Sam Hill will join Joe Smith and Matt Simmonds on CRC/Nukeproof for the 2013 World Cup season!

Well, this amazing news did have an embargo for the 1st Jan 2013, but some blokes can’t keep a secret!

So there we go, big news, Hill leaves Monster/Specialized after four years, while CRC shed Matti Lehikoinen, Al Bond, andLew Buchanan, who (only him, goes to SC-Intense.

Team manager Nige Page must be happy now that the team is a more manageable trio, booking airflights and hotels will be a doddle now!

Here’s the full word from CRC/Nukeproof:

Team CRC/Nukeproof are proud to welcome legendary Australian rider Sam Hill onto the roster, joining Matt Simmonds and Joe Smith as they look forward to success in the upcoming 2013 RockyRoads UCI Mountain Bike World Cup season.

A five time downhill World Champion and with numerous World Cup podiums under his belt, Sam Hill is widely regarded as one of the most skilful riders on the circuit, often showing disregard for and picking apart the most loose, steep or gnarly courses in the world.

The decision to join Team CRC/Nukeproof wasn’t difficult for Sam, who said: “I’m very excited about riding for team Chain Reaction Cycles/Nukeproof. They are very positive towards downhill racing and I know they are going to put in 100% just like me.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to the races under the Chain Reaction Cycles tents and hanging with the team. 2013 is going to be a good year.”

Matt Simmonds and Joe Smith, who both had their most successful professional season in 2012, are hoping to push themselves even further this year with the help of their new teammate. Matt said: “To have a rider of Sam’s calibre on the team will be awesome for us! Placing 16th overall in last year’s World Cup was great for me and gives me the perfect platform to improve my times this year and get closer to podium finishes.”

Joe Smith, who took 19th overall in last year’s World Cup rankings, is stoked on what the future holds for the team, saying: “Finishing seventh at Fort Bill last year was a definite highlight, and to end up in the top-20 overall was fantastic. With the help of the team and some tweaks to my riding, this year should be amazing for us all.”

Team Manager Nigel Page said: “I’m delighted Sam has decided to join our team! I have been a big fan of Sam throughout his successful downhill career. He’s had amazing results in the past winning five World Championship titles and is a fantastic ambassador for any company involved in downhill and mountain biking in general.

“We have worked hard on developing a great team and great bikes over the last five seasons and I believe having a rider of Sam’s pedigree will step the team up to that next level and also bring on the results of Matt and Joe, who had very promising seasons in 2012.

“We are all really looking forward to having Sam on board helping the development of new Nukeproof products and hopefully helping Sam achieve his goals in racing in the next stage of his career. I can’t wait for the 2013 season to begin!”

Mr Team Rumours was on the ball again with his pencil sketched assumptions.