Today was technically day 4 of the 2010 Crankworx Mountain Bike Festival, but it was also day one for the Ryan Leech Trials Shows. With a dozen or so shows happening this week, the first two were today. With an all-new setup for the demo, check out some photos from today. If you are coming out for any of the festivals check out the show, Ryan is an acrobat on a bike. See more photos at flickr.com/norcobikes
The past few weeks have been a little on the busy side for members of the Norco Team. From racing to demos, teaching to event hosting there has been a little bit of everything from the team’s diverse members.
The Canadian race crew has been showing what they are made on the national circuit where two weeks back in Mt Tremblant at, Catherine Vipond took the win for the Elite Women while Andrew Watson was 2nd for the Men. Coming out of XC#3 in Hardwood Ontario, both Catherine and Andrew are wearing the leader’s jerseys for the both Pro XC categories. On the gravity side of the race circuit, junior Norco rider Nick Geddes had a near flawless race in Tremblant finishing second for the junior men with an overall top ten finish for the day. Heading back to Whistler for the First Fluidride Cup, Nick took home the Junior win with the second fastest time of the day.
Trials sensation Ryan Leech is well into his Cross-Canada Trials of Life Tour. having passed through nearly every province it is now nearly time to head up north to Whitehorse for some riding, yoga and well deserved relaxation. If you want to spend some time relaxing with Ryan and riding with Boreal Mountain Biking check out borealmountainnbiking.com
Jay Hoots, or should I say Dr. Hoots has finished up teaching the Mountain Bike Operations Certificate program with Capilano University and is now back building bike parts across Canada. Dylan Korba, our resident economist has found time before heading back for his Master’s Degree to meet up with some friends at Decline Magazine, and get out riding his all new 2010 bikes. Darcy is busy preparing for her event this summer at Silverstar resort called “See Jane Jump” and Mislav has been busy winning competitions in Europe such as the recent “Bike Days” in Switzerland.
On the road side of things Team H&R Block competed in the BC Championships this past weekend in Victoria BC. Norco was out to support the team for Sunday’s Bastion Square Grand Prix where riders Justin Kerr and Jacob Schwingboth took second and third place after a grueling 75 lap race. Check out some photos of the race at flickr.com
The Dirt Norco Race Team has been touring around at the First World Cup in Maribor Slovenia where Ben Reid through the intense slop to finish a respectable 26th place. The Norco Dirt Team is currently sitting in 18th place on the World Cup Circuit. Check out a video from the race here. With Fort William coming up on this weekend The race will be as tight as ever. We should see Ben doing his best to climb the ranks while teammate Dan Stanbridge should be recovered from injury and back to racing. Check the blog next week for an update on the Dirt Team’s weekend of racing.
The Norco World Team was back in North America racing the US Open in New York this weekend where Fionn Griffiths again fought through the elements to finish with a time quick enough for 6th place. Along side the Norco Dirt Team, Fionn and Bernard will be heading over to Scotland for this coming weekend’s World Cup in Fort William. Results from the weekend will be posted as soon as they come available.
The Team is off to quite the season, for updates as they happen on the whole team check out the Norco Blog at http://norco.com/blog
Well, I will admit, I was a slacker… I didn’t get a post up yesterday. But, here we are and here it is.
The past two days have really kicked off the racing here at Sea Otter Norco riders in DH Training, Dual Slalom, an the pump track. The DH track has now been open for 2 days of practice and both the Dirt boys and the Norco World Team have been out scoping their lines. Tomorrow is the main event though where it is all up for grabs. Training starts at 8:30 and racing at 10. Check back tomorrow for an update on the day’s racing. Today was also the Dual Slalom where Fionn Griffiths qualified in 9th place then crashed in the quarterfinals. The other event that was on today was the the Pump Track where Bernard Kerr participated and finished just off the podium in an impressive 5th place. Way to go Bernard, all I really know after watching this event is that I really need to practice. There is absolutely no way that I could even come close to the lines, smoothness or style that any of these guys have.
With that brief description, I will try and let some photos tell the real story about the day’s events.
Dustan
Today was the first day of the 2010 Sea Otter Classic. This year is a little different for us at Norco just because of who is here for the event. With the Norco World Team and the Dirt Norco Race Team we have a total of 4 racers on the Pro DH and Pro DS courses. In addition, we also have Ryan Leech doing trials Demos while Darcy Turenne and Sam Dueck have made an appearance as well. Meanwhile, the Norco crew has been hanging out in the tents in true Canadian style.
Having Sam Dueck out for Sea Otter was a bit of a suprise as he did not think he would be able to make it out. With this pleasant suprise, we managed to get out to the dirt jumps for a few minutes and snap some shots.
Over the duration of Sea Otter, Ryan Leech will be making 10 appearances with his world famous Trials Demo. Attracting crowds in the hundreds for each show, today’s two shows set a precedent for the three days to come.
Now, this is a little bit different. Although it is not Norco specifically, within Canada Crankbrothers products are distributed by Norco. Today, Crankbrothers took the opportunity to launch a new line of products including Bars, Stems, Seatposts and revamped pedals. The products are sleek, light and colour coordinated. Next time you are looking to build up a bike or get a few new parts, look to Crankbrothers.
Check back tomorrow for an update on the Norco World Team and the Dirt Norco Race Team along with the other events of the day.
Dustan
This weekend is the start of the 2010 event season for Norco at The Seattle Bike Expo. This is an annual event hosted by the Cascade Bicycle Club in Seattle, Washington. The show should draw in excess of 200 exhibitors and thousands of consumers over the course of two days.
If you are in the Seattle area over March 13th – 14th, head on down to the Seattle Cruise Ship terminal and say hello. Norco will be there showing off 2010 bikes, giving away a Norco Hades Bike and Factory Team rider Ryan Leech will be conducting Trials Demonstrations throughout the day.
We’ll hope to see you there!
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