Lama Cycles, the Canadian distributor for NS Bikes, Morewood Bikes, Industry Nine, Kali Protective and Straitline Components is proud to announce its official DH team for 2010. For a fourth year in a row, the Lama Cycles team will take part in the Quebec Cup events, the Canada Cup events, BC cup events and will also be attending the two North American World Cups. Throughout the 2010 season, the team will be training for these events on their Morewood Makulu Bikes at the local DH hill, skibromont.com.
The team’s main goal is to offer the best possible exposure for its athletes and to further their recognition and reputations on the provincial and national cycling scene. By offering professional support, Lama Cycles contributes to athlete’s constant progression and motivation. 

For the past 3 years, the Lama Cycles team has ranked amongst the best in both Canada Cup and Quebec cup events.

2007 Season
-1st overall ranking on the Quebec Cup Senior elite
-4th overall ranking on the Canada Cup Senior elite

2008 Season
-1st overall ranking on the Quebec Cup senior elite
-Quebec Champion title senior elite
-2nd overall ranking on the Canada Cup senior elite

2009 Season
-18 podiums (8x 1st places, 6x 2nd places, 1x 3rd place, and 3x 4th place)
-2 racers selected on the provincial team
-3 racers selected on the national team
-Quebec Champion title junior expert
-1st overall ranking on the Quebec Cup junior expert
-1st overall ranking on the Quebec Cup U16
-2nd  National championship
-3rd  overall ranking on the Canada Cup senior elite

“Motivated by the building momentum, we selected the 2010 racers for their ambassadorship, personality, dedication to the sports and their race results.  It is hard to find good hearted fellow sportsmen who share the same values and aspire to the same goals. To team up with down to earth racers who know what they are talking about and aren’t afraid to be the leaders they are, or have become, makes all the difference. We believe it is this difference that sets apart the good teams from the remarkable ones”

-Justin Macknish, Lama Cycles Racing team Director
Lama Cycles is proud to announce Yann Gauvin on the 2010 team roster.
Age: 20
Category: Senior Elite

‘’Last season was really great and intense, but I really think this season will top it off.  I have now the chance to race for one of the biggest DH team in Canada and I am really proud of it.  I will also have the chance to have JP Simard at my side again for another year which will help me a lot.  All elements are now in place in order to have the best possible support.  Ben and Justin are both serious guys that know where they’re going so I’m not worried at all. The Morewood Makulu was on the short list of DH bikes I wanted to race on; decked with all the best components out there, it is another plus. I’ve really trained hard all winter putting efforts where it matters most, so I’m utter ready for this racing season. With the National Championships out west and a World Cup on US soil, I can’t wait for the start of the season.  I will have the chance to train with the best junior rider, Guillaume Labrie, and also with my best friend Franck Kirscher from whom I can’t stop learning.’’

Past results:

-1st overall ranking on the 2009 Quebec Cup, Elite
-3^rd place at 2009 4x national Championships, Elite
-13^th place at 2009 Canadian National Championships, (1^st in seeding, crash during race run)

Lama Cycles is proud to announce Franck Kirscher on the 2010 team roster.

 Age: 26
Category: Senior  Elite
Franck started racing MX, in France, in the Amateur category at the age of 18 years old until he was 22.  He then switched to DH racing in 2006.  From then on, he strived for the top of the podium even though the competition was very high in his country.  He was vice-champion in his region and achieved top 25 in the Elite category in the French Cup series.  Franck traveled to Quebec in 2007 and immediately liked the Canadian downhill racing scene.

Past results:
-9^th overall ranking on the 2009 Quebec Cup, elite
-7^th place at 2009 national Championships, elite
-6^th place at 2009 Ste-Annes Quebec  Cup, elite

‘’When I entered my first race on the Quebec scene back in 2008, there was one team that really impressed me: it was the Lama Cycle race team. They had the best bikes, a mechanic, a super professional setup, and two racing maniacs as team managers! I remember saying to myself: it would be great to race for those guys… And finally two years later I’m more than happy to be part of the Lama family. Guillaume is super fast, and Yann too, we were training together last year and still will. Having JP Simard as our personal mechanic for me and Yann is almost too much! The bikes are going to run smooth & clean!  I am really looking forward to actually racing on the Makulu, because it is seriously one of the best bike on the circuit. My goals for this year are to finish in the top three Elite in the Quebec Cup overall, race the World Cup in Windham, and finally ride as much as possible to gain speed through the season. And again, big thanks to Ben, Justin and JP for giving me this opportunity!’’

