Seventeen-year-old Ross Kew will go from shredding local KwaZulu-Natal trails to a full international gravity racing campaign in 2023 after being signed by 23 Degrees Sports, the same management agency that helped Greg Minnaar achieve early career success.
Kew, who hails from Hillcrest, near Durban and is a Giba Gorge local is about to embark on a year of racing with the backing of Martin Whiteley’s 23 Degrees Sports, one of the world’s most successful mountain bike racing management companies. Whiteley has an exceptional record in spotting young talent and helping them achieve international success.
Kew is in good hands. Besides Minnaar, who was managed by 23 Degrees Sports from 2002-2007, Whiteley has also managed the likes of Gee and Rachel Atherton, Cadel Evans, Laurie Greenland, Mathias Fluckiger, Bernard Kerr, Kyle Strait and Cam Zink. His current line-up of athletes includes Dakotah Norton, Brook Macdonald and Anton Cooper.
Kew will be contesting the full World Cup Downhill season this year as well as some selected UCI calendar events in Europe. He will be racing for Propain Bikes who have supplied him with their Rage CF machine and will provide race support during the season. Other sponsors include Fox Racing apparel and Crankbrothers with shoes and pedals for 2023.
According to their press release, 23 Degrees Sports will be funding Kew’s travels around the world this year, in order for him to gain the experience he needs before moving to elite level racing next year.
“I am beyond stoked to announce that I will be representing Propain Bikes as well as my other co-sponsors for the 2023 season! Propain is a brand that I have always loved, and it’s an unreal feeling to be racing under their wing for the year! This year is going to a huge learning curve, and I’m eager to get it going!,” said an understandably excited Kew.
“Seventeen races all around the world, which includes a full World Cup season, SA Cup Series and a couple others here and there. I’ve put in a lot of work in the off season and I’m feeling super comfortable on the new setup and keen for the upcoming SA Cup race this weekend at Paarl!”
“It’s been a few years since we’ve signed a downhill rider to our management roster, but we feel that Ross has what it takes to become a great racer. I first spotted him on our Young Talent World Tour stop in South Africa back in 2019, but he was only 14 then, too young to take on, but he clearly had talent,” said 23 Degrees CEO, Whiteley.
“His father kept us up to speed on his progress and after testing with him at our base in Spain last year, it was clear he had what it takes. We’re excited to put this program together for him and will also welcome any other sponsor who are keen to support Ross make it!”
For more information on Kew, click here. Follow him on Instagram: @rosskew_96
