J.D. Swanguen signs with MS-Intense Factory-Racing

MS-Intense Factory-Racing adds the 17-year-old U.S. American super talent from California to the team, already consisting of Matti Lehikoinen (FIN), Anneke Beerten (NED) and Mio Suemasa (JPN). With a second place in the junior's downhill finals at the 2007 world championships in Ft. William (UK) J.D. proved his extraordinary racing skills. Earlier in the year, when he took the overall win at Ray's 3 Ride mountain bike contest he already beat a bunch of the 26-inch elite. MS-Racing owner Markus Stöckl and team manager Lukas Haider consider J.D.'s giftedness to be a solid and promising basis for the 2008 World Cup racing season. Challenging the world’s racing elite will give the American young gun a chance to improve and grow into a serious contender within the mountain bike racing scene. Intense owner Jeff Steber stated: Intense is thrilled to have J.D. on the Factory Racing program. My goal is to help develop a U.S. rider to the top ranks in World Cup racing and I think J.D. is an excellent choice. J.D.'s exceptional and well rounded skills, enthusiasm & style are in tune with Intense's passion for racing and will be an asset to the team. J.D. will race the first competitions on his new Intense bikes at the Sea Otter Classic festival in April 2008. www.ms-racing.at www.intensecycles.com