Steve Smith and George Brannigan will race for Devinci Global Racing for the 2011 World Cup season.
Check out the pics, video and interview with Stevie below.
All Photos: Sterling Lorence.
DEVINCI GLOBAL RACING TAKES ON THE WORLD
CHICOUTIMI, CA—Cycles Devinci is proud to announce the formation of Devinci Global Racing as a UCI MTB race team for the 2011 World Cup Season. Devinci’s close proximity to Mont-Sainte-Anne, home to the longest running event on the World Cup circuit, makes the launch a natural move for the brand.
The Devinci Global Racing squad features a mixture of podium threats and young standouts; paired with experienced management and top mechanical support.
Leading the DGR charge is 21-year-old Canadian Steve Smith. Smith recently demonstrated his prowess in the most prestigious race of the season, storming onto the podium in 2nd place at the World Championships at Mont-Sainte-Anne. In addition, he captured multiple top-10 World Cup finishes throughout the season.
Smith says, “I’m stoked to have a strong Canadian bike company like Devinci backing me with the bikes I need to win. I know Devinci will be able to offer what I need to achieve all of my goals I have set.”
Joining Smith is New Zealand’s George Brannigan, who was a force among junior riders in 2010. Brannigan led the Junior World Cup series for most of the year, was crowned the Oceania Champion, and nailed a 4th place finish at the 2010 World Championships.
Both Smith and Brannigan will be piloting Wilson bikes from Devinci’s newly launched Split Pivot series. The Wilson is the weapon of choice for all DGR’s World Cup DH events.
“We’ve assembled a great program under the DGR banner—riders, co-sponsors, support staff,” says Gabe Fox, Devinci MTB Marketing Manager. “It’s the foundation for a strong future and I envision seeing our program with some great results.”
For 2011 Devinci Global Racing will target the complete World Cup Series, the US Open, Crankworx and other select Canadian, North American, and European events.
“I’m excited to be making this commitment to World Cup racing, and having Steve Smith on the program is the perfect fit,” says Devinci President, Felix Gauthier. “Smith shares many of Devinci’s core values and I’m looking forward to the season.”
Cycles Devinci is a Canadian bicycle manufacturer based in Chicoutimi, Canada. It has led the industry by way of manufacturing expertise and product development since its inception in 1987. In 2011, Cycles Devinci continues to forge ahead with licensing suspension guru Dave Weagle’s patented Split Pivot suspension platform. Combined with the company’s Axis Technologies, Devinci is set on a path for domination.
For more details on Devinci and DGR, visit www.devinci.com
Devinci Global Racing is proudly supported by: SRAM, RockShox, Avid, Truvativ, Fox Head Clothing, ODI, and Schwable.
Where are you right now?
Sitting in my office.
What are you doing?
Answering questions on my computer.
You had a pretty good 2010 World Cup Season, your first podium-5th at Val di Sole, a 6th at Maribor, 7th at Windham and finished 10th overall I think. You must have been happy with that?
Very happy. Podium was a goal I set before the season started, I was getting kinda worried it wouldn’t happen with the way I road in Switzerland (39th Champéry) and Scotland (69th Fort William) crashing, but I managed to get it done.
You also took Silver at the Worlds in Mont Sainte Anne?
That was really exciting to get on the podium in Canada. I didn’t expect do as well as i did. I was loving the track and not feeling the pressure. Really happy to finish the season with that result.
Congratulations on your move to Devinci, how are you getting on with the Wilson?
Loving it. The switch felt too simple. First day on the bike felt like i had been riding it for months.
Can you tell us who else is on the team?
I will be racing with George Brannigan.
So, what made you decide to leave Evil and join Devinci? Was Gabe Fox a big influence?
Devinci approached with a great opportunity. For me, it made sense. Being Canadian makes it pretty cool being able to race the World Cup for a Canadian company on a Canadian made bike. I’ve worked with Gabe since the beginning. To be able to continue with the nugget was a plus for sure. They have a great line of bikes and the new Wilson sealed my decision.
Do you know what will happen to the Evil team, Polc, Strobel and Macdonald?
Not too sure what’s going on on that side. I’m sure they will be out killing it driving around in the big bus just like the past couple years.
What’s the 2011 schedule? Full WCs? Cranky? Sea Otter?
Full Worlds Cup schedule, Crankworx, US Open and whatever we can comfortably jam in there. Maybe I should come and try out that 1.04 track?
How has your winter training been going? What have you been doing and where?
Winter has been great other than one little set back. I Went to California to ride and end up crashing 3 min in to first day riding putting me out for a month and a half. Since I couldn’t ride or work out I just did a pile of Cardio on the spin bike. I’m back riding now and training in the gym. I have been at home the last while just bought a house here on Vancouver Island so trying to spend as much time here as I can. As long as there isn’t snow, I think the island is the best place to be. The island has everything, DH, XC, DJ and Enduro.
Does your mum still do shuttles for you like we saw in Seasons?
She hasn’t for a while. She doesn’t like getting in to my Tacoma because it’s too tall for her. The last few times we drove she makes us go in her little Ford Ranger. The little green thing from the film is now in a vehicle grave yard.
You’re still only 20 I think, are we only just beginning to see your potential?
We wish you all the best with the 2011 season, cheers Stevie.
I turned 21 in November. I’m hoping this is just the beginning for sure, I couldn’t ask for more, being able to travel the world riding my bike is my dream.
Thanks a lot Dirt. I wish you all the best with your 2011 season as well. Keep up the good inter-netting.
Stay tuned for more exclusive DirtTV Steve Smith Devinci video action coming soon.
