planet. With the support of my Trek World Racing team and sponsors, I know I have everything I need to be the very best. I intend to do my part, and let the universe supply me with energy, grace and balance as I follow my destiny path."

Team Owner Martin Whiteley – “After the successes of the past 3 years, the team returns once again with a strong line-up of athletes, and the same talented staff and sponsors we’ve been lucky to have with us in 2011, building on a ll that we’ve achieved to date. New signings Anton Cooper and Myles Rockwell bring both youthful enthusiasm and experience. Our major sponsors Trek, JBL, Shimano and Fox have been extremely supportive and I’m really excited to take the 2012 version of the team on the road next year.”

The team website www.trekworldracing.com will be updated with more information throughout December and January. For media who haven’t yet applied for their login to access photography, simply go to the Media tab on the site and apply.

2012 Trek Session 9.9

Details

• Colors Carbon Smoke
• Frame OCLV Mountain Carbon w/InTension main frame & seatstay, alloy chainstay, Carbon Armor, ABP DH, Full Floater, E2 tapered head tube, AngleSet compatible, internal control routing, HexMC carbon EVO Link, Mino Link, MicroTruss, replaceable derailleur hanger, 210mm travel
• Front suspension Fox Factory Series 40 Fit RC2 Hybrid Air w/Ti coil spring, Kashima coat, hi/lo speed compression, rebound, 1-1/8" steerer, 20mm thru axle, 203mm travel
• Rear suspension Fox DHX RC-4 w/externally adjustable velocity sensitive damping, bottom-out force adjust and bottom-out progressiveness, external rebound; 8.75x2.75" (S 400lb; M 450lb; L 500lb; XL 500lb spring), tuned by Trek in California
• Sizes S, M, L, XL
• Wheels DT Swiss 240s, 20mm front hub, 157x12mm rear hub; DT Swiss FR 600 32-hole rims
• Tires Bontrager G4 Team, 26x2.35"
• Shifters SRAM X0, 10 speed

Geometry

2012 Trek 9.9 Carbon