Fresh World Cup Champion Christoph Sauser joins Liam Killeen and Sabine Spitz on the Specialized Factory Team for 2006 and beyond. Christoph, a 29-year old from Switzerland, is in his 10th season as a professional.
Sauser will also rely on Specialized shoes, saddles, helmets and an array of other equipment. His last ride for Siemens Cannondale will be this weekend at the World Cup Marathon final in Roc d'Azur, France. His specific focus from then on out is to continue dominating cross-country and marathon World Cups in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Says Specialized Team Captain Ned Overend, "With a number of World Cup wins last year, Christoph is definitely at the top of his career. He's genuinely excited about pulling on a red Specialized jersey and crushing the competition.
Brit Liam Killeen is an ex two-time Under 23 World Cup XC Champ. Sabine Spitz from Germany ended this year's World Cup XC Series in second.
So far the Specialized off-road team reads as: USA Cycling U23 Team riders Alan Obye, Sam Schultz (U.S. National #3), Nick Waite, John Divine and Andy Guptill; 1990 World Champ Ned Overend, World Cup 4-Cross #2 Anneke Beerten (Ned), 2-time Olympic Champ Paola Pezzo (Ita), Red Bull Rampage Champ Kyle Strait, 4th place U.S. National Mountaincross rider Chris Powell, freeride phenoms Darren Berrecloth (Can) and Matt Hunter (Can), multi-time Xterra Champ Conrad Stoltz (RSA), Ironman Champ and Xterra star Peter Reid; Supercross, National Motocross & U.S. Open Champion Ricky Carmichael, and 2004 Supercross & U.S. Open Champ Chad Reed.
Of course we couldn't complete Specialized's off-road list without mentioning Floyd Landis. Landis is an ex NORBA Junior, Under 23 and Rookie of the Year Champ. Floyd finished ninth in the Tour this year, and is considered one of a few riders who has the talent to step up to where Lance left off.
|