January 30, 2014 (North Vancouver, BC/Cogolin, France) – Rocky Mountain Bicycles has joined forces with Urge Bike Products to launch the ROCKY MOUNTAIN – URGE bp RALLY TEAM, a dedicated Enduro World Series race team for 2014. This new team of 4 riders is grounded in the successes of both URGE bp and Rocky Mountain’s previous Enduro team efforts at the French, North American, and Enduro World Series levels.
- Florian Nicolai (FRA, Age: 20) – 13th overall in the 2013 EWS, 3rd overall in the 2013 Enduro Series French Cup
- Jesse Melamed (CAN, Age: 21) – 6th at the 2013 Whistler EWS
- Alex Cure (FRA, Age: 20) – 19th overall in the 2013 EWS, and winner of the first ever EWS stage (Punta Ala, IT)
- Isabeau Courdurier (FRA, Age: 19) – 2013 Enduro Series French Cup Winner, and 4th women at the 2013 Val d’Isère EWS
The team will be aboard the Rocky Mountain Altitude 770 MSL Rally Edition, with Shimano components and footwear, Maxxis tires, Stan’s NoTubes wheels, Fox premium suspension, and Raceface cockpits. The team will wear the Urge bp Archi Enduro and Endur-O-Matic helmets. The team is also supported by the following key sponsors: Royal Racing Clothing, 7 IDP Protection, WTB Saddles, Smith Optics, Cane Creek headsets, e13 chainguides, Honey Stinger energy gels, Kicking Horse Coffee, FTI Consulting, and Val d’Allos ski resort.
We are also excited to announce a Development Program under the ROCKY MOUNTAIN – URGE bp RALLY TEAM program, helping grow the future of Enduro racing. This program is aimed at North American and European Enduro riders looking to get to the EWS level of racing. Development riders will be racing their local enduro events, with a chance to get additional race experience at various EWS events throughout the year. Maurian Marnay (FR) and Antonin Gourgin (FR), among others, will be part of the 2014 Development Program.