SILVER AT DALBY FOR BECKINGSALE

5th July 2010 - filed under Teamsriders

Epic winner-takes-all battle scheduled for Newnham

This weekend Oli Beckingsale took Silver in Round 4 of the British Mountain Bike Series at Dalby Forest in Yorkshire, with Liam Killeen sweeping first place for the second time this year. With two wins each from four races; the winner will be crowned 2010 British Mountain Bike Series Champion.

Returning to the UK following three days stage racing in France last weekend, Oli was eager to get back to the race series on the back of his win at Round 3 in Margam, but a bad start left him trailing at the back of a chase group, difficult to claw back on Dalby’s tight singletrack.

Speaking after the race Oli said;

“It was over as soon as it started…I got an awful start and Liam got a good one. By the time I got through to 2nd on the singletrack based course I was 20seconds down, I could not close the gap and we raced solo for the next 5 laps, with Liam going a bit faster crossing the line 1min up.”

Meanwhile as the racing unfolded, spectators were treated to a feast of demo bikes as Giant’s 2010 line-up was available to anyone with a helmet to have a go on a great 40min technical course, taking in some of Dalby’s red route. Grin’s all round as Giant’s Anthem X, Anthem X W, Trance X, Cypher and XtC 29’er were put to work at another of the UK’s top riding venues.

Next up on the 2010 British Mountain Bike Demo Series is Newnham Park, Plymouth in September. For further details visit britishxc.com.

BECKINGSALE ALL GEARED UP FOR DALBY

1st July 2010 - filed under Giant

Giant rider returns from Tour l’ain VTT stage win

Oli Beckingsale returns to action in the UK this weekend for Round 4 of the British MTB Series at Dalby Forest in Yorkshire. Winner of Round 1 at Sherwood Pines and Round 3 at Margam Park, Oli arrives hot on the heels of finishing 7th in the Tour l’ain VTT in France.

The UCI class 3 stage race attracted French, Dutch, Belgian and German teams along with Oli making a guest appearance in the Great Britain National Team. Speaking after the race Oli said;

“Day one was a nasty one with a 10km team time trial that climbed a 400m hill … we ended up 5th team but lost time to the other favourites.”

“The next 2 days were good fun and I wish all mountain bike racing was like this. With 50km 1 lap races through proper hills, with no chance to pre-ride you have to just make some mental notes from the map/profile and off you go - which adds to the fun in my book!”

“Over the next 2 days I got stuck in and tried to pull back the time overall. In the end I finished 7th overall and along the way managed to win the 2nd stage and also the green sprints jersey! So not a bad 3 days work.”

This weekend Oli will hope to take advantage of his sprinting prowess as he tackles Dalby which hosted the World Cup earlier this season.

If you want to get involved then this weekend is the perfect opportunity; with Giant demo bikes available from 10am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday and racing taking place on Saturday. To demo the latest Giant off road bikes simply bring along a valid photo id (drivers license or passport) and a bank card, plus a helmet (required to ride).

For more information about the British Mountain Bike Series visit britishxc.com.

THE GIANT STORES GET IN GEAR GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED

21st June 2010 - filed under COMPETITIONS

Giant Stores launched their brand new prize draws last month with the Get in Gear competition. In the first of their monthly giveaways up for grabs was a bundle of Giant gear and accessories including mag-trainer, track pump and cycling computer! A big congratulations go to the winner of the Stores' first ever giveaway, David Easton from Basingstoke!

David was automatically entered into the prize draw after he 'Became A Friend' of the Giant Store - Twickenham at www.giant-twickenham.co.uk

This month its The Holiday's Are Better By Bike competition and to be in with a chance of winning 2 of Giant's 2010 Roam bikes and a weekend getaway courtesy of Saddle Skedaddle all you have to do is 'Become A Friend' of your local Giant Store. Just visit the website of your local store, or the Giant Stores Homepage and click the 'Become A Friend' link - after this you will automatically be entered into our monthly prize draw, it's that easy!

For further information or terms and conditions email competitions@giant-stores.co.uk

 

GIANT BACK LEXUS GREAT BRITISH BIKE RIDE

20th June 2010 - filed under Giant

Giant Support Rugby Legend Richard Hill’s September Charity Ride

The ‘Great British Bike Ride’ in September 2010 will be the first in a series of annual events which aim to raise £1.5 Million for charity over the next 5 years. This year, the event will support ‘Help for Heroes', the RFU Injured Players Foundation and the RPA Benevolent Fund.

