The news of four-time Downhill World Champion, Greg Minnaar leaving his long-time team, the Santa Cruz Syndicate shook the DH scene in December and it didn't take long for rumour mill to start turning. Today, Norco has broken its silence, confirming that it has signed the South African legend.

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Minnaar's exit from Syndicate was a huge move and his future in the sport was up in the air, raising questions across the industry as to whether or not he would continue racing. Even though rumours of his Norco Factory Racing move and his statement about high-pivot linkaged Norco bikes were circulating, it still seemed somewhat of a long shot.

Fast forward to January 2024 and Norco has confirmed the signing of Minnaar and both parties have big plans lined up for 2024.

9. photo credit David Nogales Tarragó.jpg, by Liam Mercer

“Until recently, I had no idea that Norco had such an incredible engineering team,” said Minnaar. “I’ve never seen this in the bike industry, where the engineering team has a separate division to work with the race team. I’ll be lucky enough to direct this program, to be a part of a culture of performance and leverage my years of experience, while giving myself the best possible chance between the tape. This is the beginning of a new chapter for me and for Norco—we’re just getting started."  - Greg Minnaar

Minnaar has joined the team in a higher capacity than an athlete as he will be mentoring Norco's youth development team which has been put in place to nurture the future of the spot. The GOAT will also be racing on a prototype Norco downhill bike with work for next season having already started. 

“I am here to build the fastest team, with the fastest bike,” - Greg Minnaar

• www.norco.com

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