Welcome to the new website of Specialized Factory Racing. Here you can find all of the latest updates from our team. We hope to share with you many of the trials, tribulations and triumphs on the road ahead.

A snappy 350km in the black bullet with Claire, Susi, Lene and Liam and the Irishman behind the wheel found us in Offenburg, Germany. The team are now relaxing, resting and tapering ahead of Sunday's second showdown of World Cup racing. On the journey I introduced everybody to competitor radio and our very own Ned Overend's interview! You should tune in to www.competitorradio.com for more.

The black bullet!

L-R: Sandy, Bobby and Benno needed some warmer gear last week in Houffalize, eventhough the rain did not bother us, but this week the sun is really shinning

The word from Offenburg is that the sun is shinning, the course is dry, meaning super light Specialized Tires and fast racing conditions tomorrow unlike last year, when Offenburg was like a mud bath. The team are motivated and ready for racing tomorrow.

We have arrived in sunny Madrid for Crosscountry World Cup # 3 here in Caso Del Campo. The weather is splendid and life with the team is good.

Ryan left Offenburg on Monday morning, while Benno and I (Bobby) were delayed by a day because the black bullet had to go for some surgery. A new steering pump and by 6pm Monday evening, we were on the road. Ryan coupled with the Teams Bulls, who travelled in convoy overnighted in Montpellier, while Benno and I went full gas (Lene's expression!!) for Barcelona! We arrived at 3am - not bad, found a nice hotel, which gave us a day to spend in the beautiful city. We only thought of it on the drive into Barcelona, but with a S Works Epic and S Works Tarmac SL sitting in the van, what cooler way to see Barcelona, but by bike. I will certainly be doing this again. Barcelona is awesome, the Olympic Stadium very impressive and the night life .... well lively is an understatement!

The team are slowly but surely making their way to Andorra for this weekend's World Cup. Lene will not be present, but Christoph and Liam will be on the start line in the men's cross country, while Kyle Strait will be in action in both the men's downhill and 4 cross.

It's Friday and two big days of racing ahead. Conrad "The Caveman" Stoltz has arrived in Wales, a trip which was a story in itself with delayed flights, missing luggage and more ... I am sure there will be a good story next week. This will be Conrad's first ever European XTerra Series Race and he has plans to not only take the USA Series again, but also the European Series, something that has never happened before.

Meanwhile the MTB team are in Val Di Sole, Italy for the world championships. Kyle is in downhill action tomorrow (Saturday), while Susi, Liam and Lene have their cross country races on Sunday. The team are looking good and positive ahead of the racing.  

Christoph's report: 

I am back at home again where everything is starting to settle down. On Sunday I had the ride of my life! It was the perfect day, with the very best leading up to it. There was that “you can do it” cloud of spirit over our team.

Lads if we win a world title I am shaving off the beard (thank god!!!!!!!!!!) .....

Before - if you have seen "Jaws" you can see why I christened Ryan "Quint"

The respectable Ryan

In 2003 on a visit to Susi's house there was another bet. Susi and I agreed that if he won a world title, we'd go test driving Ferrari's .... with all the commotion right after the race we both totally forgot, but that night Susi said "Bobby have you forgot something!?" The smile on my face said it all. Now Benno has joined the party .... he's going to bring one of Audi's new R8's along ..... I don't trust Benno behind the wheel of a van, let alone an R8 ..... we are going to wait until after the Olympics!

So what's the road ahead like? Right now we are in Villabassa, Italy. Liam and I avoided the lightning on our morning spin, so both Liam and Susi are good to go this coming weekend and the World Marathon Championships.

Christoph's (Susi's) Schedule:

July 5: World Marathon Championships, Villabassa, Italy

July 26, 27: Mt St Anne World Cup, Canada

August 7 - 12: Tour L'Hexagonal, France

August 23: Olympic Games, Beijing

August 30,31: Canberra World Cup, Australia

September 7: Swisspower Cup, Switzerland

September 13 & 14: Schladming World Cup Final, Austria

Liam's Schedule: 

July 5: World Marathon Championships, Villabassa, Italy

July 26, 27: Mt St Anne World Cup, Canada

August 2 & 3: Bromont World Cup, Canada

August 23: Olympic Games, Beijing

A tough job to get Liam and Susi to smile. The game faces are on!

Local trad mountain music at dinner ..... whoooo hooooo!

So what and who can be a threat. I suppose Susi is to be considered the favourite, but anything can happen. People will also be looking to Liam, especially after his savage ride at worlds.