DH Specialist Chris Van Dine Signs with Cannondale

His dad Galen was an East Coast mountain bike pioneer so some may say that he was born into the 26" lifestyle. Chris Van Dine has been racing mountain bikes since 1988 and concentrating in DH since 2000. And, having grown up in ‘Cannondale Country’ it seems as though CVD's career is coming full circle. "I've either been riding or chasing a Cannondale since day one," says Van Dine. "Many fads have come and gone since then, but Cannondale is a true innovator. They also don’t cut corners. I was completely blown away by the technology and magnitude of the factory’s "E.S.A.L." testing facility. It's the largest of any bike manufacturer, and the result is a hand made US frame I know will perform. From a racer's standpoint, it's refreshing to see a company that puts back into our sport by sending a team out to battle on the World Cup. That is true R & D." Van Dine, perhaps best known for being the first rider to stick a barrel roll, also placed 2nd in the US National Championships last year and was the top North American at the 04 World Championships. Starting in 06 he will be joining a new team of Cannondale riders that appears to be stocking talent on a weekly basis: Mick Hannah, Carlo Dieckmann, Wayne Goss and long-time Cannondale veteran Aaron Chase. Don Hampton of DH productions, who also helps manage Cannondale’s freeride team says: "CVD is one of those rare guys that is both 'jack and master of all trades' when it comes to the sport." When asked what influences his riding style the most? "I get a lot of influence from my snowboard brethren and a little from Bruce Lee," says Van Dine with a grin. Van Dine can add a Cannondale Judge to his 26" martial arts quiver. With 220 mm of plush, staged travel, Thru-12 swingarm and ‘bomb-proof’ construction, the Cannondale judge will be tuned to his spec for the '06 season. Even though he is rehabbing a blown shoulder from a recent trip to Pennsylvania's Camp Woodward, we’re happy to say CVD has made 'the cut.' Van Dine is also sponsored by FOX Suspension, G3, Bolle, Troy Lee Designs, Ogio, FSA, Lake Shoes, e.13, AtomLab, Crank Brothers, 661, SportLegs, Cytomax, Maxxis, SRAM and Mavic. For more information, visit Cannondale’s web site at www.cannondale.com