November 28/08 10:46 am - Downhillers Hill & Fairclough Officially on Specialized for 2009

Posted by Editor on 11/28/08
 

Downhillers Hill & Fairclough Officially on Specialized for 2009
Courtesy Specialized Canada

Specialized announces a much anticipated decision to sponsor Team Monster Energy in 2009 - home to two of the most notorious faces in downhill racing, 2-time World DH Champion Sam Hill and 2006 Junior World Cup DH Champion Brendan Fairclough.

Next season, the two-man team will ride the Specialized Demo 8 - the same race rig trusted by Decline Team America - known for its generous travel, patented FSR suspension, durable chassis and killer good looks. In the pre-season, Sam and Brendan will also train on the Stumpjumper FSR, Specialized's premier XC Trail bike, along with the 4X-winning SX and P3.

Known as Downhill's man to beat, Australian Sam Hill is a 2-time World DH Champion, the 2007 World Cup DH series winner and a World Cup podium veteran, not to mention the Australian MTB Cyclist of the Year, 2004-2007. Sam has been an unforgiving competitor since he started collecting wins internationally in the U19 category, gaining more notoriety every year for being both hellishly fast and methodical about his strategy on the race course.

Sam had this to say about his decision to switch to Specialized in 2009:

"I wanted to ride for Specialized because we share the same goal and that's to win races - they are really capable when it comes to building and testing new products and striving to be the best," he said. "I had a good feeling about all the people there, and it's cool that everyone is into riding bikes, and they are all passionate about it. I'm definitely excited about the future and what myself and Specialized can achieve together."

At just 20 years old, teammate Brendan Fairclough is also no stranger to DH racing. As a former Junior World Cup DH Champion and 5-time British National Champion, Brendan continues to move up the ranks at the World Cups, posing a threat to some of the sport's most experienced athletes.