Backcountry.com announced today the launch of its inaugural pro mountain bike team. The team will compete in a number of high-profile races, such as the Sea Otter Classic, The Whiskey 50, BC Bike Race, and more. (Click here for a full schedule.)
The team will be managed by pro rider Jason Sager and will also feature Chloe Woodruff, Evelyn Dong, and TJ Woodruff. According to Backcountry, “the team will exclusively ride the Air 9 RDO, ONE 9 RDO and Jet 9 RDO rigs from Fort Collins, Colorado-based Niner Bikes. Other Team sponsors include: Geax, Clifbar, Louis Garneau, FSA, WTB, Chris King, ENVE, SRAM, Crankbrothers, Eureka, Jet Boil and Gore Bike Wear.”
Traditionally when I’ve thought of Backcountry.com, I’ve thought of snow sports and mountaineering, but either I was just plain wrong, or Backcountry is trying extremely hard to break into new territory.
“Mountain biking is at the core of who we are as a brand and being able to extend our expert gear knowledge to the trail and support the sport is a priority,” said Jill Layfield, CEO at backcountry.com. “Assembling a pro team of this caliber that possesses the tools to compete at the highest level is a natural extension of our cycling brands and culture.”
Whether or not it actually was at the core before, Backcountry’s new pro team, as well as their sponsorship of Utah’s high school mountain biking league, proves that they are now all-in with mountain biking.
1 Comments
Mar 19, 2014
On the other hand, it may be a situation like Kia and Hyundai. Both are owned by the same company but operate separately so as to create competition and hopefully improve their products. Backcountry could be creating this kind of relationship with Competitive Cyclist.