Rocky Mountain Bicycles Freeride, Slopestyle and Gravity Team

Rocky Mountain Bicycles is in for a rockin’ year in Freeride and Gravity. Re-signing with Rocky Mountain is Thomas Vanderham, aka “The Kid,” the undisputed king of huge, stylish airs and big amplitude moto whips. Thomas joins legendary Freeride star Wade Simmons, referred to as “The Godfather,” and Germany’s Rob Jauch, a European media favorite, to form the 2007 pro team.Vanderham, 22, has ridden for Rocky Mountain Bicycles for the last 6 years. At 16 he burst onto the scene, starring in his first video segments [Kranked series, Ride to the Hills movies]. Thomas started with Rocky as a development rider who also found early success in Downhill racing, and proudly represented Canada at the Junior Downhill World Championships in 2002. Thomas is an integral member of our product development team, conveying his “feel” on the bike into the finer details of suspension design.

Since 2002, Vanderham has consistently placed in the top ten in all major Freeride and Slopestyle Competitions. In the ground breaking Red Bull Rampage events, he made his mark riding within podium reach throughout the events. In both 2003 and 2004 Vanderham missed the podium by a small margin, finishing 6th and 4th, and leaving no doubt he is one of the best Freeriders in the World.

He finished in 2nd Place at the Monster Park Slopestyle event in 2004 and 2005, and 7th at the District Ride in Neuremberg. In 2006 he finished 6th at Monster Park and 7th at Whistler’s Crankworks competition. These results are even more impressive knowing that they followed his return from a badly broken leg that kept him out for four months of the season.

A featured rider in some of the hottest bike movies such as New World Disorder, The Collective and Roam, Thomas will be one of 7 elite riders profiled in the upcoming Collective video for 2007.

Wade Simmons is a fixture at Rocky. Wade embodies his nickname “The Godfather” of freeride. Always an incredibly stylish and approachable rider, Wade now offers guest appearances as host coach on exotic trips to Costa Rica and Switzerland with Bushpilot and Ride Big Adventures [www.ridebig.com and www.bushpilot.com]. Wade’s love for the sport and soulful spirit is evident through his big grin and happy demeanor. Wade has turned his attention and focus to mentoring young riders and sharing his love for the sport.

Joining Vanderham and Wade Simmons is Germany’s Rob Jauch. Rob has been stacking up some good slopestyle results and coaches Freeride camps in Europe. Information on where to hang with Rob J at a Freeride Camp, can be found at www.dierasenmaeher.de.

Rocky’s 2007 Young Guns are Slopestyle and Dirt Jumpers Alex Pro and Kyle McDonald from Whistler, and 2-time Junior Downhill World Championship medal winner, Micayla Gatto.

Alex Prochazka [Alex Pro], 15, stepped up his game in Slopestyle with a top 5 finish at the Bearclaw Invitational in 2006 and a great showing at John Cowan’s Dirt Jam. His Downhill Racing continues to improve, and in 2006 his victory in U15 DH at the National Championships posted a time that would have placed him 12th in Senior Pro men.

Kyle McDonald, 15, is a new addition to the team. Kyle qualified 15th for the final at Whistler’s Crankworks in 2006. Kyle small physical stature is balanced out by the fact that he goes huge on the bike. Already infamous for his huge heel clickers and flips, Kyle is a rider to watch in 2007.

Micayla had two outstanding years as a junior, bringing home bronze medals from the Junior Downhill World Championships in 2005 and 2006. A media darling, Micayla has also been featured in Decline Magazine and Twenty Six Magazine. Gatto will compete in the Pro Women’s Downhill category in 2007 and focus on Canadian National races in 2007.

Rocky Mountain Team sponsors include SAINT/Shimano, Haywood Securities, Marzocchi, Sigma Sport, Vittel, Easton, WTB and Mavic. Partnerships include Oakley, FSA, Dakine,DT Swiss,Pedros and Kleinwalsertal resort.

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