Shimano and Yeti Cycles today announced the formation of the Yeti / Shimano EP Racing team to compete in the EWS-E Series. The team will be an integral part of Shimano’s product development process with the goal of making the best e-MTB drive unit on the market. Anchoring the new team will be Mick Hannah and Keegan Wright. Both racers are new to the EWS-E Series format, but their experience and success in gravity events should serve them well as they compete for the overall title.
“We’ve raced nearly every mountain bike discipline over the years and the timing is right to compete in e-MTB racing,” said Yeti’s CEO Chris Conroy. “Our launch of the 160e established the foundation for making the best e-MTB race bike on the market and having raced with Shimano for over thirty years, we know they can deliver products that make our racers go faster.”
Last season, Yeti Cycles and riders Jared Graves, Shawn Neer and Jubal Davis debuted the 160e at select EWS-E events, setting the stage for a full factory program in 2022 that will see next level partnership between Yeti Cycles and Shimano in a quest to find the top of the podium.
“We found out last year that Enduro e-MTB racing isn’t just Enduro with a motor. The new e-MTB team program has been built to compete for wins, so it was key that we partner with Shimano so we can provide racing-based feedback to push the development forward,” said Damion Smith, Sports Marketing Manager for Yeti Cycles.
Joe Lawwill, Shimano MTB Sports Marketing Manager, agreed, “Yeti’s history of racing success and top end rider feedback is critical for us to develop the best e-MTB drive-unit in the world. There was no question that a Yeti / Shimano team would provide the best of both worlds.”
The EWS-E Series kicks off June 4th in Tweed Valley, GBR and will be the first race for the newly formed team.
“I’m excited and feeling a fresh boost of motivation to be learning something new and getting involved in the development of e-bikes and e-bike racing! It's also a great honour to be representing Yeti Cycles. They have such a rich history in MTB and I'm excited to become a part of that story,” said Mick Hannah.
“I’m absolutely stoked to be joining the Yeti family and going into the 2022 season with a solid crew and amazing team. I’m looking forward to being a part of such a sick set up and can’t wait to get it going. Yewwww!” – Keegan Wright
Longtime Yeti team mechanic Mark Hild will be providing mechanical support alongside Shimano’s engineering team at all EWS-E events
About Yeti
Founded in 1985, Yeti Cycles makes race-bred, obsessively engineered, masterfully crafted mountain bikes proven by the fastest riders in the most demanding conditions. Based in Golden, Colorado, Yeti is owned and staffed by riders who are more likely to be out riding the company’s latest creation than sitting in a conference room. Visit www.yeticycles.com to learn more.
About Shimano North American Bicycle, Inc.
Shimano North American Bicycle, Inc., a member of Shimano North America Holdings, Inc., along with its world-renowned subsidiaries, offers consumers outstanding sport related products and apparel. Shimano is proud of its staff, diversity in talent, interests, and backgrounds. The company is an ISO14001 certified business where environmental compliance and continued improvements are part of the business philosophy and operations.