Trek C3 Project Takes FMB Factory Team Title

Trek doubles up as Brandon Semenuk takes the FMB Diamond Series title and C3 Project wins the FMB Factory Team Championship.


For 2014, the FMBA introduced the all-new FMB Factory Team ranking. Just like the FMB Diamond Series, the title was anyone’s for the taking. After a full season of FMB Diamond Series stops, Trek rider Brandon Semenuk emerged victorious. While this year saw the Canadian athlete take his third FMB World Champion title, he is not alone in his celebrations. Collectively, the Trek C3 Project has taken the first ever FMB Factory Team Championship title. You can take a look at the final standings here.


The performance of the Trek C3 Project team featuring, Brandon Semenuk (CAN), Brett Rheeder (CAN), Cam McCaul (USA) and Tom Van Steenbergen (CAN) has rewarded them with the first ever FMB Factory Team title. The main focus this season was on the battle between Semenuk and Rheeder as they fought to the last line and kicker for the FMB World Championship.


Cam McCaul, the legend that he is, attended fewer events but certainly made his mark by showing support and offering advice. The youngest member of the team, Tom Van Steenbergen had fire in his eyes this year. He was probably hoping for more, but a mid-season injury kept him off his bike until the final, Red Bull Rampage.


We caught up with team manager Andrew Shandro to find out more about Trek’s winning FMB season.

You must be proud of the boys. Was it a tough season this year?
Ya, always stoked to see the crew compete for the wins but more importantly help progress the sport, which undoubtedly Brandon and Brett did in Slopestyle this season. It's always a tough season on the riders the expectations they put on themselves to compete and win and staying healthy is very hard.

Was there any tension between Brett and Semenuk this season?
Brandon and Brett have a huge amount of respect for each other as riders and competitors. I would not call it tension I would call it healthy competition.


Riders say that once you ride the Ticket – you never go back. What is so special about the frame?
What makes the Trek Ticket and Ticket S so good is the fact that the bikes were developed 100% with our riders and the Trek engineers. The bikes are exactly what Brandon, Brett, Cam, R-Dog and Tom ask for. There is also constant communication between the team, engineers and the development group. If one of the riders asks for something specific that they feel will help benefit them, then the development crew makes it happen.


Canyon and Specialized were looking strong this year – did this make you a bit nervous?
No it did not make me nervous, I knew with the FMB Diamond Series being the main focus, our crew would step up and be in the running for the overall.

What do you think about the FMB Factory Team ranking?
I think what's most important is seeing the best riders in the world competing at the highest level which we saw numerous times this season. Obviously stoked for Brandon and Brett on an unreal contest season, the team overall is a bonus.


FMB Factory Team Ranking – recap
When the FMBA announced the news of a new FMB Factory Team ranking and the information about team riders was released. The forums clearly favored Trek C3 Project. However it was not until later in the season that Trek pulled back to take the win, leaving their fans in a cold sweat for a while.

Canyon Factory Freeride Team led the standings with solid victories and podiums by Thomas Genon, supported by Anton Thelander and Peter Henke. Mid-way through the season, the Specialized team moved into first thanks to team riders Martin Soderstrom, Nicholi Rogatkin and Darren Berrecloth. Heading to Red Bull Joyride, Canyon and Specialized were weakened due to rider injuries. This is when Trek C3 Project began climbing the ranking. Morpheus rider, Anthony Messere also had a great season and while his efforts helped place Morpheus second overall, they could not overtake the all-star team who leaped ahead in the rankings. The YT Industries team went relatively undetected throughout the season but Yannick Granieri was steadily stacking up the points and Cam Zink sealed a tied third place factory team result with his epic performance at Red Bull Rampage.

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