AIRprentice Riders Chosen

Ten Riders To Compete

Date: 2008-07-16

The AIRprentice is here once again. There isn't an event all year we get as stoked up for. Even the patrollers at the Whistler Bike Park say AIRprentice is second only to Crankworx for them - the riding calibre is that good. For this year we decided to slim the field down to 10 to make things a little easier on those of us trying to choose a winner. Every year we bang our heads against the bar at the GLC trying to pick just one from the field.

With all the young riders doing so well in competitions we decided to have a look at some groms this year and seven of the ten are 18 or younger. Saturday morning we'll be meeting them in the flesh and then giving them a chance to prove themselves in the Whistler Bike Park. If you are around and you see ten hot riders in bright yellow shirts those are our candidates. Feel free to come along and watch the antics - or join us at the GLC on Sunday afternoon when we make our selection.

Below you'll find the fresh crop ready to huck themselves for two fine bikes from Specialized - a P3 and an SX this year. The bikes will be decked out with Fox Racing Shox Suspension, Syncros components, SRAM drivetrains, Avid Brakes and Race Face cranks. You'll also get a fistful of Denny's dollars to keep the tank full, Dakine gloves and hydration pack, the chance to travel in style in one of the nsmb.com Toyota trucks, shorts and protective gear from Fox and shades and goggles from Adidas Eyewear. For the first time this year we'll be giving every participant in AIRprentice a sweet phone from Nokia. The riders that impress us the most will get the best phones but everyone will get hooked up. If you don't have a pass for the Whistler Bike Park the good folks there will provide you with one for the rest of the season if you are crowned the winner. The riders bidding to be AIRprentice this year will be bedding down at the Ticket To Ride Riders' Centre. Those of us already adorned with nsmb colours will be laying our heads at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Look for us in the hot tub at the end of the day.

Here is this year's assortment. To predict who will win this year's AIRprentice or to toss out any questions or comments click here.

Greg Allen 17 Years Old -- Langley BC --

Luke Beers 14 years old -- Merritt BC --

Luke Fullton 17 Years old -- Victoria BC --

Cody Heinrichs 17 Years Old -- Abbotsford BC --

Tyler LeBlanc 16 years old -- Victoria BC --

Andrew Lee 18 Years Old -- St. George's Newfoundland --

Mark Mathews 20 Years old -- Victoria BC --

Evan McCurrie -- 18 Years Old -- Parksville BC

Nick Meyer 20 Years old -- Tsawwassen BC --