BlackBox – SRAM’s Elite Race Development Program - 2005

BlackBox Program Mission: BlackBox race development program is the premier proving ground for new performance products. BlackBox combines SRAM's world class product development with SRAM's World Class Athletes to design and test products that help those athletes perform at a higher level.The selection criteria for BlackBox is based on an athlete’s UCI ranking, World Cup points, National Championships, their ability to progress the sport and testing capability. “It’s a very elite list,” added Jeremiah Boobar, BlackBox Program Manager, “and riders clearly understand the value of membership.”

The Program itself has grown as SRAM has grown. Avid brakes, acquired by SRAM in 2004, will take part fully for the first time in 2005. "We're excited about adding Avid. The Juicy Seven is the best hydraulic brakeset in the world and investing BlackBox resources into making it better, now that’s awesome," said Boobar.

Current Olympic and World Champion Julien Absalon (Bianchi-Agos) was chosen for the program and rides a BlackBox brakeset. His BlackBox Juicy Carbon brakes feature a carbon lever blade, stainless banjo fittings and full Titanium hardware. The benefit of these exotic materials is less weight and better performance.

Absalon most recently rode his BlackBox Juicy brakes to victory in the first Cross-Country World Cup of 2005 in Spa, Belgium. After the race Absalon stated “I was amazed by the power and performance of the new Juicy BlackBox brakes. It gave me so much more confidence on the descents.” It was the descents where Absalon said he was able to consistently gap his rivals to take the win.

Another BlackBox product is the BoXXer SOS, which was launched at this year’s Sea Otter. The SOS, or “Sea Otter Special,” was designed for pro Nathan Rennie (Santa Cruz Syndicate) and developed to work on the Syndicate’s Santa Cruz Nomad bikes. “The short travel BoXXer was designed specifically for less demanding downhill courses,” added Boobar. It's a 150mm travel BoXXer with optimal parts to reduce weight. When asked Boobar said, "We're not ready to announce the weight, yet, but it's well under 6 lbs."

The BlackBox Program’s 2005 Roster:

Men's Cross-Country	Men's Downhill	Men's Four-Cross
Christophe Sauser	Cedric Gracia	Cedric Gracia
Jeremy Horgan Kobelski	Eric Carter	Eric Carter
Jose Hermida	Gee Atherton	Guido Tschugg
Julien Absalon	Greg Minnaar	Sam Hill
Liam Killeen	Kirt Voreis
Roel Paulissen	Nathan Rennie	Progressive Riding
Thomas Frishcknecht	Renie Wildhaber	Jeff Lenosky
Women's Cross-Country	Sam Hill	Kirt Voreis
Gunn Rita Dahle	Steve Peat	Steve Romaniuk
Mary McConneloug		Timo Pritzel

Additional "Wild Card" riders will join the program throughout the year based on performance. Keep an eye out for many other BlackBox projects to launch later this season.

For additional information please contact Michael Zellmann:
Phone: 312.664.8800 ext.1367
Email: mzellmann@sram.com

SRAM is one of the world’s largest suppliers of components to the bike industry. Established in Chicago in 1987, SRAM continues to promote cycling through its products, its advocacy, and its employees, who are all dedicated to improving the cycling experience.

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