New for 2012 is the formation of a Specialized Canada Factory Racing Team for cross country mountain bike. Two Canadians selected to this team are Neal Kindree and Evan McNeely

Neal, a resident of Squamish, BC is a two time U23 Mountain Bike National Champion and winner of the Canada Cup cross country series. In 2008 he was on top of his career as a mountain biker when an unfortunate knee injury, that required surgery, sidelined him. In 2011 he made a comeback as an Elite racer by placing an impressive 4th at the Canadian National Championship at 24 yrs old. Neal also placed 3rd at the Transandes, 2nd at the TransRockies, and won multiple stages of the BC Bike Race. Neal hopes to continue improving on those results in 2012. Neal’s race calendar includes The Sea Otter Classic, North American UCI World Cups, Canada Cup Races as well as hoping to improve upon his finish from last year at Canadian Nationals with the goal of qualifying for World Championships. Neal is riding a S-Works Epic 29er and a Tarmac SL4.

Evan, a resident of Ontario is a two time U23 Cyclocross National Champion, Junior National Mountain Bike Champion and placed an impressive 9th place at the World Mountain Bike Championships in Mt. Saint Anne as a junior. Evan will start the year off at the first US Pro XCT Race in Texas and then travel to the Pan American Continental Cycling Championships in Mexico with the National Team. Also on the race calendar for Evan are at least 4 UCI World Cup races including the 2 in North America. World Championships for both Mountain Bike and Cyclocross is Evans goal in 2012/13. Evan is riding a S-Works Stumpjumper HT 29er and a Crux.

Also partnering with Specialized is EMD Serono. Evan and Neal will participate in the MS Tour Bike Ride in their home cities to raise funds for people living with Multiple Sclerosis, and promote healthy living through the flagship Multibionata brand, a multi-vitamin with a combination of vitamins and minerals plus probiotics.

The new Specialized Factory Racing Team in Canada is an exciting new venture and both riders feel privileged to be part of it.