Easton Wheels: The Choice of the Best Off-Road Athletes 2

Easton Wheels: The Choice of the Best Off-Road Athletes
Effort to test new technologies in the heat of competition results in better wheels and components for all types of riders.

(Scotts Valley, Calif., Jan. 19, 2010) Easton Cycling has announced their support of the sport’s top teams and riders including the Lapierre International Team, Kona Clump and Trek-Brentjens Racing Team. New Zealand’s Sam Blenkinsop, already with a long list of podiums and even a World Cup victory under his belt, will join riders like Bart Brentjens, a multi-time Olympic gold medal winner, World Cup victor, World Champion and Cape Epic legend as they train and race with Easton’s support throughout the coming season. Greg Watts will fly the flag for Haro in slopestyle and freeride events on Easton wheels.

“Working with leading athletes across multiple disciplines allows us to develop quality feedback on a consistent basis around our products and helps push our development process farther and faster than would otherwise be possible,” shared Tom Larter VP of Easton Sports. “Our riders chose Easton in order to have access to cutting-edge technology and wheels that will take them to the top step of the podium.”

Teams relying on Easton Wheels Include:

Team La Pierre International
Easton's unrivaled Havoc DH wheels will be ridden by 10-time world champion Nico Vouilloz and 21
year-old World Cup sensation Blenkinsop on the new Team Lapierre International. Based in France, the
new squad also features Sam Flockhart, a rider that finished 15th overall in the 2009 Maxxis Cup despite the handicap of being just 16 years-old. Team La Pierre International will look for victory aboard Easton wheels and components in World Cups, French Cups, the Sea Otter Classic, Crankworxs, Enduro Series, and various national and international championships.

Team Lapierre International will also feature a cross-country squad that includes leading French athletes: French U23 National Champion Alexis Vuillermoz, back-to-back French National Champion Cécile Ravanel and perennial World Cup threat Cédric Ravanel. More information on the Team Lapierre International can be found at http://www.lapierre-bikes.co.uk/lapierre/news/New-Lapierre-International-Team-308.html

Kona Clump
The definitive freeride team, the Kona Clump will boost and roost on Easton Havoc wheels and
components. In its 10th year, the Clump is bringing back 22 year-old Paul Basagoitia, one of the most
celebrated slopestyle riders ever. Paul B. will be joined by founding Clump rider and supreme road
warrior John Cowan. Spanish show stoppers 19 year-old Andreu and 22 year-old Lluis Lacondeguy will
keep Cowan and the rest of the Clump on their toes with cutting-edge tricks and off-the-bike antics.
Filling out the Clump is Kamloops’ Graham Agassiz and UK dirt jumper Grant Fielder. More information on the Kona Clump can be found at http://www.konaworld.com/teams.cfm?content=clump

Trek-Brentjens Racing
Dutch cross-country legend Bart Brentjens and his eponymous Trek-sponsored cross-country squad will
chase wins in Marathon events on the new Haven wheelset and provide valuable feedback as Easton
develops the next generation of cross-country race wheels. Pushing the 42 year-old Brentjens through
another season of round-the-world racing will be a hand-selected team that includes Aussie Chris
Jongewaard, Dutchmen Frank Beemer and Jelmer Pietersma, and Belgian Tim Wijnants. Look for
Brentjens and company to feature prominently in the world’s most difficult marathon races including
South Africa’s Cape Epic. More information on the Trek-Brentjens racing team can be found at:
http://www.mountainbikeracingteam.com/en/riders

Haro/Greg Watts
Haro-sponsored 22 year-old, 2009 Crankworx Slopestyle champion Greg Watts will head out for a
season of freeride and slopestyle competitions aboard Easton’s Havoc and Havoc DH wheels. Watts calls Santa Cruz, California home, making him an invaluable resource for pushing Eaton prototypes way past the limit.

Easton will continue to report on the success of its sponsored riders and update the world on new
technologies and products via http://www.eastonbike.com; and on Twitter
http://www.twitter.com/eastoncycling

About Easton Cycling:
Founded in 1922, Easton Sports, Inc. is focused on the design and manufacture of innovative, high performance sporting goods. Today, Easton Cycling delivers a range of carbon, aluminum and scandium
bike products to OEM bike manufacturers and consumers, providing category-leading performance and
value. In 2010 Easton Cycling will supply wheels and components to a number of the world’s best athletes in the road, mountain, track, triathlete and cyclocross disciplines.