Jamis backs new cross country squad

Jamis expanded its mountain bike sponsorship for 2009 by adding a cross country program to its existing Jamis Gravity program. The new Jamis Factory Racing team will focus on cross country, all-mountain and endurance races as well as mountain bike festivals in North, Central and South America.

Seamus McGrath, two-time Canadian Olympian, Commonwealth Games medalist, and short track champion will head the squad after a successful 2008, during which he collected two top-10 placings in the UCI World Cup.

McGrath is joined by former Canadian National team member Chris Sheppard, who won stages at both the BC Bike Race and the Trans Rockies last year. For 2009, he will be targeting the US Cup and epic, single-day events such as the Downieville Classic and the Fruita Fat Tire Festival.

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McGrath and Sheppard will partner for the BC Bike and Intermontaine races in British Columbia.

"I'm excited to be returning from the last couple of years' worth of European racing with great support, familiar teammates. It's shaping up to be a great year." Excited about the US Cup and ProXCT series, he added, "I think the new series will bring the return of excitement and high level competition to the US."

Black Harlan and team manager / athlete Jason Sager complete the squad. Sager brings several wins to the team including a stage from 2008's BC Bike and a win at the Rincon Ultimate Dirt Challenge in Puerto Rico. Harlan, new to the professional ranks, will compete in Colorado's Mountain State Cup events and national-level events.

"This has been a true collaborative effort," said team manager, Sager. "Working with MTB product manager Craig Hoyt and Jamis President Carine Joannou has proven to be a hands-on and family effort in picking the riders, equipment, and our schedule."

Team Jamis will race the full suspension, high modulus carbon fiber Dakar XCR.