GT News http://www.gtbicycles.com/bel/eng/News GT Bicycles is always trying to stay in touch with its customers. Through press releases, news articles and special events, GT Bicycles prides itself on customer service, awareness and communication.Choose articles that you wish to read by clicking on the items below. © 2008 GT Bicycles 5 Dillsy from Down Under
Hey guys,

I've been home in Australia for a week now and I'm lovin' it.  Riding every day and sweating like crazy ha ha. I'm heading to a king of dirt comp this weekend just by my house, gonna hang out with some mates  and just chill. I'm definitely not ready for a comp and I'm not even gonna try to ride, but it will be good to catch up with some blokes. Here is a pic of me from the weekend in Beenleigh. It was very hot this day, hence the shorts and no shirt.  Hope everyone has a happy Holiday and I'll hit you guys up soon!

Dillsy ]]> http://www.gtbicycles.com/bel/eng/News/Details/2972-Dillsy-from-Down-Under 2972-Dillsy-from-Down-Under 12/17/2008; Cyclocross National Champions
My season is finally over! This past weekend I wrapped up the 2008 season at the US Cyclocross National Championships in Kansas City, Kansas. This is the second year in a row cross nationals have been in Kansas and I have to say it hasn't been very good to me either year.


The weather this year was much warmer then last year for most of the weekend. It rained a bit earlier in the week but by the time our race rolled around on Sunday afternoon the mud had dried up but the ground was still soft. It was like riding around on a sponge. The temperatures also plummeted on Sunday afternoon from sixty degrees at 9am to twenty degrees when we started at 1:30pm. Burr.
 

I had a good start and made the lead group for the first half of the race. I even took a flyer in the beginning but was brought back. Midway through the race Trebrone attacked and bridged up to Driscoll and Anthony who had about ten seconds on the group. That was the last anyone would see of Trebone as he rode away for the win. I spent the rest of the day in fifth place but got passed by Timmy J halfway through the last lap and had to settle for sixth.

The fan turn out was great, especially considering the sub freezing conditions. There were over 2,000 participants through out the weekend of racing, which suggests cross racing is still growing here in the US. In addition to the excitement of the race there was some other excitement as well.

Two riders got in a fistfight on the course after colliding in a crash. Both of the riders have been known to do some sketchy riding so I'm not sure who's fault it was and I only heard it second hand, I didn't actually see it.


There was another fight after the race between Jonathan Page's mechanic and some fans that were heckling him. Meg, Louis and I had a front row seat to the carnage as they trampled over a bunch of Richard Sachs bikes right in front of our pit. No on seemed to get hurt but it was interesting. I guess cyclocross fans are very passionate about the riders.


I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all the support they've given me this year. In addition, as you all know I will be switching teams for 09 and just wanted to say it has been a pleasure working with everyone. It has been a great adventure and I appreciate everything you have done for me.


See ya at the races….
Todd Wells

]]> http://www.gtbicycles.com/bel/eng/News/Details/2971-Cyclocross-National-Champions 2971-Cyclocross-National-Champions 12/15/2008; Wells Battles the Mud at the USGP Finals!
USGP 5 and 6 Race Report

This weekend was the USGP of Cyclocross finals in Portland, OR. I had a slim lead heading into the weekend, which meant I got to wear the sweet white leaders jersey. Champion Systems even made me a custom all white skinsuit for the race. White is a hard color to keep clean but it's really hard at a cross race in Portland in December.


We had great weather for the race on Saturday. It was sunny and fifty degrees. The course was a bit slick since it had rained earlier in the week. It was made up of two main parts, a motor cross track and grassy sections next to the PIR motor speedway. There was also a quarter mile of asphalt and oh yea, one giant puddle that was about a foot deep made sure we were covered with mud after only a few minutes of racing.


I had an off day and could manage a fifth place. I was with Jesse Anthony when we hit the finish straight but didn't have anything for him in the sprint. If I could have won the sprint I would have kept the leaders jersey for one more day but I lost it by one point.


Sunday proved to be the opposite of Saturday. It was still fairly warm with temperatures in the upper forties but it was pouring rain. The course turned into a complete muddy mess. The motocross track had huge puddles over the axles and that was the fast part to ride because it was hard underneath. The rest of the course was a mix between peanut butter and splatter mud. The organizers also threw in a run up to make the race even harder.


