TC to CCM
Published: 29th August 2008
Author: G2F
CCM Racing’s Sporting Director David Thorpe is delighted to announce Tom Church as being his second signing to join the all-British team next season.
The 26-year-old from Marshfield has been a target for Thorpe for several weeks, with Church already benefitting from the four times world champion’s training services along with his current Molson team-mate Stephen Sword.
Tom will line up alongside recently recruited Ray Rowson to spearhead CCM Racing’s attack both at domestic and world level in the MX1 class. Church currently holds sixth place in the 2008 Maxxis British Motocross Championship but has a real chance of moving up to fourth spot if he can obtain a good result at the final round towards the end of next month. This year marks Tom’s debut in the MX1 category having previously been a long term MX2 campaigner.
Following the recent news that the Molson squad would disband at the end of this year, Thorpe was quick to contact Church and secure his services to ride a factory CCM MX450 both in 2009 and 2010, with a third year option open to both parties. Whilst Tom’s sudden availability attracted the attention of several teams in the international paddock, he opted to be part of CCM Racing’s new and exciting project.
Delighted to have agreed terms with Church, Thorpe explained. “I think Tom will bring some real pedigree and experience to the team. I already know that he is an extremely hard worker and a total professional from the training he does with me.”
Thorpe continued. “As well as being a serious contender in the British championship he is also a consistent campaigner at Grand Prix level. Tom has a vast amount of knowledge for a young rider and will play a key role in the ongoing development of CCM’s new bike. I think if we can give him the right package, he should be able to produce the results we are all looking for.”
In response Church stated. “This is a great opportunity for me to be involved with, not just in the short term but also looking to the future too. David has pulled a good group of people together already and has set out some clear goals which we will all be working towards. I am looking forward to starting testing and helping to develop the bike into a winning machine.”
Tom rounded off. “It was always going to be difficult to move after having been with such a good team but with a few of the other Molson guys also joining CCM for next year, I think we are going to have a really good set up.”