George Brannigan Wins NZ National Title on 650B Prototype Session

Last year it was Brook MacDonald, and the year before that it was Justin Leov, but this year the Trek World Racing rider to win the New Zealand National Downhill Title was George Brannigan, aboard his brand new Prototype 650B Trek Session. The racing was held in Rotorua, site of the 2006 World Championships, and in good weather. Some red flag course holds delayed the start of the final but George was feeling good on his new bike and ready to try and win his first Elite Title. Both Brook and George received their prototypes just the week before and had the option of riding these or their 26 inch bikes for this important race. Both opted for the new bike.

Brook said: "I felt comfortable on this bike from the beginning. It's crazy the difference to the 26, as a race bike it's a lot faster for sure! I'm really looking forward to racing it on the World Cup this year."
This was Brook's first week back on a DH bike, so his 5th place confirms he's on track and his recovery from shoulder surgery is on target.
For George this was a very important race. After spending all of 2013 coming back from major knee surgery, this is the first time that he's felt 100% in a race for a long time. Despite winning the Junior National Title in 2010, this was the title he was after. In winning he not only achieved his first Elite Title, but became the first rider to win a National DH Title on a 650B bike.

George said: "It's good to win that race and show the new bike is where it's at! It's amazing to be feeling how I was a year or so ago. I have put in a huge amount of work to get back. So this makes me so happy. I'm really stoked to take the win, can’t wait for Oceania's next."

The Oceania Continental Championships are being held at Mt Hutt (NZL) on March 15 and 16.

If you're in California this weekend, be sure to get to Fontana where Neko Mulally and Greg Williamson will be aboard their new 650B Prototypes.

Canfield Crampon Pedals

The CRAMPON pedal series from Canfield Brothers, the platform bicycle pedal! From life-threatening jumps to backwoods all mountain trails and all types of riding in between, we have created the platform pedal to rule them all.

This pedal is the evolution of more than 7 years of development and more important, real world testing! They are proven on the world cup DH circuit and suitable for any style of riding! No one has more experience in building the ultra thin pedal. We have continued to shape to the “new” market of DH pedals because of this design. This is the original, DH rated Crampon platform!

The benefits of these pedals extend way past the weight. The patented, (Patent #D615,003 S), unique shape and profile offer the rider superb grip and maximum impact clearance. Because there is no front edge for your pedal to contact, there is never a stall moment or worse, over-the-bars crash with “block” style pedals. Keeping your foot close to the spindle of the pedal further increases the efficiency of the pedal. You no longer have a “lag” or “dead spot” in your pedal stroke. Your foot makes perfect circles and you have almost the full advantage of clip style. You can push and pull through you pedal stroke, not just push. The “convex” shape naturally contours your foot and aids in even further grip.

The Crampon series of pedals from Canfield Brothers, they are the ULTIMATE!

Crampon Magnesium

• 282 grams
• Thin 6mm front impact edges
• 106mm wide x 106mm platforms
• Painted finish
• DU bushings
• Chromoly axle
• Replaceable dual sided pins, (allen key on both sides)
• Patented convex shape

Canfield Pedals

Bluegrass Helmets And Protetcive Gear Announce 2014 Team Roster

We have now finalized our 2014 Factory Development Team and are proud and excited to be working with some of the world's best:

Enduro
Hannah Barnes / UK
Fergus Lamb / UK
Justin Leov / NZ
Liam Moynihan / UK

DH
Joel Andrey / CH
George Brannigan / NZ
Carina Cappellari / CH
Drew Carters / UK
Joe Connell / UK
Bernard Kerr / UK
Steffi Marth / Germany
Lars Peyer / CH
Jack Reading / UK   

BMX Race
Shanaze Reade / UK
Miki Iibata / Japan

 
Wishing you all an exciting and safe gravity season!

Bluegrass. Combat Ready / Race Proven.

2014 Nevada State Champs At Bootleg Pro Men Results

Pro Men Results

1. Aaron Gwin

2. Kevin Aiello

3. Cody Kelley

4. Mikey Sylvestri

5. Kyle Hogan

Faustin FIGARET Joins COMMENCAL

Young, talented and dedicated to his sport, at only 20 years old, Faustin FIGARET displays a quite impressive level of professionalism. His 2013 international results (14th in Vallnord and 26th in the World Cup overall ranking) are the proof he still has a big progression margin.

For these reasons, COMMENCAL decided to support him for the next two seasons and believes in him more than ever.

Welcome to COMMENCAL Faustin FIGARET!
 
Here are a few words from those concerned:

- So Faustin, are you stoked on that?
“Yes, I’m very happy to have signed with COMMENCAL. I have received a warm welcome, I’m feeling good in this family atmosphere and I’m stoked on what the staff is providing!”  

- After some riding with your new rig, how are you feeling?
“I’m feeling very comfortable on it, the bike is very good at everything and performs great! I still need to work on a couple of settings to start off the season with a WARRIOR MACHINE!”

- How is your 2014 preparation going on?
“I’m working really hard with 2F Sports and I’m already feeling the difference. Everything is planned so that the upcoming season goes well. I’m feeling confident and can’t wait for the first races to start!”

A few words from the Boss:

- Max COMMENCAL, why choosing Faustin FIGARET?
“I was always willing to win races, everyone knows that, while finding out and helping new talents. Faustin is still very young and finishing in 14th in Vallnord last summer foreshadows a bright future. In addition to that, Faustin is a very conscientious, hard-working boy, which makes us believe he can fulfill his dreams and ours.”

- Last year, Remi THIRION won his first World Cup in Vallnord on a COMMENCAL bike. We can only wish him the same future, can’t we?
“No doubt that with the Riding Addictions and especially Remi THIRION, they will know how to motivate themselves altogether to face the big teams in the competitions where the level keeps increasing gradually.”  

- Will COMMENCAL be stronger than ever for 2014?
“All our riders can count on us to get things done and provide the gear they need to perform. Our partnership with BOS is getting bigger and bigger. We are about to live an incredible adventure!”

Remi THIRION also comments Faustin’s arrival:
“Faustin is a young rider who wasn’t necessarily on the first spots when he started racing downhill, but he persisted and found what was missing him over the season. He worked hard to improve his fitness. Regarding of that, there’s no secret; I went over that too. He has good riding skills so I think he can do very well.”