January 22, 2010 - Coming off the 2009 season, the Subaru-Gary Fisher mountain bike team was hard pressed to improve on four national championships, a medal at the World Championships, Pro XCT series champion, and a Single Speed Worlds title, yet the team managed to add two more national championships with the addition of current US Junior National XC and Short Track champion, Russell Finsterwald. 20-year old Russell “Finster” Finsterwald rounds out the North American Subaru-Fisher squad that returns all of last year’s members.

The 2010 squad:

Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski

2009 Highlights: US National XC Champion,

US National Marathon Champion, Pro XCT Series Champion

Willow Koerber

2009 Highlights: Bronze Medal at XC World Championships (the first XC medal for any American since 2001), Top American in World Cup XC Standings (12th overall), 1st Windham XCT

Heather Irmiger

2009 Highlights: US National XC Champion, US National Marathon Champion, Single Speed Worlds Champion, Overall National Short Track Series Champion, 3rd Overall Pro XCT Series

Sam Schultz

2009 Highlights: 2nd Continental Championships, 2nd Ranked American in World Cup XC Standings, 6th Overall Pro XCT Series

Russell Finsterwald

2009 Highlights: US National Junior XC Champion, US National Junior Short Track Champion

Representing the squad on the international front are: Ken Onodera of Japan and Dror

Pekatch of Israel. Of note, the entire Subaru-Gary Fisher team will be on 29” wheels for 2010. Even 5’2” Willow, who is a convert after her Windham win and Worlds medal ride on her Superfly 29er hardtail. The 2010 season, also marks the 10-year anniversary of the Subaru-Gary Fisher race team.