Brook MacDonald Races to the Podium in Windham

In an exciting and closely fought round 6 of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Windham, USA, Trek World Racing’s Brook MacDonald made his 2nd appearance on the 2014 World Cup podium with a 5th place ride on the fast, rocky and short track. His podium ride also marked the 40th World Cup podium for the Trek Session since the team started; the most successful downhill bike in recent history.

Fellow Kiwi George Brannigan also had a great ride improving on his qualifier to move into the top 10, landing a solid 8th place. The result good enough to launch him into 17th overall giving him protected rider status going into the next round in France.

Local hero Neko Mulally was on a flyer of a run, 3rd fastest at the 1st split and destined for the podium, when unfortunately his front wheel washed out in a blown out berm, and he went down. Amazingly he salvaged the run, finishing with enough points in 25th to move up in the overall standings to 9th.

Greg Williamson also moved up 5 places in the overall standings after his steady ride to 22nd place. After qualifying in the top 20 he was a little disappointed by his conservative run, but learned a lot from the experience.

Unfortunately for Laurie Greenland, the UCI doesn’t afford protected status for the top 10 juniors and so a puncture in qualifying left him out of the finals on Sunday.

Brook said: “Always stoked to get on the podium and now I have two of these under my belt for the season, my confidence has lifted greatly. I feel great on the bike and can’t wait to lift my level even further coming into the next two big events”.

Neko said: “You have to really lay it on the line with a track line this and I was so happy with how I was riding the final. The crash came out of nowhere and I was on the ground before I knew it, but thankfully with my 3rd place qualifier I’ve earned enough points to improve my overall. Keen to take my current form to France for the finals”.

George said: “I had a lot of fun on my run, this track is pretty wild and you have to push it to get a result. Really happy to get protected status and to know I’m riding at a great level at this end of the season”.

The team’s next race is World Cup Round 7 in Méribel, France, on August 22 and 23.

Neko Mulally and Laurie Greenland Maintain Top 10 Standings in UCI World Cup

The venue for round 5 of the World Cup Downhill, Mont-Sainte-Anne, never provides a dull day of racing, and yesterday was no exception. Unfortunately for Trek World Racing the solid preparation and fast pace in practice didn’t translate into the results the riders deserved, but nevertheless there were some positive highlights to a tricky day.

George Brannigan’s best ever result at Mont-Sainte-Anne over the years he’s been racing here was a 17th, so his improvement from 26th in qualifying up to a new personal best of 15th was a solid result.

Laurie Greenland’s first visit to the mythical Quebec track had the junior wide eyed and impressed to finally see and ride the track he’s watched for years on screen. To finished 8th in his first race here, and maintain his top 10 in the overall, was another solid ride all part of the learning process. Mont-Sainte-Anne is a track mastered over time.

Neko Mulally had yet another top 10 qualifier but in the race got a little messy on a track that had rapidly dried out in the first day of full sunshine for the week. Finishing 17th Neko managed to remain in the top 10 in the overall, where he’s been all season.

Brook MacDonald saw crashes affect both his qualifier and final, despite being on pace all week. Two and half seconds up at split one in the final only to crash before split 2, Brook was on for high top 10 placing, and was clearly dejected by the a flying run spoiled by a front wheel wash out in changed conditions, finishing 16th.

George said: “Of course it’s great to have my best ever result here but after thinking of what could have been, because I made some silly errors up top, I know they cost me a top 10 here. Pace is good and that’s what matters.”

Laurie said: “It’s a long track here and I was surprised that in my race run I didn’t feel anywhere near as tired as I did in practice. I’ve learned a lot here especially about how to prepare for a track like this compared to some of the shorter ones”.

Greg Williamson had a huge crash on his final practice run where he hit his hip square onto a tree stump at high speed and later had trouble walking. He opted wisely not to race and instead focus his attention on recovery before next week’s round 6 in Windham, US.

Neko Mulally Takes His First World Cup Podium!

Round 2 of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup took place today in Cairns, in very difficult conditions that saw the venue pounded by torrential rains during the week, with very muggy and steamy conditions today. The track was extremely slippery in places and brought many an experienced rider undone. Neko Mulally who came into the race ranked 8th in the World Cup qualified well yesterday in 7th, despite a crash, but showed he had the speed to win. With a 1st at the first split, and 2nd at the second split, the signs were good for today.

The 21 year old from Pennsylvania remained focused on race day and was determined to get the job done and not be distracted by all of the attention his form was attracting. In the race run all was going to plan and all of his lines were working well, until just before the second split where a line which he’d been trialling all week had deteriorated with more exposed roots, dropping the rear wheel off line and eventually the whole bike from under him. A quick recovery and a solid finish in the third sector despite damaging a brake in the crash saw Neko cross the line in 2nd, and eventually hold on for an incredible 3rd place. His first ever World Cup podium and the 36th Downhill podium for the Trek Session since Trek World Racing began racing the bike in 2009.

Neko said: “This is a dream come true and something I’ve been working really hard to achieve. This week everything just fell into place, the bike, my set up, having Justin and Chris on course helping me, I just couldn’t be happier. Saying those words, ‘I got third’, it’s just incredible.”

Moving into the next round Neko will hold plate number 4.

Neko’s teammates had mixed fortunes on the demanding track. Brook MacDonald ‘had a messy run’ in his words, but the speed is returning after coming back from surgery, and his 27th is up for 36th at Round 1. George had a crash in his final training session and hurt his hip and this had an impact on his race run. Both Brook and George are looking forward to racing with Neko on the East Coast of the US, in some Pro GRT events, as a good lead up to Fort William, as they did last year.

