All latest news! http://www.commencal.com.com/ A new family of long-travel hardtails makes its appearance in the COMMENCAL range: The Ramones. Ultra modern yet with old-skool pedigree, it is the ultimate hardtail for any terrain you care to take it on. The Ramones is a bike for riders who are looking for fun, with just one bike in their garage. It's versatility means it is at ease on your evening ride with friends, out on the local dirt track, or challenging the mountains this summer, old-skool style!  Available soon at a COMMENCAL dealer near you. For more détails visit www.commencal.com/ramones/commencal_ramones_en.htm ]]> ]]> http://www.commencal.com/ramones/commencal_ramones_en.htm ]]> Having already worked together for three years, Rachel, Gee and Dan ATHERTON’s confidence in COMMENCAL has been strongly reiterated with the announcement of another two years in partnership with the bike manufacturer. This relationship has steadily grown and is now set to be stronger than ever. The fresh team name and logo marks a new chapter, and the birth of Team COMMENCAL. The ATHERTON siblings will be chasing World titles aboard COMMENCAL’s race proven bikes, the ‘Supreme DH’ and the ‘Absolut 4X Ti’. Max COMMENCAL commented, “After these past three years spent together, I would first like to thank Madison, our UK distributor, for all the work they have done with this exceptional team. Without them, this story might never have been started. Today we have reached a new level with the ATHERTON clan, with their intense passion for riding and huge motivation to win. Rachel is almost rabid-like in her determination, Gee is more of a missile then ever, and Dan is going to surprise us once again. Together we have numerous projects planned, on both a sporting and technological level. We’re going to enjoy ourselves even more and help move the industry that we love those extra few steps forward”. The ATHERTON Team Manager, Dan BROWN, added, "Having worked with COMMENCAL closely over the past three seasons we were in no doubt that we wanted them to continue supplying our frames after the contract came to a close in 2009. Max and COMMENCAL agreed with our decision and were happy to extend their commitment into the position of title sponsor. “The signing of this two-year contract enables us to embark on new and exciting projects which will fuse the Atherton’s wealth of riding knowledge together with the great development skills and resources of COMMENCAL. These projects will give Dan, Gee and Rachel everything they need to win on the World stage irrelevant of discipline. The whole team at ATHERTON Racing is excited to get the season under way and can't wait for the first race under the Team COMMENCAL banner.” The team continues its partnerships with Fox Racing Shox, Animal and Shimano who have all been instrumental in the successes of the past three years. A full list of sponsors will be released at the start of April during the team’s official launch. To stay in touch with Team COMMENCAL until then you can visit : Site web : www.athertonracing.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Atherton-Racing/120544638652 Twitter: www.twitter.com/Athertonracing ]]> http://www.commencal.com/news/index_en.htm ]]> The 2010 edition of the White Style comp in Leogang saw Yannick reach the third step of the podium this weekend, compared to a seventh position last year. The worlds best were invited to give more then 2000 spectators a mind-blowing spectacle (with jumps reaching just over 26ft high!), and our newest recruit placed himself ahead of Kabbani, Berrecloth and McCaul! The full results: 1. Sam Pilgrim (GBR) 2. Linus Sjöholm (SWE) 3. Yannick Granieri (FRA) 4. Amir Kabbani (GER) 5. Darren Berrecloth (CAN) 6. Cameron McCaul (USA) 7. Jamie Goldman (USA) 8. Sam Reynolds (GBR) 9. Grant Fielder (GBR) 10. Niki Leitner (AUT) 11. Martin Söderström (SWE) 12. Jakub Vencl (CZE) http://www.commencal.com/news/index_en.htm COMMENCAL is proud to announce the arrival on the team of Yannick GRANIERI, one of the big names cruising the international Dirt and Slopestyle scene. Yannick has a reputation for his powerful style, committed videos, and regular presence in the media. His sporting career shows his desire to improve with every step: as a big fan of extreme sports, he has been a french trampoline champion, and is now having a blast on his bike with wins in numerous bike competitions and a world record 25m/82ft backflip on snow!!! Max COMMENCAL : "I am really pleased to have Yannick among us. He is surely one of the ones to watch in the world of Street/Dirt/Slopestyle, and our feeling is that we can trust him. We've been producing dirt and street bikes with the Absolut range for quite a long time now, we really appreciate the riding style and the products. But we have never really worked with pro riders in this area, our 4X and DH riders have been having all the fun to themselves! Now that we have taken this step forward, I am sure that great things will come of the work we will do together." Yannick GRANIERI : "I am really happy and proud to join the COMMENCAL family. The brand is really modern and in there with frame geometry, style, design, etc... Being part of a team like this, with names like ATHERTON & Remy ABSALON, it can only be an advantage for me. I hope that I get to share a lot with them. My 2010 ambitions are to compete in a maximum number of competitions in Europe, and both the USA & Canada. I also want to increase the number of photo and video shoots for magazines and the website." Yvan LATASTE, his manager at Proride Agency : "Proride is extremely happy that Yannick is joining a well known international team such as COMMENCAL. He is an exceptional rider, and is undoubtedly one of the must-see riders of the dirt scene. Yannick is a serious athlete, both agile and explosive. His tricks are just incredible! I think he is entirely capable of shaking up the ranks of the best riders in 2010, and I will be rooting hard for him!" ]]> http://www.commencal.com/news/index_en.htm ]]> COMMENCAL is pleased to announce that the Australian rider Caroline BUCHANAN, 2009 4X World Champion, joins the Team. Drawing her own lines between becoming one of biking’s elite, Caroline has an incredible talent and vibrant personality! She is a young and beautiful girl, with full of promises. Caroline will be looking to repeat hers successes at an international level aboard the Absolut Titanium 