YETI 2010

Well you probably read it on other sites but the big MTB news on everyone’s lips is what team Sam Blenkinsop will be riding for in 2010? It’s now common knowledge that he’s off Yeti. I have it on good authority that it’s 100% not Trek or Giant although there are rumours of Blenki joining Nico on Lapierre Bikes. In the meantime we have ten copies of the 2010 Yeti catalogue to send out to the first ten people to email in. Just so you know it’s more a high quality book than a catalogue, with behind the scenes interviews, tonnes of action photos and a full history of the Yeti brand. Email yeti@spokemagazine.com if you want one.

Yeti’s official press release regarding Sam’s departure:

Yeti Cycles, who has perennially fielded one of the strongest teams on the World Cup mountain bike circuit, announced the 2010 Yeti/Fox Racing Shox Factory team roster today.

Returning will be six-year team veteran, Jared Graves, who dominated the 2009 World Cup circuit in four-cross, winning the World Cup Overall and World Championships. American downhill prodigy, Aaron Gwin, who finished top ten overall in World Cup standings in just his second year racing mountain bikes, will also be on board and will be focused on adding to his podium count next season. Young gun, Sam Blenkinsop, will race for another team for the 2010 season.

“Sam has raced for us the last two years and had great success under our program,” said Chris Conroy, Yeti’s president. “While it is always bittersweet to see a rider like Sam move on, he has been presented a great opportunity with another team and we wish him the best of luck,” said Conroy.

Yeti has a long track record of developing young riders and this will play into the team dynamics for next season. “Fortunately, we have a strong development program and this will give one of our younger riders more experience on the world stage,” Conroy said. Most notably, Colorado native, Joey Schusler, will be given an opportunity to try his mettle on the World Cup circuit this year.

Yeti Cycles is a high-end mountain bike company, based in Golden, Colorado. The company has nearly twenty-five years of racing experience and focuses its product development on making racers go faster.