March 30, 2006 – Shimano is taking its 2007 XTR wheels, pedal, rear derailleur and shifter prototypes unveiling to the next level by testing them in actual competition at the Sea Otter Classic, April 6-9, 2006 in Monterey, California.

World class cyclists, Adam Craig, Walker Ferguson, Bart Brentjens and Roel Paulissen will put the new parts to the test during competition at the Classic.

Shimano’s National Sales Manager Bill Scullion states: “By putting XTR to the test in professional competition, we are at once publicly displaying our engineers’ hard work on the new group, and furthering the research and development process.”

Scullion continues: “The feedback we get from Adam Craig, Walker Ferguson, Roel Paullisen, Bart Brentjens and other top athletes is essential to putting the finishing touches on the group before it ships to market later this year. And it gives the cycling public a good idea of where we are headed, too. There are several new options this time around, and plenty of technological advancements, enabling cyclists to choose the spec that best fits their needs — whether that requires Rapidfire or Dual Control shifters, top-normal or low-normal rear derailleurs, or any of a host of other options.”

Recent Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist Marie-Hélène Prémont, who is unable to attend Sea Otter due to a scheduling conflict, will have her bike outfitted with the new XTR parts and will put them to the test at a later date — likely the World Cup in Madrid in May. After her win in Melbourne, Prémont commented on the ongoing technical support she receives from Shimano: “To be able to get the best results in major events such as the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games, it’s important to have a good team and good sponsors around you. Shimano is one of those. No matter where I’m around the world, I know I can always count on Shimano if I need them. They are a part of my success in my Gold Medal win at the Commonwealth Games.

Racing for the Giant team is 24-year-old Adam Craig of Bend, Oregon. Craig said, “I can’t wait to be one of the first to race aboard the new XTR. I’m a huge fan of having a component system that’s designed to work as a unit and Shimano definitely has this down. The stuff just works great and with the new features, it’s only going to make my ride that much better.”


For more information on the 2007 Shimano XTR series visit www.shimano.com.