GT Bicycles focuses on gravity racing in 2009

GT Bicycles announced a gravity-focused squad for 2009. Downhillers Marc Beaumont of the United Kingdom and Kevin Aiello from the United States will race downhill while Swiss Roger Rinderknecht and Aussie Luke Madill will race 4X and BMX. Freerider Tyler McCaul rounds out the team.

A consistent talent on the World Cup, the 24 year-old is a protégé to another UK downhiller and former GT superstar Steve Peat. After starting off the 2008 season with an injury, Beaumont is now getting back up to speed and will be doing full-throttle testing of his new GT Fury bike.

At 17 years-old, the youthful Aiello has already tested his skills on the UCI World Cup circuit. He has excelled racing downhill and 4X in Fontana, California, and also won a few races in the western United States.

Rinderknecht won the silver medal in 4X at the 2008 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, and he also competed at the 2008 Olympic Games while Madill has primarily focused on BMX racing in the past, but in 2009, he will race both BMX and 4X. After representing Australia at the 2008 Olympic Games in BMX, Madill finished third in the 4X at the Canberra World Cup.

McCaul has emerged from the shadow of his older brother Cam and proven himself on the dirt jumps and downhill tracks.

"We are certainly excited and proud to have such great athletes on our team moving forward," said Sarah Ostermeier, Sports Marketing Manager for GT Bicycles. "We've got a great combination of talent for 2009 which certainly solidifies GT Bicycles' commitment to our brand and to the sport."

Look for the team at the World Cup races, select American events and Crankworx among other events in 2009.