Orange Seal is excited to announce the full roster for their 2022 Orange Seal Off-Road Team. For 2022, team athletes are Cole Paton, U23 National Champion Savilia Blunk, Maddex Thiel, and Dennis van Winden. The entire team will be riding Scott bikes. Additional sponsors include Tactic, Gu, Ceramic Speed, Pirelli, Poc, and The Feed.
Shifts to the team roster this year are providing new energy and focus for the athletes, who will compete in a mixed program of MTB and gravel races throughout the year. With the season underway and riders already hitting the podium, the team is set to race the Mid South as a full squad this weekend. The team is targeting the entire World Cup XCO circuit, as well as select races including the Lifetime Grand Prix Series and Whiskey Off-Road.
Savilia Blunk
2021 U23 U.S. National Champion
2021 Elite Women s STXC National Champion
2021 U23 World Cup Lenzerheide 3rd Place
2021 U23 World Cup Snowshoe 3rd Place
Cole Paton
2021 Iceman Champion
2-time XCO Collegiate National Champion
Dennis van Winden
3rd U23 Lige Bastogne Lige
2009 Dutch U23 ITT National Champion
Maddex Thiel
4-time Texas State Champion
Quotes:
Team Director John Vargus: “I could not be happier with this year’s squad. The energy and talent are both there, we are thrilled to be back racing a full season of events. We are also pumped to be working with our new bike sponsor Scott. Scott bikes can handle anything our athletes throw at them and align with our focus for 2022.”
Performance Director Dennis van Winden: Excited to step up in the Orange Seal family as Performance Director and work directly with the Orange Seal athletes. This team has so much potential and each team member is unique in their talents and personality! Personally, I have always been motivated to help athletes chase their dreams, already during my own active career as a professional road cyclist. I am honored to assist this ambitious new generation on their road and off-road to success, on and off the bike. It makes me happier and more eager than I have ever felt before, and I cannot wait to race side by side with our Family Seal talents.
Cole Paton: Orange Seal has activated me as an athlete and embraced my individuality. I believe in the people behind our team, as they believe in me. I’m honored to be part of the family and to continue to grow and achieve success together. My 2022 calendar will be focused on the LifeTime Gran Prix, and meeting new and old friends along the way.”
Savilia Blunk: I am super excited to be continuing our partnership with Orange Seal and joining the Off-Road Team. Orange Seal encompasses everything I could wish for in a team and it truly feels like an extended family. I will be focusing on World Cup XCO and Domestic racing, and am so excited to learn from the incredible team of individuals that make up this program!
