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| About DEVO|| The Team|| Schedule|| Results|| Press and Testimonials|| Pictures|| DEVO History|| Sponsors|| |
Team DEVO HistoryDuringthe 1994 Mountain Bike World Championships in Metabief, France, a conversationtook place between Paul Turner, founder of Rock Shox, Inc., John Kemp, founderof DEVO, and other bicycle industry managers regarding the lack of juniordevelopment cycling programs in the United States. They were disappointed by thelack of support for junior racers from the national cycling federation, and TeamDEVO came to life to fill the void. With primary financial backing from RockShox, grants from several other concerned cycling companies, and lots of hardwork, Kemp began building what would become the most elite junior off-roadcycling team in the nation, home to both National and World Champions. Sinceits inception in 1994 the program has grown stronger with each passing seasonand become increasingly more visible, and with deep rooted support from thecycling community, DEVO has evolved into a marketing success story for itsriders, sponsors and partners. Enteringits thirteenth season in 2007, DEVO is still focused on promoting junior cyclists,ages 15-18, Under 23 (U23) Professionals, ages 19-22, and the sport of mountain biking.It is backed by financial and equipment contributions from numerous companies, both in and out of the cycling arena. Ourgoals for the 2007 season continue to include marketing the sport of mountainbiking and youth racing through promotion of our team riders, some of thehottest junior and U23 racers in the U.S., winning National and WorldChampionship titles, and promoting our sponsors and their products. From thephenomenal response we receive from sponsors, professional competitors, thepress, parents and young racers, we are convinced DEVO is a positive force inthe development of junior and U23 competitors, and a successful marketingvehicle for our partners. Youngcyclists represent the purest form of the sport. They are enthusiastic,dedicated competitors who race for physical challenge, skill improvement, andfun. Representing the best in American youth they are also great promoters ofthe sport and their sponsors. We believe these racers and others like them willencourage youth and teen rider participation, ensuring the growth andcompetitive development of cycling and a continuing supply of talent for futurerepresentation in national and international competitions. Many of our youngriders are returning in 2006, and with the addition of new talent, DEVO islooking forward to another exciting year of competition and to capturing yetanother cross-country national title. Team DEVO AccomplishmentsDEVO Team members made up 80% of the U.S. National Mountain Bike Team in XC and DH in ’98, ’99 and 2000, and 80% of the Men’s Under 23 XC U.S. Worlds team in 1999. In 2000, 100% of the U-23 U.S. Worlds XC Team was made up of former DEVO team members. In 2001, DEVO had four team members on the U.S. National World Championship Team; two in junior and two in the U-23 division. DEVO graduated several top juniors in 1999 including Jess Swiggers ’98 Junior National XC Champion and Matt Kelly, both of whom competed successfully at the Pro level in 2000 riding for Trek/Volkswagen. DEVO graduated several top juniors again in 2000 including Walker Ferguson, 2000 Junior Men’s World XC Champion, who signed with the Subaru/Gary Fisher team for 2001 and 2002. Walker won a bronze medal at the 2001 World Champions in the U-23 XC division. 1998 DEVO graduates Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski and Willow Koerber currently ride for Subaru/Gary Fisher. Devo has produced numerous National and World Champions:2007
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