Marc Beaumont is no longer the only non-Atherton on the team, and we reckon GT have managed to secure two of the best young riders in the world. Hopefully both Taylor Vernon and Martin Maes will be able to soak up some of the vast amount of racing experience and skill that the rest of the team have, and then go on to fulfil their own huge potential. It’s great to see a team like GT helping to bring on the future superstars of the sport.
Here’s the full press release…
GT Factory Racing Brings on Next Generation of Talent
Powerhouse Riders Taylor Vernon and Martin Maes Set to Ride with Beaumont and Athertons
Bethel, CT – December 14, 2012 – GT Bicycles, a Dorel Industries (TSX: DII.B, DII.A) brand, announced today the signing of two of Europe’s most dominant young riders to expand its champion downhill and enduro race team GT Factory Racing. Taylor Vernon of South Wales will join the world’s fastest downhill race team to train alongside Gee Atherton, Rachel Atherton, and Marc Beaumont, while Martin Maes from Belgium will join Dan Atherton on the enduro team.
“Taylor was first brought to our attention last year and we’ve seen him post some solid results in the under 16 sections this past season,” said Dan Brown, Team Director. “The team is on a roll right now with Rachel’s World Cup win, fastest team overall title and Gee taking podiums in every race. It feels like the right time for us to start to bring on some new young riders and we think that Taylor has the potential to become a major force on the World Cup scene.”
16-year-old Vernon will be racing on a GT Fury as he works to dominate the Junior World Cups and World Championships.
“Words can’t describe how stoked I am to be joining Dan, Gee, Rachel, and Marc on GT Factory Racing,” said Vernon. “I’m so excited about racing at the International and World Cup level and know that I could not ask for a better or more experienced team of people to teach me all there is to know.”
On the enduro side, 15-year-old Martin Maes turned heads when he took 5th place overall at the Superenduro of Nations at Sauze d’Oulz. He will be riding a GT Force and focusing on the Enduro World Series.
“Nobody could quite believe it,” said Dan Atherton. “There isn’t a junior category in superenduro so this 15-year-old boy is just wasting some of the toughest and most experienced adult riders on the circuit. We are really excited about the Enduro World Series in 2013 and I’m stoked to have a new teammate with this much potential.”
“This opportunity feels like a dream come true,” said Maes. “I have the greatest admiration for Rachel, Dan, Gee and Marc and will be so happy to ride with them.”
Follow the GT Factory Racing team at www.athertonracing.co.uk, on www.facebook.com/athertonracing or on twitter @AthertonRacing for further developments.
Additional Info:
Taylor Vernon
2012 results – U16
British Downhill Series Round 1-Combe Sydenham: 3rd Place
British Downhill Series Round 2-Fort William: 6th Place
British Downhill Series round 3-Glencoe: 2nd Place
British Downhill Series Round 4-Caersws: 1st Place
British Downhill Series Round 5- Bringewood: 1st Place
British Downhill Series Round 6-Llangollen: 1st Place
British Downhill Series Overall: 1st Place
Extreme DH Summer Series-Llangollen: 1st Place
IXS Downhill Round 2- Innerleithen: 1st Place
IXS Downhill Round 6-Chatel: 4th Place
Welsh Champs-Moelfre: 2nd Place
National Champion-Moelfre: 1st Place
Martin Maes
2012 Results
Enduro “hautes vosges” – La Bresse: 6th
Mountain of Hell, Les Deux Alpes: 13th
Enduro of Nations, Saulx d’Oulx: 5th
Enduro of Nations, Valloire: 4th
Roc Enduro (Roc d’Azur): 3rd
4X European Race (15/17 years), Winterberg: 1st
