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MTBA announce partnership with Specialized

Category: News

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Written by Amy McCann

The elite development program scholarship holders in Cameron Ivory (NSW), Michael Crosbie (VIC), Alex Meyland (VIC) will be supported by Specialized through a range of road and mountain bikes, including the new Specialized S-Works 26er 'Stumpjumper'. 

The partnership will also include shoes, helmets and service support from SRAM during events and throughout the course of the year at national and international events. 

"Specialized is excited to partner with Mountain Bike Australia through the elite development program and the 2012 Australian Mountain Bike Championships," said Sam Monardo, Managing Director of Specialized Australasia.

"It is an exciting time for mountain biking in Australia and through this partnership, we strengthen our commitment to promoting and improving the racing and development opportunities for the elite athletes throughout Australia and the world,” Monardo added.

This weekend, the Eagle Mountain Bike Park in Adelaide will feature five exciting days of Cross Country, Downhill, Four Cross and Observed Trials action as it it hosts the Subaru 2012 Australian Mountain Bike Championships from February 22 to 26. 

The Specialized 'Test the Best' will no doubt be the highlight of the Event Village, with the demo providing riders and spectators an opportunity to test ride a wide array of Specialized bikes.  

Expert demo leaders will be on hand to set up on a bike of your choice and answer all your questions, with dual downhill junior world champion Troy Brosnan and triple senior world champion Sam Hill, both Specialized riders, to feature at the site on Saturday.  

MTBA High Performance Director Chris Clarke is excited about what the new partnership will bring to the MTBA program. 

"Specialized are looking at being part of something bigger than just the individual rider and that's where MTBA elite development program comes into their scope," Clarke said.   

"The level of professionalism shown by Specialized in all aspects of their organisation is lifting the level of professionalism of the supported riders and scholarship holders”. 

"Our riders are aware they have responsibilities to promote the brand in a positive manner, and that they are being watched and assessed as future roles models, not only for MTBA, but for the elite development program supporters.”

"But with the level of product Specialized offer, it is very easy to do that," added Clarke. 

Clarke is also highly anticipating the results of this weekend's championships.  With the London 2012 Olympic Games now less than 200 days away, the Olympic format cross country races will attract much of the attention, with Clarke unable to predict the winners from the mouth watering contests in both the men’s and women’s fields.

"I am very excited about this weekend as in particular, both the cross country fields, elite women's and men's, and the under 23 mens' all hold exciting prospects, " Clarke explained. "In each of those categories, there are at least four of five genuine contenders for the overall title”. 

"That in itself is a very exciting as we head into an Olympic year," he added.  

The first race of the 2012 Subaru Australian Mountain Bike Championships, the Team Relay was held on Thursday, with Cross Country and Four Cross commencing on Friday and Downhill and Observed Trials held across the weekend. 

The official event schedule and can be accessed on www.eaglechamps.com.au.