Justin Leov Signs 2-year Agreement with Dean Optics!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Escondido, California (December 3, 2008) Dean Optics is proud to announce the addition of Justin Leov to its mountain bike team! Justin will represent Dean Optics for the 2009 & 2010 season in the midst of an exciting launch of a true mountain bike optics brand. With a world renowned rider on board, Dean Optics ascertains its presence on the international mountain bike race circuit.


“I'm excited to work with Dean Optics for 2009 and 2010,” said Justin. “The products are all well designed and being able to support a mountain bike label in a mountain bike market makes sense to me. I know all the feedback and product development will happen faster being a smaller, new company, and I'm stoked to be able to be involved in that process.”

Justin is consistently a top 10 World Cup rider and is currently ranked 5th in the UCI World rankings. His 6th place finish at the World Championships proves that he’s a contender at the elite levels!

“I’m extremely excited to have Justin on board,” said owner Dylan Dean. “Justin is a highly accomplished rider who I’ve worked with a number of times in the past. Justin will be an immediate asset in the development of the Trooper MTB Goggle. His hard work, consistency and professional demeanor are exactly what we’re looking for here at Dean Optics!”

Expect to see Leov’s participation with future Dean Optics product lines, including a ‘Justin Leov’ signature Trooper goggle in the near future. For more information on Dean Optics, please visit www.DeanOptics.com. For additional information on Justin Leov, visit his personal website at www.JustinLeov.com.
Photo courtesy: Gary Perkin

Brad Benedict Interviewed on PINNEDmtb.com!

Check it out! Dean Optics factory rider & the 2008 US National Series Champ Brad Benedict is interviewed over on PINNED!

http://www.pinnedmtb.com/brad_benedict_interview08.htm

Brad Benedict Crowned NMBS Champion!

Congrats to Dean Optics factory rider BRAD BENEDICT for winning the 2008 NMBS series! In only his second year of racing (first full season), Brad had stellar performances throughout each of the NMBS races, including a victory in Santa Ynez, California!
Way to go champ! We're stoked for ya!

US MTB National Championships VIDEO!

DEAN Optics factory riders embark on the small town of Mt Snow, Vermont for the US National Championships! X-Fusion's got a video of the team packed full for gravity racing goodness! Watch Ryan Condrashoff rock the DH track into place 5th!

Thanks to Theo Dilworth from All Out Productions for an excllent job on the video!

http://www.alloutprodux.com/xfuse08vermont.mov

DEAN Riders Dominiate at the Windham NMBS!

just got the news that DEAN Optics factory rider KIERAN BENNETT won the pro men's downhill at the NMBS in Windham, New York! Kieran bested the field by about 2 seconds, even in the wet conditions from an early rainstorm. Fellow Dean Optics rides Brad Benedict & Ryan Condrashoff wrapped up the podium in 4th & 5th respectively! Great job to all Dean Optics riders!!!!


Pro Men's DH

1. Kieran Bennett [DEAN]
2. Geritt Beytagh
3. Cameron Cole
4. Brad Benedict [DEAN]
5. Ryan Condrashoff [DEAN]

Bennett 6th at Deer Valley NMBS; Benedict Retains NMBS Series Lead

Dean Optics' Kieran Bennet narrowly missed the downhill podium against a stacked field of world cup riders! Although KB wasn't having a "fun" weekend, his skill and strength was still able to put him into 6th place on the day.

Meanwhile, points leader & Dean Optics' factory rider Brad Benedict had yet another great run, placing him in 11th spot on the day. Although I'm sure he would have been happier to land on the podium for the 3rd NMBS in a row, Brad is stoked to retain his points lead in the NMBS series.

1 Justin Leov 03:01.41
2 Amiel Cavalier 03:07.28
3 Sam Blenkinsop 03:07.33
4 Aaron Gwin 03:07.49
5 Chris Van Dine 03:11.21
6 Kieran Bennett 03:12.08 [DEAN]
7 Nick Van Dine 03:15.00
8 Andrew Pierce 03:17.02
9 Matt Johnston 03:17.66
10 Ian Odom 03:19.14
11. Brad Benedict [DEAN]


For more information on the Deer Valley NMBS race, check out PINNEDmtb.com
http://www.pinnedmtb.com/deervalley08.htm

Kieran Bennett WINS Angel Fire NMBS / MSC Chile Challenge!

One week ago, Dean Optics' Kieran Bennett flew into the states from his home country of New Zealand just to compete at the MSC Chile Challenge, as it’s one of the tracks he excels on. Having missed out on a win last year, Kieran was on a mission to dominate the track this season.

After qualifying 2nd, Kieran knew he had it in him to compete for the win. On race day, Kieran stepped it up and squeaked past Kain Leonard by 2/100ths of a second to take the day’s victory!

Pro Men DH
1. Kieran Bennett 5.19.71 (DEAN)
2. Kain Leonard 5.19.73
3. Eli Krahenbuhl 5.23.42
4. Lars Sternberg 5.24.31
5. Brad Benedict 5.25.22 (DEAN)


For more information on these events, check out PINNEDmtb.com
Angel Fire NMBS - http://www.pinnedmtb.com/angelfire_msc08.htm

Brad Benedict WINS Santa Ynez NMBS!

Just a few short weeks ago, the 2nd gravity round of the National Mountain Bike Series took place in Santa Ynez, California. Even with 110+ degree temperatures, strong winds, and a lackluster DH track, Dean Optics' Brad Benedict still went all out for the win. Brad bested current hot-seat leader Eric Carter, and top qualifier Waylon Smith to take the victory! With Brad’s stellar result, he lands into 2nd overall in the National Series standings.

Pro Men DH
1. Brad Benedict 2.00.5 (DEAN)
2. Eric Carter +0.00.9
3. Waylon Smith (GBr) +0.01.1
4. Julius Syvanen +0.02.1
5. Logan Binggeli +0.03.5


For more information on these events, check out PINNEDmtb.com
Santa Ynez NMBS - http://www.pinnedmtb.com/santaynez_nmbs08.htm

Brad Benedict 2nd, Ryan Condrashoff 5th @ Calif Gold Cup Rd 2!

Dean Optics riders Brad Benedict & Ryan Condrashoff rode to impressive finishes at the 2nd round of the California Gold Cup at Woodward West, in Tehachapi, California. In a 2 run combined format, Benedict narrowly missed the top spot of the podium, after leading after the first run by a scant .01 of a second! His teammate & fellow Dean Optics rider Ryan Condrashoff also had great runs to finish 5th for the day!

Chris Kovarik Places 2nd at Sea Otter Downhill!

New Dean Optics factory rider Chris Kovarik rides to an impressive 2nd place finish at the Sea Otter Classic DH!

Top 5
1. Greg Minnaar
2. Chris Kovarik
3. Justin Leov
4. Steve Peat
5. Nathan Rennie

Trooper Goggle Introduced at Sea Otter Classic!

A few samples of the NEW 'Trooper' MTB Goggle have arrived at the Sea Otter Classic! Chris Kovarik, Ryan Condrashoff & Brad Benedict are selected to test the pre-production samples!