News: GT Goes for the Gold with the Golden Bike

Lou Mazzante

GT's Michael DeLeon stopped by the Bike office to show off the Gold Digger cheerleaders, and a custom gold GT Zaskar carbon.

Not every rider is destined to race on the World Cup circuit, but now every rider has the chance to at least be treated like a pro. GT's Golden Bike Program offers amateur racers the full-factory-team hookup—personal mechanics, comp'd travel expenses, custom bikes and gear, even a full squad of personal cheerleaders.

To enter, riders simply have to win an officially sanctioned GT Golden Bike Series race. The first qualifying race is at Sea Otter in Monterey, California, April 19. Other races include: the GHORBA Big Ring Challenge in Coldspring, Texas; Spring Thaw Mountain Bike Festival in Ashland, Oregon; Massanutten Hoo-Ha in Harrisonburg, Virginia; Firecracker 50 in Breckenridge, Colorado; Ore to Shore in Marquette, Michigan; and the Landmine Classic in Hingham Massachusetts.

The fastest amateur at each of those races will win a Golden Bike—a gold GT Marathon or Zaskar Carbon complete with limited-edition gold parts from Shimano, Ritchey, Fox, Thomson, Mavic and others. The contest is open to anyone who does not have a pro license, received a bike frame from a sponsor or is otherwise paid to race bikes.

"This is a way to reward the amateur racer," said GT spokesman Michael DeLeon. "Golden Bike winners will be treated as good as, if not better than, the pros."

GT will fly the winner and a guest to the next race in the series, where they must defend their title. At each race, GT will pay for the current Golden Bike winner's lodging for two nights, as well as their race entry fees. The winner also receives a personal mechanic at the race, a video camera, $250 Sugoi gift certificate and a squad of cheerleaders to keep their spirits high. The winner keeps the bike, and the perks, until they lose a race.

At the end of the season, the current Golden Bike winner must return the bike, but GT will issue each winner a custom GT bike of their own.

For full details, check out gtisgolden.com.

What do you think of GT's Golden bikes? Leave a comment below.

A custom gold Marathon Carbon

A custom gold Zaskar Carbon

Reader Comments

Posted Wed Dec31, 2008, 9:18 PM — By Matt

Very sexy bikes!

Posted Sat Jan 3, 2009, 6:10 PM — By Dan

Wow. I remember when ano parts were cool through the early 90s. (Shaking head.) Can I get my AT-3s painted gold and attached to a Marathon???

Posted Mon Jun22, 2009, 6:55 AM — By Steve Hares

Saw the Zaskar at Mountain Mayhem on the weekend and it's an amazing machine, would love to own one.....

Posted Mon Jun22, 2009, 12:34 PM — By mascy

"Saw the Zaskar at Mountain Mayhem on the weekend and it's an amazing machine, would love to own one....." My team-mate won it! I do hope he's not going to ride te thing now!!!

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