September 15, 2006 – After two seasons of incredible results, Team Cyclocrossworld.com has re-loaded for 2006 adding a new rider, new sponsors but keeping the same old energy for winning cyclocross races across North America. Building on its East Coast domination of a year ago, Team Cyclocrossworld.com has added West Coast “˜cross stud Ben Jacques-Maynes for ’06. Jacques-Maynes will join Lyne Bessette, Canadian National Champion and North America’s top Elite female “˜cross racer, to form a potent bicoastal duo.

“I’m very excited to race “˜cross again,” says Bessette, who retired from her successful road racing career over the summer. “It’s going to be a little different because I didn’t race all summer but I will be giving my best. Cyclocrossworld.com’s Stu Thorne was always there since the beginning and I wanted to race for him again. His offer was the best for me. Stu’s new bike and SRAM are two new big pieces on the team.”

Jacques-Maynes concluded his best-ever road racing season with a stellar 7th place in September’s USPRO Championships for the domestic KodakGallery.com-Sierra Nevada squad. With strong performances throughout the road season, Jacques-Maynes, 27, established himself as one of the most consistent and respected riders in North America. After missing most of the 2005 “˜cross season due to the birth of his son, the San Jose, Cal resident is looking to make a big splash in his cyclocross return.

“After such a long road season, I am looking forward to refocusing on cyclocross this winter,” says Jacques-Maynes. “I find ‘cross refreshing, and I think I can do a great season this year with the Cyclocrossworld.com team. I feel strong in the legs, and I have worked hard on my running to bring up my competitive level.”

Stu Thorne, Team Director and Cyclocrossworld.com owner, will introduce his eponymous Thorne Cyclocross Frames for the 2006 season, with Jacques-Maynes and Bessette riding prototypes in early races and production models by U.S. Nationals. Thorne team bikes will also fly the buzz-worthy SRAM Force component group.

“SRAM is a big sponsor and we have a great relationship with them,” says Thorne. “They are new to the whole road group thing and this is really cool to be working with them on a cross project. Most of the time we’ll be on the East Coast including Ben, chasing the UCI races, but it will be nice to have a West Coast guy who will be doing some local NorCal stuff when not here.”

Check Cyclocrossworld.com throughout the season for team updates, rider bios, and race results.

The Cyclocrossworld.com Cyclocross Team is sponsored by Cyclocrossworld.com, SRAM components, Thorne frames, Louis Garneau clothing and helmets, Mavic wheels, adidas shoes and casual clothing, FSA bars, stems, seatposts, and headsets, Fizik saddles and bar tape, Wetzikon guards, and Geller-Devellis.