Tragic Death of Kelly McGarry

Shattering news out of New Zealand: Mountainbike freeride star Kelly McGarry has died on Monday, 1st of February 2016. Exact circumstances and details are not yet released. Everybody at Kelly’s bike sponsor YT, is deeply saddened and shocked by his death. A truly unique character has been lost today.
One of the most likeable mountain bike riders has passed away in Queenstown on Monday, February 1 2016. Which conditions have led to his tragic death are still unclear at this point. Apparently, the 33-year-old was out on his mountain bike.

The entire crew at sponsor YT is absolutely perplexed about the shocking news:

We were informed about his death in the morning and are petrified, shocked and heartbroken about losing one of our family members. Kelly was a warm-hearted, friendly and relaxed guy. He stood for the true essence of mountain biking through every aspect of his life. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, girlfriend and his friends. The mountain bike world lost an exceptional character.

We consider it an honor that Kelly was riding for the YT Family last year.

Ride in paradise!

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.

TRANSITION BIKES and FMD Racing Development Join Forces to Create 'Transition Factory Racing'

"Having spent a good few days testing and having fun with Transition, it has been so refreshing to see how passionate and involved they are with our sport. I strongly believe that FMD and Transition are an amazing match and together can make big steps in the right direction. They are eager to help us develop as a team and do anything they can to help, which is such a positive feeling going into the season. Let the journey begin!"
 - Tahnée Seagrave / Transition Factory Racing

"2011 was the last year a Transition Factory supported team competed in the World Cup circuit. And I am absolutely psyched to have these guys representing us and how our partnership has come together. From the first instant I spoke with Tony, it was apparent to me how parallel our motives and expectations were. Having just returned from a week in Wales working with the full team, I'm amazed and inspired by their passion for racing and all things related. It already feels like they're an extension of the Transition family.

Being able to work so closely with their mechanics on their race bikes and assure they have absolutely everything they need for success was invaluable. Working directly with the mechanics and athletes is as streamlined as it gets. There are so many nuances involved with equipment and race-craft at this level, and being able to tap into my racing and inner bike geek eliminates all communication barriers as we're speaking the same language. I have no doubt it is going to be an exciting year and I can't wait to see what they're going to do on the TR500!"-  Lars Sternberg / Transition Bikes

"For the first time in FMD Racing's history, we have been able to work closely with our main sponsor - Myself, the mechanics & riders have just had Lars spend a week at 'FMD Towers'. He was able to visit MoJo whilst the mechanics and riders were setting up their TR500's with their new Fox suspension and was also on hand to advise and assist at testing the following day... Lars' input has been, and will continue to be, invaluable. We also found out he sucks at karting!

We are so stoked to be part of the Transition family - the whole FMD team wanted to partner with a company that believes in what we are doing and where we are going. After speaking to several companies, there was one company who's enthusiasm stood out, a mutual respect followed and a new 'bromance' was formed. This partnership allows us to continue our development of young riders so we can ensure there is a proper structure that gives the correct support and opportunities.

Tahnée tested several bikes at the end of 2015 and the Transition TR500 - straight out the box - was the only one that instantly had her grinning. I will not say "the bike is faster, the company is awesome" like everyone else but what I will say is that the riders love the bike and the company is full of people that truly love to ride bikes - all bikes. This love gives them the ability to build the bikes everyone wants to ride.

The 'stoke' factor is mutual and long may it continue!." - Tony Seagrave / Transition Factory Racing

Continuing FMD's development heritage the team consists of two programs; World Cup and Development. Tahnée Seagrave and Neil Stewart make up the Transition Factory World Cup Racing roster. While Kaos Seagrave, Joe Parfitt and Jamie Edmonson comprise the Transition / FMD Development Racing roster.

2016 Transition Factory Racing & Transition / FMD Schedule

• 02-03 April - BDS Round 1: Ae Forest, Scotland
• 9-10 April - WC Round 1: Lourdes, France
• 20-24 April - WC Round 2: Cairns, Australia
• 14-15 May - BDS Round 2: Fort William, Scotland
• 28-29 May - BDS Round 3: Rhyd-Y-Felin, Wales
• 4-5 June - WC Round 3: Fort William, Scotland
• 11-12 June - WC Round 4: Leogang, Austria
• 15-19 June - CrankWorx Europe: Les Gets, France
• 25-26 June - BDS Round 4: Moelfre, Wales
• 9-10 July - WC Round 5: Lenzerheide, Switzerland
• 6-7 August - WC Round 6: Mont Sainte Anne, Canada 
• 27-28 August - BDS Round 5: Revolution Bike Park, Wales
• 3-4 September - WC Round 7: Vallnord, Andorra 
• 17-18 September - BDS Round 6: Llangollen, Wales

Transition Factory Racing supported by

• FoxHead Europe
• Shimano Pro/Saint/Zee
• DT Swiss
• Ergon
• Schwalbe Tires
• Crank Brothers
• Fox Suspension
• More to be confirmed...

