Killeen's new Gary Fisher hardtail frame is made from externally-butted ZR9000 aluminum and features a new revised head tube that is claimed to be lighter and more robust.
(Image credit: Colin Meagher)
Shimano's disc brakes are becoming increasingly common in cross-country MTB racing.
(Image credit: Colin Meagher)
According to Gary Fisher, the tubes are highly manipulated and are internally butted and externally swaged.
(Image credit: Colin Meagher)
Gary Fisher - the man behind the machine.
(Image credit: Colin Meagher)
At the Sea Otter Classic, despite being jet-lagged and sleep-deprived, Killeen still managed second place in the time trial.
(Image credit: Colin Meagher)
Liam Killeen may be one of the youngest riders on the MTB circuit, but the winner of last year's under-23 World Cup and current U23 national cross-country champion is one of Great Britain's best hopes for a medal at the Athens Olympic Games. Cyclingnews' US correspondent, Kristy Scrymgeour, reports on the rise of a potential Olympic and world champion.
This year, 22 year-old Liam Killeen moved into a full-time role with the Subaru-Gary Fisher mountain bike team for his first dose of racing professionally year-round. He began his season in South Africa with The Cape Epic, where he teamed up South Africa's reigning downhill world champion Greg Minnaar.
He started off well but crashed midway through, having to withdraw with an injured hip. "I crashed pretty hard there," remembers Killeen. "I came off on the road and landed on my left hip. I've been seeing a chiro ever since. It's not 100 percent yet, but it's getting there.
However, the injury hasn't stopped him racing hard and earning some good results in the process. In March, he raced the first round of the NORBA series where he placed third in the time trial and seventh overall. He then went on to race the Redlands Bicycle Classic against the roadies and placed sixth overall, just behind Jurgen Van Den Broeck (US Postal).
Later at the Sea Otter Classic, where I caught up with him, Killeen was happy to be there and was clearly in great form. "Sea Otter is a good race for testing your form", says Killeen, "and there are a lot of keen riders here so it's good racing."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