My race was much better on Sunday as I made the lead group right from the gun. Trebone and I managed to get a small gap on Tim Johnson but I couldn't hold his pace and slipped away from the lead by the mid point in the race. From there I rode a time trial in second place keeping Tim around ten seconds for the rest of the race as Ryan opened up the lead to over thirty seconds by the end.


Race Notes: Portland has the craziest fans we see all year. I don't think I see that many people dressed up in costumes in Durango even on Halloween.
Louis did a great job in the pits this weekend. On Sunday I was swapping bikes just about every lap because the mud was so heavy. It was his first time doing bike changes and they were perfect.


This was the last race before Nationals in Kansas City next weekend. Last year we raced in the snow and the forecast for this year shows it's a possibility again. It should be another muddy race.


Thanks for your support,

Todd ]]> http://www.gtbicycles.com/bel/eng/News/Details/2970-Wells-Battles-the-Mud-at-the-USGP-Finals 2970-Wells-Battles-the-Mud-at-the-USGP-Finals 12/8/2008; GT BMX Team ABA Grand National Report
GT PARTICIPANTS:


Randy Stumpfhauser:

AA Pro - R.O.C.: 7th
AA Pro - Grands: DNQ

Even though Randy wrapped up the NBL National Title a couple of months ago, and wasn’t in the hunt for the ABA Title, he came to Tulsa ready to show the rest of the AA class that he’s still “the man” in BMX.  He was one of the fastest riders in practice and seemed to have the track down pat.  He killed it in the motos, the quarter final and the semi final.  Next up was the main event where he and teammates Mike Day and Joey Bradford were all there representing GT.  Unfortunately for Stumpy, he got a late start and had to fight just to stay on the track and finish in the seventh spot.  At the Grands event, he had THE WORST THREE MOTOS in a row of his 2008 season.  When all was said and done, he didn’t qualify for the quarter final and was left to cheer on his teammates from the side lines, hand out GT stickers and sign tons of autographs for the fans all around the arena.  It’s been our pleasure and our honor to have Randy on the GT BMX Race Team for the last five seasons.  We wish him all the best in 2009.  



Mike Day:

AA Pro - R.O.C.: 5th
AA Pro - Grands: 2nd

The 2008 Olympic silver medalist had a really good weekend here at the ABA Grands.  As is always the case, he was the best rider in practice and had the track completely wired.  He was getting good gate starts and had good pull down the first straight.  The most impressive thing was when he got behind any other riders, it was only a matter of time before he would pass them.  It brought the crowd to their feet nearly every lap.  He was hot at the Grands race and looked like a solid bet to take it all in AA.  Going into the third round of the mains, Mike was only two points out of first.  After the huge pro section, he was in third and needed to get to first in order to take the overall for the day.  He got by David Herman (Intense) down the third straight and had his sights set on Kalin Young (Haro).  As they raced down the last straight, the entire crown was on it’s feet as Mike nearly made the pass at the line.  It was a good run and an impressive performance for Day, as he finished the weekend with second overall.  Nice Job Mike!



Joey Bradford:

AA Pro - R.O.C.: 2nd
AA Pro - Grands: DNQ

Joey is really riding well lately and surely looks to be on top of the heap in AA Pro very soon.  He was no doubt THE FASTEST guy through the huge pro section this weekend and was looking to get the first AA pro win of his career.  At the Race of Champions on Friday, JB was straight up on fire and was seriously looking for the win.  In the final, he grabbed the early lead out of the gate, but bobbled at the first jump and dropped back to second.  Through the third straight rhythm section, Joey had the smooth move put on him by current ABA < pro, Danny Caluag (Intense) and found himself in third.  Not to worry, as it didn’t last long.  Even quicker than he got passed, Joey put the move back on Danny and passed him before the finish to end the race in the number two spot.  Way to go Joey!



