Giant Bicycles Canada announces 2003 DH team

Giant Bicycles Canada announces 2003 DH team.

Vancouver, B.C. - January 30 th, 2003 - As Giant Bicycles increases its market share within North America, it seems both Giant U.S. and Giant Canada are responding with increased promotional plans. Following suit to Giant U.S.’s announcement of an industry leading race team, Giant Canada has again signed on the who’s who of the Canadian downhill circuit.As Giant’s race program director, I am pleased to bring together such a talented group of athletes. Not just in riding skill and ability, but just as equal in knowledge and experience. Undoubtedly, Giant Canada’s 2003 downhill team will enjoy just as much success as last season, but we now have some of the most knowledgeable riders in Canada to help us with R&D as well as product testing.

New to the team for the 2003 season is Eric Goss. Eric is a recent transplanted rider from Eastern Canada, now living in Vancouver, British Columbia. At only 22 years of age, and in one season, Eric has catapulted himself to the top rungs of riders in Canada. With a string of top five Canadian National series finishes, tremendous fitness and a flowing style look for Eric to become one of the new rising stars to break out of the Canadian mountain bike scene.

Returning to the team is 2002 Canadian National team member Brant Lyon. At only 23 years of age Brant has established himself as one of the countries top riders, this past year Brant missed winning the National Championships by one placing as he came second to Giant U.S. rider Dustin Adams. Rumours going around right now are that Brant Lyon could be the next Canadian rider to hit the Norba series with a bang! Maybe with Brants rigorous new off-season training program, full of plyometrics, weight lifting, road riding and dirt jumping sessions there could be some truth to the rumours going around?

Leon May, ranked 4 th overall in the Canadian National series, is also returning to Giant Canada for the 2003 year. With scaled back racing efforts for Leon this year, he will only be racing events within Western Canada for Giant, we should expect Leon to have no jet-lag, be well rested and in perfect form for the events he competes in during 2003.

Giant is again pleased to re-sign long time downhill rider and 2002 Canadian National team member, Rob Hewitt, to the team roster. Rob’s focus will be split on racing and filming for the 2003 season, you can see Rob in action as he floats over a three-pack of 60 foot gap jumps in the upcoming Kranked 5 mountain bike video. The release date is set for this April 12 th. We have already arranged a few more filming segments for Rob and you should expect to see bigger and better things for all the 2003 videos Rob films in.

With Giant Bicycles forming a strong North American front, comprising of new team riders and new team colours watch for Giant Bikes to be winning races both in Canada and the U.S. for 2003.

Giant Canada’s downhill team will be competing in Canadian National series races, North American World Cups as well as Norba National races.

Confirmed 2003 Team Sponsors: Maxxis Tires, TroyLee Designs, Smith Optics, NRG Enterprises, Sram drive train, Hayes Brakes, Luck Shoes, Idun and Manitou Suspension.

Yours truly,

Sean Jenkins.
Race Program Director.
Giant Bicycles Canada Inc.
Email: sjenkins@shaw.ca
Website: www.giantbicycles.com