The new Chain Reaction Cycles/Nukeproof team consists of Sam Hill, Joe Smith and Matt Simmonds. Here’s what the boys have been up to in the off season…

This year’s already been huge – five-time downhill World Champion (three senior, two junior wins) Sam Hill joined the team roster in a furore of internet chatter and anticipation alongside Matt Simmonds and Joe Smith. The guys are also riding a brand new bike in the shape of the Nukeproof Pulse, as well as all-new parts courtesy of fresh sponsors. With a reinvigorated team dynamic and a shakeup of the bikes, everything’s in place for their most successful season yet!

#OnTheHunt follows the team through their pre-season travels, starting with a visit to Chain Reaction Cycles headquarters in Northern Ireland, where Sam, Matt and Joe met the CRC family, visiting the offices and warehouses of the world’s largest online bike store as well as taking the time for a quick spin with CRC staff on the local trails.

Then it was on to their annual pilgrimage to San Romolo, Italy, to put their team issue Nukeproof Pulse bikes to the test.

Working closely with new suspension sponsors, RockShox, the riders took the chance to dial in their bikes, eeking out every piece of performance possible to take them to World Cup glory in 2013.

It wasn’t long before the crew were jetting off again, this time to the Chain Reaction Cycles-sponsored Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California, to take part in one of the first major cycling festivals of the year.

As well as debuting their new bikes and kit, the team competed against the best racers on the planet in the dual slalom and downhill races.

2013 is set to bring us the most incredible season of racing yet, and none more so than for the new-look Team CRC/Nukeproof. The time for talking’s nearly over, and with less than seven days to go until the start of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Fort William, Scotland, Team CRC/Nukeproof are #OnTheHunt