Das Team Specialized mit Weltmeister Christoph Sauser wird auf kommende Saison stark ausgebaut. Nach dem Zugang des Downhillers Sam Hill ist nun auch bekannt, dass der Südafrikaner Burry Stander und der Amerikaner Todd Wells in den Farben Specializeds fahren werden. Zusammen mit Christoph Sauser dürfte Specialized in der Disziplin Cross Country zu einem der stärksten Teams werden.

Offizielle Meldung von Specialized



Specialized is proud to announce the addition of two of mountain bike racing’s most prominent riders to its factory racing program, Burry Stander and Todd Wells. The riders join one of the longest-running and most successful racing teams in the sport’s history, with a roster that includes reigning UCI cross-country world champion, Christoph Sauser, and Norway’s Lene Byberg, with leadership from the legendary Ned Overend.



The men’s squad will compete on the Epic model, the only full-suspension bike to win XC Worlds. The Epic features patented FSR and Brain technology, providing unparalleled control and efficiency in the widest range of conditions.



21-year-old Burry Stander won the UCI World Cup Series in the U23 category and placed 5th overall in 2008. The resident of Port Shepstone, South Africa, had a strong 2008 season with a 2nd place finish in the Andorra round and a silver medal in the U23 World Championships. He was also a member of South Africa’s Olympic team



Stander was visibly excited by the prospect of racing with Specialized. “As a young rider, I am still aiming to achieve my full potential, and I feel Specialized has the team and the bikes that will get me there.”



Todd Wells is a familiar figure in cross-country racing. The 32-year old now lives in Durango, Colorado, and is coming off his best year of competition. Todd finished 10th overall in the World Cup series with a 5th place podium finish at Canberra, Australia, and had consistently strong finishes throughout the 2008 season. He is a two-time member of the United States Olympic team, most recently competing in Beijing.



“I am very excited about joining the Specialized Team,” says Wells. ”I started my career with the Specialized, and it's great to come back home. In addition to riding with my current teammate, Burry Stander, I'm really pumped to ride alongside the current world champion, Christoph Sauser, and once again work with my great friend, Ned Overend.”



Team manager, Bobby Behan, is eager to work with the new squad. “Burry and Todd will fit in perfectly,” says Behan. “Todd is a proven talent on both the mountain bike and in cyclocross. Burry and Christoph raced as teammates in the 2008 Cape Epic, and at only 21, he has already pushed the world champ to improve. We had to have him!”