GRANADA (December 5, 2000) -- 23 Degrees Sports Management announced today a significant addition to the international mountain bike Downhill and Dual racing scene.

Commencing in 2001, the Global Racing Mountain Bike Team, directed by Martin Whiteley, will be making its presence felt at each round of the UCI World Cup, World and Continental Championships, and on a large slice of the NORBA series in the United States of America.

Global Racing has recruited riders from every inhabited continent on the planet, to be consistent with the team's fundamental theme of world unity. The nine-rider team includes five in the top-20 of the UCI Rankings. Athletes with confirmed contracts for the 2001 season are, in alphabetical order:

Markolf Berchtold, 20, from Santa Catarina, Brazil. World ranking hit #20 in 2000 before injury halted progress. Best result 8th Bromont World Cup, 1999.

Missy Giove, 28, from Durango, United States of America. Downhill World Champion 1990 (Junior) and 1994. World Cup champion 1996/97.

Mike Hannah, 17, from Babinda, Australia. Unknown who finished 2nd in the 2000 Downhill Junior World Championships. Former BMX racer.

Naoki Idegawa, 20, from Japan. Formerly Japanese champion and medallist in the Asian Championships.

Daisaku Kaneko, 24, from Japan. Injuries and mechanical problems kept him from gaining a world ranking in 2000, but a highly regarded rider in Japan.

Sean McCarroll, 23, from Cairns, Australia. Nickname "The Bomber." A pro with four seasons' experience. 4th in the 2000 Dual World Championships.

Greg Minnaar, 19, from Pietermaritzberg, Republic of South Africa. Nickname "Fresh Prince of Big Air." 8th overall in the 2000 World Cup. Scored two podium placings in World Cup races during 2000.

César Rojo, 19, from Barcelona, Spain. Mechanical engineering student. 2nd in Junior European Championships 1999. Currently #20 in UCI Rankings.

Marielle Saner, 23, from Biel, Switzerland. Medalist Junior World Championships, 1994/95. 2nd in 1997 World Championships.

The team was conceived by Mr. Whiteley, the joint owner of 23 Degrees Sports Management who, after five years as Offroad Manager for the Union Cyclist Internationale (UCI), is leaving to focus on this new enterprise. "The athletes that make up the Global Racing team represent a balanced mix of seasoned champions, exploding talent and potential stars," said Mr. Whiteley.

The team's full management and support staff includes: Director, Mr. Martin Whiteley; Manager, Mr. Ben Monroe; Head Soigneur, Mr. Jim Pizzano; Assistant Soigneur, Ms. Anne-Marie Ludekens; and mechanics, Mr. Patrick Griess en (Head Mechanic), Mr. Chris "Monkey" Vazquez, Mr. Mike van Zyl, and Mr. Adam Bonney. A full-time coach will soon be appointed. GaleForce Sports Marketing has been contracted for public relations and communications management, and the web site will be managed by Flipper.co.uk.

As owners, 23 Degrees have opted not to fill the title sponsorship role in year one. "We select whichever bikes and components we consider best suit our needs, and these companies are contracted in the capacity of official suppliers," said Mr. Whiteley.

The main conduit for team information will be a cutting edge 6-language web site, to be launched on March 1st. In addition to athlete biographies and general team information, this web site will display information such as video flash quotes from athletes after each event, race images from onboard cameras, and heart rate graphs from the riders.

The presence of the Global Racing team at events will include race parties, each with a theme corresponding to the nationality of individual team members. On the promotions front, riders on the team are committed to reaching the media and local communities. "Our riders will be rostered for radio interviews, school visits and promotional stories early in the week of races," said Whiteley.

The Global Racing team will have its official launch at the Mercury Sea Otter Classic, on 23 March. Using a combination of action videos and personal appearances by all riders, the team will introduce itself, essential themes, its clothing, and a 'global village' tent complex to be used as a portable base.