Santa Cruz launches its Syndicate
Santa Cruz Bicycles has announced the formation of Santa Cruz Syndicate, a mountain bike team comprised of top athletes in gravity racing, street, urban, free ride and ultra-marathon. The team's goal was to transcend the usual idea of a factory team and have athletes represent the bicycle manufacturer across the globe.
"It makes more sense for us to have athletes that will race in the top events in the world and participate in street and free-ride events, festivals and contests", said Rob Roskopp, owner of Santa Cruz Bicycles. "We feel this format is better for us than a standard factory race team, with X number of downhill and cross-country racers."
Riders will be allowed to sign individual sponsors for personal items, such as clothing, goggles, helmets and shoes. Riders with individual clothing sponsors will be flying them in Syndicate colours, and have all Syndicate sponsors on their jerseys. The equipment package will be provided by Santa Cruz Syndicate, and will be identical for all riders.
Leading the Santa Cruz Syndicate is current World Cup Downhill Champion Nathan Rennie from Australia, whose main goals are to repeat as World Cup Champion and win a World Championship. Joining Rennie is American Kirt Vories, who will be racing all major gravity events and still continuing with his successful All Ride program.
Young Americans Cameron Zink and Henry O'Donnell, both 17 years old, are waiting in the wings and eager to move to the senior ranks. Zink (whose free-riding was for the Santa Cruz backed Superheroes team in 2003) will be splitting time between the two disciplines, allowing him to develop his racing and free-riding skills, the latter of which will still be in conjunction with the Superheroes Team. O'Donnell is the reigning Junior National Downhill Champion.
Marathon rider Mark Hendershot will be competing in various ultra-distance events, including Sea Otter, National Series, and the 24-hour solo World Championships in Whistler, Canada, while 2003 team member Johnny Waddel, who will be sitting out the 2004 racing season, will travel with the team and assist in operations relating to racing and technical expertise.
Santa Cruz Bicycles has announced the formation of Santa Cruz Syndicate, a mountain bike team comprised of top athletes in gravity racing, street, urban, free ride and ultra-marathon. The team's goal was to transcend the usual idea of a factory team and have athletes represent the bicycle manufacturer across the globe.
"It makes more sense for us to have athletes that will race in the top events in the world and participate in street and free-ride events, festivals and contests", said Rob Roskopp, owner of Santa Cruz Bicycles. "We feel this format is better for us than a standard factory race team, with X number of downhill and cross-country racers."
Riders will be allowed to sign individual sponsors for personal items, such as clothing, goggles, helmets and shoes. Riders with individual clothing sponsors will be flying them in Syndicate colours, and have all Syndicate sponsors on their jerseys. The equipment package will be provided by Santa Cruz Syndicate, and will be identical for all riders.
Leading the Santa Cruz Syndicate is current World Cup Downhill Champion Nathan Rennie from Australia, whose main goals are to repeat as World Cup Champion and win a World Championship. Joining Rennie is American Kirt Vories, who will be racing all major gravity events and still continuing with his successful All Ride program.
Young Americans Cameron Zink and Henry O'Donnell, both 17 years old, are waiting in the wings and eager to move to the senior ranks. Zink (whose free-riding was for the Santa Cruz backed Superheroes team in 2003) will be splitting time between the two disciplines, allowing him to develop his racing and free-riding skills, the latter of which will still be in conjunction with the Superheroes Team. O'Donnell is the reigning Junior National Downhill Champion.
Marathon rider Mark Hendershot will be competing in various ultra-distance events, including Sea Otter, National Series, and the 24-hour solo World Championships in Whistler, Canada, while 2003 team member Johnny Waddel, who will be sitting out the 2004 racing season, will travel with the team and assist in operations relating to racing and technical expertise.