White Style: The Hottest Event This Winter

Saalfelden Leogang, Austria, January 14^th 2016 – The event hosts in Saalfelden Leogang are rolling out the red carpet this winter for the 10^th anniversary of White Style held on January 29^th 2016! This unique mountain bike event attracts the world’s best athletes to ride a slopestyle course made from snow. A brand new obstacle, designed by a fan and selected by renowned judges, will be integrated into the course. Also – spectators can take part in the exciting Scott Snow Downhill Dual Race alongside their heroes. Winners will take some of Scott’s top of the range products including ski goggles, a back protector and ski poles.

In just over two weeks, on January 29^th 2016, twenty of the best FMB World Tour athletes will send their biggest tricks down the huge slopestyle course in Saalfelden Leogang for this official Silver level event. With jumps reaching over ten meters (+35ft), you really need to be there to believe it! To celebrate the 10^th anniversary, the event hosts invited fans to submit their ideas for a new and exciting course feature. Selected by head course designer Markus Hampl, pro rider Szymon Godziek, sports director Tarek Rasouli and event director Kornel Grundner – Loris Tupin has won the Design your Obstacle Contest. The chosen design will be built as a part of the course. Furthermore, the winner gets a VIP-Package including a stay in a 4-Star-Hotel with entrance to the event, as well as prizes from GoPro, Evoc, Glorify, Maxxis, Scott, iXS, Muc Off and Volvo. Have a look the winning design here : bike.saalfelden-leogang.com/en/events/2016/white-style-2016/design-your-obstacle-2016/

The rider line up does not disappoint: Szymon Godziek (POL) will return to defend his 2015 title. Flying in from across the pond will be Carson Storch (USA), one of the upcoming stars of the sport. The Italian Stalion, Torquato Testa made heads turn last season and this will be his first opportunity in 2016 to impress, so expect big things from him on January 29^th! Local hero Eric Walenta and Wildcard-Winner Bernd Winkler will represent Austria. Winkler is the 2015 FMB AM Cup winner and will now test his tricks against the Pros in Saalfelden Leogang. The German riders crossing the boarder for White Style include Lukas Knopf, Max Mey and Michael Riekeberg.

After the training day on Thursday 28^th, qualifications will start on Friday 29^th January at 4:00pm. The White Style finals including the Best Trick Contest will start at 7:00pm. The SCOTT Snow Downhill Dual Slalom is open to everyone and participants are invited to register for the race from 4:30 pm on site. The downhill race is a new addition to the event and is part of the LINES schneefräsn Cup. Racers can collect valuable points for the overall ranking and win great prizes.

More information about the SCOTT Snow Downhill Dual Slalom Race can be found here: bike.saalfelden-leogang.com/en/events/2016/white-style-2016/sideevents/

After a day on the slopes, the contest after party is guaranteed to warm everyone up! The party is held on Friday 29^th January and starts at 10:00pm at the KrallerAlm. Come have a drink with the riders and friends!

You can watch the teaser clip for White Style 2016 here: https://youtu.be/zloix4M_7pA

Press representatives can register their attendance until 28^th January 2016 (please E-Mail Sandra Henoch: sandra@rasoulution.com)

Follow White Style 2016 on the official Facebook Fanpage: www.facebook.com/White.Style.Leogang

 

Sam Blenkinsop to Race 2016 Enduro World Series

Norco Factory Racing is excited to announce that team rider Sam Blenkinsop will compete in five rounds of the 2016 Enduro World Series. The World Cup-winning downhill specialist raced the French and New Zealand EWS events last season, earning two top ten finishes.

“The two EWS events I rode last season were a lot of fun, yet very challenging which is exactly what I’m looking for,” said Sam. “I’m the type of rider who performs better the more I race, so I’m excited to compete in even more events next year.”

A threat to any podium, Blenki’s signature fast and oh-so-loose style will be on full display at EWS stops in Chile, Argentina, Italy, USA and Canada.

Sam will be racing aboard the 2016 Norco Range outfitted with components from Race Face, Novatec/Factor, Fox, Schwalbe, HT, Formula, MRP, and Shimano.

His schedule will also include the full calendar of UCI World Cup DH and Crankworx events. The Kiwi will look to build off a strong 2015 season that saw him win the Crankworx World Tour DH Championship title, finish 5th at the Fort William World Cup, and 7th at the World Championships.

Working with PerformX Training’s Todd Schumlick, who is also the Norco Factory Team owner and manager, Sam has been training hard through the off-season and is looking forward to more success in 2016.