Coast mountain biker Magnus Manson is set for success for the 2015 competitive mountain bike season.
Magnus was named to the Norco Factory Racing Team in late November joining a talented group, which includes fellow riders Sam Blenkinsop, Harry Heath and Jack Iles.
“I have worked so hard to get to this point. To be a part of the Norco Factory Team is just amazing,” Manson said. “This will allow me to get to all the world cup races and hopefully the world championships. Not only do I have all the support, I also have the support of a talented team of riders. When it comes to racing, you can help them and they can help you.”
Manson said he attended few world cup races last year due to financial restraints. Now that is a thing of the past.
“It’s just unbelievable — a dream come true really,” he said. “It’s just crazy how far this could take me.”
The team held an introductory camp a few weeks ago including a chance to tour the Norco facility in Burnaby, which Manson said was “pretty awesome.”
“It’s cool to meet the people behind the company — the people who make your bike and all your gear,” he said. “We then went up as a team to Pemberton and tested all the bikes. Right now because of the weather, I’m mostly doing a lot of weight training and some riding, but by February, I’ll be riding hard and really cranking it up for the start of the season.”
The first race for the Norco team is in April in France with the first round of the world cup.
“We’re committed to designing world class bikes in all categories, and with our Norco Race Development downhill program, we are truly excited to work alongside such an elite group of world-class athletes — we welcome them to the Norco Bicycles family,” said Norco marketing manager Chris Cook. “They are an incredibly talented group of riders who not only bring impressive results on race day and a hunger to go faster, they demonstrate great character with a passion, knowledge and love for the ride that they demonstrate every day.”
Manson said his top goal remains — to compete at a world championship — and he feels with Norco and his teammates behind them, they can all achieve huge success this season.
“I really want to win a world cup race and then go to the world championships,” he said. “I want to thank everyone — my parents, grandmother, Norco, the Coastal Crew, the Iles family and the whole Coast community — who promotes and helps me out. I wouldn’t be here without all the support. I just can’t wait for the new season to start.”
