February 11, 2011 (Newbury Park, CA) – Fresh off a hot streak that saw her win five straight Cyclocross World Cup races and finish second at the 2011 Cyclocross Worlds, Katie Compton has announced she will join the Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team in 2011. Compton and Rosara Joseph of New Zealand are the first two women athletes on the dramatically expanded Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team.

“I am very excited to join the Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team for the next two years, which I believe will be the best of my career,” Compton said. “I have high expectations and goals for myself, for both cyclocross and mountain biking. I am happy to be part of such a respected and well-run team.”

Adding Compton and Joseph represents a big step forward for Giant as it expands into women’s off-road racing.

“This year the rankings of the team’s top-three men and top-two women will count toward UCI team rankings,” said Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team Manager Jan ten Tusscher. “The continued expansion and globalization of our team played a key role in acquiring both Katie and Rosara.”

Compton, the current U.S. Champion in both short-track cross-country and cyclocross, will focus on the XC World Cup this year with the aim to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.

“Katie’s at the top of her game, and we’re proud that she has chosen the Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team and Giant bikes to help take her XC and ’cross racing to an even higher level,” said Giant Global Marketing Director An Le.

Additional details about the team, as well as a final roster, will be made available in late March. To learn more about the Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team, as well as all Giant-sponsored teams and riders, please visit giant-bicycles.com, or follow the teams throughout the season at www.facebook.com/giantbicycles.