CANNONDALE FACTORY RACING XC TEAM MAKES HISTORIC SWITCH TO SHIMANO

Team CFR sets sights for victory with XTR components.

For the first time in its history CANNONDALE FACTORY RACING (CFR) will partner with SHIMANO in a move that will put the team’s elite XC Olympians including Manuel Fumic (GER), Henrique Avancini (BRA), Maxime Marrotte (FRA), and Helen Grobert (GER) on the most advanced racing technology in the component brand’s arsenal.

For the 2018 season onwards the team’s Cannondale F-Si hardtails and Scalpel-Si full suspension bikes will be decked out with SHIMANO’S XTR drivetrains, including the XTR HOLLOWTECH II RACE crankset constructed from ultralight hollow-forged anodized aluminium crankarms and titanium chainrings.

The crankset will be complemented by the HG-901 SIL-TEC coated chain and XTR’s SHIMANO SHADOW RD+ rear derailleur with its clutch mechanism for greater chain retention options and its unique position under the cassette to reduce the risk of damage from trail hazards.

Meanwhile braking will be taken care of with powerful XTR M9000 RACE hydraulic levers and XTR M9000 RACE calipers.

Team manager Daniel Hespeler pointed out that the switch to Shimano had been a big goal of his, leading into the Olympic qualification period. “We’ve built a fantastically talented squad of gutsy, aggressive and open minded cross country riders, who are some of the very best in the world. We set the team’s structure up for ultimate performance leading into the next Olympic cycle and made some fundamental changes in how the team operates too. Signing with Shimano was the missing piece in the puzzle and, from the riders to the mechanics, we’re all stoked to be working with XTR and Shimano from here on into 2020.”

Cannondale Factory Racing will be competing in the UCI XCO World Cup, which kicks off with round 1 in Stellenbosch South Africa on 10 March, 2018 and are also focusing on winning the ABSA Cape Epic beginning just over a week later.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. EMBARGO: Friday 12th January 10am (CET)

2. IMAGES: can be downloaded at: https://media.shimano-eu.com/en-CEU/presskit/219707?reheat_cache=1

3. CANNONDALE FACTORY RACING: The team features Manuel Fumic (GER), Henrique Avancini (BRA), Maxime Marrotte (FRA), Helen Grobert (GER) and Hannah Grobert (GER). For more info see Instagram (@cannondalefactoryracing) and Facebook (Cannondale Factory Racing).

4. ABOUT SHIMANO EUROPE: Founded in 1921, Shimano is dedicated to helping its customers get closer to nature, supporting people to realize their dreams and create new lifestyles. That comes with the desire to create outstanding cycling products and apparel. With almost 100 years’ experience in creating internationally renowned bicycle components, Shimano is proud to have developed products that continue to take countless athletes to victory and provide the means for limitless global bicycle journeys. For more information see www.shimano.com.