This boy's set for big things! Taylor Vernon is one of two new signings to GT Factory Racing. Picture by Laurence Crossman-Emms

JCW, December 14, 2012 — 13:02pm

Young guns Taylor Vernon and Martin Maes join GT Factory Racing for 2013

Big news from GT Factory Racing today – 16-year-old South Wales ripper Taylor Vernon will join World Cup big guns Gee and Rachel Atherton and Marc Beaumont on the downhill squad for 2013. And there’s another new signing too – 15-year-old Martin Maes from Belgium will back up Dan Atherton on the enduro side of things.

“The team is on a roll right now with Rachel’s World Cup win, fastest team overall title and Gee taking podiums in every race,” said team director Dan Brown. “It feels like the right time for us to start to bring on some new young riders.”

Taylor Vernon

So, just who is this Taylor lad? Check out this rider profile from the start of the year to see him in action:

Source: Rider Profile: Taylor Vernon from Eyesdown Films

“Taylor was first brought to our attention last year and we’ve seen him post some solid results in the under-16 sections this past season,” said Dan. “… We think that Taylor has the potential to become a major force on the World Cup scene.”

“Words can’t describe how stoked I am to be joining Dan, Gee, Rachel and Marc on GT Factory Racing,” said Taylor. “I’m so excited about racing at the international and World Cup level, and know that I couldn’t ask for a better or more experienced team of people to teach me all there is to know.”

Martin Maes

Martin shocked some of enduro’s big names with a surprise fifth place finish at the Enduro des Nations in Sauze d’Oulx, Italy. You can check out how he did it here:

Source: Martin Maes post Supermountain stage impressions from Superenduro TV

“Nobody could quite believe it,” said Dan Atherton. “There isn’t a junior category in superenduro so this 15-year-old boy is just wasting some of the toughest and most experienced adult riders on the circuit. We’re really excited about the Enduro World Series in 2013 and I’m stoked to have a new teammate with this much potential.”

“This opportunity feels like a dream come true,” said Martin. “I have the greatest admiration for Rachel, Dan, Gee and Marc, and will be so happy to ride with them.”