Catching Up With 2012 DRD/Intense

Escondido, CA – The ‘DRD Intense’ factory mountain bike team has had a great launch to the 2012 season!   Arguably one of the top American teams on the circuit, the DRD program is constantly evolving into a powerhouse on any race circuit!  The DRD Intense team recently finished a west coast swing of major American races.  The following recap will bring you all up to speed on our team’s development this beginning part of the year!

SEA OTTER CLASSIC – Monterey, CA

As the first major event of the season, the Sea Otter Classic brings together the entire cycling community in an outdoor expo & festival type atmosphere.  The DRD Intense team had a strong presence both on and off the track.  With a new trailer & awning, fresh new colors, and some great new sponsors, we were definitely one of the hottest teams around!

CHECK OUT THE DRD INTENSE Sea Otter Classic Video!

Team DRD/Intense Mission#1: Sea Otter - More Mountain Bike Videos

Dual Slalom

The Warren Brothers, Cody & Austin, both had a stellar day in dual slalom, both qualifying in the top 15 out of over a hundred racers!  After some tight races, Cody would finish in at 11^th, while younger brother Austin would finish in 13^th.

“The track was a lot of fun,” exclaimed Austin Warren!  “I was just getting used to it when I went against Mick Hannah in the 2^nd round (Hannah is a perennial favorite to win at Sea Otter).  I was stoked to get past the first round in my first year as pro & into the round of 16.  It’s a great learning experience & I can’t wait for next year!”

Downhill

Sea Otter’s downhill track is notoriously pedally & riddled with obstacles & jumps.  This made for a hard & competitive course, despite being tamer than a typical downhill race track. 

“I had a pretty descent run,” stated Cody Warren.  “I’m pumped on what I was able to accomplish despite not being the strongest pedaler on the day.  I gave it what I had and am happy with it,… but I’m gonna come back stronger next year!”

DRD Intense’s day would be bitter sweet as Cody Warren charged his way into 14^th place, while Jason  Memmelaar rode in at 48^th spot, & Austin Warren crashed on a huge hip jump (where another rider was knocked out).   Despite the bitter sweet results, our team had a great race, great presence & a great kick off to the 2012 season!

US GRAND PRIX of MTB – Port Angeles, WA

CHECK OUT THE DRD INTENSE MTB GP Port Angeles Video!

Team DRD/Intense #2: Port Angeles - More Mountain Bike Videos

The first round of the US Grand Prix was definitely a true test to the team’s dedication & commitment to our race program as this was our first real test on a true downhill track against some of the fiercest competition of the year. Despite threatening weather, the event turned out to be a tremendous success! 

Austin Warren took the top spot amongst team riders as he charged his way into 24^th.  “I had a solid run,” said Austin.  “But kept thinking to myself ‘am I pedaling enough??’ so I started charging harder.  Thankfully I didn’t crash.  I was worried since I wrecked hard at Sea Otter.  I’m learning though … & getting a lot better. I’m pumped!”

Lauren Daney, recent roster addition, took the team with ease as she raced her brand new DRD Intense 951 with little setback to a respectable 11^th place finish.   Teammate Cody Warren had a bit of a set back early on in practice as he sustained injuries to his ankles & split his chin while trying to avoid another rider casing a jump ahead of him.  Unfortunately this injury took a toll come race day. 

CALIFORNIA GOLDEN CUP – Fontana, California

The ‘BIKE VAULT’ pro team (DRD’s satellite program) took part in the final round of the California Golden Cup this past weekend.  Team leader David KlaassenVanOorschot returned to racing in force, after sustaining broken ribs at the first round in late March.  Despite so much time off the bike, David K rode his way to a 3^rd place finish!

The DRD Intense race program will spend the next few weeks training before heading to the east coast for the 2^nd & 3 round of the US Grand Prix of Mountain Biking, as well as two World Cups & the US National Championships.

DRD Intense is proudly supported by the following sponsors…

• Dean Racing Development
• Intense Cycles
• ARMA Energy
• ONE Industries
• Shimano
• ODI Grips
• Sun-Ringle
• Marzocchi Suspension
• MRP
• SDG Components
• Maxmia Racing Oils
• SOL Republic
• the Bike Vault Bike Shop

Top 10 For All TWR Downhillers At 2012 Sea Otter

Aaron Gwin led the way with a 3rd place, closely followed by Neko Mulally joining him on the podium for 5th. Justin Leov was also in the mix with a 7th showing everyone that on this course our team had the greatest combined horse power of the weekend.

