GT Factory Racing Brings on Next Generation of Talent

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Taylor Vernon

Martin Maes

Powerhouse Riders Taylor Vernon and Martin Maes Set to Ride with Beaumont and AthertonsGT Bicycles, a Dorel Industries brand, announced today the signing of two of Europe’s most dominant young riders to expand its champion downhill and enduro race team GT Factory Racing. Taylor Vernon of South Wales will join the world’s fastest downhill race team to train alongside Gee Atherton, Rachel Atherton, and Marc Beaumont, while Martin Maes from Belgium will join Dan Atherton on the enduro team.“Taylor was first brought to our attention last year and we’ve seen him post some solid results in the under 16 sections this past season,” said Dan Brown, Team Director. “The team is on a roll right now with Rachel’s World Cup win, fastest team overall title and Gee taking podiums in every race. It feels like the right time for us to start to bring on some new young riders and we think that Taylor has the potential to become a major force on the World Cup scene.”16-year-old Vernon will be racing on a GT Fury as he works to dominate the Junior World Cups and World Championships.“Words can’t describe how stoked I am to be joining Dan, Gee, Rachel, and Marc on GT Factory Racing,” said Vernon. “I’m so excited about racing at the International and World Cup level and know that I could not ask for a better or more experienced team of people to teach me all there is to know.”On the enduro side, 15-year-old Martin Maes turned heads when he took 5th place overall at the Superenduro of Nations at Sauze d’Oulz. He will be riding a GT Force and focusing on the Enduro World Series.“Nobody could quite believe it,” said Dan Atherton. “There isn’t a junior category in superenduro so this 15-year-old boy is just wasting some of the toughest and most experienced adult riders on the circuit.We are really excited about the Enduro World Series in 2013 and I’m stoked to have a new teammate with this much potential.”“This opportunity feels like a dream come true,” said Maes. “I have the greatest admiration for Rachel, Dan, Gee and Marc and will be so happy to ride with them.”// 2012 results - U16British Downhill Series Round 1-Combe Sydenham 3rd placeBritish Downhill Series Round 2-Fort William 6th placeBritish Downhill Series round 3-Glencoe 2nd placeBritish Downhill Series Round 4-Caersws 1st placeBritish Downhill Series Round 5- Bringewood 1st placeBritish Downhill Series Round 6-Llangollen 1st placeBritish Downhill Series Overall 1st PlaceExtreme DH Summer Series-Llangollen 1st placeIXS Downhill Round 2- Innerleithen 1st placeIXS Downhill Round 6-Chatel 4th PlaceWelsh Champs-Moelfre 2nd placeNational Champion-Moelfre 1st place// 2012 ResultsEnduro "hautes vosges" - La Bresse 6thMountain of Hell, Les Deux Alpes 13thEnduro of Nations, Saulx d'Oulx 5thEnduro of Nations, Valloire 4thRoc Enduro (Roc d'Azur) 3rd4X European Race (15/17 years), Winterberg 1stPhotos: Laurence Crossman-Emms (www.laurence-ce.com)