(Photo courtesy www.world.honda.com/mtb)
All looks good for another great year of racing after the signing of a contract between Honda Racing Corporation (owners Team G Cross Honda) & 23 Degrees Sports Management.
Greg Minnaar (RSA), the reigning World Cup Champion and Matti Lehikoinen, World #11, both return to the team, which will again be focusing on the World Cup as well as select Norba events in America.
23 Degrees will also sponsor two junior development riders on World Cup circuit, Junya Nagata, Jpn, and Ruben Garcia, Spn. Both are reigning national junior champions and will be racing on Honda RN01 Honda bikes supplied by Honda on Team 23 Degrees.
All four riders will take part in the first Downhill race of this season at World Cup 1 Vigo, Spain. There are high expectations that they will surpass last year’s results where Matti was 7th and Greg 2nd respectively.
In recognition of Greg’s win in the Overall World Cup 2005, Greg will race this year in Alpinestars clothing that is different from his teammates. Greg has been testing Honda’s products in the off-season and training in South Africa in the summer.
Greg MinnaarTeam Cross Honda: I’m really excited to race the new Honda RN01, because of all the testing that we have done. I’ve had an excellent off-season, and I look forward to defending the title in World Cup. I am unable to compete in all Norba races due to conflicting event dates. Two throw-out races are allowed, so I’ll be contesting 5 of 7, which should give me enough chances to win the U.S. Series title.
Matti LehikoinenTeam Cross Honda: It was strange to finish last season in Fort William with a 6th place, despite my injured shoulder. Although it was my best ever result, I was disappointed that such an injury kept me from the top. My shoulder and arm are now 100% after my off-season surgeries. I am enjoying getting back into downhill training.
Junya NagataTeam 23 Degrees: I am excited to ride a Honda in 2006 again, but more importantly to be able to race on the World Cup circuit with the RN01. My goal is to improve my international riding skills and to promote Japanese mountain biking internationally. I am looking forward to my maiden race in 23 Degrees colors in Vigo in May.
Ruben GarciaTeam 23 degrees: This is an incredible opportunity for me. After winning the National Title in my first year of racing at top level, I was thrilled to represent Spain at this year’s World Championships. With my team, I now have the opportunity to travel to all the World Cups and chase the UCI Leaders Yellow shirt for the top Junior on the World Cup. We are riding the best bike around the globe.
Martin Whiteley, Team Director: We are excited to have both Greg and Matti as our team directors for the upcoming season. We believe Greg will have another strong season and Matti will build on last year’s success. Two development riders will be riding in the 23 Degrees colors is something we are excited about. We chose Junya and Ruben because we were searching for Junior National Champions in 2006 who were junior again. Junya is a veteran of the Honda RN01 and has raced before. Ruben was sponsored in 2005 by 23 Degrees when he won his title.
TEAM CROSS HONDA – 23 DEGREES SPONSORS
Alpinestars Clothing. Showa Suspension. Maxxis Tires. Formula Brakes. Mavic Wheels. SDG Seats/I-Beam Posts Motorex Lubricants. SRAM/Truvativ Components. PowerBar Nutrition. Sapim Race Spokes. Easton Bars. Chris King (Headsets4X). ODI Grips.
