Four-time UCI DH World Championship winner Sam Hill and Iron Horse Bicycles part ways after six highly successful years together.
When arguably the world's top mountain bike racer decides to part ways with one of the world’s top mountain bike manufacturers the industry no doubt raises a collective eyebrow. However, in the case of Sam Hill and Iron Horse Bicycles, there's no need to think anything else other than "Right on" for both factions.
Hill, the likeable Aussie and 2007 overall UCI World Cup DH Champion, four-time winner of the UCI World Championships, multi-time national champion, three-time Oceana Championships winner and (catch our breath here) already a six-season full time veteran on the international competition circuit will begin another chapter with a new bike supplier for the upcoming ’09 competition season.
But before that happens, before any announcements are made, Hill wanted to make it very clear how important his relationship with Iron Horse has been.
"I want to thank Iron Horse for their support over the past six years, all they have done for me, the friendships that we've built, and all that we've achieved together," he said. "They believed in me before I had proven myself on the international circuit, and helped me out right from the beginning. They've always delivered the tools I needed to perform at the highest level, including the Sunday Downhill bike that's become an industry benchmark.
"I'm really excited about what the future holds for me and I'm looking forward to the new challenges that lay ahead for me. But today I want to credit Iron Horse for all they have done in helping me reach the title of World Champion."
Since 2004 – some five years dealing with the rigors of international travel and pressure of global competition levels – Hill and Iron Horse never failed to finish lower than 2nd place in the overall W.C. DH standings, winning many high profile competitions in spectacular fashion along the way. And though he came up a couple clicks short of defending his title this year (2nd overall), Hill had some spectacular highlights in 2008, including wins at Maribor (Slovenia) and Bromont (Canada) and runner-up podium finishes at Vallnord (Andorra), Mt. Sainte Anne (Canada) and Schladming (Austria).
"Its a good feeling to know I'll always be a part of the Iron Horse championship history," said Hill in closing. He then listed off the guys he’d like to especially thank during his run with Iron Horse: Cliff Weidberg, Josh Kohn, Jeff Bruno, Sean Heimdal, Jacy Shumilak, Stew Barnett, and Todd Seplavy.
Along with Iron Horse, Hill extends a big "Thanks!" to his and the team's other sponsors, including: Monster Energy, Mad Catz, Game Shark, Air Drives, RockShox, SRAM, Avid, FUNN, Maxxis, DT Swiss, FSA, Crank Brothers, WTB, e.thirteen, DW Link, Spy Optics, Troy Lee Designs, Minoura, Maxima, Obtainium Performance Products, Five-Ten, Freestyle Watches, THE, Alligator, Yamaha of Troy, KMC and Kicker.
For more information on the Iron Horse downhill mountain bike racing program, link to:
www.madcatzracing.com
