Fairclough joins Hill at Team Monster Energy/Iron Horse

19 year-old British downhiller Brendan Fairclough signed a two-year deal with Team Monster Energy / Iron Horse. Fairclough makes his move from Honda Team G-Cross, which will not continue into 2008. Fairclough will line up next to new team-mate four-time World Champion and defending World Cup Series Champion, Australian Sam Hill.

Fairclough will race all the World Cup races with his new team as well as the Sea Otter Classic, the US Open, Crankworx and select British National Points Series (NPS) events.

"Joining Team Monster Energy/Iron Horse is a major deal for me" said Fairclough, who travelled recently to the US over the Thanksgiving holiday. "I'm excited to be racing on a team that has a great image in the sport and is known for supporting its riders. I've been lucky to have had excellent team mates like Steve Peat, Greg Minnaar, and Matti Lehikoinen throughout my young career, and being part of Team Monster Energy/Iron Horse is a continuation of that."

"Next year I have some pretty specific goals, not the least of which is grabbing some crystal at the end of the World Cup season when the series finishes on a track that Sam [Hill] and I love, Schladming. I can't wait to get racing next year!" added Fairclough.

"This was a logical step for us in 2008," said Team Director Sean Heimdal of Fairclough's signing. "I wanted to put together a leading two-man team and when thinking of a rider that could come into our program and compliment Sam, as well as learn and grow, well Brendan was my first choice. Having him here over the past few days has been excellent and we can't wait to get him on a bike for testing."

Fairclough will open his season with the Sea Otter Classic in April 2008.