Plaxton joins Sho-Air/Specialized

The Sho-Air/Specialized cross-country team has signed 2006 Under 23 World Championship bronze medalist Max Plaxton for 2009. Plaxton joins the squad which includes five time Australian national champion and Athens Olympian Sid Taberlay and former Under 23 United States National Champion Sammy Jurekovic.

"The guys at Sho-Air have been unbelievable," said Plaxton. "2008 was a hard year in terms of getting the door slammed in my face by the industry. I really considered going back to school and hanging my cleats up until Scott Tedro threw me a life line.

"From what I have seen, this team is like family and I look forward to racing and hanging with a great group of people," he added.

Plaxton will ride a select schedule with the team for 2009, including the U.S. Cup series and two Canadian World Cup rounds before an increased program for 2010.

"I had a long conversation with Max, and I liked the feedback I got from Sid and Sam," said team owner Scott Tedro. "He's a phenomenal talent and has a lot of potential, so were excited to have him onboard."