With the 2012 World Cup season kicking off in March lets have a look at who, the Aussies and other key contenders, will be riding for. Some moves were just rumours some were true, with the season about to start there can’t be too many announcements left to make.
Sam Hill and Troy Brosnan are surely Australia’s two biggest hopes this season, both riders are back on the Monster/Specialized team. Gone from the team is Brendan Fairclough who has moved to Scott 11. Interesting to know there were strong rumoursA�the Giant Factory team were interested in the services of either Troy or Brendan. It will be interesting to see if the carbon fibre S-works models used at Champery for the 2011 World Championships’A�are rolled out for the 2012 World Cup season.
Jared Graves returns full timeA�to downhill racing in 2012 with the Yeti/Fox Shox team, along side Jared again this year is Shaun O’Connor. The team spent part of the off season training in New Zealand making the most of the Southern Hemisphere’s summer.
Josh Button is happy to be on the expanded SC Intense team for 2012. Josh is currently going through rehab on his knee he injured at the 2011 World Championships’. Josh will miss the first World Cup of the season in South Africa, instead joining the team at World Cup number two.
Chris Kovarik will be racing selected events with partner Claire Buchar, after a medal at the 2011 World Champs what will 2012 hold for Kovarik Racing?!
Connor Fearon will join Mitch DelfsA�on the Kona Factory team racing his first complete World Cup series, Connor is still a junior and eligible to be selected for the 2012 Junior World Championships Team.
Mick and Tracey Hannah have joined the expanded Hutchinson United Ride/Morewood team. It will be great to see the Hannahs’ ride to their potential this year.
After a serious injury last yearA�Bryn Atkinson is riding with partner Jill Kintner on the Norco World Cup team. Often referred to as the Mark Webber of downhilling, if Bryn gets all his cards in a line the results will follow.
Other riders yet to make public announcements about possible 2012 World Cup plans include Will Rischbieth, Rhys Atkinson and Rhys Willemse. Hopefully 2012 will be another successful year for Australian riders overseas.