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Jamis adds XC racers to squad

By VeloNews.com
Published: Feb. 4, 2009

Once teammates on the successful Haro mountain bike team, Canadians Chris Sheppard and Seamus McGrath are together again, this time on Jamis Bicycles’ newly launched cross-country squad.

The duo as well as American Blake Harlan and manager/racer Jason Sager complement Jamis' already successful gravity program. The four will focus on cross-country, endurance and all-mountain events in North America.

McGrath, a mainstay on the European World Cup scene and a two-time Olympian, says he welcomes a return to racing in North America. In 2004 he finished ninth at the Athens Games, but an untimely flat dumped him into 44th in Beijing.

“I'm excited to be returning from the last couple of years' worth of European racing with great support, familiar teammates, and it's shaping up to be a great year,” McGrath said. “I think the new series will bring the return of excitement and high-level competition to the U.S."

Sheppard returns to the professional ranks following a two-year suspension for doping. After testing positive for EPO in 2005, he admitted to his wrongdoing and in 2006 spoke to junior and U23 riders about the perils of doping.

The Canadian resumed racing in 2008, winning stages of the BC Bike Race and TransRockies Challenge alongside McGrath.

"This has been a true collaborative effort," said Sager. "Working with product manager Craig Hoyt and Jamis president Carine Joannou has proven to be a hands-on and family effort in picking the riders, equipment, and our schedule."