Nov 26, 2008
Specialized announced today a much anticipated decision to sponsor Team Monster Energy in 2009—home to two of the most notorious faces in downhill racing, 2X World DH Champion Sam Hill and 2006 Junior World Cup DH Champion Brendan Fairclough.
Next season, the two-man team will ride the Specialized Demo 8—the same race rig trusted by Decline Team America—known for its generous travel, patented FSR suspension, durable chassis and killer good looks. In the pre-season, Sam and Brendan will also train on the Stumpjumper FSR, Specialized’s premier XC Trail bike, along with the 4X-winning SX and P3.
Known as downhill’s man to beat, Australian Sam Hill is a 2X World DH Champion, the 2007 World Cup DH Series winner and a World Cup podium veteran, not to mention the Australian MTB Cyclist of the Year, 2004-2007. Sam has been an unforgiving competitor since he started collecting wins internationally in the U19 category, gaining more notoriety every year for being both hellishly fast and methodical about his strategy on the race course.
Sam had this to say about his decision to switch to Specialized in 2009:
“I wanted to ride for Specialized because we share the same goal and that’s to win races—they are really capable when it comes to building and testing new products and striving to be the best,” he said. “I had a good feeling about all the people there, and it's cool that everyone is into riding bikes, and they are all passionate about it. I’m definitely excited about the future and what myself and Specialized can achieve together.”
At just 20 years old, Teammate Brendan Fairclough is also no stranger to DH racing. As a former Junior World Cup DH Champion and 5X British National Champion, Brendan continues to move up the ranks at the World Cups, posing a threat to some of the sport’s most experienced athletes.
Specialized’s MTB Sports Marketing Manager Scott Sharples can’t wait to get started with the new team and bring some much-needed focus back to gravity racing.
“Sam and Brendan are brilliant riders with great track records. They are a perfect match for the Specialized suspension engineering team and their top-notch innovative bikes,” Sharples said. “Sam has a reputation for pushing his bike to the limit and ripping up the most demanding track like nobody else. Lucky for us, he’s chosen the Specialized Demo as his weapon to win back World Championship status. With Brendan also on-board, ready to regain the podium for himself, this will be an awesome combo deal.”
Keep your eyes on www.specialized.com for images of the team training on their Stumpys, jumping on their P3s and shredding on their Demos.
Known as downhill’s man to beat, Australian Sam Hill is a 2X World DH Champion, the 2007 World Cup DH Series winner and a World Cup podium veteran, not to mention the Australian MTB Cyclist of the Year, 2004-2007. Sam has been an unforgiving competitor since he started collecting wins internationally in the U19 category, gaining more notoriety every year for being both hellishly fast and methodical about his strategy on the race course.
Sam had this to say about his decision to switch to Specialized in 2009:
“I wanted to ride for Specialized because we share the same goal and that’s to win races—they are really capable when it comes to building and testing new products and striving to be the best,” he said. “I had a good feeling about all the people there, and it's cool that everyone is into riding bikes, and they are all passionate about it. I’m definitely excited about the future and what myself and Specialized can achieve together.”
At just 20 years old, Teammate Brendan Fairclough is also no stranger to DH racing. As a former Junior World Cup DH Champion and 5X British National Champion, Brendan continues to move up the ranks at the World Cups, posing a threat to some of the sport’s most experienced athletes.
Specialized’s MTB Sports Marketing Manager Scott Sharples can’t wait to get started with the new team and bring some much-needed focus back to gravity racing.
“Sam and Brendan are brilliant riders with great track records. They are a perfect match for the Specialized suspension engineering team and their top-notch innovative bikes,” Sharples said. “Sam has a reputation for pushing his bike to the limit and ripping up the most demanding track like nobody else. Lucky for us, he’s chosen the Specialized Demo as his weapon to win back World Championship status. With Brendan also on-board, ready to regain the podium for himself, this will be an awesome combo deal.”
Keep your eyes on www.specialized.com for images of the team training on their Stumpys, jumping on their P3s and shredding on their Demos.
