Video/Team News
2019 Commencal/Vallnord Team Partners w/ Enve & Bell
Another rumour is put to bed. The 2019 Commencal/Vallnord World Cup team and their partners were announced today. New this year are partnerships with Enve, Chris King, and Bell helmets. To some, it may seem humorous to have an alloy superbike like the Supreme DH V4.3 fitted with the most exotic carbon parts. But here we are…
And just because Max Commencal doesn't agree with manufacturing his bikes from carbon doesn't automatically imply that the race team can't benefit from it in other areas. The team claims the new partnerships were established to align with rider expectations for the year. It seems they were requesting carbon wheels. Max also points out that every year, riders, teams, and manufacturers must strive for more if they are going to succeed.
“If you’ve never won a race then you won't know what it's like. Some think it’s easy to leave the pits and roll to victory. On the contrary, the more you're at the top, the harder the fight! The number '1' plate is for the big hitters, not the playground and we only feel the fear of being beaten. Now we know, we simply don't like losing. With all of the members of the DH team, it’s the same fight. And we all love the sport because we can reset the markers and the clocks each year. Nothing can ever be taken for granted… We work hard, we train hard and together we will endeavour to make the 2019 season as exhilarating as the last!” – Max Commencal.
Idler version one on what looks to be a Supreme DH 29er.
Idler version two. Wheelsize is harder to tell from this image and could be smaller…
Their push for success also appears in the way of frame updates. Already a bike that top riders on other teams want to swing a leg over, the Supreme DH V4.3 looks to have some changes. Keen eyes will notice that there are two different idler setups on the bikes in the team announcement. Last season they were testing different positions for the idler. On the new bikes these not only appear to be altered but the finish, which looks production, differs too. Is it purely the difference between wheelsizes, or is there more to it? Current Supreme DH production bikes share the same idler setup between wheel sizes.
Amaury Pierron's Bell helmet emblazoned with Monster logos. He signed the energy drink deal during his successful 2018 season.
Commencal/Vallnord will also sport Bell helmets and bling their bikes up with parts from Portland-based manufacturer, Chris King. As in recent years, the team will continue with SRAM/RockShox, iXS apparel, Oakley goggles and Schwalbe tires. The roster for 2019 includes Myriam Nicole, Amaury Pierron, Rémi Thirion, Thibaut Dapréla, Gaetan Ruffin and Thibaut Ruffin.
Full release below for more.
2018 has certainly been the most successful season in the team’s history, but it’s now time to look forward and work even harder towards our new goals set for 2019—nothing less than staying on the top step of those podiums.
While Commencal will celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2020, 2019 will mark the 10th year of partnership with the Ruffin Brothers’ Riding Addiction!
Why change a winning team? With the unconditional support of two Andorra’s best-known sports players Commencal and Vallnord, Amaury Pierron, Myriam Nicole, Rémi Thirion, Thibaut Daprela, Gaëtan and Thibaut Ruffin will battle the world’s best racers on-board their beloved Commencal Supreme DH V4.3 29’’ and 27.5’’.
Commencal/Vallnord Supreme DH V4.3 dressed to the nines.
“If you’ve never won a race then you won't know what it's like. Some think that it’s easy to leave the pits and roll to victory. On the contrary, the more you're at the top, the harder the fight! The number 1 plate is for the big hitters, not the playground and we only feel the fear of being beaten! Now we know, we simply don't like losing. With all of the members of the DH team, it’s the same fight. And we all love the sport because we can reset the markers and the clocks each year. Nothing can ever be taken for granted… We work hard, we train hard and together we will endeavour to make the 2019 season as exhilarating as the last!” Max Commencal.
As always, equipped with SRAM XO1 DH transmission and Code RSC brakes, as well as the RockShox BoXXer World Cup DebonAir forks and Super Deluxe RC World Cup shocks, we are confident that we have the best performing components in that area.
To give our riders the most competitive bike out there, we’ve listened to what their expectations are for this year. Their wish to switch to carbon wheels was clear. The opportunity then came to partner with the best carbon fibre components brand in the world. We are delighted to announce our partnership with Enve. The M930 wheels, M9 cockpits and seatposts have already taken over our Supreme DH bikes.
“As a product driven company, professional team sponsorship is primarily about product development. Much of Enve's success in the broader mountain bike market can be attributed to the product development that has transpired over nearly a decade of World Cup downhill partnerships. We are humbled that the performance of our product and our reputation for being a great technical partner opened the doors for us to work with the Commencal/Vallnord world cup race program. Having the winningest team in downhill, riding the sports best product is compelling, but it’s the products that will result from this partnership that really get me excited because these products will result in a better ride experience for ENVE and Commencal's customers around the world.” – Enve's VP of Product and Consumer Experience, Jake Pantone.
With a brand new range of products coming in force, IXS will continue to dress our riders in their new Trigger pants, shorts, jerseys, gloves customized with our team colours. They will also keep us safe with the Trigger Kneepads and Trigger Upper Body Protective.
If you’ve been on social media in the last minutes then this maybe isn’t a surprise... In the making for some time now, we are excited to finally join forces with Bell Helmets. Many Champs have worn these helmets in the sports we love and so it’s an honour to be part of the team. The Full 9 is simply all we can ask for in a DH helmet.
“We at Bell are all extremely excited to partner with Commencal/Vallnord. This partnership has been in the works for a while and we think it is perfect timing with the upward momentum the team has shown over the past few years and we are confident these types of results will continue to mount for the entire Commencal team. We are very excited about the team’s youth and their influence in Europe and around the globe. Adding Commencal to our roster will further extend Bell's dominance not only in the downhill mountain bike category but mountain biking around the world. We can’t wait to watch some racing!" – Bell's Sports Marketing Manager, Austin Rojas.
Because #gripisourfriend, Schwalbe is essential to us. You’ll have no choice but to keep seeing our bikes with the ultimate tyres for all conditions, the Magic Mary and Dirty Dan and their infamous Addix compounds.
Another great addition to our partner roster is the famous Portland-based precision components manufacturer, Chris King. They will equip our Enve wheelsets with ISO range hubs, as well as custom Buzzworks Inset headsets to fit our Commencal frames.
Oakley will keep providing the Prizm’ Airbrake for our optimal vision on track. Our long-time pedal partner, HT Components, will supply the X2T and AEO5T. Lizard Skins will take care of grips as they have many choices to suit our riders including the Charger Evo, Bearclaw and Peaty signatures, or the Expert Machine. WTB’s High Tail Team is the best DH saddle on the market and their support is essential for us. e*thirteen will stay on-board as we rely on their LG1+ Bottoms Only for a lightweight and efficient chain guide for our Supreme DH. We’ll have our usual choice of CN Spoke to complete our wheel setups. The final touch on our bikes will be Marshguard mudguards (and number plates) to keep us clean!
We’ll also have the backing of Unior Tools, Five Ten, Ryno Power, Finishline, GoPro, Super Alloy Racing, Stendec, Axxios Technology, Forbike, Probolt France, Ride Alpha, Feedback Sports, Cushcore and Buds Sports.
“I couldn’t be more stoked with our 2019 partner line-up. We have great people and brands behind us. We also have amazing people in the team who will work super hard to make 2019 as crazy as 2018. Having the same rider/staff roster for a second year running, who are all extremely motivated, is certainly a strong foundation for another great year! Bring on the races!” – Commencal/Vallnord Team Manager, Thibaut Ruffin.
With all these committed and DH-passionate partners behind us, we have all the assets to succeed, so we can’t thank them enough. Add to this a bit of luck and a lot of hard work and we’re ready for 2019!
See you at the races soon!
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