News: Cannondale hires Factory Racing Rider Henrique Avancini
Cannondale, a premium brand of Dorel Industries (TSX: DII.B, DII.A), and Cannondale Factory Racing (CFR) are excited to announce the top Brazilian XC rider Henrique Avancini will join CFR for the 2015 and 2016 season.
Avancini comes from the Caloi team, Cannondale’s Brazilian sister brand, and is a national mountain bike hero, as well as a 2016 Olympic contender for the Rio Games. “Joining a World Cup team like Cannondale Factory Racing is awesome,” said Avancini. “Being part of an elite team will prepare me for a potential spot at the Rio Olympic Games in my country. I’m ready to give it my all in 2015.”
After placing second at his very first race, Avancini has dominated in mountain biking over the years. In 2006, at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championship, the then 17 year-old Avancini took the best result achieved by a Brazilian in the history of the sport. In 2009, he moved from Brazil to join a professional cycling team in Europe, where he honed his skills and gained Elite status in MTB racing. In 2012, Avancini returned to Brazil to compete for a spot on the Brazilian XC Olympic team. He received the second highest score and qualified as an alternate. In 2013, Avancini landed another first for Brazil, winning a round of the International MTB Bundesliga in Münsingen, Germany again strong competition.
After reaching Elite status at such a young age, and with proven race results, World Cup and otherwise, it was the next logical step to have Avancini join Cannondale Factory Racing. During the 2015 race season, Avancini will continue to aim for consistent top ten finishes and world cup podiums. Next up, Avancini will compete in the Brasil Ride where he will ride to defend his yellow jersey, overall title.
“We’re thrilled to add Henrique to the team,” said Scott Rittschof, General Manager Cannondale. “He is a great young talent with an incredible passion for the sport. With this new addition, we are continuing to position ourselves as leaders in the sport of global XC mountain bike racing and set the direction towards the Olympic Games in Rio di Janeiro in 2016.”
Avancini’s signing with Cannondale Factory Racing comes at an opportune time for the Brazilian cycling community as Cannondale opens a new store in Belo Horizonte, the country’s mountain bike mecca, known as the “Utah” of Brazil. The signing and shop opening were celebrated with a party hosted by CFR rider Manuel Fumic.
Cannondale Factory Racing is proudly supported by Sho-Air, SRAM, Avid, Rock Shox, Enve, FSA, Prologo, Schwalbe, DT Swiss, Northwave, Ethic Sport, Osprey, Eighty Aid+, RSP and Knaus.
Words & Pictures: Cannondale PR
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