A new team, the Scott-Swisspower Mountainbike-Team, is forming for 2009 by merging the support of the Swisspower Mountainbike-Team, headed by Andi Seeli and Thomas Frischknecht, and Scott Bicycles. The team will focus on working with young riders.
In 2009, the team will be known as Scott-Swisspower Mountainbike-Team and will still be led by Andi Seeli. Long-time racer Thomas Frischknecht will become team manager.
Seven years ago, Seeli and Frischknecht (Pro Sport Racing GmbH) founded Swisspower Mountainbike-Team, together with the publicly traded Swisspower company. The team's goal is to develop young athletes under the watchful eye of team leader "Frischi" Frischknecht and help them toward greater international success.
Two racers, U23 World Champion Nino Schurter and Florian Vogel have already signed contracts to ride for the team. Schurter won his second U23 world championship title (he also won the junior world title in 2004 - ed.) in June in Val di Sole, Italy, while Vogel finished second in the elite men's race behind team-mate Christoph Sauser. Both are also current European Champions in their categories. Both riders are now focused on preparing for the Olympics in Beijing.
The team will add more young riders and sponsors to its roster.
