January 31/05 9:53 am - Roland Green Signs with Kona for 2005

Posted by Editoress on 01/31/05
 

Roland Green Signs with Kona
Courtesy Kona

KONAWORLD (Jan. 31, 2005) - The Kona Bicycle Company today announced the roster for the 2005 Kona Factory - Les Gets team. The 2005 Kona Factory - Les Gets team includes the additions of 2001/2002 cross-country World Champion Roland Green, and 'Czech Four' Cross specialist, Kamil Tartakovic.

Green joins the most dynamic team on last year's cross-country circuit that features Kris Sneddon, Ryan Trebon, Peter Wedge and Barry Wicks. Green's championship heritage and experience will be a valuable addition to the younger, spirited XC squad. The Kona Factory - Les Gets cross-country team will compete in the NORBA series as well as the two North American world cup races.

Green is the 2001 and 2002 UCI World Champion, 2001 UCI World Cup overall champion, 2001 NORBA XC and STCX overall champion, the 2002 World Cup Champion, and multi-Canadian National Champion. Green previously raced on the Kona Factory Team from 1996 through the 1999 seasons.

"It's great to have Roland back on board as returning Kona team alumni," said team manager Russell Carty. "This season the entire XC squad is focused on winning the NORBA title. With the support of Kona, and their new Kona King Supreme and Kona Kula Supreme rigs, this year's campaign will be a good one."

Tartakovic joins men's 2004 downhill World Champion, Fabien Barel, and 2004 women's Maxxis Cup Champion, Tracy Moseley. They will be competing on the World Cup circuit.

"Last year was the most successful year for Team Kona. Kona was the #1 trade team in the Maxxis International Series; Fabien Barel is the World DH Champ and finished 1st overall in the Maxxis Series; Ryan Trebon was 2nd overall in the NORBA XC Series; Tracy Moseley was 1st overall in the Maxxis Series... It's going to be tough to do better than last season but we have a strong team, top riders and the best bikes to do it!" said Carty.

"We are really excited for 2005. We have the strongest Kona Team Ever! We have two World Champions - reining World Champ Fabien Barel and World Champ Roland Green, put them together with top NORBA and USA cyclo-cross phenom Ryan Trebon we have a top winning team!"