Eric Rupe:

Vet Pro – R.O.C.: 8th
Pro Cruiser – R.O.C.: 6th    
          
Vet Pro - Grands:  5th (semi)
Pro Cruiser - Grands  DNQ


Big Daddy was looking the best he has in almost a full year since his face breaking crash last January.  He did pretty well on Friday at the Race of Champions event as he made the Vet Pro main.  That main didn’t go so well, but just being IN the main these days is a pretty good accomplishment.  During the Grand Nationals, he won one of the motos and got cheer from the crowd as he crossed the finish line for doing so.  It’s nice to see that the spectators appreciate and respect what it takes to win at the Vet Pro level, especially at age 45. Eric finished fifth in his semi final, but actually turned in his best lap time of the weekend in the process.  Back in January the doctors told Eric that it could be up to a year for him to feel 100% normal again after the crash he had and it looks as if that time is right about here.  Look for Big Daddy to be back to full speed real soon.  



Jill Kintner:

Olympic Bronze Medalist ABA Bonus Recipient:


Jill was on hand this weekend at the ABA Grands in Tulsa to receive a bonus check from the ABA for winning the Bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics in August.  She recently had knee surgery, so she wasn’t able to race, but it was good to see her out at the races anyway.  The ABA honored Jill with a nice size bonus check and even had her do a few autograph sessions for the fans.  All in all, she was well received by the crown, as they honored her and celebrated her accomplishment in China.  Way to go Jill !!

 
The GT team sponsors include: Kenda, Shimano, Sun Rims, Fly Racing, OGIO, SDG, RSP Products and Champion System.

]]> http://www.gtbicycles.com/bel/eng/News/Details/2968-GT-BMX-Team-ABA-Grand-National-Report 2968-GT-BMX-Team-ABA-Grand-National-Report 12/1/2008; Todd Wells takes another victory in Iowa CX Race
Jingle Cross Rock Race Report
 
The mid west is becoming a hot spot for cyclocross. I was in Wisconsin earlier this year for the Mad Cross event and this weekend I was back again, this time to Iowa for the Jingle Cross Rock Race.


Jingle Cross is one of my favorite cross races of the year. The people are really friendly, the course is cool and it’s pretty easy to get to from Durango. Usually. This year I took a tour of Colorado via the air on my flight from Durango to Denver. It usually takes one hour and on Friday it took five hours since Denver had bad weather. We had to reroute to Grand Junction and refuel twice.


I made it to Iowa City in time for my clinic on Friday and it went great. We had about thirty riders and everyone seemed to have a good time. It is a great venue for a clinic since there is a little bit of everything. The course has the biggest climb we do all year with a set of barriers in the middle, a sandpit, death spiral and plenty of other obstacles. I think the coolest part is the Christmas lights and music playing in the barn we ride through. The spectators dress up and they even had a band playing this year.


Saturday’s race went really well, my brother Troy and I got a gap after a crash in the first two minutes of the race and we stayed away until the end. Troy out sprinted me but if I have to get second there is no one I would rather have won.


Saturday’s race was sunny and dry but it started snowing that night and by Sunday the course had turned into a muddy mess. It was thirty-four degrees, really windy and snowing. The course turned into a slippery mess and it was a mission just to keep it upright. I managed to get a gap in the middle of the first lap and extent my lead through out the race to take the win.


Race Notes:
This weekend we had the hottest podium girls of the year. They had strapless dresses with high heels and they were colder then I was standing on the box on Sunday in the snow.


Zero Traction premiered on Saturday night at the host hotel. ZT is a video about last year’s cyclocross National Championships and had some great footage of the epic conditions.


Finally, I did my first autograph signing session in a library. That’s right we had the number pickup in the host hotel library on Friday night complete with a fireplace and reading area. These cross events are really stepping it up.
Next weekend is the final USGP events of the season out in Portland. It should be another muddy one.


Thanks for your support,
Todd Wells

]]> http://www.gtbicycles.com/bel/eng/News/Details/2967-Todd-Wells-takes-another-victory-in-Iowa-CX-Race 2967-Todd-Wells-takes-another-victory-in-Iowa-CX-Race 12/1/2008; Mike Day Takes second at the ABA Grands!
GT's Mike Day battled against the worlds fastest racers at the American Bicycle Association's Grand Nationals in Tulsa Oklahoma and brought home a 2nd place! This is a tremendous result as the ABA Grand's is one of the biggest races of year. Look for a more detailed report to follow on the rest of the GT Bicycles BMX team at the Grand Nationals.   
 
