Mike Jones joins Chain Reaction Cycles/Nukeproof for 2014

We’re delighted to announce that young Welsh rider Mike Jones will join Sam Hill and Joe Smith on Team CRC/Nukeproof for the 2014 season.

After an amazing 2013 season riding for the FMD/Intense team alongside Junior Women’s World Champion and long time friend of ours Tahnee Seagrave, Mike finished second in the super competitive Junior World Cup series and managed a bronze medal in the Junior World Championships.

Mike said: “Joining CRC is a dream come true for me. Ever since I started racing it always looked like the team to be on. Moving up to elite is a big step for me but riding alongside the likes of Sam and Joe will help me a lot and bring my riding along and hopefully I can get the results I am aiming for.

“For 2014 I am looking to break into the top 20 in the World Cups and try and get on the podium at the National rounds. I’d like to say thanks to Nigel for giving me the opportunity for next season.”

Team Manager Nigel Page welcomed Mike to the team, saying: “Mike is a really talented rider and already one of the fastest young talents in our great sport. As well as having the speed and skills to step up to a world class team he also has some good banter and I am sure he will fit in great with us!

“We have high hopes for Mike’s career ahead of him and we are looking forward to helping him grow and achieve his goals for the future.”

Sam’s raring to get back on his bike in 2014, saying: “I had so much fun with the team last year and am absolutely loving my Nukeproof Pulse. I think that 2014 is going to be a good season for myself and the team.”

After a solid winter of training, Joe’s looking forward to getting stuck into racing again too: “I'm really excited to be riding for Team CRC/Nukeproof again for the 2014 season. I feel that we have a great team and the best sponsors out there. After a solid winter of training with my new coach from Point 1 Athletic and plenty of time on my Nukeproof Pulse I'm looking to pull some really good results out of the bag and can’t wait to get stuck in at the races.”

We’re sorry to see Matt Simmonds leave us after six great years of working together. Matt had his best season to-date with the team last year, culminating with a fifth place at the World Championships in South Africa. We wish Matt all the best with his new team and for the future.

As well as welcoming Mike we’re also super excited to have Sam Hill's long term friend and top mechanic Jacy Shumilak join the team for 2014 as our head mechanic. We feel Jacy will bring some amazing experience as well as his world class mechanic skills – he’ll be looking after Sam's bike like old times.

“I'm really excited about becoming a part of the CRC/Nukeproof program. It’s a great opportunity to work with new people, new products and be a part of a team that is advancing every year,” Jacy said.

“I'm even more excited about being reunited with Sam and looking forward to our first race back together. I'd really like to thank Nigel and everyone at CRC/Nukeproof for giving me the opportunity to work with them in 2014.”

We have a great team and the best sponsors for 2014, we can't wait for the season to kick off!