Lama Cycles welcomes the young gun, Guillaume Labrie, for a second year in a row. 

«We are very proud to have Guillaume onboard this year again.  Guillaume showed us what he was capable of by dominating the U16 category and we are very confident for his first year as a junior».

Age: 16
Category: Junior
Past results:
-1st overall ranking on the 2009 Quebec Cup, U16
-1st place at 2009 Ste-Annes Quebec  Cup, U16
-2nd place at 2009 Bromont Canada Cup, U16
-3nd place at 2009 Tremblant Canada Cup, U16
-4^th place at 2009 national Championships, U16

 Lama Cycles is proud to announce Sky Gustin on the 2010 team roster.

«We met Sky last year through one of our former racers, Simon Garstin, while attending the Port Alberni Island cup finals. Sky impressed us with his speed and ability to perform under pressure. He is a dedicated rider that truly enjoys racing and everything surrounding the mountain biking community. He is a great addition to our racing family and we look forward to spending the summer with him. »

Age: 17
Category: Junior
Past results:
-2^nd place 2009 Port Alberni DH, junior
-4^th place 2009 Arduum BC Cup, junior
-3^rd place 2009 Panorama BC Cup, junior
-3^rd place 2009 Mt.Washington BC Cup, junior

 In addition to last year team mechanic, Alexandre Ouelette, we are proud to add experienced mechanic JP Simard to our team.  JP will take care of Yan’s and Franck’s DH bike while Alex will take care of Guillaume’s and Sky’s bikes.  Needless to say, their mechanic  and racing experience should add to the prestige of our race program.

‘’I am super happy to join my team to the Lama Cycles Race Team for the 2010 season.  This setup should be one that others will look up to.  Full setup, excellent sponsors, top of the line components, World Cup worthy DH bike, 4 top racers and 2 mechanics; its almost a dream come true. I am really excited to help Yann and Franck achieve great things again this year.  Swing by our setup if you want to see what racing is all about!’’ JP Simard—Team mechanic

This success is only possible with the best products, riders and support out there. We would like to welcome our new sponsors to the Lama Cycles team for 2010 and thank continuing sponsors for their commitment to the program.

In addition to Lama Cycles distribution co. and Morewood Bikes, the Lama Cycles team is sponsored by Industry Nine, Kali protectives , Straitline Components, Formula Brakes,  Alpinestars, Elka Suspension, Maxxis Tires, Spy Optic, SkiBromont.com, Cane Creek, Finish Line, ODI, SDG, OGIO,  sport beans, Race Face, THULE,

We invite you to meet up with our riders at SkiBromont where we frequently ride.

Florent Payet and Fabien Cousinie make up the Morewood United team for the 2010 season…

This presentation is already a first victory for the 2010 season. It was a long way and It took a lot of phone calls, mails, hours and hours of work to put all the pieces together.

With the help of our sponsors and friends finally we were able to make the team evolve to the international level.

To celebrate, the team spent 1 month in South Africa, back to where it all began. It has been a good opportunity to work on Fabien and Florent’s bikes geometry , to ride, to spend time with MOREWOOD’s staff and to bring back nice pictures.

United team are passionate people brought together to realise their dreams all in conviviality, have a good time and eventually jump on podiums…

Philippe Lasala of  Blackmountain

BLACKMOUTAIN is proud to continue and expand their partnership with MOREWOOD UNITED.

For BLACKMOUNTAIN it’s an opportunity to be closer to mountain bike riders !

To a lot of  people, snowscoot is a good way to practice their sport and feel the same sensations during the winter season.

We spent a lot of time with the team members who we now call  friends more than partners. Fabien and Florent use their experiments to work on developing the product.  