The GT Bicycles BMX Team is proudly sponsored by Kenda, Shimano, FLY Racing, OGIO, SDG, Snap BMX Products and Sun Ringle
]]> http://www.gtbicycles.com/bel/eng/News/Details/2964-Mike-Day-Takes-second-at-the-ABA-Grands 2964-Mike-Day-Takes-second-at-the-ABA-Grands 11/30/2008; Mike Day Wins ABA Golden Crank Award for 2008 "Pro of the Year" !!
Mike Day  Wins ABA Golden Crank Award for 2008 "Pro of the Year" !! ]]> http://www.gtbicycles.com/bel/eng/News/Details/2963-Mike-Day-Wins-ABA-Golden-Crank-Award-for-2008-Pro-of-the-Year- 2963-Mike-Day-Wins-ABA-Golden-Crank-Award-for-2008-Pro-of-the-Year- 11/26/2008; Dillsy Throwing Strikes

Hey guys,


Been pretty slow over here for me.  I had a mate over from Australia for 2 weeks, and he just left today.  Time to get some stuff done.  I have been riding again.  Just cruising around, though.  Not getting crazy.  I go in for surgery on Friday to get the wires taken out of my elbow.  I’ll probably be off of my bike for about 10 days after that, but my arm’s going to feel a lot better without that hardware in it. 


I got to Cali next week to shoot a (Fuel TV) Daily Habit.  It’s going to be me and Ryan Biz Jordan doing it.  Should be really fun. 


Then I head back to Australia on the 8th of December to the nice summer over there.  I plan on getting super strong for next year.  No more injuries!


Here’s a pic of me doing one of my fav things.  Get strikes!


Dillsy

]]> http://www.gtbicycles.com/bel/eng/News/Details/2962-Dillsy-Throwing-Strikes 2962-Dillsy-Throwing-Strikes 11/26/2008; Todd Wells' GT GTR Type CX

Sticking with the tried-and-true for the current USGP leader

By James Huang


Two-time national cyclo-cross champion Todd Wells (GT) is adopting a familiar formula for the 2008 season with his GT GTR Type CX 'cross machine.

In the past, Wells had used a custom frame built by GT just for him but the company incorporated the model into its lineup last year - apparently the XL-sized production model is exactly the same as what the two-time Olympian competes on each weekend...read more

]]> http://www.gtbicycles.com/bel/eng/News/Details/2961-Todd-Wells-GT-GTR-Type-CX 2961-Todd-Wells-GT-GTR-Type-CX 11/25/2008; Wells Takes Podium in NACT Cyclocross Series

Long Island NACT UCI  Race Report  


This weekend was the final round of the NACT cyclocross series. The race was in the Hamptons out on Long Island. The Hamptons are known as a vacation spot for the rich and famous during the summer but in the winter the place shuts down and it’s perfect for cross.


The East coast was in a deep freeze the whole week and by the weekend it wasn’t getting above freezing and the winds had picked up to 20-30 mph sustained off the ocean. Saturday’s race was the coldest I have done in a long time. It took me a little while to warm up and get going. By the time I made it up to the main group Ryan Trebon had got a good gap and we were relegated to racing for second place. We managed to whittle the chase group down to two riders by the last lap. Jeremy Powers and I sprinted for second place but he got the best of me and I had to settle for third place.


Sunday was a better day for me. The winds died down to 15 mph and the temperature topped out at 33 degrees which was about five degrees warmer than the previous day. I had a much better start and by the second lap Powers and I were off the front together. I attacked the entire race since powers had a teammate in Jamie Driscoll chasing and wasn’t doing much work. With two laps to go I thought I had one more big attack in me and was hoping to get rid of Powers so I didn’t have to sprint with him again but I didn’t need to. He flatted going off the pavement and I was able to cruise in for the victory.


Race Notes: I didn’t do many of the NACT series races but I still managed to take the final podium spot for the series. When I finished the race on Saturday I had ice on my eyebrows and hair. The racecourse was totally different than the previous weekend in NJ. We didn’t need to change bikes at all and I don’t think there was one muddy piece of grass on the whole course.


