USA based Maverick Bikes has announced its 2005 "All Mountain" Racing Team, consisting of 2004 Durango National SuperD winner Ariel Lindsley, National Marathon team member Abigail Hippley, former 24 Hour World Champion Cristina Begy and 2004 Snowmass SuperD winner Mike West.
Ariel Lindsley won the SuperD at Durango, Colorado last year, and finished in the top-10 in short track and top 15 in the XC, His second place at the National Championships in SuperD followed his runner-up status at the 24 Hour World and National Solo Championships in 2003.
Abigail Hippley built a solid record as a top-3 MTB Marathon racer in only her first year as a pro. She won the Colorado Mountain States Cup race in Keystone in 2004, and then worked on her jumping skills at the dirt jumps at the Maverick offices in Boulder. A second place finish at the SuperD at the Scottsdale NORBA event in March started her 2005 season on the right foot.
Cristina Begy was the 2003 24 Hour Solo World Champion, is a multiple National Champion and has over 14 victories in her mountain bike career. Specializing in 24 Hour racing, she has also finished on top of the heap in 7-day 650k "Raid" events like the TransRockies, as well as the 100 mile grind known as Leadville.
Mike West placed third in the time trial at Big Bear last year, and won the SuperD event at Snowmass. A former College Downhill Champion, don't be surprised if Mike enters a few downhill events.
