February 25, 2004
Jenny Smith will be the lead rider for team Bon Jovi/West Virginia for the 2004 mountain bike race season. The New Zealand born racer, who resides in the United States, is the team's top pro among the squad members scheduled to compete at all the NORBA nationals.
The former standout runner from Greymouth, NZ has continually bettered her season results since becoming a mountain bike racer in 2000. Last season, Smith finished 15th overall in the NORBA national series and was chosen to represent New Zealand in the UCI World Mountain Bike Championships.
"Timing has been perfect for me. Being on Team Bon Jovi/West Virginia will allow me to really concentrate on the national races which is crucial toward my goals of earning a spot on New Zealand 's Olympic team and Worlds team. Plus, being sponsored by Bon Jovi is a great honor and conversation starter!" said Smith.
Smith, who lives in Colorado , is the only non-West Virginia member of the team. Last year, three Bon Jovi/West Virginia team members competed in UCI world championship races -- two in Lugano , Switzerland and one at the master's worlds in Canada .
"Mountain biking in West Virginia is a lot like New Zealand . Its wild, wet and rugged and the people are really genuine. They're very competitive at race time but off the bike, they are your best friends and fantastic advocates for mountain biking," Smith said. One of the national series stops is at Snowshoe Resort in Snowshoe, West Virginia .
Team manager Steve Thaxton also races in the men's expert category. Thaxton has toured with Jon Bon Jovi for more than 10 years, serving as his chiropractor.
"This should be our most exciting year yet. Having Jenny join us will give our team an excellent presence in the pro category. I think Jenny is primed to make some national podium appearances this season," said Thaxton.
Bon Jovi/ West Virginia fact sheet
Team name : Bon Jovi/West Virginia
Rider roster :
Jenny Smith, pro women
Mandie Riddle, pro women
Bryan
Fawley, pro men
Clay Evans, semi-pro
Joey Riddle, expert men 25-29
Steve
Thaxton, expert men 40-44
Also: six more racers to do West Virginia Mountain
Bike Race Series (20 races, 14 of which are designated “points” races)
Manager: Steve Thaxton
Soigneurs/Chiropractor: Steve Thaxton
Mechanic: Joey Riddle
Sponsors:
Jon Bon Jovi, International Talent Booking, Cannondale,
Kenda tires, Ritchey,
F.S.A. Hydra pac, Charleston Bicycle Center , Maple
Creative, Lee Web Design, Worldwide Chiropractic and Sports Medicine.
Web site:
www.teamwvbonjovi.com
Key additions :
Jenny Smith, New Zealand Olympic hopeful
who currently resides in the United States . Jenny finished 15th last season
in the final NORBA women's pro cross country standings. Won many regional
races in Colorado, California .
Joey Riddle from West Virginia
Key loss:
Nick Waite (member of 2003 Worlds team, U23).
'03 highlights:
Bryan Fawley -- 42nd at UCI Worlds in
Jr. Expert
Nick Waite -- 23rd at UCI Worlds in Under 23
Steve
Thaxton -- 20th at UCI World Masters in 35-39
Team totals: 169 podiums, 74
victories.
2004 goals:
Top 10/Top 5 finishes for Jenny Smith at
NORBA nationals and to represent New Zealand at the Summer Olympic games
Bryan Fawley returning to Worlds in the Under 23 division
Mandie
Riddle a top 10 finish at a NORBA national
Clay
Evans and Joey Riddle to earn NORBA National wins
Steve
Thaxton to earn a top-10 finish at World Masters