Blackmountain Snowscoot

Patrick Morewood & Richard Carter /MOREWOODBIKES

 MOREWOOD BIKES are happy to support the MOREWOOD UNITED team for the second year.

After a promising first season, we know what Fabien is capable of, and we’re also very happy to see Florent join the team.

As he’s shown in the past, he has a lot of potential and we hope he’ll have a fantastic come back season on his custom made Makulu.

We wish both Fabien and Florent all the best for the 2010 World Cup season and we’re glad that these two frenchies share the same values and enthusiasm as us at MOREWOOD BIKES.

Fabien, Pat and Florent

The Riders

Florent Payet / France / 23 years old, DH 2008 European Champion

“Fabien and I are on the same page and the atmosphere is really relaxed.

The outfit rocks and the sponsors are motivated which makes me confident for my come back on the circuit.

The South African trip helped me to work on the geometry of my MOREWOOD bike which is perfectly adjusted at my 1m97.

It’s really good to be back on a bike.

I can’t wait for Maribor !!!”

Fabien Cousinié / FRANCE /23 years old , DH, 4X and Enduro rider and owner of the team. 

This year is one filled with challenges !

I’m already in the starting blocks willing to make everything possible.

On the sporting aspect I want to be constant in the top 20 on world cups with still being able to be on the podium in 4X and Megavalanche.

On the other hand I will still be responsible to manage and develop new projects for the team.

But mostly too this year will be the last one of my Master degree at Pau Business school. After this I’ll be able to be at a 100% in the mountain biking.

Even if all upcoming  team responsibilities take a lot of my time, it gives me more motivation when I’m doing what I like the most, ride my bike.

I want to thank the team members, my family, but also my schoolmates who with their essential help made everything possible.

Florent and Couscous

The program

Simple: go to the nicest races and events in the world !

Sea Otter, Avalanche Cup, Mégavalanche, World cups, Crankworx and few France cups.

We wanted to use what’s  best out there for our bikes, I guess we are not that far off : 

Bike Setup

Frame /                                MOREWOOD MAKULU / http://www.morewoodbikes.com/
Fork/                                    BOS IDYLLE RARE “10 YEARS series”/ http://www.bosmtb.com/
Stem/ Handlebar /                SPANK SPIKE/ http://www.spank-ind.com/
Derailleur/ Shifter/               SRAM X.0 /   http://www.sram.com/sram/home
Brakes /                                FORMULA The ONE / http://www.formula-brake.it/en
Seatpost /                             THOMSON MASTERPIECE/ http://www.lhthomson.com/bikes.htm
Cranks/Pedalier /                  RACEFACE ATLAS DH/ http://www.raceface.com/
Chain guide /                        SHAMAN RACING HERO/ http://www.shamanracing.com/
Pedals & wheels/                   CRANK BROTHER MALLET& IODINE/ http://www.crankbrothers.com/

Sponsors:

Teeshirts /                             564clothnik/ http://www.564clothink.fr/
Kit /                                       SOMBRIO/ http://www.sombriocartel.com/
Protects/                                IXS/ http://www.ixs-sportsdivision.com/
Energy bar/                            FENIOUX/ http://www.fenioux-multisports.com/
Sunglasses and Google/        BOLLE / http://www.bolle.com/
Neck brace/                           Leatt Brace / http://www.leatt-brace.com/
Helmet/                                 Troy Lee design / http://www.troyleedesigns.com/

 photo credits: Damien Vergez

Overall Results

1    Hayden Brown    EM    1.21.84
2    Payet Florent      EM    1.22.13
3    Tim Bentley        JM    1.23.50
4    Tiaan Odendaal    YM    1.24.10
5    Travis Browning    EM    1.25.04

Slightly better weather on the same track that everyone raced on 2 weeks ago. Greg Minnaar raced again, Tim Bentley was fast, Motocrosser Justin Cope is adapting real quick but most impressive was Tiaan Odendaals 3rd overall less than 4 seconds off the winners (Minnaar) time. A real low key kind of guy but very fast. Fox/Morewood rider Travis Browning making a comeback after slaming his hand and breaking his knuckle a few weeks ago. Good to see him back on it. All and all a good day on the bike getting dirty and having fun.

