U23 XC World Champ Samara Maxwell Signs with Rockrider Ford Until 2026

Sep 22, 2023
by Ed Spratt  

After an incredible 2023 season with a World Cup and World Champs win Samara Maxwell has been picked up by the Rockrider Ford team until 2026.

Previously Samara Maxwell had been racing World Cups and World Champs under her own program so it is amazing to see the New Zealand talent picked up by one of the big teams for the rest of the season and the next few years. Samara Maxwell says she will be at this weekend's Olympic test event in Paris with her new team before heading to the final two World Cup rounds as she sits third in the U23 Women's overall standings.

bigquotesIt’s been a dream ever since I can remember to be a professional cyclist. Beyond honoured to say, that thanks to @rockrider_ford_racing_team this dream is finally a reality
I already feel so at home in this team and have had the biggest, warmest welcome. It only makes me even more excited to see what we can achieve in the future together

And thank you to everyone for your kind messages! It means so much for everyone to be following along my journey with me. Now let’s go get this Paris Test Event, I’m more ready than ever with some amazing new support taking me even further.— Samara Maxwell


bigquotesThe Rockrider Ford team is very pleased to announce the arrival of Under-23 World Champion, Samara Maxwell, starting today and for the next three seasons. . . . The New Zealander will take part in the test event of the Paris Olympic Games this weekend before flying off to the last two stages of the World Cup in the United States and Canada.— Rockrider Ford - Translated


Posted In:
Racing and Events Racing Rumours Rockrider Samara Maxwell XC Racing


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23 Comments
  • 23 1
 Hey, great move from Rockrider ! I guess they are keen on investing on the future, which is a great thing, for both the athletes and the brand ! I'm discovering this young lady but she seems to have a great energy and a big smile on her face !
  • 8 0
 Yeah, well done Rockrider. With this move they ensure their presence at the olympic next year
  • 15 1
 I don't know what rockrider is, but I am glad to see more sponsorship announcements instead of less.
  • 10 34
flag JoeHelvoigt (Sep 22, 2023 at 5:44) (Below Threshold)
 You don't know what Rockrider is? I am guessing you are new to the sport then. They have the US and Belgian National Champions already and also Marotte along with many others. But yeah, who is Rockrider?
  • 5 0
 Maybe you've seen some Quecha tents if you backpacked out of the US.. Rockrider is another branch (mtb) of the big Decathlon brand.
  • 2 0
 There were a couple of articles on Pinkbike earlier in the year about the Rockrider Ford team.

www.pinkbike.com/news/opinion-the-rockrider-team-could-change-world-cup-racing.html

www.pinkbike.com/news/bike-check-maxime-marottes-rockrider-940s.html
  • 11 0
 Go Sammie! So well deserved afer all the work she's put in over the past couple of years.
  • 9 0
 Solid as a rock signing...
  • 4 0
 Good to see a MTB talent signing for a MTB team, and not being snapped up by a Road team......
  • 2 2
 Well, lets be serious here. Anybody snapped up by a MTB team vs a road team either just wants to ride MTB or isn't fast enough for road.

Exhibit A: Pidcock
  • 4 0
 Worth following for sure. The funniest cross-country racer on the series? Must go close to it.
  • 2 0
 Oops. Read the last bit. She’s supported for the rest of season too. Very cool.
  • 5 2
 RICHIE RUDE SIGNS WITH DACIA!!!!
  • 3 0
 Well deserved Samara.....will do NZ proud!
  • 1 1
 Interesting turn, I thought she would end up with Giant given the last race they were supporting her (as can be seen on her jersey)
  • 1 0
 Think she has been an ambassador for a number years with Giant NZ which is seperate to any Giant/Liv XC sponsored team.
  • 1 0
 Rider with great potential but hope she doesn't jump up to elite too soon like the previous women's U23 World Champion.
  • 1 0
 The best news!!
  • 6 8
 Don't know why, but Rockrider Ford in top level MTB feels like Kia in F1
  • 5 0
 More like Renault
  • 3 0
 It's because you highly underestimate Decathlon.
I know, they are a big box retailer, catering to the general audience with very affordable products, and that doesn't sound very elite or high quality, but as someone who has worked for Decathlon for 5 years, believe me that when they put their mind to something, they really go for it.
They have their won, very big and advanced, R&D and design department for cycling in France, with lot's of quality people working on all their bike stuff. Their top road bike brand is going to sponsor a highest level road cycling team, and the Rockrider-Ford team has already had considerable succes this season too.
They will be a force to be reconned with.
  • 4 0
 @WhateverBikes:
As someone who works for the company for more than 8 years, I can confirm that. The whole team is as passionate as every other brand, if not even more and trust me, you can feel this when you visit the Btwin village and speak with the teams
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