As the GT Factory Racing team throw themselves into their first intensive training camp in Del Mar, California, Atherton Racing are pleased to announce the continuation of their successful relation with GT Bicycles and to welcome three new partners for the 2015 season.
Jeep, the iconic 4×4 brand will become an Official Team Partner; as part of the agreement they will provide vehicles for the team (including the legendary Wrangler and the all-new Cherokee and Renegade models) and collaborate on some exciting new media projects. IXS will provide apparel and protection and Bell will supply helmets.
The Enduro team will focus on the GT Sanction equipped with components from Shimano (New 11 speed Di2 XTR Groupset and XTR wheels) Fox, Continental and Pro. Dan is back to full racing fitness and is impatient to get started on the 2015 Series where he will ride with 18 year old Martin Maes for the third consecutive season. Martin, who won a World Cup in Downhill this year at Fort William, Scotland will continue to race in the General Classification – despite his Junior status. Both will be looking to notch up some wins in the Enduro World Series.
Team Director Dan Brown said “We are delighted to head into 2015 with the same brilliant bike and component sponsors as well as our long term supporters Red Bull and Silverline tools who will continue to be an integral part of our team. Along with GT, Shimano, Continental and Fox we will continue our successful associations with Pro and Stan’s No Tubes and off the bike GoPro, Muc-off, Oakley and SRM will remain a valued part of the set-up.
Dan Atherton said “For me 2015 is going to be all about Enduro, all about racing with Martin and putting together a set of top-class results. I was involved in every stage of the Sanction’s development and now I want to demonstrate exactly what I can do with it. Sponsors play a key key role in our team, our partnerships are working collaborations with brands that we really believe in. I’m fit, I’m totally motivated for a hard winter’s training and Martin is out here training with us, 100% on it, he’s your one to watch – even if he is still officially a Junior!
GT Factory Racing’s new partners shared their thoughts on the new deal. Jeep “The Athertons are at the top of their game and embody much of what the Jeep brand signifies – adventure, determination and capability. We’re incredibly excited about the opportunities that being an official Team Partner brings and sharing this with the Jeep community over the months ahead. This is a new era for the Jeep brand in the UK and we’re thrilled that Atherton Racing is going to be part of this.”
iXS “iXS are a family owned company with racing in our blood so we are delighted to welcome Atherton Racing to our team. We are all extremely excited to work with such professional athletes, seeing them trust our products and enjoy riding in them makes us very proud and I personally believe that working together will allow us to reach even greater heights.”
Bell “We are thrilled to have the Atherton’s back on Bell helmets. Aside from the fact that they are great individuals, and a very fast team of riders, they also LOVE riding bikes. And that’s what we are about. The thrill of the ride. Its good to know that the professionals are choosing Bell Helmets because of the quality products we make.”
A brand new team strip will be launched at the end of March prior to the whole team racing at Crankworx, New Zealand.
Words: Atherton Racing Photos: Ian Collins
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