The Sea Otter Downhill course is notoriously lacking in topography and for this reason the riders opted to run their Enduro bikes, the superb Trek Slash 9. We are very fortunate to have committed sponsors who not only helped us with the extra equipment to allow the Trek Race Department to build these bikes up specifically for the Sea Otter event, but Shimano also provided all three riders with the brand new Saint Group-Sets to race on. With the top 5 in the final results including power house riders like race winner Jared Graves (AUS) as well as Mick Hannah (AUS) and Brian Lopes (USA), it was great to see Neko so close to his mentor team mate in that top 5.

Aaron said: "I had an awesome time this weekend. Sea Otter is always one of my favorite races of the year. The atmosphere is always cool and the amount of people who showed up to see us was crazy. I rode my Slash this weekend since the course was pretty flat, that thing is a blast! My race run went pretty good too, times are always tight and the pedaling makes you hurt! Overall it was a fun weekend and solid results for the whole team. Thanks to everyone for coming out!"

Neko said: "I was really happy with how our equipment worked this weekend. The Slash was the perfect bike for Sea Otter's downhill track and the new low knob tires we had from Bontrager m ade the bike incredibly fast. Getting a chance to ride all the components in the new Saint group-set also felt great. I put down a solid run in the final, but I feel the bikes we had helped a lot."

Justin said: "I felt a little off today with my run. My fitness is great I just need a little fine tuning. On the positive side my bike was feeling great all weekend with the new tires and Saint group-set. A noticeably quieter ride with the derailleur and much faster shifting with the new Saint shifter." The team now heads north to Port Angeles, Washington State, for the opening round of the US MTB Grand Prix, where they'll be back on their Session 9.9's.

Full Sea Otter results can be seen here: http://www.seaotterclassic.com/raceresults/index.cfm/2012.htm

More info on Trek's Slash 9 can be seen here: http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/technical_trail/slash/slash_9/#

Following the team on Twitter @trekworldracing

Volkswagon Of America Joins 2012 Sea Otter As Title Sponsor

MONTEREY, Calif. - February 22, 2012 - North America's largest cycling festival has a new partner for 2012, as automaker Volkswagen of America, Inc. joins the Sea Otter Classic as the title sponsor.

The event, which takes place April 19-22 at Laguna Seca Recreation Area near Monterey, Calif., is now the Volkswagen Sea Otter Classic Powered by SRAM.

"It's an incredible opportunity for Sea Otter to welcome one of the most recognizable brands in the world to the event," said Frank Yohannan, president and CEO, Sea Otter Classic. "This partnership speaks volumes about Volkswagen's commitment to our sport and the culture of cycling. And as a corporate leader in promoting safe cycling, Volkswagen is the perfect partner for Sea Otter racers, riders, and fans."

A new title sponsor is the latest in a series of updates for the iconic festival. These include the introduction of cyclocross racing, an expanded kids riding area, an invitational downhill skateboarding exhibition, and enhanced outreach for female cyclists.

"Sea Otter provides us with the perfect partnership to expand on our commitment to environmental sustainability that goes beyond fuel-efficient vehicles," said Jonathan Browning, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. "We're proud to support this world-class event that spreads the passion for cycling from children to adults."

Volkswagen has also recently partnered with the national cycling advocacy group Bikes Belong to support development of bike-friendly communities and create a cleaner environment. Volkswagen's support of cycling is part of the Think Blue.® initiative, which encompasses all of the company's efforts to promote eco-friendly mobility and encourage environmentally conscious behavior.

For more information regarding the Volkswagen Sea Otter Classic Powered by SRAM, visit www.seaotterclassic.com.

About Sea Otter Classic

A four-day "Celebration of Cycling," Sea Otter Classic is regarded as the world's largest cycling festival, hosting nearly 10,000 professional and amateur athletes and 50,000 fans. The 22nd Annual Volkswagen Sea Otter Classic Powered by SRAM will be held April 19-22, 2012 at Laguna Seca Recreation Area, Monterey, California. For more information, visit www.seaotterclassic.com or call (800) 218-8411.

About Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen's operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Beetle, Eos, Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan vehicles through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers.