Giant Factory Off-Road Team Ups Its Game with New Superstar Talent Including XC World Cup And World Champion Alan Hatherly 1

Building on a successful 2024 season, the Giant Factory Off-Road Team has assembled a talented squad of cross-country and downhill athletes with its sights set on wins and podium placings in 2025. Targeting the UCI World Cup and other major international races, the team made some key acquisitions including XC superstar Alan Hatherly from South Africa and downhill racers Jakob and Dane Jewett, a talented brother duo from Canada.

“I’m proud of the momentum the team is carrying right now,” said Giant Factory Off-Road Team Manager Sebastian Boyington. “Last season was the second year that we achieved World Cup podiums across each discipline, in elite and junior categories, and with new and returning athletes alike. We’re excited to welcome our new teammates and carry that energy forward into 2025.”

XC FIREPOWER

As the current elite men’s world champion and overall XC World Cup champion—as well as the men’s bronze medalist at the 2024 Olympics in Paris—Hatherly leads a formidable four-man XC squad that also includes returning athletes Jens Schuermans of Belgium, Dario Lillo of Switzerland, and Canadian Carter Woods.

Schuermans is coming off a strong 2024 season that included four top-10 World Cup finishes highlighted by an XCC podium at Val di Sole, Italy. The 31-year-old also represented Belgium at the Paris Summer Games, overcoming a fractured hand to compete in his third Olympics.

Lillo tore up the U23 men’s category in 2024, earning three wins and eight podiums to finish fourth overall. This year Lillo, who turns 23 in April, moves up to the elite men’s category.

Woods, the 2023 Canadian men’s XC national champion, also has multiple U23 World Cup wins to his name. The 23-year-old moved up to the elite ranks last year, and although he was sidelined with a lingering mid-season illness, he came back strong toward the end of the year and finished top-15 at Lake Placid, New York, his best result yet as an elite.

All four XC athletes have their choice of race bikes depending on conditions and terrain. The Anthem Advanced 29 full-suspension bike is the go-to machine for technical courses and the XtC Advanced SL 29 hardtail is the choice for smooth, fast XC tracks.

DOUBLE DUTY FOR HATHERLY

Hatherly comes to the team in a combined program with Giant’s WorldTour road racing partner Team Jayco AlUla. He plans to compete in most MTB World Cup races throughout the year while also gaining experience on the road with the Australian-based Team Jayco AlUla.


“I am incredibly excited for this new chapter in my cycling career and very grateful for the opportunity to ride for [Team Jayco AlUla ownership group] GreenEDGE Cycling for the next two seasons,” Hatherly said. “Combining road and MTB is new and refreshing, and I am really looking forward to where this journey can go.”

DH SQUAD GETS DEEPER

With World Cup podiums and national championships, 2024 was a successful season for the DH racers of the Giant Factory Off-Road Team. This year the squad looks to continue its upward trajectory, adding the Jewett brothers to strengthen its roster. Jakob Jewett, the current Canadian elite men’s national champion, and his younger brother Dane Jewett will join returning riders Rémi Thirion from France and Luke Meier-Smith of Australia.

In addition to his national championship title, Jakob, age 21, also won the Canadian Open DH race at Crankworx Whistler last year and finished second at Crankworx Rotorua in New Zealand. “I’m super excited to be joining the Giant Factory Off-Road Team for 2025 and beyond,” Jakob said. “I’ve already had a handful of days on the Glory Advanced DH bike and it’s feeling good! I’ve set my goals high for the upcoming season and I’m ready to put in the work. With support from the team, I’m more motivated than ever.”

Jakob’s brother Dane, age 18, was a consistent World Cup podium finisher in the junior men’s category and finished fourth overall in the series. This year Dane moves up to the elite men’s ranks.

Thirion brings veteran leadership and a winning track record to the team following a strong 2024 campaign that saw him add two more World Cup podiums to his résumé, bringing his career total to nine. He finished the season with a strong 11th place overall ranking.

The team’s other returning talent, 21-year-old Luke Meier-Smith, won his second straight elite men’s national title in Australia in 2024, and had a solid World Cup season highlighted by his 11th place finish at the finals in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada.

The downhill racers will all compete primarily on the Glory Advanced DH bike, which the team helped develop and test over the past few seasons.

SHARPER FOCUS ON XC AND DH

Over a long history that goes back 30 years, the Giant Factory Off-Road Team has continued to adapt and change with the sport. For 2025, the team will again evolve with a pause on its enduro racing program.

“The team was an early supporter of enduro since the inaugural Enduro World Series in 2013,” Boyington said. “Right now, the level of competition in World Cup racing is incredibly high, and sharpening our focus on XC and DH was a necessary decision for our goals in the future.”

Moving on from the enduro squad are Youn Deniaud, who announced his retirement from racing in 2024, and Sascha Kim, who will continue in a new role as a global athlete ambassador. “I’m grateful for Giant’s continued support with my riding and personal development as an athlete and ambassador, and I’m excited about the opportunity to take on new challenges and projects outside of just racing,” Kim said.

TEAM PARTNERS

On the technical front, the team welcomes back most of its sponsors from 2024 including FOX suspension products, Maxxis tires, and Shimano drivetrain, brakes and pedals. Additional components and gear include Giant WheelSystems, XC handlebar/stem setups, saddles, and accessories including the Clutch tool system. New team sponsor Burgtec will supply DH handlebar/stem setups, rigid seatposts and saddles.

On the apparel side, the team continues its partnership with Cuore of Switzerland for kits. The new footwear sponsor is Shimano, and 100% will supply eyewear and gloves. Helmets are supplied by Giant, including the Rev Elite for XC and the Rail for trail/enduro.

You can follow the Giant Factory Off-Road Team all season long on Instagram and Facebook.

2025 Giant Factory Off-Road Team

• Alan Hatherly (South Africa), XC
• Dane Jewett (Canada), DH
• Jakob Jewett (Canada), DH
• Dario Lillo (Switzerland), XC
• Luke Meier-Smith (Australia), DH
• Jens Schuermans (Belgium), XC
• Rémi Thirion (France), DH
• Carter Woods (Canada), XC

2025 Giant Factory Off-Road Team sponsors

• Suspension (forks/shocks/dropper seatpost): FOX
• Wheels: Giant and CADEX
• Tires: Maxxis
• Drivetrain and brakes: Shimano
• Pedals: Shimano
• XC bar/stem/saddle: Giant
• DH bar/stem/saddle: Burgtec
• Grips: ODI
• Chain guides: MRP
• DH Tire inserts: CushCore
• Footwear: Shimano
• Race kits: Cuore of Switzerland
• Cycling eyewear: 100%
• Helmet: Giant
• Gloves: 100%
• Other: Park Tool, Finish Line lube and cleaning products, Stan’s tire sealant, Thule gear

Follow Giant Factory Off-Road on Instagram - @giantfactoryoffroadteam

About Giant

Giant is the world’s leading brand of high-quality bicycles and cycling gear. Part of the Giant Group, which was founded in 1972, the brand combines craftsmanship, technology and innovative design to help all riders unleash their full potential. Through its products, people and retail partners, Giant delivers a full ecosystem of bikes and gear to optimize the cycling experience and grow the community. For more information, go to giant-bicycles.com.