Lapierre Gravity Republic – A Growing Family

As announced at the end of 2015, Team Lapierre Gravity Republic is welcoming new members this year. In 2016 Nicolas Vouilloz & Adrien Dailly will be joined by two new female riders: Rae Morrison and Chloé Gallean. But that’s not all! Three further male riders will also fly the Lapierre flag in 2016: Thibaut Daprela, Maxime Folco and Florian Golay. On the team calendar: Enduro, DH & e-bike races.

Rae Morrison finished in 9th place overall in the EWS 2015, and has been riding Lapierre since the beginning of this winter.  Coming from an XC racing background in New Zealand, Rae competed self-funded in the 2015 EWS series. Gradually improving throughout the season, she finished in 5th place in round 7, Ainsa (Spain) and round 8, Finale Ligure (Italy). Other highlights for 2015 included a 3rd place finish at the Alpe d’huez Megavalanche. Rae will be doing the full Enduro World Series in 2016.

Chloé Gallean has been competing in French and World Cup DH races since 2006, regularly mounting the podium. Recently winning the 2015 San Remo nighttime urban downhill on a Lapierre Spicy, and taking her first steps in e-bike racing on an Overvolt, Chloe has proved herself to be a great all-round rider. She will be competing in e-bike races throughout France and some of the Enduro World Series in 2016.

After a solid 2015 race season, finishing in 5th place overall in the EWS, Nico Vouilloz is as motivated as ever. Nico has proved he is still one of the fastest riders on the planet and expects to climb the podium steps again this year.

Adrien Dailly will continue to race the EWS, aiming for the same great championship finish as this year, and to creep higher up in the Scratch results. Winning 5 out of 7 rounds got him the  EWS U21 category win, and he hopes to progress yet further in 2016.

The Team will continue under the watchful eye of Mathieu Gallean, mechanic from Cycles Camellini & DH racer at World Cup level, who will assure logistical and mechanical support, as he did in 2015.

Nico, Adrien, Rae & Chloé will be joined at some races by 3 new Team members: Thibaut Dapréla, Maxime Folco & Florian Golay. Each of these riders has his own programme and Lapierre support at the races. Claude Vergier & Jean-Pierre Bruni will still be key ambassadors in the Overvolt Brigade.

At only 15 years old and not yet a Junior, Thibaut Dapréla has been a fixture on the French BMX scene for a number of years (European champion in 2013, French cup winner in 2014 & 2015). However, he has also shown incredible promise in DH and Enduro. Developing fast under the protective eye of Nico Vouilloz, Thibaut is a rider to watch this season.

Maxime Folco already has a number of years of competition behind him. Former XC racer (winner of the French cup XC Open in 2007, 18^th in the Elites French cup in 2001), he then moved to long distance races with some notable results: 6th, 3rd & 4th in the three last editions of the mythical Transvésubienne, 5th in the 2014 Transmaurienne, 7th in last year’s Shimano Epic Enduro … In 2016 he’ll have even more variety by adding e-bike races! He’ll be lining up for the Transvésubienne, Roc d’Azur & Auron Electro Bike Festival on his Overvolt. He’ll also be at the Shimano Epic & several rounds of the 1001 Enduro Tour, and other multi-day races: Challenge XMB, Raid Vauban & Transmaurienne, on his Lapierre Zesty.

And lastly, Florian Golay. At 38 years old, the Swiss rider has an impressive track history. Double winner of the Shimano Epic Enduro (2014 & 2015), winner of the Bivouac 2014, 11th at the 2013 Whistler EWS, 3rd in the 2011 Transvésubienne , 7^th in the 2012 Reunion Isands Mégavalanche … an MTB pioneer since 1993, he’s experienced it all! Cross-Country, DH, DH Marathon, Enduro… and now in 2016 e-bike races, which will bring a new lease of new life for this experienced rider! Riding Lapierre exclusively for e-bike competitions, Florian completes the Overvolt armory.

Gilles Lapierre stated “ We are delighted to have a fully rounded team now competing in both Enduro and e-bike races. With Lapierre Gravity Republic and our Overvolt Brigade we are demonstrating our strength in all-round mountain bikes and in e-bikes. An exciting year lies ahead of us.”

Riders will be equipped with the latest Lapierre Spicy, presented at the end of the 2015 season.

For e-bike races, they will be equipped with the Overvolt FS (140-150mm) with Bosch motor.

Most team sponsors are loyal partners from previous years: Préfal, SRAM, RockShox,  One Industries, Michelin, 100% & Lizard Skins. They will also be supported by Fiveten, Fabric and BeeA. Nicolas Vouilloz will continue his role developing products with the Lapierre R&D team.