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Chris Baldwin joins OUCH-Maxxis team

by VeloNews.com

• June 02, 2009
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Chris Baldwin, a top domestic climber and stage racer, with start this week’s Mt. Hood Classic with the OUCH-Maxxis team.

Baldwin was fired by Rock Racing earlier this year, then re-hired just prior to the SRAM Tour of the Gila, where he raced with one teammate and no team support, finishing sixth overall.

The OUCH team announced Tuesday that he had signed with them for the remainder of the season.

“Chris has been one of North America’s top stage racers for this entire decade,” said team directeur sportif Mike Tamayo. “He’s an excellent time trialist and one of the best climbers around. He adds tremendous depth to our stage race squad. He’s had some great rides already this year, and I think he’ll really excel with this organization.”

OUCH Presented by Maxxis team leader Rory Sutherland has battled against Baldwin for the past two years and is glad to now be riding along side him.
“Chris is a good guy and a great rider,” Sutherland said. “His talents compliment in areas where we need more help. Obviously he’s a great time trialist, and he’s probably a better climber than I am, especially at altitude. He’s going to be a huge asset for us at races like Hood and Utah.”

“When I started to look for teams to move to, I was very selective in where I looked,” Baldwin said. “Mike (Tamayo) was at the top of my list of people to call. Obviously, the team has had great success in the NRC. They set goals and objectives each year and achieve them. All the riders are very professional. They know their jobs and they do them well. I’m very structured in training and racing and the organization fits that.”