4X. COMMENCAL’s Australian distributor, Bill PHILLIPS, commented, « Max COMMENCAL and I have spoken about looking at possible young riders for the future that COMMENCAL could support and bring into the Family. Caroline fitted the characteristics: a strong rider, a great competitor, professional in the way she approaches sport and competition, with a focus on her goals and direction. When I first met Caroline I knew immediately she was the person we were looking for. She spoke easily, expressed her self capably and confidently. She is multi disciplined and skilled both in MTB and BMX. Moreover, she told me about her achievements, which are many, her goals for the future, her passion for women in our sport and being a role model for younger girls. Max COMMENCAL commented « I am delighted to get Caroline on board with COMMENCAL and believe she is the perfect ambassador for the brand. I am excited about the prospect of having a second fantastic female rider on the COMMENCAL team. » Caroline was competing this week-end for the 4X Australian Championship, and finish again to this second round on the top of the podium with her Absolut Titanium 4X « The bikes ride is amazing and has perfect specs ! I’m proud to be part of the COMMENCAL Family !”. http://www.commencal.com/news/index_en.htm ]]> Cyril is our friend, our neighbour, and like us, he looks for performance, adventure, while respecting his rivals, and his environment! Here comes an interview of the Champion : COMMENCAL : First of all, congratulation from all COMMENCAL staff for this victory; what are the highlights of the 2010 DAKAR ? Cyril DESPRES : There were so many it is difficult to know where to start. One that springs to mind was the third La Rioja – Fiambala stage. It was extremely hot, the sand was very soft and we were riding at altitude. All that meant it was really hard for the engine and a number of my rivals ran into problems that cost them precious time. I also was forced to reduce the pace, to conserve my motor, but I was able to manage the situation and suffer less than the others. It gave me a great deal of confidence in my tactics and my team and was a key moment in building our victory. Another highlight that was much less ‘tactical’ was the Copiapo – La Serena ‘dune’ stage. The organisers started the first ten in a line and at this point in the race my main rival Marc Coma had already received his 6 hour time penalty. Logically I should have just let him go but instead we had a ‘battle royal’ over the last 50 kilometres that ended in a dead tie at the finish. I suppose it was a point of honour – I race motorcycles above all because I am a racer and I didn’t just want to ‘roll over’ and hand him the stage victory. The other aspect that marked this rally for me was the feeling in the team. Everyone was hand picked, right down to the Austrian guy Harry who drove the truck and everybody gave 100%. I have never known such an atmosphere of quiet determination which allowed me to concentrate on riding the bike. COMMENCAL : We know that it has been hard to prepare the 2010 DAKAR; how was the day to day with your team once you were there ? Cyril DESPRES : It starts pretty early with the whole team often getting up at 3.30 in the morning. The rest of team fold up our sleeping stuff and load it into the truck while we get dressed in our riding kit and then we all go off to try and force down some breakfast. We usually leave the bivouac pretty much together with the 4x4 meeting us as close to the start of the special as possible and the truck sweeping behind. Then we go into the special, ride our race, and then meet up again with the 4x4 which follows into the next bivouac. By this time the truck has hopefully arrived and set up the new camp so that as soon as we arrive the mechanics can get working on the bike. While they attend to our machines we do press, TV and radio interviews, receive a massage from our physio, do 20 minutes or so on the bike and then prepare our road books for the following day – a process than can take anything up to 3 hours! At about 7.45 we go off to eat dinner and listen to the organisers briefing before heading back to our tents accompanied by the hum of generators. In a prefect world my support rider and I are asleep by around 9.30 and the rest of the team a little later. You have probably realised by now that there is a lot to do and not much time to do it in… COMMENCAL : You brought your COMMENCAL bike to maintain your physical condition. How was it seems by the others ? Cyril DESPRES : For sure! Nobody has ever used a bike for that before on a bivouac and a lot of the other riders came by to have a look. I found it a great help in maintaining my physical condition during the race and it had the added advantage of setting us apart. In a lot of aspects the way we functioned as a team became a reference for the others and our Commencal bike was a very visual example of our attention to detail. We call it the racing edge! COMMENCAL : Thank you Cyril for this interview and one more question; do our loyal riders will have the chance to meet you in Andorra on your COMMENCAL Supreme ? Cyril DESPRES : Without a doubt. Most of my riding is done on a home trainer but to be honest that can get a little dull so it is great to get out on my downhill bike. There is some cool riding right on my doorstep and it would be a crime not to take advantage of it! ]]> http://www.commencal.com/news/index_en.htm After 14 stages and nearly 10,000 kilometres Cyril Despres (Team Red Bull) wins his third Dakar over one hour ahead of second placed man Pal Anders Ullevalseter with the Chilean ‘Chaleco’ Lopez third. To crown a perfect day, team mate Ruben Faria won the prestigious last special. Cyril Despres “Winning a Dakar is always very special, but this victory is particularly satisfying. Perhaps because rather than being the result of circumstances it was the fruit of many months of preparation and hard work. To construct such victory requires the collective efforts of many and my heartfelt thanks go to Red Bull for their unflinching support, KTM and Michelin for the superb material they provided, and my team who worked so hard to give me the back up I needed. I would also like to thank the numerous sponsors who have remained faithful for so long and the organisers for producing such a challenging and well thought out road book.” ]]> http://www.commencal.com/news/index_en.htm