Justin Leov (Image credit: Sue George, Mountain Bike Editor)
One month following the signing of three cross country team members, Trek Bicycles announced the remaining half of the team will comprise three downhillers. Justin Leov of New Zealand and Andrew Neethling of South Africa will fill the two men's slots while the remaining women's place will be announced on December 1.
Having just turned 24, Leov is coming off a successful 2008, most notable for his sixth place finish at the World Championship - the best-ever performance by a New Zealand man in the downhill.
Also 24, Neethling has progressed during his past three seasons of racing. He finished sixth on the physical track at this year's Canberra World Cup, which will double as the venue for the 2009 World Championships, and he made the top 10 on the steep and technical Schladming World Cup course in Austria.
"Apart from always striving to run one of the most professional teams on the circuit, one of my goals has always been to take riders and give them the opportunity to shine and reach their absolute goals," said Team Director Martin Whiteley. "In the case of these two talented top 10 riders and our new program, we will be giving them every opportunity to further improve on their results to date.
"With the first round of the World Cup in South Africa next year, we are thrilled to have a super competitive South African on the team, and we feel that our combination of two top ten men, and a top level woman, will put us in a good place to compete with the leading gravity teams for the coveted UCI downhill team trophy, something our teams have won three times before."
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