Iron Horse/MadCatz Racing News

Team Iron Horse/MadCatz has started the 2003 UCI World Cup season with a bang! Team riders Nathan Rennie, Sam Hill, and Jared Graves made the trip over to Europe to compete in the first two World Cup events of the season in Scotland and France.

Round one of the 2003 DH World Cup held at Fort William, Scotland on June 1 had a huge crowd turnout to see the world’s best downhillers fight it out on the UK’s highest mountain. When the smoke cleared and the dust settled, Team Iron Horse/MadCatz held two podium spots with Sam Hill placing 5th and Nathan Rennie taking 3rd.

Unfortunately, the rough and rocky course at Fort William also claimed one team rider to injury. In a crash in practice Jared Graves suffered a kidney injury that landed him in the hospital. He will be returning to Australia to recover and hopes to make it back for the Norba Series Finals and the World Championships.

For the second round of the World Cup schedule, team riders traveled to Alpe d’Huez, France. After qualifying in a strong second position, Team Iron Horse/MadCatz rider Nathan Rennie stepped his game up a notch with a first place finish. Nathan raced his Iron Horse SGS-Team bike down the course in 3:16.71 minutes with an average speed of 30.98 mph; .60 seconds over the second place finisher. This was the first World Cup victory Nathan’s career. Team rider Sam Hill finished with a strong 12th place on the fast, open course.

Nathan Rennie’s combined 3rd Place finish in Scotland and 1st Place finish in France move him into the lead of the 2003 UCI World Cup Series. Nathan carries his 31 point lead into the next round of the series at Mont Ste. Anne, Quebec on June 28/29. Team Iron Horse/MadCatz returns to Norba Series competition June 12-15 at Snowshoe, WV and then onto Mt. Snow, VT June 19-22.

Team Iron Horse/MadCatz wishes to thank our Official Team Sponsors: Maxxis Tires, Rock Shox, SRAM, Progressive Suspension, Full Speed Ahead, Hayes Brake, Hansen’s Energy Drink, Game Shark, e-thirteen, Mavic, Easton, Thomson, Ringle hubs & SDG.

Be sure to check out www.madcatzracing.com for complete info on the 2003 Iron Horse/MadCatz Pro Team!