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By Chris Firth
We have another one for the rumor mill. The word is that Trek may finally be getting back into the downhill market with a completely new design. We have no idea how it works, what type of design it will be or when we might see it. MBA will let you know as soon as we hear or see something. Trek we're all watching you!
For any people that need to know, Iron Horse Bicycles has moved their offices. Those guys are working out of 85m Hoffman Lane, Islandia, NY 11749. Give them a call at (631) 232-9382 and bug them about the 2001 team roster. Rumors have been flying rampant around the industry this year. They started with: "All the big companies are dropping the factory teams and race support." Then there was: "So and so is going to quit, get dropped, or ride for some ridiculous little team". We can't forget: "The industry is spiraling out of control towards certain doom." Well, we thought that we'd do our part to confirm that all is well and it looks to be as strong a year as ever. Here are some of the major contract signings that we could confirm:
Despite the rumors of canning the DH team, Cannondale had re-signed Anne-Caroline Chausson and Cedric Gracia. Marla Streb has left her longtime sponsor,
Yeti, for the Foes/Azonic team. Her teammates will include Nathan Rankin, Jared Rando and Jimmy O'Neal. Junior downhill world champion Kathy Pruitt will be riding for the Laguna Hills- based Dirt Works team. Mongoose is back and looking to win with the signing of national DH champion Eric Carter, national XC champ Steve Larson and cross-country/cyclocross star Marc Gullickson. Eric Carter will also be running a series of "Mountain Cross" races running in a four-man format over 40-foot jumps, starting with the race at Sea Otter. Thanks, Eric, it's about time someone started setting these up; the industry and riders needed it.
Ignoring the rumors of not fielding a team this year GT has lined up an all-star squad with Steve Peat, Alison Dunlop, Fabien Barel, Katja Repo, Kelly Emmit and Ruel Davidson. Brian Lopes will have his own team, consisting of himself, sponsored by GT and Fox. He'll be working out of the GT team truck, but has his own box van for parking lot donuts.
Tomac has inked a deal with the Houseman brothers, Rich and Gary. These two have been seriously stepping up lately. Look for them to be top contenders this season in both DH and DS. Haro will retain the services of Mike King, who will now also be the team manager. We're just not sure who else he's managing yet. Chris Kovarik, Michael Ronning, Sari Jorgenson, Sasha Malberg, and Nigel Page make up the powerhouse Intense squad this year. Derin Stockton will also be riding for Intense, but will focus on tire development and tire selection for the team.
Yeti has teamed up with Pearl Izumi to form a team that will feature Nathan Rennie and Tara Llanes pedaling downhill and Paul Rowney and Frank Mapel pedaling uphill. Nicolas Vouilloz will continue to run his own team with new teammates Julien Camellini and Julien Poomans. I guess dominating downhill, designing his own bike and running a team isn't enough for him now. Nico was slated to continue his car-racing career by racing the Rally of Monte Carlo on Jan. 19th. Missy Giove will be riding for the newly formed Global team. MBA asked her mechanic what the deal was, but it's still being finalized. We'll get you more info as it becomes 101% solid, but it looks like she'll be riding a Foes Slammer again this year. The 2001 Kona Ford Focus team will feature Geoff Kabush, Ann Grande and Scott Beaumont.
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