Trek is poised for a serious assault on the UCI World Cup with the announcement that Britain’s Tracy Moseley will complete a six-rider line-up for the 2009 season, joining fellow Brit Liam Killeen. The new team has been put together by Martin Whiteley, who’s clearly the go-to guy if you need a full-strength pro race team assembling from scratch.

Tracy will ride a Session 88 and joins New Zealand’s Justin Leov and South African Andrew Neethling on the DH circuit. Liam will be racing alongside teammates Lukas and Mathias Fluekiger from Switzerland, making the Trek team one of the more international on the circuit.

On the announcement, Tracy said: “I’m really excited to have this great opportunity to ride on a new exciting bike from 2009, and with a great team around me to give me all the support I’ll need to further improve. I’m also really happy to have two great guys to ride with as I believe that’s really important for my ongoing development as a racer. These three things combined, the new bike, the team support and my teammates, will make a big difference to me.”

Team Director Martin Whiteley says: “It’s a thrill for us to be able to announce Tracy in our line up. We’ve been excited about the idea of having three DH riders and even more so to be back in the game of women’s DH racing. It’s clear that women’s World Cup racing will continue to get more competitive and exciting. Tracy showed everyone what she can do on the physically demanding and pedalling courses like Fort William and Canberra this past season, and looking at 2009’s venues, Tracy will be well positioned for a great season with us.”

Trek Mountain Bike Brand Manager Michael Browne says: “Trek is extremely happy to have Tracy Moseley join the ranks of the DH roster. Her world-class performances and professional manner are a perfect match to the existing roster, one which Trek is excited to expand beyond a men’s-only team.”

With Specialized also backing a downhill team for 2009, it looks like the big manufacturers have regained their enthusiasm for gravity racing. More team news as we get it…