Bike news round-up: Latest gear & events
Al Bond, here with the team's Nukeproof Scalp, joins from Don Skene Cycles (Chain Reaction Cycles)
From the latest product news to details of routes and events, our news round-up is a collection of short snippets of information in one handy article.
Today we bring you the launch of Team Chain Reaction Cycles.com/Nukeproof's roster for the 2012 season, the death of Merida's founder, American Classic linking up with Cofidis, news of the US distributor of Olympia bikes and more.
Product and team news
Al Bond joins Team CRC/Nukeproof
Al Bond has signed for Team Chain Reaction Cycles.com/Nukeproof for the 2012 season, joining Matti Lehikoinen, Matt Simmonds, Joe Smith and Lewis Buchanan on the roster. The latter makes the step up from the junior ranks but, along with Lehikoinen, is still on the injury table through injuries sustained last season. Both are expected to recover in time for the first race of the season. The team are set to contest the full UCI World Cup series, the world championships, the Halo British Downhill series, Sea Otter Classic and more.
American Classic cosy up to Cofidis
As an equipment sponsor to a professional road racing team, it must be a satisfying feeling to see them winning races, even more so if it's the very first race of that sponsorship. That's the position wheel manufacturer American Classic found themselves in when Cofidis's French rider Samuel Dumoulin won the season opening GP Marseillaise on their Carbon 38 tubular wheelset. As well as supplying the team with hoops from their current range, the will use the partnership to test a prototype aluminium tubular not currently on the market.
Olympia Bicycles to hit the US
Italian manufacturer Olympia has confirmed Stage-Race as its new US distributor, bringing their bikes to North America for the first time. Stage-Race, who can count Scapin, Storck and Fondriest amongst their portfolio, will have a test fleet available in the coming weeks for interested dealers, with a full delivery expected in early March.
Merida founder passes away
Ike Tseng, the founder of Merida Bikes, has died at the age of 81. Tseng started Merida Industries in 1972 and was instrumental in the Taiwanese firm's rise in the bicycle industry. A statement from Merida called him a man whose "vision, leadership, inspiration and dedication over 40 years have successfully built Merida into the best global quality bicycle production company and a leading brand in the world."
In accordance with Taiwanese tradition, where business leaders have their funeral at the business they created, Tseng's will be held at Merida HQ on 11 March.
Routes, racing & rides
JE James staff get on their bikes for young cancer sufferer
Staff at JE James Cycles will take to their bikes this June to raise money for Niamh Curry, a young cancer sufferer. They’ll be riding 250 miles over two days, with the initials of the five towns they’ll pass through – Nottingham, Ilkley, Almondsbury, Manchester and Heringthorpe – spelling her name. All money raised will go towards the urgent funds needed to fund the treatment she needs in the US. You can read more about her story, or make a donation here. Twitter users can tweet the JustGiving link www.justgiving.com/FiveStepsForNiamh, using the hashtag #niamhbikeride.
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