Link to News Story for Forums and Blogs:
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126 Comments
- - 27 props
dh-joe
(Nov 26, 2008 at 9:45)
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lush sponser lush bike
not saying that specialized demo 8's are bad but with the expirience sam and bredon have im almost certain that there will be some changes in design on that bike to make it a race winner. good luck to sam and brendon.
commencal19--- me and my mates were having the exact same conversation last night. the demo is more of a freerider than a dh racer (in my opinion) but i think there will be some small changes made to make them abit more stable and pedal faster, guess we will all just have to wait and see. but congrats to sam and brendon, good work guys.
I hear that Sam's Demo is going to have the custom head angle seat angle... etc. Thbey want it to be feeling close to the Sunday they can get so he is comfortable
you guys are certain they will change a production bike? unlikly, but what will happen is they will build custom bikes for each of them just as iron horse did.
Wish these newly signed riders would curb their enthusiasm. Wouldn't want to pull something before the season starts.
i don't know how they're gonna win stuff if they have to share that bike, fairclough's got the handlebar so he'll probably be able to jump on it first.
proamrider - so they're making a prototype bike for them? well yeah, obviously, isnt that why they hired them in the first place? to develop a product?
Dude listen!! He has a custom bike for himself.His geometry!!! Like Gee Athertons bike. He has custom geomerty on it!!
how bout you all get butt hurt over 2 stupid racers(who dont give a damn about you) and their bikes.
Peter your a hater! If you don't know shit we don't want to hear about you saying anything you think! If we want to talk about bikes then we will! Why do you think a bike forum??? So shut up and don't talk shit if you ain't a rider!
sam must be getting payed SHITLOADS to ride on the specialized team! and i just hope brendan makes a good name for himself as he's one of my fav riders, and I dont want to be dissappointed! 
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Sam will kill it on the specialized. Sam will kill it on anything though. Iron Horse is down the tubes anyway. Randall Scott and Walmart.
dude you evidentally dont know shit about Ironhorse... there cut back was from randall scott and they never sold at walmart ... that was a phillipino knock off... get your shit straight... Ironhorse is one of the best bikes on the market and will be until they lose there DW link in 2010... Sam and Brendan Anticipated the move of the DW link to Specialized that is why they are with them now!! f*ckin stupid people I swear!
This is demo 7, because has ete 216mm rear shock, not 222mm like demo 8 and beaers for pipe for front gearbox on the underside of the frame! 
look better
look better
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Truelooks a bit of hillbilly there,
Doesnt matter how he looks hes not a super model, but he is a super rider
Doesnt matter how he looks hes not a super model, but he is a super rider
He had a cleft pallet (not 100% sure on the spelling) when born so not an "inbred", "hillbilly" or "ugly" you the kind of people who point at disabled people in the street and laugh at them ????
Brendan is a top bloke and rider and I think he should be looked up to for over coming what he has gone through when young and being in the public eye pretty much all of the time.
Plus you want to have a look at his mrs.......one word.....hot!
I wish him and Sam all the best for the 09 season, its going to be nuts.
Brendan is a top bloke and rider and I think he should be looked up to for over coming what he has gone through when young and being in the public eye pretty much all of the time.
Plus you want to have a look at his mrs.......one word.....hot!
I wish him and Sam all the best for the 09 season, its going to be nuts.
I didnt know about the cleft pallet (or what ever its called), as if i did then obviously i wouldnt joke about it. But the point i was making was that i dont give a shit how he looks, because his riding speaks for itself!
yeah seriously. it not like he can really help how he looks. he's one hell of a rider and thats really all that matters
my clame to fame is...
i was on the back of brendans cousins motor bike and some w##ker done a uturn on a motorway in front of us.
the police said we hit them at 50mph.
i hit the roof with my leg and flew about 50ft through the air.
Brendans cousin Dan, got up and dragged the driver out of the car and smashed his face in.
Dan had a broken color bone, broken arm, broken foot, 6 broken ribs, collapsed lung and a ruptured spleen.
so if brendans anything like his cousin, i think he's gona be a tough cookie to beat...
i was on the back of brendans cousins motor bike and some w##ker done a uturn on a motorway in front of us.
the police said we hit them at 50mph.
i hit the roof with my leg and flew about 50ft through the air.
Brendans cousin Dan, got up and dragged the driver out of the car and smashed his face in.
Dan had a broken color bone, broken arm, broken foot, 6 broken ribs, collapsed lung and a ruptured spleen.
so if brendans anything like his cousin, i think he's gona be a tough cookie to beat...
