Team Dunlop 2010—The search begins at the 2009 Winter National Olympics

Buffalo, NY: Dunlop Tire Company is seeking the best up-and-coming minibike stars in the country to join the popular Team Dunlop amateur motocross program at www.teamdunlop.com. For the past three seasons, young amateur motocross racers throughout the country have been flying the colors of the elite Team Dunlop squad en route to collecting championships upon championships.

“We will begin our search for 2010 Team Dunlop riders at the Winter National Olympics November 23-28,” said Dunlop Off Road Technical Manager Brian Fleck. “We will base our 2010 selections on the 2009 amateur national results and the 2009 final amateur power rankings. Factored into that will be rider attitude, professionalism and regional impact.” Fleck added that participation in the 2009 Team Dunlop program is no guarantee of 2010 selection.

Seventeen riders made the Team Dunlop squad in 2009 (see below) and each one competed in a number of amateur national events. Some of the more accomplished riders who took home numerous titles in 2009 include Adam Cianciarulo, Jordan Bailey, Matt Bisceglia, Zach Bell and Sean Cantrell, just to name a few.

In just three years’ of existence, the Team D support for young riders has proven to be extremely successful, with many young riders making smooth and rewarding transitions to the ranks of motocross professionals. Two of the most prominent success stories among Team D alumni include Ashley Fiolek, two-time Women's National Motocross Champion, 2009 X Games Women's Moto-X Gold Medalist and member of the Honda Red Bull Racing Team, and Justin Barcia, AMA Rookie of the Year in the 250 class, who rides for the GEICO Powersports Honda Team.

“Every year, working with the Team D kids has grown to be more and more fun,” said Fleck. “We’ve been stepping up the program every year and teaming up with these young racers for some really excellent results. It will be exciting to see how far our 2010 riders end up going in their racing careers. Hopefully we will still be working with them when they transition to the pro ranks of AMA Supercross and Motocross.”

About Team Dunlop

Team Dunlop identifies outstanding young people who compete on motocross bikes displacing up to 105cc and helps them move up to the next level. Dunlop has a long and proud history of amateur support for thousands of young racers every year. Additionally, Dunlop serves as the official tire sponsor of all the major amateur OEM groups, including Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Cobra and Polini. To submit your application for consideration to join Team D, visit www.teamdunlop.com.

Team Dunlop provides tire support and preferred service at select amateur races. Dunlop promotes and advertises Team Dunlop in national media as well as on the Dunlop Website. As a bonus, Team Dunlop riders become involved as development riders for the next generation of Dunlop racing tires in the youth segment. In 2009, Dunlop also contributed to an educational savings fund for the Team Dunlop riders to underscore the importance of staying focused on schoolwork. Team Dunlop riders can be easily identified because they sport a unique logo on their exclusively-branded Team Dunlop racetrack apparel.

Dunlop is especially proud of the Team Dunlop riders on the 2009 squad and congratulates each of them for their outstanding effort. Listed alphabetically, they are:

• Jordan Bailey – KTM – Orlando, Florida


• Zach Bell – Kawasaki – San Diego, California


• Matt Bisceglia – Yamaha – Weatherford, Texas


• Sean Cantrell – KTM – Newbury Park, California


• Adam Cianciarulo – Kawasaki – Osteen, Florida


• Thomas Covington – Kawasaki – Vernon, Alabama


• Brad Esper – Kawasaki – San Diego, California


• Steven Gretchen – Suzuki – McMechen, West Virginia


• Lance Kobusch – Cobra – New Florence, Missouri


• Connor Pearson – Yamaha – Powell Butte, Oregon


• Jake Riggle – Suzuki – Colorado Springs, Colorado


• Chase Sexton – Polini – La Moille, Illinois


• Jordan Smith – Suzuki – Belmont, North Carolina


• Tanner Stack – Kawasaki – Jackson, Michigan


• Rookie White – Suzuki – Winchester, California


• Clay Woeste – Cobra – Florence, Kentucky


• Mark Worth – Kawasaki – Queen Creek, Arizona

About Dunlop Tires

Dunlop Tires is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S. and the only manufacturer of motorcycle tires in North America. With North American operations headquartered in Buffalo, NY, Dunlop has been making and selling high-quality tires in the U.S. since 1923. For more information, visit www.dunlopmotorcycle.com.