Bravo News

Benedict+Bravo=World Champs!! August 12

Bravo pro rider Brad 'Loak Dog' Benedict has for the first time in his career been selected to represent the United States along with 6 other Americans in Mont Sainte Anne, Quebec, September 1-5 to compete in the World Championships for men's downhill. The year for Brad has been stellar as he has put in a string of finishes together that mark the best of his career and also some of the best results among the American riders competing in 2010. 

His off season training this year was a huge perk, he lead organized bike tours for Specialized bicycles in both road cycling and mountain bike. During this time of working for Specialized he shed excess weight, built his cardio and put on lean muscle. Brad feels it is a major factor to his success this year; "it was awesome... I was getting paid to exercise, do what I love most (riding bikes) and get into the best shape of my life! The boys at Specialized have truly helped me achieve goals that I have always wanted to dial in.... its been an amazing year and I really can't thank them enough for their support"! 

It wasn't all roses for Benedict this year, he was told by UCI officials that his selection for the world cup team was going to come down to impressive results in a handful of the races he was to compete in. His 5th place finish at National Champs was a major boost to his chances but his luck in the 4th World Cup round at Champéry, Switzerland was less than helpful. During his qualifying run it began to piss rain and turned the coarse into a very steep/sketchy decent. While ripping down the mountain Benedict came around a blind corner and plowed into the rider on his qualifying run in front of him! Brad went over the bars and off coarse having to gather up his action and continue on his muddy decent without googles due to the incident. After qualifying Brad asked for a re-run due to the mishap but UCI officials decided that it was 'the nature of the sport and he should have found a different line to pass the slower rider'! Sounds good guys.... maybe one of you could show us how that works sometime huh?.... cool.

With the pressure on Benedict traveled to Val di Sole, Italy for the 5th round of the World Cup. He knew this was going to be his final chance to bust out a bitchin' result for making the World Champs team. Italy proved to be a tough coarse and the conditions were dry and dusty. Brad recalls that he was in survival mode trying to put solid sections together while fighting massive arm pump during his qualifying run. He more than survived the tough conditions.... he busted a 24th place qualifying position out of 229 competitors! Brad would end up 3rd fastest American and snag his best finish of his career in doing so! 

This brings us to date and of yesterday Brad was officially announced a US competitor for the World Championships. We could not be more stoked on our boy.... he is a true Bravo rider and a great ambassador for us in the sport of downhill. All the best gettin' it on bud.... Keep it Loak!! hahhahaaaaaa

-Bravo boyz  ....'for the sexually athletic'.