Norco Bicycles Announces 2019 Norco Factory DH Team Roster

Jan 25, 2019 at 7:13
by Norco Bicycles  
Sam Blenkinsop keeps on banging out the sickest of runs... still not quite the quickest but it feels like he s going to get there any race now.

PRESS RELEASE: Norco

Ah, January! The bike community awakens after a hiatus from World Cup racing. Everyone is bursting with excitement and participates in fuelling race rumours and imagining who will ride which bike and why. Let’s be honest, we all love it! After some wild speculations about who’s going to ride for the Norco team this upcoming season, it’s finally time to put those rumours to rest and let the cat out of the bag!

photo

Norco Bicycles is thrilled to announce that downhill racing is coming home. As announced earlier this month, the new Norco Factory DH Team is now owned by Norco Bicycles and will be managed under the same umbrella as its successful XC sibling.

Since its humble beginnings in 1964, British Columbia based Norco Bicycles has been passionately involved in racing – from multiple BMX titles in the early 80's, to road racing glory in the mid-2000’s and World-Cup level mountain bike racing today. The introduction of the original Aurum Carbon back in 2015 sparked the development of our World Cup downhill team. Four successful years later, and the Norco Factory Team continues to build on its legacy – pushing the racing program to the top of the podium.

With continued support from our partners at SRAM/RockShox and Deity components, Sam Blenkinsop, Henry Fitzgerald and new Norco Factory DH Team member Elliot Jamieson will race aboard the Aurum HSP decked out with DT Swiss wheels and Maxxis rubber. We are also excited to have team sponsors FiveTen, HT, Bluegrass and Kenny Racing on board, providing the team with top-of-the line footwear, pedals, helmets and race kits.

photo


photo


New Zealand‘s very own Sam Blenkinsop, the current King of Crankworx, has been a regular on the team since its beginnings in 2015 and was a driving factor behind the development of the Aurum HSP. His unmistakeable style on the bike is copied by many and his mentorship for our younger riders is invaluable. Gloves seem to be a thing of the past for them, just like flip phones, floppy discs or photos on paper.

bigquotesBeing on the same ride and having the support of the same company over so many years is not a given in today’s fast-paced times. I am grateful, that I have been able to make a living doing what I love most, racing bikes!Sam Blenkinsop

photo

Local Vancouver boy Henry Fitzgerald is entering his third year racing on a Norco Aurum. We have seen him progress massively over the last few seasons and expect him to be a solid top-20 threat at World Cups. Learning from riders like Sam clearly pushes him into the right direction and calling the North Shore, Squamish and Whistler his backyard doesn’t hurt either. We are excited to have Henry on the team and are looking forward to seeing what he’s got in the tank for 2019.

bigquotesBeing on the Norco Factory Team means a lot to me. Not only is Norco a Canadian company, but the office is just a half-hour drive away from where I live. I feel deeply rooted with them being a company that developed in the same place I grew up.Henry Fitzgerald

photo

17-year old Elliot Jamieson, son of long-time (we are talking 25 years!) Norco Bicycles Product Manager Jim „JJ“ Jamieson, basically grew up around the office. Put Elliot on any bike, no matter if it‘s a BMX, CX, XC, Enduro or DH bike, sign him up for the race and he will come home with a trophy. Becoming a national BMX champion at the age of seven fuelled his hunger for top results, which culminated in a more than deserved bronze medal in the Junior Men’s category at last year’s DH World Championships in Lenzerheide, Switzerland – his first-ever World Championship race.

bigquotesRacing for the Norco Factory DH team is a dream come true for me and I feel extremely lucky and excited to be given the opportunity. Having followed the Norco Factory team since I started racing, it is an unreal feeling to now be a part of the team alongside Sam and Henry. I couldn’t be more stoked for the racing season to start!Elliot Jamieson

The Norco Factory DH Team will be racing at all stops of the World Cup DH circuit as well as at selected Crankworx and EWS races.

With a motivated team behind the scenes, we are beyond excited to get going and race. We are ready – are you?

www.norco.com

photo


Author Info:
norcobicycles avatar

Member since Feb 11, 2000
127 articles

33 Comments
  • 78 0
 "still can't wheelie or manual". I feel slightly better
  • 57 0
 Random fact: pedaling in the air
  • 18 1
 This article vs. the Atherton one is the pinkbike equivalent of the Reliant Robin getting bumped out of its space by Mr.Bean's mini (not talking about Levy).
  • 1 0
 Haha that's good
  • 2 0
 I wonder how many people had to google that crazy 3 wheels contraption Smile
  • 1 0
 Or Elon Musk’s space Roadster
  • 12 0
 Solid. Sam is one of my favorites to watch and root for. My wife likes his style as well. Looks like a great team. Congrats to all.
  • 24 3
 Damn he's banging your wife
  • 7 1
 @honda50r: ouch. Thankfully no. You see, she likes his style but still prefers mine.
  • 5 0
 @vetprowanab: that's what I would say as wellWink
  • 11 1
 Nice to see Norco sticking with the good Canadian kids and the other guy lol Good luck in 2019 boys.
  • 1 11
flag colincolin (Jan 25, 2019 at 11:34) (Below Threshold)
 I'm sorry but ze Assegai is my favorite rider so.. RUHE!
  • 4 0
 Amazing to see how far norco have progressed, my first “decent”mtb was an early 80’s norco Bigfoot. Now they have some of, if not the best, looking bikes out there from throughout there whole line up. Great team . Sam killed it and Henry was on fire late season as well as Elliot. Lots of promise. Can’t wait to see the new dh team builds and kits
  • 5 0
 Congratulations Elliot. Everyone is so stoked for you. This is going to be a great year for you dude.
  • 5 0
 Stoked for Elliot! There isn't a more gracious and deserving guy out there!
  • 4 1
 Wishing good health to all three riders and some great race results. Go Henry!!
  • 3 0
 Good to hear!!, shred on !!!
  • 3 0
 So Sam is again going to teach the next top 3 ????
  • 3 0
 Good luck boys!!
  • 2 0
 sick
  • 2 0
 GIVER!!
  • 1 0
 Such a rad team!
  • 2 5
 No Athertons then...
  • 30 1
 @ glasvagas
Nah, they're busy glueing carbon tubes together
  • 1 0
 I wouldn't be surprised if Joe Smith ends up on the Athertons team though so that's kind of a link.....
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.036730
Mobile Version of Website