Canberra, Australia (January 28, 2009) - In just his first race as a Nema factory rider, Jared Graves captured the 2009 Australian National 4X title! After a 4-year drought, Graves was overjoyed to have recaptured this title.
“I haven’t won one [in 4X] since 2005,” said Graves. “I was a touch late on the gate, but I got the gas down and just really tried to rider smooth with elbows wide!”
Graves’ win strengthens his chances at claiming the World Championship 4X title later this summer on this very course!
Graves followed up his stellar performance in 4X by claiming Silver in the downhill event. Graves narrowly missed the DH title, by three-tenths of a second, to Mick Hannah.
For more information on Nema, please visit www.nemamtb.com. For additional information on Jared Graves, visit his personal website at www.jaredgraves.net.

4X Results
1. Jared Graves [NEMA]
2. Sam Willoughby
3. Ryan Henderson
4. Luke Madill
DH Results
1. Mick Hannah
2. Jared Graves [NEMA]
3. Amiel Cavalier (tie)
3. Ben Cory (tie)
5. Rick Boyer

Photo: Damian Breach

VANCOUVER – January 29^th, 2009 - Race Face Components Inc., one of North America’s leading producers of high-end mountain bike components, apparel and protection, is proud to announce the signing of pro shredder Mike Kinrade to the team. Using Race Face’s Atlas FR cranks, high performance clothing and a brand new line of protection, the Kinradical one will be crushing it well into 2010.

“We’re delighted to have Mike on board” says Race Face’s Julian Coffey. “Kinrade has ridden Race Face components for many years, and given his progression, we definitely felt it was time to take things up a notch! Mike has a history of really pushing the boundaries, and for us that’s always a great fit. In addition to shredding with the best, he’s also a super classy guy with a fantastic work ethic and initiative. Add in the never ending onslaught of ideas and product feedback and you’ve got a winning combo – great for new product development as well as for the Race Face brand in general.”

The resurgence of big mountain meets slopestyle riding couldn’t be timed better. Kinrade, a veteran of the extreme scene, is the only rider to compete in all five Red Bull Rampage events. Years of building gnar in the high alpine led to a very convincing 4^th place at the 2008 Rampage, and 2009 is shaping up to be a banner year for the man who was homegrown in Nelson, BC.

Known for building remote but incredibly sick lines, Mike also has a sharp eye for film and imagery in general. His experience behind the camera lens as well as in front of it provides him with some very unique insight into how to produce the best results from film and photo shoots. Video, especially online, has been a large part of Race Face’s history, and will be an even bigger part of the component manufacturer’s upcoming campaigns in 2009. Keep an eye out for some exclusive footage of Kinrade and other Race Face riders in the very near future.

“Representing Race Face is a big honor for me” says Mike. “These guys have been pushing mountain biking for a long time now. Back when every other component company thought there was no point in making the gear and components that are mandatory with today’s riding, Race Face was behind us all the way.

Years ago I used to watch riders put pop can shims in their cranks so they could keep using them, but the Race Face North Shore FR cranks never had problems. This was 10 years ago, and things have only gotten better. Riding for them is like being a part of history, I’m stoked, what more can I say!”

Just a couple more days for the early cows to get the best of the hay, salt lick and water trough and —the early entry fee discount that is!

Entry fees for the Cowbell Challenge Marathon Mountain Bike Race go up by $10 on Sunday, February 1^st. We’re doing our part to keep prices low for the races this year, so please take advantage of the early registration price while you can.

We’re back at Fisher Farm Park in Davidson, NC  for the 2009 Cowbell Challenge Race Weekend.  The Marathon race will run on Saturday, June 20, with an anticipated start time of 10 am. And thanks to Kenda Tires, the Official Tire of Cowbell Challenge 2009.

“A Race Weekend” you ask?  And we answer “Yep” (that’s Southern for “holy cow”).  On Sunday, June 21,  you can be a part of the first ever Cowbell Summer Solstice XC Race, part of the US Cup Mountain Bike Series, presented by Specialized and featuring the Kenda Cup East.  There’s a category for everyone—the kids all the way up to the masters, beginners to pros. And like all of our races, we’re offering equal cash payout to top three Pro men and women.

Sign up before Sunday at Sports Base Online and get the best deal of the racing season!

Register for the Marathon

Register for the Cross-Country

And visit www.cowbellchallenge.org for all the details and updates

www.kendausa.com/bicycle/bicycle.html

source: taylor sullivan

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Berkeley, CA – In a joint statement today, GU Energy Labs and Carmichael Training Systems announced a new partnership beginning in January 2009. Under the terms of the multi-year agreement, GU will become the Official Nutrition Supplier for Chris Carmichael and Carmichael Training Systems, the coaching choice of Tour de France and Ironman World Champions as well as amateur and professional athletes around the world.

