February 8/16 12:14 pm - Cannondale Announces New MTB Team with Raphael Gagne

Posted by Editoress on 02/8/16
 

Cannondale, a premium brand of Cycling Sports Group, part of Dorel Industries, Inc., today announced a partnership with Sugoi Apparel and 360fly to create North America's most powerful cross-country mountain bike team for the 2016 season - Cannondale 360fly, powered by Sugoi.

"Cannondale 360fly, Powered by Sugoi brings together three innovative brands with trailblazing technology to fuel North America's fastest domestic mountain bikers," said Matt Ohran, Team Director, Cannondale 360fly, powered by Sugoi.  "This team has the talent to stand atop any North American XC race podium."

The team will be comprised of five standout athletes:

Raphaël Gagné, Canada:  2015 Pan Am Games Gold Medalist, 2015 Canadian National XC and CX Champion, 2015 Pro XCT Overall winner.

2015 Pan Am Champion, Raphaël Gagné

Alex Grant, USA:  2015 US Nationals 3rd place in both XC and Short Track and winner of the Grand Junction Off-Road

Evelyn Dong, USA, 2015 Go Pro Games Champion, Overall Winner at the 2015 Breck Epic MTB Stage Race, 2014 3rd place at US XC Nationals

Keegan Swenson at the 2015 MTB World Championships in Vallnord, Andorra

Keegan Swenson, USA:  2015 2nd place at US XC Nationals, 2014 U23 US National Champion, 4x Junior US XC National Champion

Tinker Juarez, USA:  Multiple USA National XC and 24-Solo MTB Championships, 2x Olympian, 22-year Cannondale athlete and general bad-ass bike rider

The team trucks will be loaded with the Scalpel and the F-Si, two of the most race-proven bikes in the world, and the athletes will choose the ideal machine depending upon course demands. The Cannondale Scalpel delivers the ultimate XC speed in a full suspension bike and the F-Si boasts maximum performance in a cross-country hardtail.

"In supporting this team, Cannondale is turning up the level of excitement in elite racing in North America," said Hannah Parish, Marketing Director for Cycling Sports Group, North America.  "This roster is incredibly talented on the bike and remarkably engaging off the bike and that personality and performance will get our fans on their feet and cheering."

Sugoi will be supporting the Cannondale 360fly team as the Official Performance Apparel sponsor. Team riders will enjoy the brand's latest advancements in pro apparel, including the all-new 2016 Racing System Elite (RSE) Jersey and Bib Short. The RSE kit is Sugoi's lightest kit ever, engineered to provide maximum performance and comfort, anchored by the Formula FXE chamois with pioneering cradle design. Team replica kits will be available for sale at select Sugoi dealers around the continent.

"Having elite level athletes working in collaboration with our product teams to design and develop the next generation of XC race apparel is invaluable to Sugoi," said Ian Domaas, Vice President & GM, Sugoi.                

As the official camera, 360fly will capture fully immersive 360-degee video content. The interactive 360-degree video is easily shared to social channels such as Facebook and YouTube via the 360fly smartphone app. Additionally, by pairing the video with Google Cardboard, fans can experience the team's videos in virtual reality.

"We're excited to be partnering with such great brands and supporting such a talented team of riders," said Peter Adderton, 360fly CEO. "For the first time fans will be able to view videos and experience them as if they were there."

Cannondale 360fly, powered by Sugoi will also be supported by these important partners:

Wilderness Trail Bikes:  For tires, saddles, and grips

ENVE:  For wheels, handlebars, and seatposts

Shimano:  For components and shoes

Stages Cycling: For Hollowgram crank arm based power meters

Axial Racing:  The official RC Car of The Cannondale 360Fly, providing "off the bike fun" for the team and support staff