Cannondale announced today it is partnering with Team Sho-Air Inc. to launch Sho-Air/Cannondale, operating out of Southern California. Sho-Air/Cannondale will be Cannondale’s North American arm of its global mountain bike race category. The team will represent Cannondale’s factory mountain bike efforts in North America and will support the Cannondale Factory Racing Team during their North American World Cup appearances.
The Sho-Air/Cannondale force will consist of professionals Max Plaxton, Pua Mata, Alex Grant, Jeremiah Bishop, Tinker Juarez, and Manny Prado as team support. Before joining Sho-Air /Cannondale, Grant, Bishop, and Juarez were members of Cannondale Factory Racing. Also featured on the team will be motorsports legends Eric Bostrom and Josh Hayes. The team will be managed by five-time amateur National Champion and Director of Team Operations, Tyson Kady.
“Sho-Air/Cannondale is a North American-based squad of riders that have a championed history in mountain biking,” said Bob Burbank, Global General Manager, Cannondale. “It’s exciting to be launching a team full of such talent, coupled with the industry-leading standard and tradition of Cannondale mountain bikes.”
Plaxton is a five-time National Champion, two-time Pan-American Champion, and was awarded a Bronze Medal at the 2006 U-23 World Championships. Juarez has represented the U.S. in two Olympics, is a three-time U.S. Cross-Country National Champion, and is a four-time U.S. 24-Hour National Champion. Bishop has led the U.S. National Team on seven occasions, including his gold medal winning performance in the 2003 Pan American Games and his eighth place finish at the 2006 World Championships. Mata is the reigning USAC PRO XCT, PRO UET and Marathon National Champion. Most recently, Mata placed first in the La Ruta de Los Conquistadores race in Costa Rica, her first ever attempt. Grant placed second on the men’s side, his third second place finish in the past four years.
“Working with the Cannondale staff has been a very pleasurable experience as they are true cycling fans and extremely supportive of our riders and staff,” said Scott Tedro, President and CEO, Sho-Air International. “We at Team Sho-Air have been very impressed with their bikes and know that we have a winning combination.”
Sho-Air/Cannondale will be riding the Cannondale Scalpel 29’er and the Cannondale F29. With 100mm front and rear travel, the Cannondale Scalpel 29’er possesses Cannondale’s unique Lefty fork, along with unstoppable 29’er momentum with the quickness and agility of a 26’er. The hardtail F29 features an ultra-light, ultra-stiff frame and 29’er Race Geometry for relentless momentum with the weight and agility benefits of a 26” bike.
“The Scalpel and F29 are the perfect bikes for Sho-Air /Cannondale’s style of riding,” said Burbank. “With these bikes and riders, the team will definitely be a force to be reckoned with. We’re looking forward to Sho-Air /Cannondale dominating in 2013.”
