Knox, Green to race for Team Decca Ghost

[Matt]

Knox, Green to race for Team Decca Ghost

Press Release - 23 November 2011

 

From left: Max Knox, Quinton van Loggerenberg, Jock Green and Jason Theunissen at the launch of the Decca Ghost team in Sandton.

 

Top South African bicycle racers, Max Knox and Jock Green will form the foundation of the Decca Ghost mountain bike racing team that was launched in Johannesburg, South Africa at the weekend.

 

Decca Ghost is a South African registered team, but will follow an international strategy in 2012 in order to boost the awareness of the international brands associated with the team, including Belgium-based Decca performance cycle clothing, German-based Ghost-Bikes and Taiwan-based Bryton Sport GPS.

 

Despite only being 24 years old, Knox is one of the world’s leading marathon racers. His achievements include four stage wins with teammate and current marathon World Champion, Christoph Sauser, at the recent Cape Pioneer Trek stage race in South Africa. Knox has also won stages at the BC Bike Race in Canada as well as other South African stage events and is a multiple winner of the Barberton Classic, one of South Africa’s premier marathon events.

 

“My main focus for 2012 is the South African National Marathon Series, which starts off with the first round of the UCI’s new Marathon World Cup in Sabie, South Africa in February. This is one of my favourite races as I live in Sabie and do most of my training there,” said Knox.

 

Green is a former South African national road race champion who raced professionally for the Barloworld team. He made the transition to mountain bike racing two years ago and although still improving, has been a regular podium challenger in marathon and stage racing events, which are incredibly popular in South Africa. Green will also shift his focus this year and compete in duathlon and trail running events and has his eyes set on winning the 2012 Otter Africa Trail Run amongst other events.

 

The Decca Ghost team will be managed by Jason Theunissen of Ballistic Bike Trading, an established distributor of bicycles and accessories in Southern Africa, including the Ghost, Bryton and Decca brands.

 

“We have achieved great success in professional road racing both in South Africa and abroad over the past two years and have now targeted the growing discipline of mountain biking,” said Decca’s Quinton van Loggerenburg.

 

“In addition to the Decca Ghost team, we will also be supporting the Milka Trek team of Dutch former Olympic and World Champion, Bart Brentjens. We have an amazing new fabric that actually repels mud and look forward to showcasing that on some star riders at major international mountain bike events.”

Decca will also be increasing its custom offering to clubs, corporates and teams in 2012 through Ballistic Bike Trading’s established Southern African network.

 

“With Decca, we’re offering top quality international performance cycle wear at local prices. This is something that’s been lacking in the South African market particularly but now limited budgets won’t mean poor quality clothing,” said Theunissen.

 

Ghost-Bikes, a respected German bike brand, has achieved international success in Olympic Cross-country racing over the past few years, but is now making a push at marathon racing success through its support of Team Decca Ghost. In 2011, Knox won more than 80% of the races he started, mostly on a 26-inch Ghost, but will now compete on Ghost’s new 29-inch models when relevant.

 

“Max is one of the few riders able to remain competitive on all courses on a 26-inch bike, so we’re excited about the arrival of the new 29er which should remove any disadvantage on the less hilly, less technical race routes,” explained Theunissen.

 

Team Decca Ghost will also have the sponsorship support of other leading brands, including Continental tyres, SRAM components and the Fury Motor Group, a leading Chevrolet, Isuzu, Opel, VW, Suzuki, Toyota, Honda, Ford and Mazda vehicle brand dealership group in South Africa.

 

Warren Foyn and Craig Absalom of the Fury Motor Group jumped at the opportunity to support the Team: “We offer a wide range of motor vehicle brands that will meet the specific needs of our clients and Team Decca Ghost,” said Foyn.

 

For more information on Team Decca Ghost and its premier brand sponsors, visit www.ballisticbiketrading.co.za

[Danger Dassie]

Should be a strong duo this, especially with good sponsorship backing that they have.

That flippen Ghost should come with balloon strings to keep it anchored down!

[koukie]

With the power balance on his wrist he will win races!

[Eldron]

I see rough times in Jock's future... That young pup Max has got some GO!

 

Awesome initiative - great to see new mtb teams popping up. Great to see the "vets" getting good rides too.