Giant is happy to announce that Oli Beckingsale and Adam Craig, both cross-country international stars, have been added to the Global Mountain Bike Team. Both will be following the 2008 stellar seasons that culminated in appearances at Beijing Olympics.
Jared Rando, a veteran Australian downhill racer, will be joining Craig and Beckingsale from Great Britain and the United States on Giants Global team.
Craig, aged 27, was crowned U.S. Cross-Country Champion again last season. He also won his sixth consecutive U.S. Super D championship. Craig was selected to the U.S. Olympic Team at the 2008 Summer Games because of his consistent international performance. Craig said that Giant is behind him and Im behind them. I am looking forward to continuing the fun in 5,103 cm, and any team that supported me during my six-year Super D National Championship streak must have done something right.
Craig will be focusing on the International World Cup Series this year, as well as a few North American events like the Downieville Classic in California.
Three-time Olympian Beckingsale joins Craig as one the top cross-country World Cup talent. The 32-year old has won five British National Championships and is widely regarded as one of the most consistent cross-country racers in the last decade.
Beckingsale said that it is shaping up to be an amazing year, and that the bikes are even better than ever. They are a great team for support and team spirit. I look forward to reaching the World Cup 100 percent, as well as having a go at the Austrian marathon world championships.
Beckingsale and Craig played key roles in the development of Giants’ most advanced cross-country race bikes, including Giant Anthem X 2009. Craig rode the Anthem X on technical trails at Mount Snow to defend his title as the U.S. MTB Champion.
Craig said that it was great to continue my seventh year with Giant. It also allows me to keep an eye on all the exciting new projects in the works. Each year, I’ve found myself testing and racing better bikes. It makes riding and racing much more fun.
Rando is also a key player in product development on the gravity side. Rando, a veteran of international downhill racing and dual slalom racing is Giants’ lead athlete in testing long-travel downhill bikes.
Giant will continue to support its North American team consisting of cross-country riders Kelli Emett and Carl Decker as well as Canadian freeride talent Kurt Sorge.
Giant has the top cross-country, downhill, and freeride athletes in its ranks. Giant is looking forward to maintaining its position at the top of the mountain biking competitive world in 2009.
GIANT GLOBAL MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAMS
Oli Beckingsale (Great Britain), XC, Short Track
Adam Craig (USA), XC Short Track, Super-D
Jared Rando (Australia), 4X, DH, DS
GIANT NORTH AMERICA MOUNTIAN BIKE TEAMS
Carl Decker (USA), XC, Short Track, Super D
Kelli Emmett (USA), XC, Short Track, Super D
GIANT NORTH AMERICA FREERIDE TEAM
Kurt Sorge (Canada), Freeride
Jeff Lenosky (USA), Freeride and Trials
SPONSORS OF THE GIANT NORTH AMERICA MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAMS
Shimano. Michelin. Fox Racing Shox. Hincapie Sportwear. Thule. MRP. Fizik. Pro.