"He had a cleft pallet (not 100% sure on the spelling) when born so not an "inbred", "hillbilly" or "ugly" you the kind of people who point at disabled people in the street and laugh at them ????
Brendan is a top bloke and rider and I think he should be looked up to for over coming what he has gone through when young and being in the public eye pretty much all of the time."
Spot on - respect the young bloke, you bunch of dumb ignorant muppets
Brendan is a top bloke and rider and I think he should be looked up to for over coming what he has gone through when young and being in the public eye pretty much all of the time."
Spot on - respect the young bloke, you bunch of dumb ignorant muppets
just wanted to say you guys on this site looking for a date, why even bother commenting on how someone looks, you must have stumbled across this site looking for porn, get a life
"He had a cleft pallet (not 100% sure on the spelling) when born so not an "inbred", "hillbilly" or "ugly" you the kind of people who point at disabled people in the street and laugh at them ????
Brendan is a top bloke and rider and I think he should be looked up to for over coming what he has gone through when young and being in the public eye pretty much all of the time."
Agreed.
Brendan is a top bloke and rider and I think he should be looked up to for over coming what he has gone through when young and being in the public eye pretty much all of the time."
Agreed.
i got say the demo 8 is a nice setup but i prefer the demo 7
yeah some of you may not agree but the 7 feels nicer
maybe i just stay with my hardtail
yeah some of you may not agree but the 7 feels nicer
maybe i just stay with my hardtail
yes yes and yes, finally spec. has a great Dh team, am even more proud to ride my demo 8 now, great call guys!
*throws up*
""I wanted to ride for Specialized because we share the same goal and that's to win races""
HAHAAH No theres only one specific goal for Specialized here.. Make even more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
""I wanted to ride for Specialized because we share the same goal and that's to win races""
HAHAAH No theres only one specific goal for Specialized here.. Make even more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Not really, they're at a point where just wanting to make money won't do themselves any good. It takes more then that to make a successful company.
Specialized are already successful but now that they have Sam and Brandon... The only reason they've have both those guys has been covered in numerous forums, In this day and age it all comes down to the mighty dollar!!
Thats pretty much the goal of every bike manufacturer, u cant make bikes if ur losing money by doing so...
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i work at a specialized concept store so i heard rumors of this a long time ago, ive been waiting, idk why they have them pictured standing next to the demo I and not the demo II,
this is gonna be tight!!
this is gonna be tight!!
Stupid f£ck, it's one of their custom made bikes. The color doesn't mean it's a demo 8 1, besides look at the other spec and you'll see it's not a demo 8 1. Cheers
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lush paint job on that rig! soooooo much nicer than another popular big brand that look like they got a new rave 12year old to color thier bikes with crayons!
ha ha..how did you know?! nice bikes just a shame the womens bikes got more manly pain jobs!
target maketing i guess?
target maketing i guess?
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Nor Cal companies FTW
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Sam is the best there is right now, fairclough is still reaching full potential. Both great assets for specialized, they should of signed steve smith, hes gonna be the next sam hill or greg minnar
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i'm sure he looks fine riding his demo, he would on any bike.
the bikes just aren't the best dh suspension. but if a kona can win the world championship then it pretty much proves any bike can.
i'm also sure he wouldn't love riding a stock demo 8. even once thay tweak the angles how he likes them, it won't perform like a sunday. you'd have to ride them back to back.
the bikes just aren't the best dh suspension. but if a kona can win the world championship then it pretty much proves any bike can.
i'm also sure he wouldn't love riding a stock demo 8. even once thay tweak the angles how he likes them, it won't perform like a sunday. you'd have to ride them back to back.
fail bro. u cant say any suspension design is better than the last coz they all work differently and have different pros and cons. thers no sayn a demo will perform better than a sunday. they are different bikes, thats that
i didn't say the demo will perform better than the sunday? theres now way that a demo, with the weight of two rear ends can react to bumps as fast as a bike with lighter suspension components. yeah i know they're all different, but thats one of the most important parts of a suspension design.
they could duplicate the angles completely and the suspension still wouldn't work as well
they could duplicate the angles completely and the suspension still wouldn't work as well
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Sam Hills hat is so cool - where can I get one? Or is it one of those team only exclusive hats. Anyway, definitely two to watch next season.
