Giant raises its commitment to top-level mountain bike XC racing with the news that it will launch the Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team and expanded Giant Factory Off-Road Team for 2010.
The focus will be on UCI World Cup XCO and cyclo-cross races for the newly formed Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team, which will boast four full-time XC racers, including US Olympian Adam Craig.
“From an athlete’s standpoint, it’s the ideal setup,” Craig said. “There are certain similarities between XC mountain biking and cyclo-cross, and there’s always some athlete cross-over between the two disciplines. So structuring it under one team makes sense.”
Craig will be joined by a trio of talented young XC racers: Emil Lindren(Sweden), Fabian Giger (Switzerland) and Henk Jaap Moorlag (The Netherlands). All are all under 25 and rising through the ranks of World Cup XC competition.
“I’m thrilled Giant is stepping up its commitment through the new partnership with Rabobank on the off-road side of things,” Craig added. “Both brands have been committed to racing for a long time-it’s an honour for me to be a part of this new partnership.”
Giant Factory Off-Road Team Expands
In addition to the new team, the Giant Factory Off-Road Team is expanding for 2010, and will include Oli Beckingsale and Danny Hart, winner of the 2009 World Cup DH Junior series and bronze medalist at the 2009 World Junior Downhill Championships.
The roster also includes new racing talent twice US Downhill Champion 23-year-old Duncan Riffle. Currently ranked 21st in the UCI world downhill rankings and looking forward to focusing on the most prestigious international downhill events. Riffle said: “I’ve always been a fan of Giant bikes and I can’t wait to hit the 2010 World Cup series on the new Giant Glory. To be successful on the World Cup circuit, you need the right equipment and the right support, and I know I’ll have that.”
The other Giant Factory Off-Road Team rider with a global agenda is 2008 Red Bull Rampage silver medalist Kurt Sorge. The 21-year-old Canadian has developed into a household name in slopestyle and freeride competition and will headline the biggest freeride competitions and films in 2010.
Four other Giant Factory Off-Road Team riders will have a continental focus in 2010. One is Australian Jared Rando, a veteran Australian DH and slalom racer who medaled at both the Sea Otter Classic and Crankworxevents last year. Rando will focus on Australian and North American events and will continue to play an important role in Giant’s product development efforts.
Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team
Adam Craig (USA), XC, ST
Fabian Giger (Switzerland), XC
Henk Jaap Moorlag (The Netherlands), XC
Emil Lindren (Sweden), XC
Giant Factory Off-Road Team
Oli Beckingsale (Great Britain), XC, ST
Carl Decker (USA), XC, ST, Super D
Kelli Emmett (USA), XC, ST, Super D
Danny Hart (Great Britain), 4X, DH, DS
Jared Rando (Australia), 4X, DH, DS
Duncan Riffle (USA), 4X, DH, DS
Kurt Sorge (Canada), Freeride
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