![\"Conrad](\"https:\/\/www.conradstoltz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/conrad-stoltz-by-gary-perkin.jpg\" "\\"Conrad")
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MultiSport<\/a> | March 11, 2010<\/a><\/p>\n Poised to dominate the triathlon world in 2010, Specialized has launched its first-ever comprehensive triathlon team, with multiple athletes in each of the three major specialties: Long Course, Short Course, and Xterra. Hand selected by Bobby Behan, Specialized Global Marketing Manager for MTB and Triathlon, the team athletes represent the best in the business \u2013 from decorated vets to young, upstart pros.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s super exciting to be instrumental in the construction of this star-studded global team, many of which have inspired my own triathlon career,\u201d said Behan. \u201cCollectively, the team has won every major title in triathlon from the Olympic Games to World titles in ITU, Ironman, and Xterra.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Long Course Triathlon Team<\/strong><\/p>\n Chris McCormack<\/a> “Macca” Long Course standouts Chris \u201cMacca\u201d McCormack, the 2007 World Ironman and 1997 ITU World Champion; Peter Reid<\/a>, three-time Ironman World Champion; and Desiree Ficker<\/a>, 2008 Ironman South Africa 70.3 champ, have all returned. \u201cIt is a great honor to represent the big S around the globe,\u201d said Peter Reid<\/a>, longtime Specialized ambassador and athlete. \u201cFor more than 10 years I\u2019ve been like the kid in the candy shop \u2013 my candy shop being Specialized, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n And this year they are joined by three more ringers. Jordan Rapp<\/a> won the 2009 Ironman Arizona, smashing the bike course record. Philip Graves<\/a>, also a cycling ace, is the youngest ever Ironman Champion (at just 20 years old) after winning in the UK last August. And Rasmus Henning<\/a> \u2013 who just crossed over to Long Course racing after an accomplished ITU career\u2013 placed fifth in his first attempt at Kona last year, despite breaking his wrist two weeks prior and being told not to race.<\/p>\n The Long Course team will ride the new S-Works Shiv and S-Works Transition \u2013 bikes that Henning thinks will help him accomplish a huge goal. “I am really happy to be a part of Specialized for the 2010 season. My big goal this year is winning Ironman Hawaii, and I am certain that the professional team surrounding me with my bike set-up will be the best I have ever had.”<\/p>\n Short Course Triathlon Team<\/strong><\/p>\n Javier Gomez ITU Development Team<\/strong><\/p>\n Leonardo Chacon Corrales Specialized will also be diving head first into Short Course \u2013 a timely entry with the London Olympic Games only two years away. \u201cThe Olympic Games is the world\u2019s greatest sporting event, and the athletes competing in ITU triathlon are the ultimate testament to the athleticism that defines the Games,\u201d said Behan.<\/p>\n Racing on their new S-Works Tarmac SL3 and S-Works Amira bikes, the fearsome new squad will include: Olympic gold and silver medalist Simon Whitfield; Multiple World Cup winner and former World Champion Javier Gomez; and former World U23 Champion and current second-ranked woman, Lisa Norden.<\/p>\n Norden and Gomez are looking forward to their new toys and the benefits of a major sponsor. \u201cMy new Specialized S Works SL3 is so light,\u201d said Gomez. \u201cYou really feel that all your power is transferred directly to the bike, and you don’t waste anything. And of course, it’s beautiful!\u201d Norden added, \u201cHaving someone at the race site looking after me and my equipment is huge \u2013 it\u2019s new to me and the sport.\u201d<\/p>\n Just as committed to grass-roots level racing as their international stars, Specialized has also teamed up with ITU Development Director Libby Burrell in support of the ITU Scholarship Program. Responsible for fostering the rise of stars such as Norden, the program was created, in part, to support national federations and regions where there are limited human and financial resources.<\/p>\n Xterra Triathlon Team<\/strong><\/p>\n Conrad Stoltz<\/a> \u201cThe Caveman\u201d Of course the team wouldn\u2019t be complete without Specialized veteran athlete Conrad \u201cThe Caveman\u201d Stoltz or Melanie McQuaid \u2013 both three-time World Xterra Champions and both hungry for another podium. They are joined by Conrad\u2019s fellow South African and upcoming Xterra athlete Dan Hugo. All will be outfitted with S-Works Epic and S-Works Epic 29er bikes.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m really excited to be part of such a diverse group of triathletes,\u201d said Stoltz. \u201cBeing part of a team feels really good; it\u2019s only logical to have such a phenomenal group riding the best bicycles out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nRasmus Henning<\/a>
\nPhilip Graves<\/a>
\nJordan Rapp<\/a>
\nDesiree Ficker<\/a>
\nPeter Reid<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSimon Whitfield<\/a>
\nLisa Norden<\/a>
\nGavin Noble<\/a><\/p>\n
\nBarbara Riveros
\nAbrahm Louw<\/a><\/p>\n
\nDan Hugo<\/a>
\nMelanie McQuaid<\/p>\n