February 16/12 9:42 am - 2012 UCI ELITE Mountain Bike Teams announced

Posted by Editoress on 02/16/12
 

The International Cycling Union (UCI) this week published the final list of UCI ELITE Mountain Bike Teams for the 2012 season.

When the 2012 RockyRoads UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano gets underway in Pietermaritzburg on March 17th and 18th, riders from 27 teams will be sporting the logo that identifies them as belonging to this higher tier of UCI registered mountain bike teams.

In December 2011, the UCI announced the names of the 15 cross-country teams and 14 “gravity” teams eligible to receive this label, which was first introduced for the 2011 season. These teams have submitted their registration files within the deadline and are now confirmed as UCI Elite Mountain Bike Teams. Of these teams, two (Trek World Racing and Ghost Factory Racing Team) are “mixed” teams, receiving the UCI ELITE label for both “endurance” and “gravity” disciplines.

The ELITE teams are made up of 144 riders – of which 91 are in cross-country teams and 53 in the “gravity” teams.

UCI ELITE Mountain Bike Teams are identifiable by a logo on their team vehicles and race outfits. They are obliged to enter at least one rider in all 10 rounds of the 2012 RockyRoads UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano. In return, the teams benefit from numerous advantages, including free entry in the World Cup events and races on the UCI Mountain Bike International Calendar, with the exception of stage races.

UCI Communication Services

Teams

BH - SR Suntour - Peisey Vallandry (Fra)
CCC Polkowice (Pol)
Cannondale Factory Racing (Ger)
Colnago Sudtirol (Ita)
Commencal / Riding Addiction (Fra)
Chain Reaction Cycles.com / Nukeproof (GBr)
Felt Oetztal X - Bionic Team (Ger)
Ghost Factory Racing Team (Ger)
Giant Factory Off-Road Team (USA)
GT Factory Racing (Gbr)
Hutchinson United Ride (Fra)
Lapierre International (Fra)
Luna Pro Team (USA) *  Catharine Pendrel
Monster Energy-Specialized (USA)
Multivan Merida Biking Team (Ger)
MS Mondraker Team (Aut)
Orbea Racing Team (Esp)
Alpine Commencal Austria (Aut)
Rabobank Giant Offroad Team (Ned)
Santa Cruz Syndicate (USA)
Specialized Racing (USA)
77Scott - Swisspower MTB Racing Team (Sui)
Subaru - Trek (USA) *  Emily Batty
Scott11 (Sui)
Topeak Ergon Racing Team (Ger)
Trek World Racing (Esp)
Yeti Fox Shox Factory Race Team (USA)

* Canadian riders