November 6, 2003 – Oxbow and Commencal are very proud to announce the creation of an International Mountain biking team for Downhill, Cross Country and Freeride, starting on January 2004.

This team, which will be in place for a minimum of three years, will allow Oxbow and Commencal to take an active role in the mountain biking circuit and in all its disciplines.

The creation of an International Team of six riders: – In Downhill and 4X (four rider race) with Anne Caroline Chausson (17 time world champion), who will try to win more titles at the world championships which will be held in France in 2004. – In XC (Cross Country) with Miguel Martinez (Olympic Champion 2000 in Sydney) who will be defending his title at the Olympics in Athens in 2004. – Four other riders, whose names will be announced in November, will make up the rest of the team. The team will also compete in Freeride.

The creation of a training centre where young riders will be coached and trained. The creation of communication support systems for the team: video, photos reports, discovery adventure trips to dream spots…

Commencal bicycles, manufacturers of high quality and performance bikes, hopes that through the team it will increase its notoriety. Commencal will develop specific products for the competitions, which will in turn become higher quality and more technical commercial products.

For its part, Oxbow's investment into Mountain biking represents the continuation of a long adventure. Since its creation in 1985, Oxbow has specialized in the fabrication and design of clothes and equipment for use in actions sports. Surf, Windsurf, Snowboard, Ski, MX (Motocross). Its reputation in this sector is unique.

Since the beginning Oxbow has created its own identity by keeping with a very specific range of clothes, using original designs, thanks to detailed studies of cultural and generational ways of life.

Oxbow's arrival into the world of mountain biking is the logical next step when considering the values of the brand: Sport, Passion, Freedom, Pleasure, Authenticity, Respect for the environment and the elements (wind, waves, snow, earth)S all of these allow the brand to possess a unique image in the action sport's world.

The creation of this team in association, with a well known and dynamic brand such as Commencal, shows a strong investment into the Outdoor market, and also a continuing passion undertaken by Oxbow in the world of 2 wheels, being regularly mentioned as the favourite brand for MX clothing.

Mountain Biking is the incarnation of the freeride spirit so crucial to Oxbow. The Commencal-Oxbow riders will be joining a very prestigious team of sportsstars and ambassadors for the sports world such as Laird Hamilton (Waterman of the year 2003, surfer of the world's biggest waves), Jean-Michel Bayle (Multiple world mx champion), or Stéphane Routin (snowboard legend).