Team Chain Reaction Team 2015 announced

We’ve just had word from CRC that they have a new rider in the ranks and a big new sponsor in the form of PayPal backing the guys in 2015. The setup stays the same as 2014 with similar sponsors but Elliot Heap has earned a ride with them this year and from what we saw in his “Not another winter video!?” a few months back we are expecting big things. Here’s the word from CRC HQ:

Following their most successful season in 2014, we’re pleased to announce PayPal as the new joint title sponsor for our downhill race team, Team Chain Reaction Cycles PayPal.

It’s exciting to have a company of PayPal’s calibre on board and having worked successfully with them for many years in conjunction with our retail site, it seemed a natural partnership for us to develop our relationship further. It’s a tribute to the team’s success and the global exposure that downhill mountain biking offers that a non-cycling business of PayPal’s size has come on board.

Alison Sagar, UK Marketing Director from PayPal UK said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring Chain Reaction Cycles’ Downhill Racing Team. As long term partners in more than 70 countries across the globe, CRC and PayPal have seen first-hand the huge growth in cycling as a sport and its broad appeal among our customers. The downhill racing team’s focus on speed and agility, combined with CRC’s forward thinking approach to embracing new technologies make this a great partnership and brand fit. We wish the team well and are very much looking forward to a winning year ahead.”

The team roster of Sam Hill, Joe Smith and Mike Jones continues for 2015 along with the addition of young ripper Elliott Heap who will benefit from the experience and talent of the senior riders in his first year as a Junior.

Team Manager Nigel Page said: “I’m really pleased to welcome young Elliott Heap to the team. Elliott is an amazing talent on any bike, coming from a motocross background. I am pleased that we can help Elliott out and I’m sure he’ll learn from the experience of the other riders and a team of our calibre. Look out for Elliott wearing our colours in the Junior category.”

As well as a fresh title sponsor and a new face on the roster, Team CRC PayPal are also expanding their race programme for 2015, taking on selected rounds of the Enduro World Series, Crankworx Rotorua as well as the UCI MTB Downhill World Cup and the British Downhill Series.

Nigel added: “After our best year ever in 2014, with Sam Hill winning two World Cup rounds and narrowly missing out on the rainbow stripes at the World Championships, and Mike Jones and Joe Smith getting some fantastic results also, I am super excited about the 2015 season.

“We are delighted and excited to welcome Paypal to the team as a joint title sponsor as well as keeping on board our long-term industry sponsors Mavic, SRAM, RockShox, Nukeproof, Schwalbe, e.thirteen, Muc-Off, Royal Racing, High5, 100% and Stay Strong. I can’t wait for the races to start.”

Sam Hill is hoping to build on the World Cup-winning form he reached in 2014, saying: “I couldn’t be any happier to be riding for Chain Reaction Cycles again for 2015 and beyond.

“The last two years riding for them has been awesome and I have made some great friends. I know that I’m going to have the best support possible and the best people around me to help me reach my goals.”

Following his best ever season, Joe Smith aims for more of the same this year: “I’m really happy to be riding for the team again for the 2015 season. After having my best season to date in 2014, being more consistent and winning my first Elite British Downhill Series race I’m looking forward to building on this success for the coming year. It’s a great team to be part of; we all get along great and have loads of fun at the races so I can’t wait to get stuck in again for 2015. I’d like to thank Nigel
Page and the whole of the team for their amazing support.”

After blasting onto the Elite scene last year, Mike Jones is raring to race: “Coming off a good season in my first year in the Elite category, it only felt right to re-sign for 2015! I learnt a lot last year off Sam and Joe and by staying with the team I’m only going to keep learning from their experience in the sport and keep growing as a rider and hopefully keep getting quicker!

“I also like the way the team is run – Nige always keeps us all positive and brings out the best in us all. For 2015 my goals are to be inside the top 10 every race, after breaking into the top 10 last year that’s where I want to be next year, keep injury free and have a consistent season.”

New to the team Elliott Heap can’t wait to get going: “I got a taste of what riding for a team like Chain Reaction Cycles would be like at the BDS in Llangollen, being able to practice the track with Joe and Mike was awesome. I couldn’t believe the help and support I received from the whole team that weekend. To then come away from there with a win was an unbelievable experience.

“To be asked to ride for Chain Reaction Cycles in the World Cups and the EWS for 2015 after just my first year of competition can only be described as the ultimate opportunity for me. Racing in the World Cups will be a big test, the aim at the moment is to do well enough in the European rounds so I get the opportunity to race in the US and Canada with the team. In the EWS top five and hopefully podium places have got to be the aim of the series.”