Hello Vital MTB Visitor,
We’re conducting a survey and would appreciate your input. Your answers will help Vital and the MTB industry better understand what riders like you want. Survey results will be used to recognize top brands. Make your voice heard!
Five lucky people will be selected at random to win a Vital MTB t-shirt.
Thanks in advance,
The Vital MTB Crew
They posted a clue on their facebook page a few days ago :
with the following caption: "Picture puzzle part 2: Do you already have a presumption?"
The first part of the "puzzle" was their WC team teasing. The Union Jack may just refer to a solo British rider as well, but with our current musical chairs pointing to Dirt... just guessing.
(we'll have more info on that next weekend)
https://www.facebook.com/334303880024864/photos/a.336772129778039.10737…
They posted the third clue this morning, and it leaves no room for doubt:
Thanks Jim... wait ? Laden ? OMG
http://www.rotwild.de/community-news/news-blog/single/news/rotwild-unte…
Bike Mag got the jump. Looks like GT Factory Racing is going to be a party.
Just saw this on pinkbike! http://www.pinkbike.com/u/brule/album/Press-Release-Photos/
GT Bicycles Announces New 2016 Factory Racing Program
Wilton, Conn. – December 9, 2015 – GT Bicycles, a premium brand of Dorel Industries (TSX: DII.B, DII.A), today announces an all-new Factory Racing program for 2016. After an incredible four year partnership with Atherton Racing, GT has assembled a new global race team consisting of proven UCI Downhill and Enduro World Series riders.
“GT has a rich history of top-level racing successes and a line of World Championship-proven bikes,” said Tim Inall, Global General Manager for GT. “The brand is extremely proud to have been associated with Atherton racing program since 2012. Now, however, we’re ready for this next chapter in GT Factory Racing. We are excited to continue the momentum to form and manage a new team of accomplished riders from around the world.”
GT’s new roster of athletes are known for their successes both on and off the bike. The team will vie for both Downhill World Cup and Enduro World Series podiums riding the GT Fury and GT Sanction respectively.
About the Teams:
Downhill
· Brook MacDonald (New Zealand) – During his young career, MacDonald has achieved 18 top 10 positions including a podium spot at Val di Sole in 2015.
· Sam Dale (United Kingdom) – A proven performer on the World Cup scene, Dale has had 19 top 25 positions and landed a podium spot at Lourdes in 2015.
· Wyn Masters (New Zealand) – Masters, a fan favorite, has achieved race success both in his homeland of New Zealand and on the World Cup circuit.
· Jackson Frew, Junior (Australia) – After wrapping up his Downhill season as the number one first year Junior, Frew enters his last year as a Junior with high expectations.
Enduro
· Martin Maes (Belgium) – A young phenom, Maes has proven himself as one of the top riders to watch.
· Anneke Beerten (Netherlands) – The reigning Queen of Crankworx, Beerten has podiumed 16 times during her illustrious Enduro World Series career.
· Wyn Masters (New Zealand) – After placing third and showing his dual-threat strength at the Crankworx Enduro, Masters will also join the Enduro circuit.
· Rachel Throop (United States) – After successfully proving herself within the United States Enduro circuit, Throop is ready to step onto the global stage.
The GT Factory Racing teams will be managed by Mark Maurissen (Belgium), a long time industry professional whose ties to GT go back to the mid 1990’s. Most recently Mark was head mechanic for GT’s Enduro team.
To learn more about GT, visit www.gtbicycles.com. Check out GT Bicycles on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
ABOUT GT BICYCLES
GT is a premium brand of Cycling Sports Group, a division of Dorel Industries’ (TSX: DII.B, DII.A) Dorel Sports segment, encompassing several powerhouse cycling brands, including Cannondale, Schwinn, Charge, SUGOI and Fabric. Dorel Industries Inc. has annual sales of US$2.7 billion and employs approximately 10,800 people in facilities located in twenty-five countries worldwide. For more than 40 years, GT has provided riders of all abilities with a trustworthy, rock-solid bike they need to push their limits. GT’s legacy is instilled in every design, be it a BMX, mountain, road, or pavement bike. For more information visit www.gtbicycles.com.
video with the muscles from brussels too!
GT 2016 FACTORY RACE TEAM
Brook MacDonald
During his career, Brook’s (aka the Bulldog) fearless, charging riding style has delivered 18 top 10 results, including a recent podium spot in Val Di Sole in 2015. This Kiwi is looking to extend his winning ways in the years to come.
Quick Bio:
Country: New Zealand
Age: 23
Primary Discipline: Downhill
Race Highlights:
4th – UCI WC Val di Sole 2015
2nd – NZ National Championships 2015
5th – UCI World Championships 2014
2nd – UCI WC Fort William 2013
1st - New Zealand National Championships 2013
1st – UCI WC Val d’isere 2012
1st – UCI Junior World Championships 2009
Quote:
“I am beyond stoked to be starting a new chapter in my career with such a well-known brand, GT. Holding multiple championships and World Cup wins I am looking forward to sharing good times with a new team and team members. GT has a history that dates way back to the roots of Mountain biking with legends like Hans Ray, Brain Lopes, Eric Carter, Nico Vouilloz and Jill Kintner.”
Social Media:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BrookMacdonaldMTB/
Twitter – @Brook_Macdonald
Instagram – brookmacdonald6
Sam Dale
The UK continues to produce world-class downhill talent and Sam Dale is staged to follow in the footsteps of his legendary British predecessors. Earning his first World Cup podium in 2015, this Cheshire bloke loves to go fast on anything with two wheels no matter the conditions.
