X-Fusion Title Sponsor of Ashland Mountain Challenge

X-Fusion proudly announces today its title sponsorship of the Ashland Mountain Challenge Mountain Bike Enduro for 2013. The Ashland Mountain Challenge (AMC) is in its 4th year, with prior history as the 12 Mile Super D. This year, the AMC will be organized as a true Enduro style event, and racers will be competing in more stages and riding more trails than previous years.
 
“Our goal is to grow with the current explosion of Enduro racing, as well as provide racers with more time on their bike and a better overall experience”, says Bill Roussel , AMC Race Director. Bill also added, “Having X-Fusion as our title sponsor this year is very special to me. This is a suspension company that I have been testing with for the last 3 years and I continue to be blown away by their commitment to performance, quality and reliability.”
 
The 2013 event will encompass both the Eastern and Western ridges of Mt. Ashland. Racers from the Pro and Cat 1 categories will race on one ridge, while the Cat 2 riders start their race simultaneously on the other ridge. Once finished, racers will then be shuttled to the next leg/ridge. There will be climbs involved to get to each stage, but not timed. Only the descents will be timed, which will have small burst type climbs and other physical challenges. This format promises to reward racers that are skilled, fit and on bikes that can handle technical terrain while being efficient around the mountain.
 
Adds X-Fusion Marketing Manger John Hauer: “X-Fusion has spent a ton of saddle time ripping down the Ashland trails and has held a close relationship with Bill Roussel of Ashland Mountain Adventures. When the opportunity to support such a unique event at what we feel is one of the most ideal venues in North America for Enduro racing, we had to jump on it.”
 
Event Date: Saturday June 22nd, 2013
 
To register go to www.ashlandmountainadventures.com and click on the race page Starting March 1st, 2013.
 
Event Sponsors: X-Fusion, e*thirteen by The hive, Ashland Mountain Adventures, Kali, WTB, Smith Optics, Clif Bar, Specialized, Decline, Ibis, ProGold Lubricants, Standing Stone Brewing Co., HWY 68 Hillbillies.

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 SX Series Winners And What They Are Riding On

Looks like SHOWA is dominating the opening races in the 2013 series. Also notice how many air forks are in the mix. Click to make big.

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!