Kyle Strait Signs With Specialized

Kyle Strait has signed a contract with Specialized today that will see the gravity prodigy riding their frames throughout 2004 with the option to continue riding their bikes through to the end of 2006, at least. Kyle, who turns 17 later this year, is very excited about his new deal that puts him at the head of Specialized's new surge into the gravity arena.“Specialized has such an amazing history. They were building a name in racing before I was born! To be at the head of their next serious venture in gravity racing is a huge thrill for me, and also humbling to be wearing the same big red logo as names like Palmer, Voreis and so many others have before me, it's very cool. Plus, Specialized have now got a great name in freeride so to be joining that program and my friend Darren (Berrecloth) will be another highlight of my time ahead with Specialized."

Kyle, who's other major sponsors are Oakley, Redbull and Fox Shox, will have a complete schedule of Downhill and Free ride events for 2004, inlcuding regular events like Sea Otter Classic, Red Bull Rampage, the NORBA series and the full World Cup circuit. The Oakley/Red Bull rider also recently had his NORBA licence upgraded from junior expert to Pro Elite so he will contest the NORBA and World Cup races as an elite rider, but of course will race the US Nationals and World Championships as a Junior, for another two years. His driver's licence isn't too far away either!

Kyle will be riding the much talked about Demo 9 in his downhill events, and some of his free ride events.

"Even since I saw the Demo 9 in real life, at Interbike last October, I knew I had to ride it. Then as soon as I test rode it earlier this month, I knew I had to race it. It's an incredible bike and I know I'll be able to get the kind of downhill results I'm chasing this year, on that bike."

Kyle has carefully selected his competition components for this year. His other key sponsors for 2004 are: SRAM, 661, Bombsell Rims, Easton, Profile Racing, Hayes Brakes, SDG Seats, Chris King Headsets, MRP Chainguides, Bell Sports, ODI, and SST.



Schedule:

April 15 – 18
Monterey, California, USA
Sea Otter Classic.

May 1 – 2
Pontevedra, Spain
International Maxxis Cup #2
May 7 – 9
Lisbon, Portugal
Red Bull Downtown Street Race

May 13 – 16
Sonoma, California, USA
NORBA Series # 1

May 20 – 23
Big Bear, California, USA
NORBA Series # 2

May 31 – June 6
Fort William, Scotland
UCI WORLD CUP # 1

June 7 – 13
Sestriere, Italy
UCI WORLD CUP # 2

June 14 – 20
Schladming, Austria
UCI WORLD CUP # 3

June 21 – 27
Quebec City, Canada
UCI WORLD CUP # 4

June 28 – July 4
Calgary, Canada
UCI WORLD CUP # 5

July 26 – August 1
Schweitzer Mountain, Idaho
NORBA Series # 5

August 2 – 8
Aspen, CO, USA
NORBA Series # 6

August 16 – 23
Durango, CO, USA
NORBA Series # 7

August (To be Conf.)
Boston, USA
Red Bull Bike Battle

September 6 – 12
Les Gets, France
UCI World Championships

September 13 – 19
Livigno, Italy
UCI WORLD CUP # 6

September 23 – 26
Mammoth Lakes, CA, USA
US National MTB Championships

October (To be Conf.)
Virgin, Utah, USA
Red Bull Rampage