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.

 Justin Loretz from Bikeradar gives the Morewood Zula a big thumbs up. This is what they had to say:

“One of the best 4in-travel bikes we’ve ever ridden – bring on the marathons in 2010!”

Born, bred and built in South Africa, Morewood Bikes have grown from a small garage concern into an internationally recognised force in mountain biking. Their frames are famous for their combination of a dialled ride, strength and pin-sharp handling.

Until now, the most cross-country-orientated frame Morewood made was the 5in-travel Shova ST – a great trail bike, but not a racer. That’s all changed with the introduction of their new marathon machine, the Zula, which has a simple purpose: to climb and descend mountains at a fair lick without any hysterics.

Lycra up and race it; add baggies and a GPS and ride off-piste; or even run it in a four-cross race – the Zula will have a go at any of these, ticking so many boxes that our biro has run dry. We’re looking forward to racing it this year at the What Mountain Bike Dirt Crit Champs at BikeRadar Live.

Ride & handling: Great marathon race rig that also knows how to rumble

On one hand, the Zula’s stiff chassis makes it a natural born mile eater. It does everything it can out on the trail to only give you the pedalling to think about; perfect if you’ve got 24 hours of riding in front of you. On the other hand, Morewood were keen for the bike to retain something of the brand’s bad boy gravity bike feel, so they didn’t make the frame as long as many pure cross-country bikes.

If you want to manual every dip in the trail, boost the bumps for air time or rail the turns four-cross style, the Zula has retained enough DNA from its gravity siblings to know how to have fun. We ran our Zula fairly soft, because the 165mm rear shock stays supple in the mid-stroke, gobbling up bumps big and small without wanting to pack down and bog at the three-quarter travel mark. It’s a common trait that can cause bikes to feel responsive early in the initial hit but dead on successive ones.

Not so the Zula; the slight falling rate of the design also keeps the shock moving freely deep in the travel. The travel indicator O-ring was always off the end of the shaft, but we rarely felt it bottom out. Plus, if we felt like we wanted it ?rmer, we only had to reach down and ?ick the blue lever on the shock. All bumps were dealt with absolute ef?ciency, so much so that we got to wonder why, when a single pivot can feel this good, we bother with linkages at all.

We built the Zula up with SRAM X.0 transmission, Avid Elixir CR Mag brakes and a FSA 386 K-Force carbon 2×9 (42×29) ring crankset, then paired it with a 2010 110mm Cannondale Lefty DLR fork using the new ‘Lefty for All’ ?tting kit – we ?gured the frame could cope with 10mm more travel up front, and we were right. The slightly higher than normal bar position that the twin-crown Lefty fork provided aided the Zula’s long-distance ride abilities, since you don’t want to be too stretched out with your nose on the front tyre all day.

It also makes it better for fun time, because the front end is easy to pop or pump even with a ?at bar ?tted. The Lefty can be locked out with the ProPedal platform damping switch, and you’re suddenly on a ?rmly sprung bike that can burn up smooth trail or road sections – just the job for marathon racers and long ride adventurer/explorer types.

So does ‘Made in Africa’ translate into a bike that’s good for wetter weather? Mud room is massive – 2.3in tyres ?tting in with plenty of space for gloop. We’ve got a local 10-mile loop of technical trail that takes in ‘a bit of everything’, and the Zula just wanted to ride lap after lap of it. The more we rode it, the more we learned about what it seems to do well: a list that’s only getting longer.

Frame: Why bother with complex linkages when a single pivot can be this good?

Morewood could have bought and branded an off-the-peg carbon frame as many brands do, but they didn’t. They’re also big believers in aluminium – their entire range is made from the stuff and while many riders are clamouring for more and more carbon, Morewood have stuck to their guns and 6069 T6 alloy. The weight of a medium semi-integrated head tube frame is 2,450g (including shock) – neither heavy nor especially light, although we think the built bike rides lighter than the weight suggests.

Traditionally, Morewood have used lots of square-section tubes, giving the longer travel and gravity-orientated bikes a distinctive and attractive look. However, Morewood invested heavily in a new purpose-made tubeset for the Zula; tubes with the kind of swoops, swells and delicate curves that give their new cross-country offerings sex appeal and set cycling forums alight when they were ?rst shown at last year’s trade shows. The verdict is unanimous: the Zula looks the business from every angle.

