IRONMAN CHAMPION TIMO BRACHT RIDES GIANT

German triathlete takes on key 2009 events with
new Giant prototype triathlon bike

LANZAROTE, SPAIN (April 13, 2009)—Timo Bracht of Germany, a triathlon pro specializing in Ironman competition, has partnered with Giant for 2009. Bracht will ride a prototype Giant composite triathlon bike as he focuses on this year’s key Ironman events, including the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.

“I am really proud to be working with Giant,” Bracht said. “It’s a great company with a huge influence in the bike industry. I’m looking forward to improving my bike splits and having Giant help me push my limits.”

Bracht has won Ironman events in Florida, South Africa, France and Germany, and has six other top-three Ironman finishes in the past five years. The 33-year-old has also won multiple German national championship titles in both middle- and long-distance events.

Last year Bracht finished third at the Ironman European Championship in Frankfurt, Germany, posting his personal best time of eight hours, four minutes. A victory in Frankfurt this year is one of his top goals for the 2009 season.

“This year my main goal is to advance my performance,” Bracht said. “I think—or better yet I know—that I can win Ironman Frankfurt. I won it in 2007 with a time of 8:09, so the race is getting faster and this year I’ll be prepared.”

A key part of Bracht’s preparation is his prototype Giant bike, an aerodynamic machine engineered to be the fastest way from A to B. Designed to meet the specific needs of triathlon and solo efforts against the clock, the composite prototype is also being tested and developed by Team Rabobank time trial riders at the highest level of professional competition.

-- more --
“Right now I’m training in Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands,” Bracht said. “My main goal now is to load my legs up with a lot of kilometers. I’m doing base training miles with both my Giant TCR Advanced SL road bike and with the hot new Giant TT bike.”

Bracht’s first major event of the year is the Challenge Triathlon in Barcelona, Spain, on May 10.

About Giant
Giant, the world’s leading provider of high-quality bicycles, has been devoted to cycling culture and sport since 1972. Today, Giant combines innovative technology and manufacturing expertise to create products that are perfectly suited to every type of rider. Committed to inspiring adventure in all cyclists, from casual to competitive, Giant aims to promote the cycling lifestyle all around the world. For more information, please visit giant-bicycles.com.

For more information, please contact: Violet Liu, Marketing Manager, Giant Europe B.V. [tel: +31 320 296296; email: vliu@giant-europe.com]