Next weekend it’s two more races in Iowa. I’m hoping my toes which I might have broke after slipping on a wet piece of plastic grating will be better by then.


Thanks for your support. 

]]> http://www.gtbicycles.com/bel/eng/News/Details/2960-Wells-Takes-Podium-in-NACT-Cyclocross-Series 2960-Wells-Takes-Podium-in-NACT-Cyclocross-Series 11/23/2008; Brad Huff of Jelly Belly Cycling Team wins Stage 5 of Tour of Hainan in China
Huff Does the Double
CyclingNews.com
By Steve Thomas in Danzhou
 
USA's Brad Huff of Team Jelly Belly took stage five honours in today's 171-kilometre stage of the Tour of Hainan. The 29-year-old Colorado-resident sprinted home in Danzhou to take his second stage victory of the race in yet another bunch sprint.

Read the Entire Article, "Duff Does the Double".
]]> http://www.gtbicycles.com/bel/eng/News/Details/2958-Brad-Huff-of-Jelly-Belly-Cycling-Team-wins-Stage-5-of-Tour-of-Hainan-in-China 2958-Brad-Huff-of-Jelly-Belly-Cycling-Team-wins-Stage-5-of-Tour-of-Hainan-in-China 11/17/2008; Todd Wells has great CX weekend!
USGP Cyclocross  3 and 4 Race Report:

This past weekend saw the USGP series return to racing in Mercer, NJ. It also marked the first races of the year for me, which involved serious pit crew work and completely trashed bikes.


The weekend started off with flight delays for everyone heading east due to a strong storm that was pounding the Northeast on Thursday and Friday. The weather didn’t dampen the number presentation at Knapp’s Bike Shop on Friday night. Saturday the skies cleared for the race but the damage was done; the course was a muddy mess. It looked like someone had a tractor pull around the entire park and that was our racecourse.


The race went well for me on Saturday. I was with the leaders midway through the first lap but lost some time in the pit and never saw Johnson again until after the race. I did spend most of the day riding with Trebone. Well I chose to grind through most of the slop and he chose to run. He would gap me off on the uphill running sections and I would catch him on the faster riding sections. I finally got rid of him towards the end and soloed in for second.


The second day Timmy J couldn’t start because of a knee problem he acquired the day before when he ran into a stake. It’s too bad because so far the USGP has seen a different series leader at every event and he has been flying lately.


I had a great start and got away with Jeremy Powers on the first lap. Most of the boggy sections were only ride-able on the extreme edges along the tape. I crashed a few times getting caught in the tape and that allowed my brother Troy to come across to us. As soon as he caught us he attacked and when Powers couldn’t respond I bridged across. We rode together for most of the race and I was able to get a small gap on him on the last lap to take the win and the overall series lead in the USGP.


I have quite a few race notes so here goes: 

My brother had his best UCI/USGP race ever this weekend and if he had a better start probably would have won.
The mechanics were so busy in the pits we were changing twice a lap or about every four or five minutes. They had to wash bikes in the near-bye lake because the four pressure washer lines were so crazy. My dad and the guys from Bernie’s Bikes did a great job.


I did take the USGP series lead this weekend but with the best five out of six races counting everyone will have a throw out by the second day in Portland. If you look at it that way there are about four of us that are pretty much tied on points so it should be an exciting finish to the series. 


This week I’m staying with my family in N.Y. before heading to Long Island next weekend for the last two UCI races of the NACT series. I’ll be spending most of the week getting the Mercer course out of my bike. 


Thanks for your support,

Todd Wells

]]> http://www.gtbicycles.com/bel/eng/News/Details/2959-Todd-Wells-has-great-CX-weekend 2959-Todd-Wells-has-great-CX-weekend 11/17/2008; Huff wins Stage 3 in Hainan Tour
Huff Ends Shpilevsky's Roll
CyclingNews.com
By Steve Thomas, with additional reporting from Marian Rosenberg in Haikou

Schpilevsky stays in yellow, but Huff got the stage
American track specialist Brad Huff of the Jelly Belly team took the honours on today's stage three of the Tour of Hainan. The former Team Slipstream rider hammered his way home in the race's third consecutive bunch finish to edge out race leader, and winner of the first two stages, Boris Shpilevsky of Russia.
 
