One more star...Rhys Willemse

Siamo lieti di annunciare di aver ingaggiato l'australiano Rhys Willemse per la stagione 2010 di Coppa del Mondo. Tredicesimo assoluto in Coppa del Mondo a Maribor nel 2009 competendo nella categoria junior, campione australiano junior di Dh nel 2009, campione nazionale junior di 4X nel 2008 e quarto nel mondiale junior 2009, Rhys affila le armi affidandosi ad Ancillotti per la prima stagione fra gli Elite. Un paio di vittorie nell'NPS fra DH e 4X completano il quadro di questo giovane ragazzo che corre da cinque anni. Come scrive nel proprio curriculum ha subito influenze da Jared Graves di cui ammira la guida pulita e con stile, gira rigorosamente con clip e si allena regolarmente con la moto da cross.

Eccolo in azione a Canberra. Foto per cortesia di Damian Breach


Ancillotti e' lieto di accoglierlo al proprio campo base in Doganaccia dove riesiedera' per la stagione europea della coppa del Mondo insieme al compagno di team George Brannigan.

Anche Rhys partecipera' alle gare dei campionati australiani ed Oceania con la Tomaso DHP.

English press release

Rhys Willemse is a talented rider who will compete in Elite WC DH and some 4X races. As junior he scored 13th overall place (first in his category) in 2009 Maribor World Cup race (Slovenia), he won 2009 junior aussie downhill championship, 2008 junior aussie 4X Champ, 4th in 2009 junior worlds in canberra, plus a couple of wins in 2009 NPS races (UK series).
He will be based in Doganaccia Ski Resort along with his Kiwi team mate George Brannigan who will be competing for junior world championship and world cup series.
George started in racing 3 years ago and has taken good results in his categories. He won U19 New Zealand series on 2008, 7th at 2009 junior worlds in Canberra, he also scored a very impressive win in Bromont 2009 taking the 41st overall place in Elite as major highlights for him this year.
Together they will represent Ancillotti Team in World Downhill Cup Series, some 4X World Cup stages, Italian DH series, IXS series and some other promotional events.

Tomaso Ancillotti, Ancillotti factory owner, team manager and mechanic will support them at races as usual. He stated that he is really happy to work with either George and Rhys:
"They are fast and have plenty of style. My father Alberto at the factory and myself at races will provide them all the support they’re in need for competing at such high level. After the sensational 2009 where we took the junior world downhill championship with Brook MacDonald and Wyn Masters, who scored 22th place in Schladming and Oceania silver medal, I do think we will have some other good times."

George and Rhys use the 2010 evolution junior World Downhill Champion bike "Ancillotti Tomaso DHP" in their national championships and Oceania championship.



A few words from Rhys
"I would like to comment on my selection in the Ancillotti team:

I would like to thank Tomaso Ancillotti for giving me the chance to ride for the team. I'm looking forward to riding my new Ancillotti bike and producing some great results again next season. It will also be good to be riding for a team again, and not having to worry about anything, other than concentrating on my riding. I'm also looking forward to meeting my new team mates. Ancillotti have given me the chance to show the world what I can do, and I hope to produce some good results. I come from Australia, so it's going to be great to be based in Italy and learning a new language and culture.

My goals for the 2010 season is to produce some top 10 results and finish the season in the top 20. I had a good season last year with a 13th at Maribor and finishing 4th at the World Championships in Canberra, Australia. I believe that I can finally get a top 10 result in my first year as a pro rider. My future goals are to one day be world champion. "

"George's comment on his choice to race with Ancillotti bikes

I am really excited to ride for Ancillotti next year and I look forward to a good season together. I have wanted to ride professionally ever since I started riding downhill. With Ancillotti Doganaccia I think I will have a good chance to achieve my goals for 2010."

Ancillotti Team
Press office