Katie Compton signs with Rabobank-Giant team for 2011

KATIE COMPTON JOINS EXPANDED RABOBANK-GIANT OFF-ROAD TEAM

U.S. MTB, Cyclocross Champion Compton and New Zealand’s Rosara Joseph boost Rabobank-Giant’s World Cup presence

NEWBURY PARK, Calif. (February 10, 2011) — Fresh off a hot streak that saw her win five straight Cyclocross World Cup races and finish second at the 2011 Cyclocross Worlds, Katie Compton has announced she will join the Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team in 2011. Compton and Rosara Joseph of New Zealand are the first two women athletes on the dramatically expanded Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team.

 “I am very excited to join the Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team for the next two years, which I believe will be the best of my career,” Compton said. “I have high expectations and goals for myself, for both cyclocross and mountain biking. I am happy to be part of such a respected and well-run team.”

Adding Compton and Joseph represents a big step forward for Giant as it expands into women’s off-road racing. “This year the rankings of the team’s top-three men and top-two women will count toward UCI team rankings,” said Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team Manager Jan ten Tusscher. “The continued expansion and globalization of our team played a key role in acquiring both Katie and Rosara.”

 Compton, the current U.S. Champion in both short-track cross-country and cyclocross, will focus on the XC World Cup this year with the aim to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics. “Katie’s at the top of her game, and we’re proud that she has chosen the Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team and Giant bikes to help take her XC and ’cross racing to an even higher level,” said Giant Global Marketing Director An Le.

Additional details about the team, as well as a final roster, will be made available in late March. To learn more about the Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team, as well as all Giant-sponsored teams and riders, please visit giant-bicycles.com, or follow the teams throughout the season at facebook.com/giantbicycles.

ATHLETE BIOS

Katie Compton (USA):

Cyclocross

Current Cyclocross UCI Ranking: 1st

2011 Cyclocross World Championship: 2nd

2011 World Cup: 2^nd overall

5 World Cup victories, 2010-2011 season

Mountain bike

2010 XC MTB Ranking: 40^th

2010 USA MTB Championships: 5^th

2010 Val di Sole UCI World Cup: 4^th 

2010 Windham UCI World Cup: 14^th 

2010 UCI World Cup Offenburg: 19^th  

2009 USA XC Championships: 3^rd

2009 UCI World Championships: 14^th  

Rosara Joseph (NZ):

2010 UCI XC Ranking: 38^th

2010 UCI World Championships: 17^th

2006 Commonwealth Games: 2nd

2007 UCI World Championships: 5^th

2008 Beijing Olympic Games: 9^th   

About Giant

Giant, the world’s leading provider of high-quality bicycles, has been devoted to cycling culture and sport since 1972. Today, Giant combines innovative technology and manufacturing expertise to create products that are perfectly suited to every type of rider. Committed to inspiring adventure in all cyclists, from casual to competitive, Giant aims to promote the cycling lifestyle all around the world. For more information, go to giant-bicycles.com.

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