Read the Entire Article, "Huff ends Shpilevsky's roll"

]]> http://www.gtbicycles.com/bel/eng/News/Details/2957-Huff-wins-Stage-3-in-Hainan-Tour 2957-Huff-wins-Stage-3-in-Hainan-Tour 11/14/2008; Cast Off!
Hey guys,

So finally again I am out of my cast and on the road to recovery.  It
feels good to be moving again and close to being back on my bike.  This
injury wasn't as bad as the others, but it will take a few more weeks of
recovery.

I am excited to head home to Australia on the 8th of December for around
4 months.  I plan on doing a lot of riding in the summer heat and try to
get some filming done for some upcoming videos.  I don't really plan on
doing many contests while I'm back there, but will definitely be hitting
the BMX Games which have relocated to Melbourne this year.

Look to see some new riding stuff from me soon!

Dill$y

]]> http://www.gtbicycles.com/bel/eng/News/Details/2956-Cast-Off- 2956-Cast-Off- 11/12/2008; Kevin Aiello and the Fury Make Their Debut!
 
For most, the 2008 MTB race season is over and the off-season training has begun. Part of the off-season training regimen is participating in one-off events that serve as a snack to appease the competitive appetite of the racers until the next race season officially kicks off. Mongoose Bicycles front man and cycling legend Eric Carter has long been involved with course design and has worked behind the scenes of some big-time events. A long time dream of Eric’s was to conceive and run events by racers for the racers and the first step on the path to fulfill his dream came in the form of the 1st Annual Hillbilly Downhill at Vail Lake Resort in Temecula California. The event was a huge success from the christening of the newest downhill course in California to the après ride festivities that will be talked about until next years event. The Hillbilly DH race is destined to be a must attend event for all MTB gravity enthusiasts.
 
GT Bicycles newest team rider, Kevin Aiello, made the short drive out to Vail Lake to put in some ride time on the hottest new DH bike on the market, the full carbon GT Fury. There has been quite a bit of buzz about both Kevin and the GT Fury since the Interbike show. Both are new to the pro MTB scene and everyone is excited to watch both bomb down DH courses in 2009. Well a lucky few got to watch Kevin and the Fury blaze down the Temecula foothills.
 
After a sunny and warm day practice on Saturday the competitors had to deal with windy and cold conditions on Sunday keeping everyone on their toes running to grab their jackets. The newly cut race course would serve as a challenge for all as the dry, sandy conditions were catching even seasoned veterans off guard. Kevin has been training and working hard coming into the race and as the youngest competitor in the Pro division he had his work cut out for him. Kevin ride clean and solid and earned a very respectable 3rd place against some of the best down hillers in the US.
 

Kevin will now be training and testing on the GT Fury to get ready for his virgin run at the UCI World Cup series in 2009. Keep an eye out for more updates on these two new exciting additions to the GT Bicycles line up.     

 

GT Bicycles is proud to be sponsored by:
SRAM, Kenda, Champion Systems, Sun/Ringle, Fly Racing, SDG, Ogio, Kore and ethirteen

]]> http://www.gtbicycles.com/bel/eng/News/Details/2955-Kevin-Aiello-and-the-Fury-Make-Their-Debut 2955-Kevin-Aiello-and-the-Fury-Make-Their-Debut 11/9/2008; Wells Takes 2nd at Boulder Cup UCI Cyclocross Race
This weekend was the famous Boulder Cup cyclocross race up in Boulder,
CO. Boulder has to be one of the most athletic towns in the country and
that means great crowds for cyclocross races.

Saturday's race was held at the goat head strewn Boulder reservoir
course. The course had 3 big sand sections, plenty of gravelly corners
and fast hard pack sections. Pre-riding the course on Friday I got two
flat tires in five minutes from the goat heads. Louis made sure my race
wheels had Stans in them before Saturday and I didn't have any problems
in the race.

The race went well and from the start it was Trebon, Powers, Baker and
Johnson in the front group.  It blew apart towards the middle of the
race with Trebon, Johnson and I getting a sizeable gap. With one lap to
go I attacked and held off Trebon and Johnson for my first cross win of
the season.