Overall Results:

1 Greg Minnaar EM 1.26.21
2 Tim Bentley JM 1.27.11
3 Tiaan Odendaal YM 1.30.69
4 Justin Cope EM 1.31.21
5 Travis Browning EM 1.32.08

Hi guys

Here is some fresh news from the Réunion Island Megavalanche race.
For the last race of the season i finished 5th on the podium. “the machine ” Wildhaber won the race and some Enduro specialist and XC guys were in front of me.
I’m pretty glad because the race was so hard technicaly and physicaly and everybody was using enduro bikes 6inch travel and i used my makulu with a single pivot fork… not really my first choice but at the end it did work out well. Now everybody think the makulu is a pretty good pedaling bike

keep in touch

cheers

couscous

I rode with Donovan “Powerhouse” Jackson. If you were born anytime in the 70’s or earlier, you will recall a clothing brand with a Gym addict, musclebound Bulldog cartoon character as its logo. The brand was “Powerhouse”, and that’s clearly the image that comes to mind when you see his riding style. He just doesn’t let go. Vasbyt, tenacity… call it what you will – this guy just has it in abundance!

The stages were typically 100km long with 2000m of climbing. It was incredible terrain – really rough in parts but totally worth the effort it takes to get up into those fold mountains. “Dankie Katot!”
We had a good battle with the “Memory Foundation” team of Pro’s Johnny Kritzinger and Erik Kleynhans… they took the first couple of stages but we managed to counter them with 2 stage wins (after many hard attacks).

Christoph Sauser and Bobby Behan of Specialized added some real colour and humour to the event – they sure know how to party too!

I hope to be back next year… any mtber who has travelled through the spectacular Cape mountain ranges and gone “I wonder if there are any trails up there… ?” has to do this race. Katot Meyer is clearly a sadist, but he took us into some untouched majestic country that few people have ever been privileged to enjoy (!?). Make no mistake, this race was physically very demanding and we took 28.5hours to complete the event’s 6 stages but this is an event that will really blow your mind!

Cheers Roan

This is what Fraser Britton from Transend Magazine had to say:
Kenda Morewood riders Nathan Rennie and Mitch Delfs were both representing their home nation of Australia at this weekend’s Mountain BIke Downhill World Championships. Rennie is making his return from a knee injury that saw him miss 2 World Cups, and he served notice that he is well on his way to recovery with a 7th place finish, only 3.98 seconds back on an extremely physical course. Delfs wound up 27th, but not before throwing a one hander to salute the crowd at the infamous “Triple Threat” area of the course in front of hundreds of fans.

Riding one off, custom Australian themed Morewood Makulu’s, both riders stormed the course all week, looking strong and helping to set the pace. Rennie went down hard mid week, cutting the back of his hand wide open and injuring the tendons. A few stitches later, and the big man was back on track.

“I think there was plenty of doubters out there. Being inside the top 10 and getting 7th is great. I think being 7th at any World Cup or World Championship race is huge. If there was any doubters out there, their full of shit and everyone knows that/. I’ve got seventh at a few World Championships now, I’d like to do a bit better, but I had a few problems during the week.

The only reason the hand injury hurt was lack of practice time and not being 100% comfortable on my bike. Still, I know this track to a T and felt good. I’m just happy the season is over for me.”

There may have been doubters, but few riders had as big a fan club here in Stromlo as Rennie. Rennie’s Army was out in full effect, and it could only have helped push him down the course as a deafening roar seemed to follow him from top to bottom, right into the hotseat.

Delfs had an off day but still managed to pull down a good result. ” This isn’t a course that really suits me. I prefer the gnarlier tracks on the World Cup. I was still able to throw a one hander and get the crowd pumped and it was great to be able to race in front of my family and friends here at home in Australia.”

Delfs now rests at home for a few days and then heads back to Europe for the World Cup finals in Schladming, Austria, a course that suits him extremely well.

