Cross country mountain bike team 3 Rox Racing will become Cannondale-3 Rox Racing as the bicycle company joins the Canadian squad as title sponsor for the coming season. The team also welcomes two new riders for 2017 with Canadian Olympian Raphaël Gagné and American Keegan Swenson joining the squad. Returning are U.S. national cross country and short track XC champion Erin Huck and Canadian XC champion Dereck Zandstra.
“I’m really looking forward to the 2017 season,” said team manager Kyle Douglas. “The team will build on our 2016 domestic successes and continue to climb the international rankings with our 2017 rider signings and new sponsors. The new partnership with Cannondale will enable the team to excel by providing world class factory support and equipment. All four riders are experienced cyclists that have achieved very impressive results and I look forward to working with them in 2017.”
Raphaël Gagné at the 2016 Mount-Sainte-Anne World Cup
Gagné represented Canada at the Rio Olympics in August. Racing for Cannondale Factory Racing he took his second successive US Cup overall title in 2016. The Quebec City native won a gold medal in XC mountain biking at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto and was Canadian national champion in 2015.
Thrilled to announce I will be racing with Cannondale 3Rox in 2017. @Cannondale3Rox #3roxfamily #ridecannondale https://t.co/5NihmBygIP
— Raphael Gagné (@raphaelgagne) December 30, 2016
“I am thrilled to be joining Cannondale-3 Rox Racing, a well-established professional Canadian based mountain bike team with international ambitions,” said Gagné. “Mountain bike racing is an individual sport where you can truly benefit from racing as a team, on and off the bike. This new team will now take us to the next level of support at races around the globe,” he explained. “It is with enthusiasm that I’m joining a team that I’ve known for a long time filled with true cycling professionals and passion. Cheers to a great 2017 racing season.”
Keegan Swenson
Swenson, 22-years-old, also comes to the Canadian squad from the Cannondale Factory Team and was second at the 2016 U.S. national championships in the elite men’s XC race.
“I am excited that I will be a part of the newly established Cannondale-3 Rox Racing Team,” said Swenson. “3 Rox Racing has been able to form an incredible program that supports riders both in North American and European racing. I have been a part of the Cannondale family since I was a junior, and am beyond excited to keep working with a company that is always pushing the limits with innovation and creating beautiful and fast bikes. I’m stoked to get the 2017 season underway.”
Zandstra at the 2016 Mount-Sainte-Anne World Cup
Canadian champion Zandstra returns to the program for his 17th season. Zandstra had a solid 2016 with the national title and strong results at the European World Cups.
“I am excited for the big changes in 2017, as it’s always exciting to have new teammates and sponsors, and I look forward to welcoming them,” explained Zandstra. “I also look forward to the new products and getting to know the new teammates- and that’s the best part of starting a new year.”
Erin Huck on the top step of the podium at the US national XC championships
Erin Huck will return to the squad to don the U.S. national championship jersey in races across North America and Europe.
“Cannondale is so pleased to be partnering with 3 Rox Racing,” said Hannah Parish, North America marketing director for Cycling Sports Group. “This brings together the best bikes in the industry and the best mountain bike racers in North America. We are stoked to continue our relationship with Raph and Keegan, and so excited to work more closely with National Champions Derek and Erin. We know this collaboration in 2017 will continue to take us to new heights!”
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Philippe Tremblay
Web editor at Canadian Cycling Magazine
Philippe started riding his bike in Montreal with McGill Cycling, now he works as a web editor for Canadian Cycling Magazine. He eats vegan and enjoys spending his summers in Cape Breton, N.S.
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