GT Bicycles re-signs Englishmen Chris Smith and Dave Wardell

GT announced that it has re-signed downhill and four-cross pro Dave Wardell and signed multi-purpose MTB rider Chris Smith to the GT MTB team for 2006. Affectionately known as "Bullhead," Wardell is one of the best-known riders in the U.K., and competes with a busy international schedule. Wardell will be riding GT's new DHi and the i-Drive 7, as well as select hard tail models.

"I will be doing as many downhill and 4X events as possible in the U.K. and the World rounds and maybe some NORBA events," he said.

Racing in Brazil and the Fort William World Cup were among the highlights in 2005 for this talented Englishman. The determined rider said his goals for 2006 are "to be consistently in the top 10 or higher in the World Cup rounds.

The second announced re-signing, Smith, is an outstanding freeriding, dirt jumping downhiller. "I like all sorts of riding," said Smith. "One day I'll be riding a big natural line on my freeride bike or doing some big gaps/drops, etc. and the next day I'll be hitting the trails to do some dirt jumping or maybe I'll be in the city riding street. I like to keep my riding varied. I'm happy as long as I'm riding my bike."

In 2006, Smith will be competing in all major freeride and dirt jump competitions around the world and some select downhill races too. Look for him on a variety of GTs this season, including the GT iT1 for freeride comps, the Ruckus UF and the Ruckus DJ for street / park / dirt jumping comps, and the Ruckus i-Drive 7 2.0 for DH and freeride comps.

"Highlights in '05 for me were competing in the Red Bull District Ride in Germany and travelling to all the different places around the world to ride my bike," said Smith.

Information about GT's athletes and bike models is available at www.GTBicycles.com.