Following one of the most successful seasons in history, the team is once again aiming for the World Cup XC, downhill and Enduro races, as well as the National Championship and other major mountain bike events.
As the 2024 season approaches, the Giant Factory Off-Road team has unveiled its new lineup, which includes a well-rounded lineup of XC, downhill and Enduro athletes. The team is made up of young talents and proven veterans and aims to compete in major international competitions around the world, with a focus on the UCI World Cup events.
Last year was a season of change for the team as it restructured the XC team, brought in new downhill talent, and introduced new Glory Advanced DH bikes to support riders. These changes paid off, with the team winning the World Cup and National Championship in the XC races, returning to the World Cup podium and winning the National Championship in the DH race, and also winning two victories in the inaugural UCI Enduro World Cup Series. It was also the most successful year in the team's history.
This year, the core of the team remains the same, both World Cup winners and national champions, as well as two new drivers: Dario Lillo, an XC driver under the age of 23 from Switzerland, and Sascha Kim from Australia, an ENDURO driver under the age of 21.
We have just finished an exciting 2023 season and started the year with half of the team members being new members. Sebastian Boyington, Team Manager of Giant Factory Off-Road, said: "Seeing the success of both new and experienced athletes last year is a testament to the fact that this team is on the right track, and the ability to adapt and change is strong. This year, we welcomed two new young athletes and we will set sail again. ”
cross-country
In the XC, Canadian rider Carter Woods had a breakthrough finish in the U23 class, winning multiple World Cup races and finishing in the top three overall in the XCO World Cup and XCC Short Track Races. Woods also won the Canadian Men's Elite XC and Short Track National Championships. This year, the 22-year-old will be hoping to continue that momentum after being promoted to the World Cup elite bracket.
Carter Woods
Belgian Jens Schueermans is also back in the XC lineup this year. The two-time Olympian had a strong first year with the team in 2023, finishing in the top five overall in the Men's XCC World Cup Elite Division. In the XCO and XCC World Cups, Schulmans finished in the top 10 seven times.
Jens Schueermans
Woods and Shulmans will be joined by newcomer Dario Lillo, the 21-year-old who finished in the top five overall in both the XCO and XCC U23 World Cup series last year, including a double at home in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. Lillo is also the current Swiss Under-23 national champion and finished on the podium at both the World and European Championships last year.
Dario Lillo
This will be Dario's final year in the Under-23 competition and he will be aiming to win the overall title"Boynton said. "We're excited to be a part of it and support him in advancing to the Men's Elite Division in 2025 with teammates Carter and Jens." ”
All three XC athletes can choose their race car based on the situation and terrain. The Anthem Advanced 29 full-suspension bike is the go-to for technical tracks, while the XTC Advanced SL 29 hardtail bike is the go-to for smooth, fast XC tracks.
anthem advanced 29
DH and Enduro
In terms of DH racing, Australian brothers Luke Meier-Smith and Remy Meier-Smith have performed well in both DH and Enduro races, having enjoyed success in their first season with the team in 2023. His brother Luke lived up to the hype, winning the Australian Men's Elite Downhill National Championship last February. A few weeks later, he made history by winning his first-ever Enduro World Cup in Tasmania's season opener. At the age of 20, he participated in the elite men's World Cup for the first time and won the championship in one fell swoop, shocking the audience.
Luke Meier-Smith
Luke's younger brother Remy also excelled in his first year with the team, achieving several impressive results in the World Cup DH, including a top-10 finish in the men's elite class at the age of 18. Last year, Remy also finished on the U21 podium in the Opener World Cup at Enduro in Tasmania.
Remy Meier-Smith
The Myer-Smith brothers join returning downhill veteran Rémi Thirion. The 33-year-old Frenchman has seven World Cup podiums in his career, including one victory. Last year, Tirion had to battle injuries, including a brain crash at the European Championships, which cost him several World Cup races, but he came back on top in the second half of the season and finished on the podium in the fifth race in Ludanville, France.
Rémi Tirion
Brothers Thyrian and Myer-Smith will primarily race with the **Glory Advanced DH bike, which was developed with the team and introduced to the market last year.
France's Youn Deniaud will return to the Enduro camp, having recorded the best results of his career in 2023, including his maiden World Cup title at Ludanwiele. Deñau has been the frontrunner for the team over the past few years and is aiming to win again in 2024 and aim to be at the top of the overall World Cup standings.
Youn Deniaud
The Enduro camp also welcomed 20-year-old rookie Sascha Kim from Australia.
Sascha Kim
Sasha won the first two stops of the U21 Enduro World Cup in March 2023 and caught everyone's eye. ""He went on to finish on the podium twice in Austria and France, proving that winning Tasmania is more than just home advantage," Boynton said. We are thrilled to have Sasha join Ewen this year and beyond as part of the Elite Group. “
Deniau and King will primarily race with the Reign Advanced, with the shorter Trance x Advanced 29 trail cars in select events. In addition, all athletes will ride and train with Giant e-bikes, including the Trance X Advanced E and Trance X Advanced E Elite.
reign advanced
In another personnel move, longtime Giant Factory Off-Road rider McKay Vezina will move from athlete to staff. The Canadian will be the DH team's performance coach, providing behind-the-scenes support for the team.
2024 Giant Factory Off-Road Team List.
youn deniaud (fra), enduro
sascha kim (aus), enduro
dario lillo (sui), xc
luke meier-smith (aus), dh
remy meier-smith (aus), dh
jens schuermans (bel), xc
rémi thirion (fra), dh
carter woods (can), xc
2024 Giant Factory Off-Road Team Sponsor.
Suspension fork Rear tank: FOX
Wheelset: Giant
Tires: Maxxis
Pedal: HT
Drivetrain & Brakes: SHIMANO
Handlebar stem: Pro
Seat cushion: Giant and Pro
Seatpost: fox
Handles: ODI
Chain guide: MRP
Protective Tire Cushion: cushcore
Shoes: Giant
Jersey: cuore
Cycling glasses: 100%.
Helmet: giant & 100% (full helmet).
Protective gear: 100%.
Gloves: 100%.
Miscellaneous: Park Tool, Finish Line Chain Oil & Cleaning Supplies, Stan's Sealant, GoPro Action Camera, Thule Products.
Editor: Yao.