Sho-Air/Specialized signs Canadian Max “The Mountie” Plaxton to Factory Domestic Pro XC TeamThe Sho-Air/Specialized cross-country team has just announced its newest addition to its 2009 team roster. The ‘06 U-23 World Championship bronze medalist Max Plaxton will don the team’s colors for 2009 and beyond.
Plaxton now rounds out a powerhouse group for the Sho-Air/Specialized squad, which includes five time Australian national champion and Athens Olympian Sid Taberlay, former U-23 U.S. National Champion Sammy Jurekovic and endurance specialist Manuel Prado. Plaxton will ride a select schedule with the team for 2009, including the U.S. Cup series and two Canadian World Cup rounds before hitting it hard for 2010.
“The guys at Sho-Air have been unbelievable” beams Plaxton. “2008 was a hard year in terms of getting the door slammed in my face by the industry. I really considered going back to school and hanging my cleats up until Scott Tedro threw me a life line. From what I have seen, this team is like family and I look forward to racing and hanging with a great group of people.”
Team Sho-Air manager Ty Kady reflects Plaxton’s sentiments. “It’s our goal to provide our riders with a healthy environment so they can focus on riding and racing. It’s all about family for Scott and he wouldn’t have it any other way. To see a rider of Max’s caliber become of victim of the industry and left out to dry isn’t something new to us, so we were glad to lend a helping hand. We’re hoping for some big things from our younger riders in the next few years. Max and Sammy J are only 23 and we think in the right environment they can be Olympic level riders”, continues Kady.
“I had a long conversation with Max, and I liked the feedback I got from Sid and Sam,” said Scott Tedro, owner of the Sho Air-Specialized team. “He’s a phenomenal talent and has a lot of potential, so were excited to have him onboard.”
Plaxton’s debut with the Sho-Air/Specialized team will be at the
opening PRO XCT round at Fontana on March 29th.
Max Plaxton Career Highlights:
- 2006 Bronze Medal U-23 World Championships
- 2 X Pan-American Champion
- 2 X World Relay Champion
- 5X National Champion
- 8 X NORBA Pro Podium including 1 win
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Katerina Nash Plans to Race 2009 Mountain Bike SeasonLUNA Women's Mountain Bike Team rider Katerina Nash announced she intends to race the 2009 mountain bike season. Nash revealed in February she would not be competing on the dirt this season sighting "family matters." Cyclingnews reported on their web site that the former Czech National Champion has changed her plans and will focus on cross country events in North America including the Canadian World Cups, BC Bike Race, and The Downieville Classic.
