Press Release
Contact: Richard Beytagh
Phone: (828) 687-0788 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
20 March, 2006
MOREWOOD BIKES USA ANNOUNCE PRO TEAM FOR 2006 NATIONAL MOUNTAIN BIKING SERIES
ASHEVILLE, NC, MARCH 7, 2006: Morewood Bikes USA has announced their pro-team riders for the 2006 Season who will be competing in the National Mountain Bike Series, the World Cup in Canada and other key US events. A total of 5 riders will be wearing the Morewood Factory Team colors this year and will be supported by the pit crew and team trailer.

Three of the riders have rejoined the team from the successful 2005 team; these are Geritt Beytagh – Pro Men and Lisa Myklak and Joanna Petterson – Pro women. Two additional riders, Cole Bangert from Colorado and Jonty Neethling from South Africa are joining the team - so expect to see them in action when the season kicks off at the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey CA in April.

These riders will be competing in the gravity events of Downhill, Mountain Cross and Dual Slalom and will be riding against some of the best gravity riders in the world. In 2005 Lisa, Geritt and Joanna had a very successful season with Geritt finishing 8th overall in the Norba DH series and the 3rd ranked US rider, Lisa finished 6th even after breaking her arm in a nasty fall at the infamous “Yard Sale” and missing the series final Norba DH in Vermont. Joanna finished 5th overall in the DH and Mountain Cross. Three riders from the Morewood Team were selected to represent the USA at the World Championships in Italy.

Cole joined the ranks of the pro riders for the first time in 2005 and finished a very creditable 22nd place in the DH and 6th in Mountain Cross for the Norba series. We also finished 12th overall in the US National Championships in Mammoth. Jonty Neethling, younger brother to the successful Andrew Neethling, will be competing in his first Norba series, but he is no newcomer to DH racing and was the overall South African DH champion in their 2005 series.

All the riders will be riding the very latest Morewood downhill and 4-cross frames, the Izimu and Ndiza ST. These rigs are prototype frames and will be outfitted with Manitou forks, Cane Creek Double Barrel shocks, Industry Nine wheelsets, Sun Ringle rims, Hayes brakes, Maxxis tyres, E-Thirteen Chain devices and the riders will be protected with the latest armor from Dainese.

Rider Profiles:

Geritt Beytagh - Pro Men Downhill and Dual Slalom – Currently ranked 3rd in the USA and selected to Race for the US Team in the 2005 World Championships. Based in Asheville North Carolina he is a full time professional rider and partner in Morewood Bikes USA.

Joanna Petterson – Pro Women Downhill and 4-Cross – Currently ranked 5th in the USA in DH and MX. Based in Sacramento California and is a professional Mountain Biker and works in the bike industry during the off-season

Lisa Myklak – Pro Women Downhill and 4-Cross – Finished 8th in the 2005 NORBA Series and 3rd ranked USA pro rider. She is based in Boulder Colorado; she is a Graphics Designer when she is not riding.

Cole Bangert – Pro Men Downhill, Dual Slalom and 4-Cross – 2005 was Cole’s first season in the Pro ranks and he finished the season as the 13th ranked US DH and 6th in Mountain Cross. He has spent the off season training in Australia and racing in the highly competitive series “down under”. He has also had considerable success racing in the Mountain States Cups

Jonty Neethling – Pro Men Downhill and 4-Cross. Jonty has just joined the ranks of pro riders and will be riding in his first Norba series. As a Junior he won the South African National Downhill series and was SA Downhill rider of the year. His brother, Andrew Neethling, has achieved considerable success as a professional DH rider and we are sure Jonty will be following in his footsteps.


.Morewood Bikes would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support:
Hayes Brakes
Manitou
e.thirteen
Cane Creek
Crank Bros
Industry Nine
Sub Ringle
Thompson
SDG



-End-