Greg Williamson had a good smooth run going but crashed on the rock garden, buckling his wheel and was unable to race the rest of his run at speed.

Meanwhile Trek World Racing’s Junior rider Laurie Greenland had his first World Cup race this weekend, and despite a crash and losing time to bigger guys in the heavy muddy conditions, was happy with his 11th and like his team mates, can’t wait to be at Fort William.

Team Manager Martin Whiteley acknowledged the incredible work done by the team mechanics and staff under extremely difficult conditions at the remote venue, and that Neko’s result was a wonderful way to finish what had been a challenging week.

George Brannigan Wins NZ National Title on 650B Prototype Session

Last year it was Brook MacDonald, and the year before that it was Justin Leov, but this year the Trek World Racing rider to win the New Zealand National Downhill Title was George Brannigan, aboard his brand new Prototype 650B Trek Session. The racing was held in Rotorua, site of the 2006 World Championships, and in good weather. Some red flag course holds delayed the start of the final but George was feeling good on his new bike and ready to try and win his first Elite Title. Both Brook and George received their prototypes just the week before and had the option of riding these or their 26 inch bikes for this important race. Both opted for the new bike.

Brook said: "I felt comfortable on this bike from the beginning. It's crazy the difference to the 26, as a race bike it's a lot faster for sure! I'm really looking forward to racing it on the World Cup this year."
This was Brook's first week back on a DH bike, so his 5th place confirms he's on track and his recovery from shoulder surgery is on target.
For George this was a very important race. After spending all of 2013 coming back from major knee surgery, this is the first time that he's felt 100% in a race for a long time. Despite winning the Junior National Title in 2010, this was the title he was after. In winning he not only achieved his first Elite Title, but became the first rider to win a National DH Title on a 650B bike.

George said: "It's good to win that race and show the new bike is where it's at! It's amazing to be feeling how I was a year or so ago. I have put in a huge amount of work to get back. So this makes me so happy. I'm really stoked to take the win, can’t wait for Oceania's next."

The Oceania Continental Championships are being held at Mt Hutt (NZL) on March 15 and 16.

If you're in California this weekend, be sure to get to Fontana where Neko Mulally and Greg Williamson will be aboard their new 650B Prototypes.

Trek World Racing Expands Downhill Roster, Now Racing Junior World Cup

Trek World Racing is excited to announce that for 2014 it will be expanding to 5 Downhill riders being led by World Cup race winner Brook MacDonald (NZL) and his compatriot George Brannigan. Also returning are riders who both hit the top 10 in World Racing for the first time this past season, Neko Mulally (USA) back for his 5th season with the team, and Greg Williamson (SCO) whose promising season was unfortunately cut short by injury at the World Championships. Joining these 4 talented elite men come January will be emerging phenom Laurie Greenland from Bristol in the UK, who’ll be contesting the Junior World Cup in both 2014 and 2015. All riders will be aboard the Trek Session 9.9.

Brook MacDonald says: “I’m stoked to be heading into 2014 on TWR with a new shoulder and new beginnings. I am already itching for the 2014 season to start and getting things underway with such great support and people behind me. Everything is pointing towards a strong season and I can’t wait.”

Neko says: “I’m really excited to be returning for my 5th season with Trek World Racing. I've got good people around me; it feels like family to me! Next year I want to be a consistent top 10 rider and push towards the podium. Can't wait to get out there and make it happen!”

George says: “Next year I’m determined to get back to where I left off before knee surgery in 2012. I finished 2013 strong and finally I know where I need to be. With a good off-season not having to focus on recovery I know I’ll be well prepared for 2014, so I’m already impatient for the season to start.”

Greg says: “After an up-and-down season, I'm really looking forward to getting back to racing in 2014 with a different approach. I'm seeking a very successful second year with Trek World Racing. To have another British rider on the team is exciting. Laurie reminds me of my younger self so it’ll be cool to have that youth as a reminder of what it's all about, and to be able to help him reach his goals."

Laurie says: “I’m extremely excited about signing with Trek World Racing. To be on a big team like this has been a dream of mine since I was 8, so for it to actually happen is unbelievable! All the riders on the team are big names and to be given the opportunity to ride and be on the same team as them is pretty mad. The team will strongly support me to achieve my goals which include making a mark on the World Cup circuit, aiming for podiums and a medal at World Champs, as well as always being sure to have fun!”

Team Owner Martin Whiteley says: “It’s great to be able to announce our roster so early and to have all the preparations for 2014 well advanced. Being able to keep this elite group of 4 men together was really important as I believe both on and off the bike, they are one of the best groups of riders I’ve ever assembled for any team. Of course I’m delighted that we’re entering the Junior World Cup next year. The series was a great success in 2013 and to have Laurie representing us is huge, we’re excited about having the opportunity to help develop him into a fine World Cup racer.”

The team will also receive the guidance and assistance from experienced World Cup racer Justin Leov who takes up the role of Skills Coach and will be on hand working with the riders at various key events around the world.

The team is proud to confirm the following co-sponsors: Shimano (Brakes and Drive Train), Fox Racing Shox (Suspension), Bontrager (Tires and Wheels), Royal Racing (Competition and Casual Clothing), Seven IDP (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), ODI (Grips), Cane Creek (Headsets) and Alpinestars (Team Baggage).

The team website www.trekworldracing.com will be updated in January with profiles of all 5 riders.