The Santa Cruz Syndicate downhill riders rolled into Santa Cruz at the end of March to reunite after a long season break.
Santa Cruz rider, Cedric Gracia of The Brigade, joined Steve Peat, Greg Minnaar and Josh Bryceland for two weeks of training, photo shoots, sponsor appearances, the launch of the new Santa Cruz and Nickel and Butcher APP bikes, and a whole lot of laughs! The camp concluded at the Sea Otter Classic with some less than typical results and a volcano keeping our UK contingent with us for a few more days than planned.
The first event up on the schedule was a visit to the Santa Cruz Bicycles demo for Family Cycling Center bike shop in Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Demo fleet was in action and everyone was excited to see the newly crowned World Champion in the factorys hometown. Steve and Josh hung out and enjoyed the BBQ and hospitality that John and Bob provided for those in attendance.
Between rain-showers the boys enjoyed circuit training and XC rides in the Saratoga neighborhood while bonding with their new bikes and trying to keep up with their boss! They showed a special fondness for the Santa Cruz Tallboy and the new Edge Carbon wheels and Chris King hubs while reuniting with some fresh Maxxis rubber. Between training, multiple days were spent with sharpshooter, Forrest Arakawa, getting just the right shots for the rider cards and posters. Evening light was awesome and he got some "Super Sick" shots.
Clif Bar organised a night to meet the Syndicate at the media center at Clif headquarters. The evening was a success with proceeds from ticket sales going to Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship. After the antics cruising around the Clif facility with Cedric, the presentation format was talk show style complete with a live band. Dylan Sequin led the evening interview with Steve, Greg and Josh, which was highlighted with racing clips and a slideshow. Dylan then surprised Rob Roskopp with a decadent chocolate birthday cake replete with Syndicate logos.
The next day was a special birthday treat for Rob and his family and friends where we spent the evening aboard a trolley bus touring the streets of San Francisco. Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge was a highlight and kids and adults alike had a wonderful time.
A few days before Sea Otter Santa Cruz Bicycles launched the new Nickel and Butcher APP bikes and Steve, Greg and Josh joined the journalists in attendance for an afternoon of downhill shuttle runs. Check out the bikes here:
www.santacruzmtb.co.uk
Sea Otter was filled with lots of activities, which included the SRAM 2X10 Beach Party and product launch where SRAM unveiled the 20X10 XO and X9 products. Steve spoke at the press launch and we all enjoyed the SRAM hospitality at the beach party. Josh was pleased to attend the press launch and said, "I'm really glad I was there because I learned things about the product that I didn't know. Now I'll be able to share what I learned with others."
Mike Redding from Troy Lee Designs dropped by with spanking new lids for Steve and Josh. Laura from FiveTen checked in to show us the latest ad featuring Greg and the new FiveTen Minnaar Custom SPD shoe. Steve and Josh had a very successful autograph signing at Royal where people waited in line for the World Champion's signature.
And there was racing action going on between all the activities. Dual slalom got off to a good start with the Syndicate and Brigade all qualifying for the final and loving their new Nickel APP bikes. Josh just squeaked in with 32nd position, which meant he'd see Lopes in the first round. Greg qualified 4th, Steve 13th and Cedric 28th. Greg and CG met in the first round and Greg advanced, only to meet Steve in the next round. Greg advanced again after some tight racing action. Meanwhile Josh caught a lucky break when Lopes crashed in the heat and Josh advanced. Riding like a rider possessed, Josh came alive. Eventually he made a mistake and was out. Meanwhile Greg went up against Aaron Gwin, made a mistake, didn't recover and was eliminated, to finish 5th on the day.
Greg's hopes for a better performance in the downhill had him prepared, but a tiny mechanical cost him a podium position. His foot hit a zip-tie on the swing arm, breaking it off and causing the cable to move, as he rolled in at 55th position. Steve had a solid run, just good enough for 8th place, and Josh hammered away for a 57th position, but perhaps the flat pedals just aren't what it takes on the pedally Sea Otter track.
All and all the Syndicate's first collaboration for 2010 was largely a success. Steve and Ricky Bobby were delayed getting home do to volcanic activity, but Jack from All-Ways Travel got them out as quick as possible. Greg and Josh are now on their way to the Pro GRT in Washington where the euro style track should suit their styles. Next up we will all reunite in Portugal for the Lisbon Downtown race followed by the first UCI World Cup in Maribor. The season is officially underway!
THANKS TO THE SYNDICATE SPONSORS:
SANTA CRUZ BICYCLES
SRAM, ROCKSHOX, AVID, TRUVATIV
EDGE COMPOSITES
MAXXIS
WTB
CLIF BAR
CHRIS KING
CRANKBROTHERS
LIZARDSKINS
MUC-OFF
TROY LEE DESIGNS
FIVE TEN
Kathy Sessler
www.santacruzmtb.com
