McGrath switches teams

Canadian cross country pro Seamus McGrath joined new team-mates Austrian national cross country champion Christophe Soukup and German U23 national champion Robert Mennen on the Fuji team for 2008 for the European World Cup circuit and for cross country events in North America. The former Rocky Mountain Bicycles rider ended the 2007 season as the third-ranked Canadian according to the UCI.

"We're thrilled to have 12-time Canadian National Team member Seamus McGrath join the Fuji team," said Karen Bliss, Fuji's Director of Marketing. "He will help showcase the quality and innovation of our mountain bikes especially here in North America. We've had tremendous success with sales of Fuji mountain bikes in Europe but in the US and Canada I believe we've been a bit underrated," Bliss explained the motivation for signing McGrath.

In his 15 years of racing, McGrath's career highlights include a ninth place finish at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, a silver and bronze medal respectively, at the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games, and National Championship short track title in 2002.

McGrath will be racing on the Mt. Fuji SL hardtail and the Outland RC full-suspension models throughout the season. In addition, he will assist Fuji's product managers by testing a new carbon hardtail prototype before it goes into full production. This yet-to-be named model is expected to be released in 2009; it incorporates new carbon technology that is aiming to be strong, lightweight and responsive.

McGrath said he was excited about the team's infrastructure for support when he is racing in Europe.