17 year-old J.D. Swanguen signed with MS-Intense Factory Racing where he is joining Matti Lehikoinen of Finland, Anneke Beerten of the Netherlands, and Mio Suemasa of Japan. He finished second in the junior's downhill finals at the 2007 World Championships in Fort William, Scotland, and earlier in the year, he took the overall win at Ray's 3 Ride mountain bike contest.
MS-Racing owner Markus Stöckl and team manager Lukas Haider see promise for the young American downhiller for the 2008 World Cup racing season. Challenging the world's racing elite will give the American young gun a chance to improve and grow into a serious contender within the mountain bike racing scene.
"Intense is thrilled to have J.D. on the Factory Racing program. My goal is to help develop a US rider to the top ranks in World Cup racing and I think J.D. is an excellent choice," said Intense owner Jeff Steber. Swanguen will open his 2008 season at the Sea Otter Classic in April.
