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Santa Cruz Syndicate (23/12/03) :
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Comprised of top athletes in gravity racing, street, urban, free ride and ultra-marathon, Santa Cruz Syndicate is anything but a typical factory racing effort.
“Our goal was to assemble a group of athletes that would travel the world riding and racing under the Santa Cruz banner, in all facets of mountain biking”, said Rob Roskopp, owner of Santa Cruz Bicycles. “It makes more sense for us to have athletes that will race in the top events in the world and participate in street and free-ride events, festivals and contests”, added Roskopp. “ We feel this format is better for us than a standard factory race team, with X number of Downhill and Cross-country racers.”
One of the details that sets Santa Cruz Syndicate apart from standard teams are that all riders are allowed to sign individual sponsors for personal items, such as clothing, goggles, helmets and shoes. Riders with individual clothing sponsors will be flying them in Syndicate colors, and have all Syndicate sponsors on their jerseys. The equipment package will be provided by Santa Cruz Syndicate, and will be identical for all riders.
DSD (Derin Stockton Design), a Temecula, CA based company, will handle all organizational operations for Santa Cruz Syndicate. DSD operated the ITS/Santa Cruz team in 2003. Derin Stockton, owner of DSD said the new direction is “a reflection of how our sponsors want to spend their marketing dollars and what they need in return to commit sponsorship”. “Allowing members to sign certain personal sponsors is the best of both worlds for us” continued Stockton. “With our athletes being able to retain personal sponsors, and thus their identities in the sport, it increases our overall exposure and lets our athletes keep sponsor relationships they have built over the years, which is good for everybody involved”.
Headlining Santa Cruz Syndicate is current World Cup Downhill Champion Nathan Rennie from Australia. Rennie’s main goals are to repeat as World Cup Champion and win a World Championship. “I’m really happy to be a part of this squad,” stated Rennie. “Everything will be top notch, bikes, equipment, and support. All I have to do is ride my bike.”
Joining Rennie is American Kirt Vories, who will be racing all major gravity events and still continuing with his successful All Ride program, which brings the vibe of street and dirt riding to new venues and people across North America via mountain bikes. “This team allows me to concentrate on racing, and keep my All Ride program going too.” Commented Vories. “I already have a national title in slalom, and I want to add a downhill title to it.”
Waiting to fill the large shoes of their teammates will be Americans Cameron Zink and Henry O’Donnell. Both are still 17 years old, and have another year in the junior class. Zink (whose free-riding was for the Santa Cruz backed Superheroes team in 2003) will be splitting time between the two disciplines, allowing him to develop his racing and free-riding skills, the latter of which will still be in conjunction with the Superheroes Team. O’Donnell, the 2003 Junior National Downhill Champion, had a breakout season in 2003 and looks to continue focusing on improving his racing in the future.
Handling marathon and ultra-distance events for Santa Cruz Syndicate is distance specialist Mark Hendershot. Hendershot will be competing in various ultra-distance events, including Sea Otter, National Series, and the 24-hour solo World Championships in Whistler, Canada.
2003 team member Johnny Waddel, who will be sitting out the 2004 racing season, will travel with the team and assist in operations relating to racing and technical expertise.
Sponsors for Santa Cruz Syndicate are: Santa Cruz Bicycles, SRAM drivetrains and Rock Shox front suspension, Progressive 5th Element rear suspension, Easton Components, Avid disc brakes, WTB rims, hubs and seats, Truvativ Crank, bottom bracket and chainguides, Cranks Brothers pedals and ODI grips.
For more information about Santa Cruz Syndicate you can check www.santacruzbicycles.com and www.dsdesignonline.com.
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