Sunday's race was at Harlow Platts Park in South Boulder and the crowds
were huge. This race draws as many spectators as Portland and may be
second only to Nationals. The course is almost all grass with two sand
pits, plenty of corners and some short climbs and descents. It was
another perfect Colorado fall day with temperatures in the mid seventies
and plenty of sunshine.

This race went much like the one the day before. Johnson, Trebon, Powers
and I rode together for a few laps before we gapped Powers and it was
just the three of us again. We all took turns attacking and getting
small gaps until Johnson made his move stick when he caught back on to
us with two laps to go. When he attacked neither Trebon or I could
respond and I had to settle for second.

These two races in addition to being stand alone cross races were also
stop five and six of the North American Cyclocross Trophy series. This
is a new series for 2008 and it's great that we have another series in
addition the USGP. I have next weekend off then it's out to N.J. for the
second round of the USGP.

Thanks for your support. ]]> http://www.gtbicycles.com/bel/eng/News/Details/2953--Wells-Takes-2nd-at-Boulder-Cup-UCI-Cyclocross-Race- 2953--Wells-Takes-2nd-at-Boulder-Cup-UCI-Cyclocross-Race- 11/5/2008; 2009 MTB Team Announced
Bethel, Conn. – October 29, 2008– GT Bicycles today announced the new 2009 GT mountain bike team.  The team is gravity focused and consists of DH connoisseur Marc Beaumont from the United Kingdom and the young and promising DHer Kevin Aiello from southern California.  Swiss rider Roger Rinderknecht and Aussie Luke Madill will be riding 4X and BMX and freerider Tyler McCaul round out the team.

Marc “Slugger” Beaumont, the wily downhill ace out of Craven Arms, England, is one of the most consistent and respected World Cup racers on the circuit. The 24 year-old Beaumont has proven his consistency over the last few seasons making him a front runner to be on any World Cup podium. Another factor in Marc’s success is that he is a protégé to another UK DHer and former GT superstar, Steve Peat. After starting off the 2008 season with an injury, Marc is now getting back up to speed and will be doing full throttle testing on the new GT carbon DH bike… the Fury.

Kevin Aiello is just 17 years-old, but he has already tested out his skills on the World Cup circuit.  Kevin has dominated the Fontana, California series in Downhill and 4X as well as winning a few west coast NORBA races.  Kevin will also be testing the new GT carbon Fury. 

Roger Rinderknecht has been on the World Cup circuit for a few years dominating both 4X and BMX courses.  Roger won the silver medal in 4X at the 2008 World Championships and his recent and most prestigious accomplishment was competing in the 2008 Olympics! 

Luke Madill has primarily focused on BMX racing in the past, but this year Madill will compete in both BMX and UCI SX races, as well as MTB 4X races on the World Cup circuit.  Luke represented Australia and GT Bicycles in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and took third place in 4X at the UCI World Cup in Canberra.
 
Tyler McCaul has certainly come out of the shadow of his older brother Cam.  Not only has Tyler proven himself on the dirt jumps, he’s been holding his own on the DH race course as well.  Look for Tyler in 2009 to be killin’ it on the new GT Fury. 

“We are certainly excited and proud to have such great athletes on our team moving forward,” said Sarah Ostermeier, Sports Marketing Manager for GT Bicycles. “We’ve got a great combination of talent for 2009 which certainly solidifies GT Bicycles commitment to our brand and to the sport.”

The team’s schedule for 2009 includes; hitting all of the World Cup races, some select American races, Crankworx, UCI SX Racers and a few others in between.  Keep an eye out for the new GT Bicycles team and check for updates on www.gtbicycles.com.

GT Bicycles is part of the Cannondale Sports Group Division of Dorel Industries (TSX: DII.B, DII.A).

About GT Bicycles:
Built on its race-proven performance products, GT Bicycles has been designing technologically advanced bikes in the road, mountain and BMX categories since 1973. For more information about GT Bicycles, please visit www.gtbicycles.com.

Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX: DII.B, DII.A) is a world class juvenile products and bicycle company.  Established in 1962, Dorel creates style and excitement in equal measure to safety, quality and value. The Company’s lifestyle leadership position is pronounced in both its Juvenile and Bicycle categories with an array of trend-setting products.  Dorel’s powerfully branded products include Safety 1st, Quinny, Cosco, Maxi-Cosi and Bébé Confort in Juvenile, as well as Cannondale, Schwinn, GT, Mongoose and SUGOI in Recreational/Leisure.  Dorel’s Home Furnishings segment markets a wide assortment of furniture products, both domestically produced and imported.   Dorel is a $2 billion company with 4600 employees, facilities in seventeen countries, and sales worldwide. 

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]]> http://www.gtbicycles.com/bel/eng/News/Details/2952-2009-MTB-Team-Announced 2952-2009-MTB-Team-Announced 10/29/2008; USGP of Cyclocross Kicks off in Louisville

This past weekend I was in Louisville, KY for the first two rounds of the USGP of cyclocross. The last time I was in Louisville was my junior year in high school for the NBL BMX Grand Nationals, another bike race.

The weekend started off soggy with temperatures in the low 50s and plenty of rain on Friday afternoon. The sky cleared by the evening and Saturday’s course, which was on an old golf course, was fast and tacky by the time we raced at 3pm.
 
I had a rough start but managed to make my way up to the chase group by the end of the race that contained Powers, Johnson and my brother, Troy. Jesse Anthony and Trebon were already long gone but we were racing for third on the last lap until my brother attacked and Powers took out Johnson and me in a corner resulting in Johnson’s leg getting stuck in my frame. I managed 5th on the day but at least I didn’t get injured in the crash.

Day two I got a little better start and was in the lead group until Johnson attacked. I pulled the chase group all day long containing Jesse Anthony, Matt Shriver, and Jeremy Powers. Tim kept his lead, and I could only manage 4th in the sprint for 2nd through 5th. Not the best weekend but it was definitely fun getting back out on the circuit. The number presentation on Friday night was the biggest I have ever been to at the USGP. The race had the usual costumes out on the course with people dressed up as everything from gorillas to Roman warriors. I can’t wait to see what people are dressed up as next weekend in Boulder.

Thanks for your support,

Todd

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Haven't heard much of Dave Dillewaard this year?  That's because he's been sidelined with injuries since early February, but check out VitalBMX.com for an update on Dave by his good mate Colin Mackay.

(Photo courtesy of Colin Mackay and Vitalbmx.com)
]]> http://www.gtbicycles.com/bel/eng/News/Details/2950-With-a-Little-Help-from-his-Friends 2950-With-a-Little-Help-from-his-Friends 10/25/2008; ABA Fall Nationals Results
GT Participants:

Joey Bradford:

AA Pro Friday:     DNQ

 AA Pro Saturday:    DNQ

AA Pro Sunday:                 DNQ

After just getting back from the UCI SX race in France, Joey was ready to try his hand at some ABA AA Pro racing.  He was really looking good in practice, with strong gates and fast first straight pull.  If it hadn’t have been for the fact that he unclipped down the first straight 8 out of 12 times in the motos and semis over the weekend, he just might have been able to give the winners a solid run for their money in the mains.  He’s so fast and so strong for a young kid.  He really has a bright future ahead of him.

Eric Rupe:
Vet Pro Friday:    DNQ
Pro Cruiser:    7th


Vet Pro Saturday:   DNQ
Pro Cruiser:     6th    


Vet Pro Sunday:   DNQ
Pro Cruiser:    5th


Big Daddy Rupe was looking pretty good this past weekend at the ABA Fall Nationals.  With a stacked Vet Pro class all looking for the win, Rupe would really have to be on the gas just to be in the finals.  As it turned out, he was placed in the harder of the Vet Pro heat races and did his best to get in the top four each time for a shot at the mains.  It didn’t happen any of the days, as he just missed the cut each time.  He did manage to ride well enough in the Pro Cruiser class and make those mains each day.  He was right in the mix down the first straight on day two and three in the finals, but sixth and a fifth was the best he would do.  Not too bad, considering that the oldest guy in Pro Cruiser that weekend, was twenty two years younger that Rupe. 

The GT team sponsors include: Kenda, Shimano, Sun Rims, Fly Racing, OGIO, SDG, RSP Products and Champion System.

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