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Norco Announces 2012 Team Rosters – Mike Hopkins New Addition

release by Norco Bicycles

January 13, 2012 – The 2012 Norco Team is finalized and ready to kick off the new year. There are some big additions for the coming year and we are VERY excited about it. Through nearly every discipline there are riders representing Norco. Whether it be XC, DH, Trials, Slopestyle, road, cyclocross or nearly any other discipline, we have someone covering it. The 2012 Norco Team breaks down into a few different classifications so let’s go through it one by one.

The Norco Facory Team
The Norco Factory Team is back for another year. The stacked roster of riders includes Ryan Leech, Jay Hoots, Mislav Mironovic, Darcy Turenne, Ludovic May, Sam Dueck, Andrew Watson, Catherine Vipond and Nick Geddes. This team of world class athletes will yet again be traveling the globe competing, advocating and representing Norco and their other amazing Sponsors. The Norco Factory Team is supported by the best brands out there including Shimano, Kenda Tires, Rockshox Suspension, Ryders Eyewear, WTB, FSA, Gravity, SixSixOne, E-Thirteen, Ergon, Park Tool, Minoura and nuun. to learn more about each rider have a look at the Norco Team Page HERE.

The Dirt Norco Race Team
The Dirt Norco Race Team is back for another round of World Cup racing. Ben Reid and Dan Stanbridge will again be racing their Norco Bicycles around the world reaching for that podium spot. After working closely with Norco’s engineering team Ben and Dan will both be racing the all new Norco Aurum for the coming season. With their new rides and amazing speed, this is their ticket to the top.

Team Norco International
The 2012 Team Norco International is made up from the likes of Bryn Atkinson and Jill Kintner. Jill and Bryn will be traveling the World Cup circuit, competing at key national events and their respective Australian and US National Championships. Keep an eye on the World Cup rankings for these two fighting it out among the world’s best.

Norco Independent Riders
There are some riders that come to Norco with a roster of sponsors that they are already supported by. For these athletes they are not part of the Norco Factory Team but still represent Norco on the world stage. 2012 independent riders include freerider Mike Hopkins, 4x racer and freerider Angie Hohenwarter and World Cup DH’er Olie Burton.

Rossland BC native Mike Hopkins is newly signed with Norco Bicycles for 2012. For the upcoming riding year, Mike will be aboard the Norco Aurum, Sight, Shinobi, Rampage and custom slopestyle frames as he accomplishes his season’s goals.

Mike comes to the team with a strong list of accomplishments, boasting major video spots in Life Cycles, From the Inside Out, Red Bull Rampage and many other videos. Mike has also been recently featured in several print publications and websites internationally. His dedication and passion for the sport have made him one of the most recognizable athletes in mountain biking.

Looking forward at 2012, Mike has even grander plans than in years’ past. This coming season he will be working on major video projects with Sherpa Cinema, Second Base Films and Absolute Zero. Mike is also planning to participate in the 2012 Deep Summer Photo Challenge and the Redbull Rampage. With his Norco bike Mike will work closely with Norco and his other sponsors: Monster Energy, The North Face and others on many of these key projects.

Mike comments, “I am excited to work with a company like Norco that has built its brand around bikes engineered for my style of riding. The opportunity to work with Norco’s engineers on new design ideas and platforms is very exciting. Watching Gravity Tune come out of Norco in conjunction with the Dirt Norco Race Team illustrates Norco’s dedication to its riders and product development.”

“We couldn’t be happier about adding a top-tier Big Mountain rider such as Mike Hopkins to our list of supported riders. The level of skill, professionalism and exposure that he brings with him will do great things for Norco and I know that we can offer Mike the opportunity to push his success and career even further.” Pete Stace-Smith – Norco Marketing Manager.

Mike brings with him a list of personal sponsors including Monster Energy, The North Face, Marzocchi, Shimano, 661, Gravity and Smith Optics.

Team H&R Block
Back on Norco for another year is Team H&R Block. Racing Road on the CRR line and Cyclocross on the Threshold this is a top development team out of Western Canada. Watch for the team’s bright green kit racing past you in a blur at the next race.

The Norco BMX Team
The Norco BMX Team is made out of Ben Kaufmann and James van de Kamp. These two represent Norco in competition, community events and at the local park. With huge air, classic style and an edge of creativity these two look good and dazzle spectators across Canada.





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