Quick Bio:
Country: Great Britain
Age: 25
Primary Discipline: Downhill
Race Highlights:
5th – UCI WC Lourdes 2015
2nd – UK National Championships 2015
3 Top Ten UCI WC finishes 2014
2nd – UCI Junior World Championships 2008
Quote:
“Absolutely buzzing for the future with GT, as you can see with this team lineup we’re going to have a lot of laughs and fun racing our bikes all while putting in the work that is needed. When there is a set up like this, there will be success for the team and for myself. I’m really excited to get these bikes on the back wheel and going flat out.”
Social Media:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/samdaleofficial/
Twitter – @Sam_Dale
Instagram – samdale90
Wyn Masters
What’s not to love about Wyn? Both a proven racer on the DH and Enduro circuits and a true performer off, Wyn is poised to create some noise in 2016. Look out world.
Quick Bio:
Country: New Zealand
Age: 28
Primary Disciplines: Downhill & Enduro
Race Highlights:
2nd – UCI Austrian National Championships 2015
3rd – Crankworx Rotorua Enduro 2015
1st – Coronet Enduro #1 2014
1st – New Zealand National Championships 2010
Quotes:
“I couldn’t be more pumped with the team line up too; Sambo, Brook the Bulldog, Jackson, Martin the Muss, Anneke, Rachel, and of course Mark and Tom! I know GT stands for Gary Turner the founder, but it’s also short for Good Times that’s exactly what 2016 is going to be, I can’t wait to get on my Fury and Sanction and become the first rider to race both the Enduro World Series and World Cup Downhill full season!”
Social Media:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wynmasters
Twitter – @WynMasters
Instagram – wynmasters
Jackson Frew
Some high schoolers travel the world to learn about history; in Jackson’s case, he makes it. After wrapping up a successful 2015 Downhill season as the number one first year Junior, Frew enters his last year as a Junior with high expectations.
Quick Bio:
Country: Australia
Age: 17
Primary Discipline: Downhill
Race Highlights:
3rd – UCI Jr. World Championships 2015
3rd – UCI Jr. World Cup Lourdes 2015
1st – Crankworx (16-18 boys) Canadian Open 2014
1st – Crankworx (13-15 boys) Canadian Open 2013
Quote:
“It’s really awesome to be given the opportunity to represent a brand as great as GT! As a junior coming into a team with riders and mechanics with so much experience is exciting! I will learn so much from my new teammates. Having raced the Fury over this past year it is a bike I can push my limits on and can’t wait to get to the first World Cup!”
Social Media:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jackson.frew
Twitter – @jacksonfrew
Instagram – Jackson_67
Martin Maes
What can’t Martin do? Coming off an extremely strong 2015, including a 2nd place finish at the UCI Jr. World Championships and 3rd at EWS Spain, the young phenom has proven himself as one of the top riders to watch.
Quick Bio:
Country: Belgium
Age: 18
Primary Discipline: Enduro
Race Highlights:
2nd – UCI Jr. World Championships 2015
1st – Sea Otter Classic Dual Slalom 2015
3rd – EWS Spain 2015
4th – EWS Whistler 2015
1st – UCI Jr. World Cup Fort William 2015
1st – UCI Jr. World Cup Fort William 2014
Four 1st Place Jr. finishes during the 2013 EWS season
Quote:
“I'm very proud to get such a great opportunity to keep working with GT for the next 3 years. GT has always been supporting me since the very beginning along Atherton Racing. The brand has done some amazing bikes over last few years and I can't wait to be involved even more on the program. I'll be very focus on all the EWS as well as a few downhill world cups and Dual Slalom. I'm stoked!”
Social Media:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MartinMaes97
Twitter – @martin_maes
Anneke Beerten
All hail the queen! The reigning Queen of Crankworx and a dominant force in Enduro over the past several seasons, Beerten is fired up to build upon her illustrious career.
Quick Bio:
Country: Netherlands
Age: 33
Primary Discipline: Enduro
Race Highlights:
Queen of Crankworx 2015…2nd place in AirDH and 3rd place in Garbanzo
Five top 5 finishes during the 2015 and 2013 EWS seasons
Seven top 5 finishes during the 2014 EWS season
Seven 1st Place finishes during the ‘14/’15 Specialized SRAM Enduro series
Quote:
“Ever since I was a little girl racing BMX I was a fan of GT. So many legendary riders like Gary Ellis, Dale Holmes and Corine Dorland were my hero's when I was a little girl racing. I remember having a poster of Gary Ellis hanging in my bedroom, and Dale Holmes gave me one of his GT World Champs BMX jerseys. In mountain biking, the list of legendary athletes who won medals on GT is endless. As you can imagine I am very excited to be part of this legendary brand, and I can’t wait to put on my jersey!”
Social Media:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/annekebeertenracing
Twitter – @annekebeerten
Instagram – anneke_beerten
Rachel Throop
After successfully proving herself within the United States Enduro circuit, this SoCal native is ready to step onto the global stage.
Quick Bio:
Country: United States
Age: 26
Primary Discipline: Enduro
Race Highlights:
4th – US Enduro National Championships 2015
Top 10 finish – Sea Otter Classic Enduro 2015
Nine top 5 finishes during the ‘14/’15 US-based Enduro Series
Quote:
“Continuing my partnership with GT into next season and being a part of the Factory Team is a dream come true! The rich history of GT's athletes in mountain biking and BMX is impressive, and I am honored to be joining the roster as a part of GT Bicycle's 2016 Factory Team.”
Social Media:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RachellThroop
Twitter – @Rachel_Throop
Instagram – rachel_throop
I was right about Wyn and Brook to GT, though!
Didn't know about Sam Dale!
Post a reply to: 2016 Racing Rumours