The Steve Peat Syndicate – a 'buy-in' downhill team set up by the 2009 world champion – is expanding into North America after a successful launch in the UK earlier this year.
The idea is that riders buy a year's membership and in return get a level of support similar to that of a pro team. This includes a Santa Cruz Carbon V10 bike decked out with equipment from SRAM, RockShox, Maxxis, WTB, Lizard Skins and Speedgoat.
The deal also includes Royal Racing clothing, Smith goggles, and a Fox helmet and pads, as well as access to training programs and support at races. Crankworx dual slalom silver medallist Mitch Ropelato is already believed to be on the squad.
Peat said: "It's been a dream of mine to do this for many years and having got the SPS going in the UK I thought it was a great time to partner up with Philip Bice and [Santa Cruz boss] Rob Roskopp and reach out to North America.
"The package we're offering is awesome and I'm excited to be able to offer my almost 20 years of knowledge on the World Cup circuit to the group of people we put together. It's a great feeling to be able to help and to bring anyone on in their riding."
Steve Peat Syndicate North America (SPS NA) will be taking on a limited number of riders across all skill levels and all ages in 2011. To find out more, visit www.stevepeatsyndicate.com/us or email SPSna@stevepeatsyndicate.com.
UK team
In related news, the line-up of this year's UK Steve Peat Syndicate has been announced:
- Steve Peat, 36
- Tristan Tunstall, 35 (team manager)
- Jenny Beesley, 27
- Billy Matthews, 16
- Josh Lewis, 17
- Jack Read, 16
- Nathan Vials, 20
- Ally Simpson, 40
- Ben Humphries, 16
- Chris Griffiths, 30
- Dale Russell, 20
- Freddie Oxley, 15
- Michael Vickers, 25
- Tom Kelly, 25