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Holly smokes would you look at that, when i said 3 months ago they would be riding specialized everyone laughed at me.. guess i was wrong hey
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nice bike , good riders...perfect combinations...hoping that sam can be piloting demo just like he did on sunday.....
For those saying the Demo is a freeride bike (i.e. ragdoll): The Demo 7 is the freeride bike, the Demo 9 is the big hit (black diamond) bike. The Demo 8 has been reviewed as one of the best DH race bikes on the market, http://www.bikemag.com/gear/bikes/10-14-08-tested-specialized-demo-8-ii/index.html I can't wait to see Sam Hill rip DH runs on the Demo 8, 2009 will be a great season!
yeah, by the magazine that gets heavy advertising dollars from specialized. those bikes are turds. turds don't slide downhill very fast
PREDICTION! Sam will not finish in the top 3 in 2009, Thanks big "S" its a bad mix freeride bikes/ DH racers. this unholy pairing will cause sam to fall from Glory.
youll wait youll see Demo has been called a freeride bike caause people are using it for freeriding ... it will do such as good as a iron horse, commencal, turner or any other brand .... not to mention it has one of the most unique and succesfully developed construction & susp. ;]
Demo has been called a freeride bike caause people are using it for freeriding ... it will do such as good as a iron horse, commencal, turner or any other brand .... not to mention it has one of the most unique and succesfully developed construction & susp. ;]
you mean. stupidly designed suspension. anyone who thinks adding extra weight to the swingarm of a bike for no good reason but to lower the center of gravity is retarded. seriously. the heavier the swingarm is the less reactive the suspension is to the ground. it's one of the most important parts of designing a dh race bike. what do you think the honda bike was about. light swingarm and no drivtrain hanging off the back of it to weigh it down.
demo's are turds
demo's are turds
i can believe peoples are calling demos DH race bikes, there not, they never were, spesh even advertising them at inter bike ect as freeride bikes... and to the people who seem to think that hill is going to rip the same on the spesh as he did on the sunday, check out the sea otta results, he rolled in 65th!!! that race has most of the normal WC riders at it most of the others seemed to do well...
Congrats to both riders and specialized and all the best for the coming season..... now lets ride our bike and stop yapping like girls.....
I think if pinkbike knew how pathetic some of the comments would be, they wouldnt post the news stories. At the end of the day, they post them to keep us informed remember. Good luck to the boys, specialized are a big enough outfit, and have always been up there with the best, so dont need my good luck wishes, but i offer them anyway! (who knows they might send me a demo foc)! Lastly ive watched Mr.Fairclough ride in britain for years, and was always impressed, but havent seen sam ride, But hopefully will soon. Best wishes.
too bad there are people that still belive that riders in the WC circuit ride bikes that we find in stores. my God grow up! You can clearly can see that Sam's bike is nowhere near stock. He's got a Demo 8 with 1.5 head tube, the frame has no shuttle and the shock is bolted directly to the frame. YES the demo is a great bike but it's made for the normal buyer that rides in weekends and in his free time and it's perfect the way it is. For these guys it's different story. They ride FAST...REAAAL FAAAAASSST!
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i love that monster energy cap that the guy in the first photo is wearing.. its so friggen awesome!!
does anybody know where u can get 1?
does anybody know where u can get 1?
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Darren berrecloth,matt hunter,rafael Alvarez,kyle strait and now sam Hill and Brendan Specialized has the best riders of the world.Plus their bikes are cool.
did anyone read Fairclough's comment on page58 of the latest issue of dirt mag? WOW he must be realy inteligent
ugh it all feels so wrong to me. sam should be on a sunday. i imagine sam on a black and green bike. and i always associate monster energy's team with ironhorse. i personally feel sam is going to do worse this year and am very confused as to why he would switch from ironhorse. the sunday is a beautiful race machine.
K f*ck, everyone is switching teams, Steve Smith to Evil, Sam and team mate goign to specialized, i bet the next thing will be steve peat going to CCM
haha like what the f*ck
haha like what the f*ck
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Is it just me, or does that bike look huge. Anyway, it doesn't really matter what bike these lads are riding, they've still got the Monster crew behind them, and they'll continue winning and ripping apart the field.
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