The two companies will work together to maximize opportunities to educate athletes in proper sports nutrition. GU, the market-leading energy gel manufacturer, will provide products to all CTS coaches, camps and clinics from their growing array of performance sports nutrition offerings. These include original GU Energy Gel, Roctane Ultra Endurance Energy Gel, GU2O Electrolyte Drink and the soon-to-be-launched Chomps Energy Chews. Chris Carmichael and his talented team of coaches will endorse GU products as a part of their camps, clinics and individual coaching services.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to bring our premium sports nutrition products to a wider audience,” commented Holly Bennett, GU’s Senior Marketing Manager.

Bennett added, “We’ve long been fans of Chris and his CTS programs, and believe we share the core value of wanting to deliver the best products and services available to all athletes, from World Champion pros such as Craig Alexander to first-time marathoners or century riders. CTS focuses on customizing personal coaching plans that serve everyone from the weekend warrior to the world class professional. It’s a perfect fit. We couldn’t be happier.”

Chris Carmichael, founder of CTS and a former professional cyclist himself, was equally enthusiastic about the new arrangement. “It’s important to us that our partners share our commitment to quality and performance, values which have propelled our growth as a world-renowned one-on-one coaching service. We’ve gotten to know the GU product line and the team behind the scenes, and we’re convinced they offer the best nutrition solutions for athletes.”

About GU Energy Labs

GU’s original Energy Gel was launched in 1994 in Berkeley, CA. To this day, GU remains the market share leader and the premium gel available to endurance athletes. GU’s product line is designed to provide athletes with scientifically-proven, performance-tested nutrition.

For more information about GU, log onto www.GUenergy.com.

About Carmichael Training Systems

Founded in 2000 by Olympian, US Olympic Committee Coach of the Year, and bestselling author, Chris Carmichael, Carmichael Training Systems (CTS) inspires and empowers the athlete in every body to perform at their best. For more on Carmichael Training Systems and its approach to fitness, nutrition, and health, go to www.trainright.com.

source: Jim Rutberg

Australian National Championship, Canberra, Australia

This past weekend, Mick Hannah took home top honors by winning the Elite Men’s Downhill event. Hannah finished first with authority, winning both the Elite Downhill qualifying as well as the final round.

This would be Mick’s last competition on his Mongoose Boot’r. He will race on GT bikes for the balance of the 2009 calendar using the new GT Fury full carbon downhill bike. Hannah raced on SRAM X.0 shifter and rear derailleur, RockShox® 2010 BoXXer® World Cup and VividTM suspension, Avid® ElixirTM R brakes, and Truvativ® Holzfeller® OCT cranks.

Stromlo Forest Park, located in Canberra, Australia, hosted the Australian National Championships. The 2.2 mile track will also be home to the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike Championships in September.

www.sram.com

At the request of Freeride Foundation’s founder, Jackie Baker, Gene Hamilton announces a women only BetterRide downhill camp. This will be the same as the camp featured in Decline Magazine in 2008, but in a supportive, non-judgmental atmosphere of an all-women’s course.

The all women’s camp is Feb. 27-March 1 at Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City, NV and already has 5 of 7 spots filled so register soon.

With over 18 years of coaching experience including 12 years coaching mountain biking, Gene knows how how to get you riding at your best.  A licensed USA Cycling Expert Coach whose career highlights include coaching many top pro racers (Lynda Wallenfels, Chris Van Dine, …) top junior experts  (Naish Ulmer, Parker Worthington, …) and 100’s of riders who just want to get better.  He is passionate about coaching, riding and helping others reach their goals.  A pretty good racer too, in 13 seasons as a pro racer he has won a Silver (2002) and two Bronze Medals (2006, 1999) at the UCI World Masters Championships. All mountain bike clinics, camps and private lessons are guaranteed to improve your riding or your money back.

For more information and rider reviews visit www.betterride.net or email Gene at betterride@gmail.com

About Freeride Foundation: We love shopping for riding gear, but we hate wasting time trying to find the products we love. Freeride Foundation is our answer to the cycling industry’s lack of a comprehensive women’s downhill and freeride store. We race downhill, ride cross country, spend hours at dirt jumps, BMX tracks, and pump tracks. We know how important it is to feel comfortable in your clothes and gear when you’re standing in the starting gate, because we’re probably next in line.

About Jackie Baker: Freeride Foundation’s Founder, Content Creator, Buyer, Customer Service Representative, well, you get the idea. In between shipping products and ordering new ones, Jackie races pro downhill for Giant, WTB, Fox Shox, Smith, Crank Brothers and Giro. Until establishing Freeride Foundation, Jackie’s kit rarely matched.

For more information on Freeride Foundation visit: http://www.freeridefoundation.com

source: Gene Hamilton

Stunt Biker Jason Britton Widens Mainstream Audience for US Cup

Huntington Beach, CA - January 14, 2009 - - Speed channel TV Star and motorcycle stunt king Jason Britton will perform a stunt show, guest announce, and shoot a segment of his popular TV show SuperBikes at the Fontana leg of the US Cup on March 28 and 29th. Jason joins motorcycles converts Johnny O’Mara and Ben Bostrom as part of Sho-Air International’s efforts to reach to the mainstream while promoting the sport of Mountain Biking in the US.

source: Steve Boehmke