DRD X-Fusion Announces Factory Team Roster & Intense Cycles as Official Frame Supplier 6

(February 9, 2011)
Escondido, California – Dean Racing Development (DRD) and X-Fusion suspension is proud to announce its factory mountain bike race team, as well as its continued relationship with Intense Cycles, as the team’s official frame supplier, for the 2011 season. The ‘X-Fusion Intense’ program embarks to set a new standard of elite American racing with fresh faces, new sponsors, and a continued drive to winning!

The 2011 ‘DRD X-Fusion Intense’ factory team, will consist of five factory racers – four pro&one junior rider.  As one of the strongest American racers in recent history, former National DH Champion Cody Warren (Alpine, California) joins the team bringing a strong pedigree and long list of accomplishments.

“I’m extremely excited to join the DRD X-Fusion Intense team and work with this great group of guys” Cody Warren expressed his enthusiasm about joining the team! “Dylan Dean and I go back a long time, so I know that the support I receive will be world class!  I’m thrilled to get back to racing&
proud to represent this team and our great sponsors!”

JD Swanguen (San Diego, California) makes his return to the team from the X-Fusion race program as one of the most talented, all-around riders in the world – from downhill racing to street riding, slalom to dirt jumps.  In addition JD will also film throughout the season and showcase his 29er project.

"Stoked to continue my great relationships with my current sponsors and excited to start new ones this season,” said JD Swanguen.  “I am really looking forward to a progression filled year with DRD X-Fusion Intense
and project 29!"

East coast fan favorite, Jason Memmelaar (Chester, New York), has quickly risen in the US downhill scene and joins the team giving the program much needed depth.  Jason had a stellar year this past season winning the Crankworx Colorado dual slalom and placing 2^nd at the Pro GRT in Winter Park. 

With our continued endeavor to develop young riders, the DRD X-fusion Intense team will work with two talented riders.   Brad King (San Marcos, California) will make his pro debut having raced for the DRD program as a junior in 2010.  Austin Warren (Alpine, California) will join the team as the team’s only factory junior cat 1 rider.

“Words I can’t express how excited I am to get this season started,” exclaimed Dylan Dean, team director.  “We’ve comprised one of the best US programs on the circuit.  From top sponsors to arguably the most talented riders, the team is going to make a HUGE mark in the MTB race world!”

Intense Cycles
Intense Cycles continues its relationship with the X-Fusion racing program by supplying the team, without question, the best mountain bikes available today.  The flagship M9 downhill frames will take our racers to the top of the podium this season.  In addition Tracer 2 cross country frames, and the Tazer slalom frames will provide the team with the arsenal to ride & race in various super-d, slalom & training rides throughout the summer.

"We have been the official frame supplier to the X-Fusion team for a few years now,” stated Intense marketing manager Craig “Stikman” Glaspell, “it has been great seeing them grow as a brand and as a team, but this year has to be the most exciting. For 2011 when I knew that Dylan Dean would combine his program with the X-Fusion program I knew it was full steam ahead with a bigger and better program. The roster this year is fantastic and a great testament for our brand of American bicycles and a full roster of American athletes that are not only tremendous bike riders, but really great ambassadors for getting people excited about riding bikes of all types. At the end of the day it’s all about riding our bikes and this 2011 program makes me smile and want to get out on a bike and shred!"

X-Fusion’s marketing manager, John Hauer, added, “At X-Fusion we are very enthusiastic about the next chapter of our partnership with Intense Cycles to support our already successful domestic race team. Going into the 3rd year of our partnership with Intense and having the additional support of DRD gives us great confidence that we can achieve exactly what we set out for. Having experienced athlete management, amazing talent and the best sponsors a team could ask for the season is destine to be a great one. We look forward to putting our best suspension, on amazing bikes, under the most talented riders in 2011.”

photo courtesy: Craig “Stikman” Glaspell

Factory Team
Cody Warren (Alpine, California)
JD Swanguen (San Diego, California)
Jason Memmelaar (Chester, New York)
Brad King (San Marcos, California)
Austin Warren (Alpine, California)

Staff
Team Director - Jeremiah Dylan Dean (Escondido, California)
Mechanic – TBD