The single-pivot layout places the sealed Enduro Max pivot pretty much bang on the middle chainring position (if you’re using a standard triple-ring crankset; it sits somewhere between the big and inner ring on a compact double). This gives the bike a fairly neutral pedalling style with a slight tendency for the rear wheel to ‘dig’ in on steep pitches – no bad thing if you’re scrabbling for traction.

The frame comes ?tted with a new 2010 spec Fox RP23 Boost Valve rear shock, a ‘platform’ (the tuning setting available on RP23s that reduces pedal-induced suspension actuation) unit with a great reputation for consistent quality, but also for its ability to polish the rough edges out of suspension systems. Thankfully, the Morewood Zula doesn’t need much platform. The net result is a ride that feels deeper, plusher, more controlled and more active than any other single-pivot bike we’ve tested.

The closest comparison would be a Cannondale Rush, but the Zula’s action feels more slick, more like a linkage bike. This is down to the designer, Patrick Morewood, who spent time prior to the Zula’s birth studying the bene?ts of other linkage systems, and came to the conclusion that he could achieve his performance goals with the traditional Morewood single-pivot design.

Designer says

We spoke to Patrick Morewood about the Zula…

BikeRadar: Morewood are traditionally more closely associated with the gravity side of the sport. What was the reason for taking a crack at the cross-country scene? 

PM: We were receiving a huge number of requests locally for a cross-country range, as well as some interest abroad for more than just gravity bikes. So about two years ago, I began designing a full-suspension 100mm-travel cross-country/marathon frame.

The Zula has a much smoother aesthetic than any other Morewood. Why is this?

With the new swingarm design being more organic, we were forced to move in that direction with the rest of the tubing. This has opened new doors for us to explore the style on future models. I found that by using the organic shape of a bone, which is an inherently strong structure, along with the rest of the swingarm’s construction, I was able to exceed my expectations! We needed to get the tube weight down, but remain strong, so the only way was to go butted and change to 6069 aluminium.

The Zula has stuck with the single-pivot layout; did you consider moving away from it when you were dreaming up the initial concept?

Yes I did, but I felt that if any bike could remain ‘pure’ single pivot, it would be the Zula, since it is made for long stage races such as the Cape Epic and Sani2c, which always end up muddy. One of the criteria was to have as much mud clearance as possible as well as minimal maintenance.

Tester says

Justin Loretz: “We saw the Morewood Zula at a bike show last autumn and had an instant feeling that this bike could be a ‘new’ classic – the reality of the ride has only served to confirm our suspicions. The Zula is a real find. Why do we say that? Well, not many bikes make us get up before dawn just so we can nail a few extra miles – and that’s become something of a habit since we’ve got the Zula.”

Exciting times as Morewood Bikes explode on Vital MTB

Check it out!

Morewood Bikes in the Vital MTB Product Guide

Morewood just added all of their frames to the Vital MTB Product Guide. Now is your chance to research, rate and review them. more »

Posted by sspomer on March 20, 2010 at 7:00 PM

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

Jislaaik!

Hot hot hot. We have been having some crazy weather lately – racing in this kind of heat takes some skill to keep dehydration and heat stroke at bay yet still ride at a respectable pace!

The DCM boys were flying this weekend – Brandon and Rourke put in a solid attack on lap 1 (of 9) to stay ahead the entire race.

Andrew Warr (Spider), Andrew Hill (Mountain Man), Carl Calverly and myself had a lekker ding dong. It was lekker throwing the bike around with the okes – KZN racing is fun. We are really lucky to have our own “Swiss Power Cup” here in Natal! The juniors were crushing it too… great to see such a deep local talent pool emerging. A little birdie told me that we may have the World Cup back in PMB in 2011 !?

Brandon won the Elites, myself second and Carl 3rd.

Teammate Jeremy Thompson (JT) won the vets by a convincing 3 min – good job JT !
Julian Jessop – team Thule – came 2nd in the Sub Juniors
Thomas Jessop – team Thule – won the Sprogs

A great weekend by the Thule-Morewood team. Well done guys!

Photo credits to Darren Goddard of Force12Photography

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

Stainbank Nature reserve was an awesome setting for the first leg of provincial XC racing… I managed to bag my first win for 2010. Andrew Warr rode in his typical attacking style but couldn’t hold on – he went off the front with Themba on the 3rd lap and i had to chase hard to reel them in.

Well done to JT for kicking some butt and coming in 2nd in his debut XC race (Veteran category). Respect.

Themba (Dave Leiman) is riding like a madman to come in 3rd. We are going to have a great Sani2C this year, sky is the limit man!

Cheers Roan

Photo credit: Grant Dekker