Source: press release
Together with the new rider, David Trummer, the 2019 junior world bronze is one of the most promising talents of international DH and is considered one of the rising stars of the circuit. At just 20 years old, the New Zealand rider has already achieved important results in the World Cup and in international competitions, both at the junior and elite level.
With an impressive riding style forged from a strong background in BMX racing, TuhotoAriki is no stranger to the podium, having previously won medals at the Junior level, including a bronze at the 2019 UCI World Championships and a World Cup round in the same year. . Since then, he has moved on to the Elite category, where he continues to impress with his results, including victories at the IXS DH European Cup in Pila and a 14th place at the 2021 UCI World Championships in Val di Sole.
Tuhoto-Ariki commented: “Being able to sign with a Factory team was a dream and a goal that came true. It is an honor to be part of MS Mondraker. I've seen all of Aotearoa's teammates grow in these teams, that's how I wanted to ride and being Brook's teammate is even better. This shows that if you strive and believe in your goals, you can achieve them. Something my parents always reminded me of: “If you believe, you can do it. But I wouldn't be here without the people around me, 'Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, he toa takitinikē', which means 'My success is not only thanks to me, but to the many around me' and I think Mondraker will be the ideal place where I can start reaching my new goals and start challenging with an extraordinary team ”.
With a rest season spent at home training in the New Zealand summer, Tuhoto is looking forward to starting the season with strength. He has already shown very promising with a great performance at Rotorua Crankworx 2021. Tuhoto-Ariki took victory in Dual Slalom and Pump-Track as well as the Elite podium in Air DH.
Lukas Haider, Mánager of the MS Mondraker team, commented: “I remember a few years ago former junior New Zealand coach Craig Battle mentioned Tuhoto-Ariki as a diamond in the rough and probably the next big rider in the country - last year he showed some incredible results that have brought him into our vision of the team program and now we are delighted to have him on board - Kia ora Tuhoto! "
Markus Stöckl, MS Team Director, added: “Tuhoto-Ariki is a super fast young rider and what he was able to show last year was impressive. He is a very calm and relaxed guy who adapts very well to the rest of the team and we are confident that he will achieve great results in 2022 with the new Summum ”.
With his desire, style and true passion for racing accompanying his results and performance, it's no wonder Tuhoto-Ariki is looking forward to starting the 2022 season with the MS Mondraker team. as much as Mondraker is looking forward to joining him for this new season.
Miguel Pina, CEO of Mondraker, added: “We are very happy to have such a young and enthusiastic rider with great talent for 2022. Tuhoto-Ariki has shown great promise and already has some important results behind him. We look forward to your success and will support you in your growth. We are very happy to have you in our team and in our family ”.
Mondraker and MS Mondraker welcome Tuhoto-Ariki to the team and to this new phase of his career. He now joins the ranks of an Elite World Cup team and joins the Mondraker family. He will present himself for 2022 together with his New Zealand colleague Brook Macdonald, the Austrian David Trummer and the Italian Eleonora Farina.
Both the MS team and all sponsors are looking forward to seeing Tuhoto-Ariki achieve great successes and victories!
For more information mondraker. com