The ride from Lands End to London will follow carefully planned scenic routes through the West Country, all participants will enjoy traditional rugby hospitality for the overnight stops at rugby club based, tented villages in Tavistock, Yeovil & Winchester. The finish will be a grand reception at Twickenham Stadium to coincide with the London ‘Double Header' involving Harlequins, London Irish, Saracens & London Wasps. 200 competitors will ride the 4 day event with up to 100 ‘stage' riders participating on a daily basis.

Richard Hill MBE, Saracens, England and Lions Legend and new Worcester Head Coach will be cycling and supporting the event throughout. Following extensive knee surgery, Richard is keen to regain his former levels of fitness and said "I am delighted to be involved with this tremendous initiative to raise funds for ‘HELP for HEROES' & Injured Players. Like rugby union, the Great British Bike Ride is about challenge, competition and enjoyment; for me, to assist with such a worthwhile cause is truly a privilege."

The event is planned to grow over the next three to five years with the inclusion of additional regions, additional sports and additional charities, culminating in a 'Great British' event with a grand total of 5000 participants.

Giant UK Director Ian Beasant said “Giant’s recent involvement with Laurence Dallaglio’s Sport’s Relief ride proved a real success; we were equally keen to support the Great British Bike Ride. Cycling and rugby go hand in hand, with many players seeing the low impact fitness benefits of riding a bike; this event will be a celebration of both rugby and cycling and all for a fantastic cause.”

For further details of the event visit greatbritishbikeride.com

DOUBLE PODIUM FOR GIANT RIDERS

14th June 2010 - filed under Teamsriders

Helen Jenkins Hy-Vee bronze & Marc Jenkins Windsor Silver

This weekend saw two Giant riders make podiums; Helen Jenkins took bronze at the Hy-Vee ITU Triathlon Elite Cup in Des Moines, Iowa, meanwhile husband Marc Jenkins took Silver at the 2010 Windsor Triathlon.

Helen took bronze in Hy-Vee finishing in 1:59:51 behind Australian’s Emma Snowsill, the race winner and Emma Moffatt.  Americans Sarah McLarty and Hayley Peirsol exited the swim a minute ahead of the chasing group, holding them off throughout the bike with the gap closing to 40 seconds.  Jenkins formed part of the chase group that caught the lead pair during the run before Snowsill managed to make the decisive move having fought back hard, finishing in 1:59:35.

Meanwhile Marc Jenkins, racing for Team TBC-Sports Aid took Silver at the 2010 Nokia Windsor Triathlon; finishing in 1:52:03 behind new team mate Steve Worthington who won with a career best and will be riding Giant TCR Advanced this season. Marc now sits in 3rd position in the British Triathlon Super Series with 106 points. Speaking immediately after the race Marc said;

“"I was happy with my race, I swam really well, so that was the main thing.. Steve ran fantastic and I couldn't run with him.”

Meanwhile fellow Team TBC-Sports Aid rider Lois Rosindale, who will also be riding Giant this season won silver in the women’s race.

###

HART 12TH AT UK WORLD CUP

7th June 2010 - filed under Teamsriders

Young DH rider moves up

Proving once again that he’s one of the world’s top young downhill racing talents, 18-year-old Danny Hart of the Giant Factory Off-Road Team scored his best World Cup result yet, finishing 12th at the June 6th Round 2 event in Fort William, Scotland.

Hart, the overall Junior Category champion in the 2009 World Cup DH Series, is from the UK and racing his first year of elite category competition.

Racing on home turf at Fort William, one of the most prestigious venues in World Cup DH racing, Hart put in a fast finals run on his Giant Glory team bike. With huge crowds and a challenging course that demands endurance, strength and superb technical skills, Fort William is a favourite World Cup stop among racers.

With unusually dry, fast conditions this year, Hart clocked a time of 4:42.77, fastest of the day at the time of his run. In the end, he finished 7.07 seconds off the winning time of fellow Brit Gee Atherton, confirming once again that he’s one of the sport’s up-and-coming stars.

Keep your eye on Danny Hart, who now sits 18th overall after two rounds in the 2010 World Cup series. The next event takes place June 19th-20th in Leogan, Austria.

PODIUM IN MADRID FOR JENKINS

6th June 2010 - filed under Teamsriders

Giant Triathlete claims 3rd place in the heat

7th June, 2010 - Giant’s Helen Jenkins finished in 3rd place in this weekend’s 2010 Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series in Madrid, her best result so far this season. The 2008 Champion battled a tough bike course and 34 degree heat to finish on the podium alongside winner Nicola Spirig (Switzerland) and 2nd placed Emmie Charayron (France) in round 3 of the series.

