RUMORS, MUSICAL CHAIRS And CONTRACTSJAN 15.
RUMORS, MUSICAL CHAIRS And CONTRACTSJAN 15.
Brian Lopes looks to be the only rider for the thought of being
In 2002, the GT squad was defunct. GT will be his primary sponsor, providing him with a truck to race at the races. Brian’s equipment will be provided by a number of smaller sponsors, which are yet to confirm (possibly sun/Ringle or Oakley). Craig Stikman Glaspell is expected to be his mechanic. Schwinn, who was purchased by Pacific with GT, won’t be participating in any mountain bike racing this year.
Despite all the turmoil in the industry caused by the GT/Schwinn
The Sunrace/ Santa Cruz team is almost unchanged from 2001, despite the presence of Debacle and an unstable race scene. Kirk Molday, last year’s NORBA National mens cross-country champion is back on the Santa Cruz VPP Blur. Joel Panozzo and Jordie Lunn are back as downhill pros, Johnny Waddell, Joel Panozzo and Aaron Peters, along with Semi-Pro Henry ODonnell. Fox Forx, Easton and Jordie Lunn have signed on for the season.
Eric Carter will continue to race on Mongoose/Hyndai with Marc Gullickson, Todd Wells and cross-country runners Todd Wells. Brian Schmith, BMX rider, will also be racing in select duals and mountain-cross events.
The acquisition of Mick Hannah, an Australian phenom, is the big news about Haro. Mt. Last year, Mick was unable to participate in the World Championships due to snow. He will be a strong contender for the 2002 rainbow jersey. Mike King will continue as Haros Pro Director for MTB Racing (nice title, huh?). Seamus McGrath and Chris Sheppard were also there. Jill Hamilton, a Haro employee who was also a MBA test rider, made the leap into the Pro Womens category. Congratulations Jill, and best of luck!
April Lawyer, Colin Bailey and John Kirkcaldie, the overall NORBA National Downhill Championship Title Winner will all return to compete on Intense rigs in 2002 for Maxxis. Ken Avery, Semi-pro downhiller and tire designer, will be riding/working from the team trailer along with the rest. Fabien Barel is now a Maxxis-Europe member.
Steve Peat has negotiated an independent deal for himself to ride Orange bikes and wear Royal clothing. This is no surprise considering he also owns Royal. The Stateside Orange/ Royal team, which also includes an English team, has Caile Noble back, Diana Marggraff, the most dominant South American downhill and dual rider, and virtual unknown Bryn Atkinson, who was the 2002 BMX World Champion. They’ll be using Manitou forks and Fox Shox, SRAM 661, Tioga, 661, and SRAM.
Global Racings is still being sorted out. Definite signings include Missy Giove and World Cup Title winner Greg Minnaar. Missy’s history of head injuries is going to be a major factor in her racing this season. Rumours suggest that Shell will focus on downhill and abandon duals if she is given the go-ahead by her doctor to race. For the second consecutive year, the entire Global team will be riding Orange bikes.
Azonic will continue to pair Foes with him. National Champion Todd LeDuc and Junior Mens World Champion Ben Cory have all been signed to the 2002 team. Nathan Rankin is still under negotiation but will most likely remain on Foes/Azonic. Foes will support two independent freeriders this year in addition to their race team. Dave Watson will ride for Foes and Manitou. Kris Crispy Baughman traded in his Karpiel and bought a DHS Mono with Avalanche fork. Shimano was also a co-sponsor. According to reports, Shimano intends to drastically reduce its race sponsorship program for this season. Haas offered a huge sponsorship deal to the team. Haas is the manufacturer of at least two CNC Machines Foes uses for their frames and forks.
This season Dirt Works has a strong team that is full of potential. Jason Sigfrid and Eric Rasmussen 2001 semipro champion, Tai Lee Muxlow mammoth slalom winners, Dani Connelly Collegiate National Champion, will all wear Dirt Works jerseys.
Clif bar will be joining the fray to ride Santa Cruz bikes with a strong team. The all-female Luna Chix team includes World Champion Allison Dunlap and Marla Streb as well as Kelli Emmett, Gina Hall, and Kelli Emmett, who are also World Champions. Clif Bar’s Luna Whole Nutrition Bar for Women is available. Clif Bar will also have two groups consisting of female mountain bike racers called LUNA Ambassadors. They will be carrying out the Luna Chix mission to raise funds, awareness, and support women’s issues such as breast cancer and The Breast Cancer Fund. They will be riding Fox Shox and Ritchey, Giro Castelli, Sidi. Kelty, and Selle Italia.
