2011 Team News: Part Deux

January 24th, 2011

By Factory Jackson in Features

It has been almost 2 weeks since the last ‘Teams’ update and thus far very little has surfaced, but rest assured we have had our ear to the ground waiting for whispers or even mentions of who’s riding what and for whom. Although we are still waiting on some big news to drop, here’s a little run down of what has popped up over the last fortnight and as usual, no press release regurgitation here, oh no.

Monster Energy/ Specialized and Renthal

Firstly we have today’s press release and probably the most significant so far. Coming from British handlebar and dirt bike component manufacturers Renthal, who have signed a multi year deal with the mighty Monster Energy/ Specialized Team. This deal proves that Renthal are serious about mountain biking and getting involved with a major race team is a good sign of more to come. Having the MX market pretty much wrapped up, it’s great to see another manufacturer seeing the potential of mountain biking, after all, if you’ve got the Pro Circuit team you might as well get the equivalent in MTB right?

Why is this so important? Well firstly it is evidence of both Renthal and Specialized having a continued investment in both downhill racing and their involvement with a factory race program. It also shows that last years bullet proof team line up of Sam, Brendan and Troy will once again be representing one of the slickest race teams out there. With all three coming into the 2011 season healthy and hungry for competition, the Monster Energy/ Specialized team could be out for total domination in 2011.

Another Monster Energy Athlete for 2011..

Only the worlds number one freerider, winner of the 2010 Rampage, Crankworx Slopestyle and the guy who won the FMB tour overall. Who am I talking about? Cam Zink let the cat out of the bag late last week posting his latest acquisition for all to see on Twitter and Facebook.

How sick is that helmet!

Cam Zink’s career has been like a roller coaster of injury and set backs, but after what can only be described as an awe inspiring year in 2010, Cam is coming into 2011 with some sweet new sponsors and some titles under his belt. You can keep up with Cam on Twitter here and get the news as it happens! Were also waiting on Cam’s interview to come back, so stay tuned for that one too!

Kovarik Racing

Thats a big, mean looking logo that just screams KOVARIK! Chris and Clare are back in 2011, but with a new direction. After so many years traveling the world cups they have decided to have a chilled out year and explore new pastures closer to home.

Racing is still on the agenda, but with a new direction focussing on coaching other riders and attending media events within the mountain biking industry. Once again they will be supported by the ever present Intense Cycles, Marzocchi, Unit Clothing, Smith Optics, Five Ten, E13, THE, Evolution and Strand Training and picking up new sponsorship deals with Nukeproof, Race Face and LD Designs.

If your interested in coaching by two of the most experienced racers around, head over to KovaikRacing.com for details.

More Lapierre Stuff!

Most of you will have seen the images of the sweet bikes and kit Lapierre are rolling out for their factory team, keeping Blinky and Cam looking pretty pimp at the world cups this year. They have also recruited former Team Manager of the Lapierre Playbiker team and a man all too familiar with New Zealanders, Romano Favoino, to aid them as their ‘Race Consultant’. Not sure what that entails but it sounds like they’ve got a another good guy on board. Also joining the team is new mechanic Andy Ward.

Not only is the new Pendbox bike a real looker, they then go to town on the ‘factory’ graphics and race kit! All highly approved of at Factory Jackson.

The Lapierre team could well upset the usual Monster, Syndicate and Atherton presence on the podium, Cam’s back and healthy and showed real promise in 2010 and Blinky, well he hasn’t slowed down since he learned to ride a bike. Can April just hurry up!!!

What and Who are we waiting for?

Well, I’m still intrigued as to who will be on the MS-Evil team apart from Brook Macdonald and what ‘that’ new bike will look like. It’s also still ‘rumor central’ with regards to where we’ll be seeing Steve Smith this year. Were still to hear anything from the Atherton camp too, no news might be good news, but that’s never the case in mountain biking, it usually means there sat on something we need to know!

The amount of remaining teams yet to announce their roster is also a good sign that deals are still being finalized. Why is this important? Well there is still some unsigned talent out there, riders who really need hooking up and getting on the tour for 2011.

More news when it surfaces!

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