"It was a target to finish on the podium but I wasn't sure whether I would achieve it in the hard conditions with it being so hot," Jenkins said following the race.

Riding her Giant TCR Advanced SL, Jenkins kept with the lead pack through the bike; before forming part of the podium trio during the run in which they built up a lead and left the chasing pack trailing.

"It was tough but I got my nutrition right and hydrated well beforehand. The run was in the shade, which helps. It was quite scary seeing girls go down on the bike”

"I'm usually good at getting off the bike in the first few but I was lucky to swerve out of the way. The plan was to see if I could run with the leaders.”

With 400 metres to go Spirig pulled clear finishing 4 seconds ahead of Charayron and eight seconds ahead of Jenkins.

"I picked up the pace on the third lap, and then again on the fourth but Nicola was very strong and Emmie was strong in the end too. The result was a big improvement for me."

Fourth placed Mariko Adachi finished over half-a-minute behind Spirig. The next round takes place in Hamburg in July where Jenkins will hope to capitalise on her improving form.

GIANT RACE IN TO MOUNTAIN MAYHEM

5th June 2010 - filed under Giant

Tech support for Giant riders in 2010

Ever-present since the dawn of Mountain Mayhem, Giant have confirmed their presence at this years event, offering free technical support and goodie bags for all Giant riders.

For free advice, technical race support and fitting of components purchased from Back On Track Bikes & Swinnerton’s Cycles at the event; simply head over to the Giant stand with your Giant bike and you’ll also receive a free goodie bag (subject to availability).

So if you’re tackling the 24-hour mountain bike course or challenging yourself to the sportive we’ll be on hand to help everyone ride Giant and have a great Mountain Mayhem in 2010.

###

“GREEN WORLD ON WHEELS” AIMS TO IMPROVE THE CYCLING WORLD

4th June 2010 - filed under Giant

Giant founder King Liu will again show his passion for cycling with a ride through the bicycle-friendly nation of The Netherlands

Friday 4th June, 2010 — Giant Bicycles founder King Liu is set to embark on his latest cycling journey, Green World on Wheels, June 14th-19th in The Netherlands. Over a six-day period, King will complete a 500km ride through the nation recently honoured as “Cycling Paradise.”

After completing the challenges of the Tour de Taiwan in 2007 and Ride Like King from Beijing to Shanghai in 2009, King realised his actions not only fulfilled a personal dream but also made Giant’s home nation, Taiwan, more conductive to cycling.

Green World on Wheels aims to spread the message of using bicycles to protect the environment and improve health. Donations from powerful supporters are funding the expense of the trip. In addition, government officials from the Taiwan Ministry of Transportation and Communication have been invited to participate and study the cycling infrastructure of The Netherlands to help Taiwan improve its own cycling environment and take the next steps to become a “Cycling Island.”

In The Netherlands, more than 27 percent of journeys are completed by bicycle. In Amsterdam, the rate is even higher, at 37 percent. The nation is known for having one of the most cycling-friendly infrastructures in the world. During his ride, King will lead groups of cyclists through five of the most cycling-friendly cities to experience riding in The Netherlands.

Bringing together government officials and the general public, through King’s passion for cycling, Green World on Wheels hopes to inspire people and educate them on the ways cycling can improve both the environment and personal well-being.

###

LIVERPOOL TRIATHLON TAKES GIANT STEPS

17th May 2010 - filed under EVENTS

The Giant Store - Liverpool signs up as sponsor of the Liverpool Triathlon

The Giant Store - Liverpool has signed up to become the official bike store of the Liverpool Triathlon.  The Liverpool Triathlon which is in its second year is returning to Liverpool’s iconic waterfront on 27^th June.

Kevin Stewart Managing Director of MPE said “Its great to have such a great brand involved in this years Liverpool Triathlon and we look forward to working in partnership with Giant to provide our participants with help and assistance on all elements of the cycling from choosing the right bike to how to change a tyre”

Phil Kershaw Director at The Giant Store - Liverpool said of the partnership “We are really excited about being involved with such a great event, the Liverpool Triathlon has really got people talking in the city and we hope to help deliver the participants a first class service for all of their cycling needs”

For those participants seeking advice before the event The Giant Store - Liverpool will be hosting a TRI BIKE CLINIC on Wednesday 26^th May from 6-8pm at the shop on Parliament Street where competitors will be able to come down and be shown how to maintain their bikes, set them up correctly and ask questions about the cycling elements of the event.  

There is still an opportunity to join the 1,300 other participants in entering the Liverpool Triathlon 2010 all you need to do is log on to http://www.liverpooltriathlon.co.uk/ to find out more and enter online.