Results were as followed:
1st Steve Peat(GBR) 2.30.33
2nd Greg Minnaar(RSA) 2.30.38
3rd Mick Hannah(AUS) 2.31.02
7th Nathan Rennie(AUS) 2.34.31
27th Mitch Delfs(AUS) 2.39.58

Pat is across in Canberra Australia for the World Championships taking place this weekend in order to offer additional support to Morewood’s World Cup riders Nathan Rennie and Mitch Delfs, both riding in the Elite Men’s Downhill category for Australia. With custom painted bikes [done by Mr Morewood himself] Nathan and Mitch certainly look the part. Now they just need to play it…

With Nathan taking leave from the World Cup chase two races ago in order to recover from a 2008 season knee injury and prepare himself for the World Champs this will be his first race back in nearly two months. Looking lean and mean and talking a good game Nathan has shaved 6 kilo’s in the last 6 weeks in preparation for the event in Canberra which is well known by the field to require a large amount of power and fitness due to the lack of slope.

Having done well here in 2008 Nathan is certainly hoping for a good result as are we. Sitting in the Morewood office at the moment helping out while the guys are abroad we have out votes for the top five up on the whiteboard, bets places, points system configured we’re ready to go.

Race events in Malaysia have been rather few and far between this year, for a number of reasons, but the 4th installment of the Bukit Cermin Downhill Challenge has fast become a much anticipated event on the racing calendar in South East Asia. With a rider participation topping 160 racers from Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, this was going to be a good one.
The track has undergone some changes in the last few weeks that have made it faster and more exciting. Word of the changes were out early and this led to riders arriving as early as Monday from overseas to start practicing and dialing their runs for the day. The track was packed from Wednesday, only building to the hype, and bringing home the fact that Downhill riding in the region is growing at a phenomenal rate.
Race day rolled on, and the area was packed by 8am (considering the sun only comes up at 7:20am, this is quite something) – some people parking as far away as 1km from the finish line to get a look in at the riders. A well organized event with Tag Heuer time keeping, good uplifts, good spectators and even better weather made for a good day. The heat and lack of rain made for a dry track where traction was at a minimal. AG Suspension/Morewood guys got through seeding pretty well, with THC qualifying second in Elite, Zure second in Open and myself second in Masters – we were pretty well set. First up for AG Suspension/Morewood was Zure in Open – he managed to go one better than seeding and won by a 4 second margin. Unfortunately both Mie (dislocated shoulder) and Mann (crash) never managed to get podium finishes, but that is racing. I was up next in Masters, and managed to improve on my seeding run by 5 seconds, but lazy pedaling in the last section cost me the win. The Elite’s rolled up and we all had our hopes on THC, and after flying through the first 60% of the track, he blew the rear at the treacherous Rock Garden and his day was over.
The Morewoods were phenomenal – Zure has just come back from a bad injury, but has been riding his Shova to get the fitness and stamina up. He built up his Makulu 10 days prior to the event, and after a day of tweaking the set-up, was more comfortable than he has been on a bike before. THC was dialed but unlucky, as were Mie and Mann. As for my Izimu, getting better with each and every ride.
All in all, a good day for the AG Suspension/Morewood Racing Team, but it could have been better. What was really satisfying was the fact that Morewood managed the following:

Junior : 1 podium place
Masters : 3 podium places
Open : 1 podium place
Elite : 1 podium place

Testament to THC and Zure’s commitment to the brand was the fact that they built a Makulu through Friday night, completing the build at 5:30am for a client, and fellow Elite rider (went on to get 4th).

Regards

Clive | tel +(60)123 458310
AGsuspension racing team
Ride it Like You Stole it

Riders representing Australia:
Bryn Atkinson (Wentworth Falls, NSW 09/12/1982)
Mitchell Delfs (Gracetown, WA 25/07/1989)
Jared Graves (Toowoomba, QLD 16/12/1982) (Oceania Champion)
Michael Hannah (Yorkys Knob, QLD 21/11/1983)
Samuel Hill (Glenn Forest, WA 21/07/1985)
Chris Kovarik (Deception Bay, QLD 01/03/1978)
Jared Rando (Ainslie, ACT 22/06/1981)
Nathan Rennie (Northbridge, QLD 06/06/1963)

From everyone here at Morewood, we wish Nathan and Mitch all the best leading up to and at the World Champs