January 18/01 6:42 am - Mercury Tour Cancelled, Race Face Signings, Vouilloz

Posted by Editor on 01/18/01
 

Mercury Tour Cancelled for 2001

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 18, 2001) - The National Off-Road Bicycle Association (NORBA) announced Thursday that the Mercury Tour will not take place in 2001.

The year 2000 marked the end of the Mercury Tour's four-year corporate sponsorship contracts. NORBA has been unable to secure sponsorship in time to plan or execute the event in 2001 at the expectation level set by the successful Mercury Tour. The August 31 deadline for placement on the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) race calendar was also a factor.

NORBA Managing Director Leslie Klein emphasized a mountain bike stage race is not off the calendar forever.

"NORBA would very much like to hold a UCI calendar stage race in the United States. One of NORBA's goals for 2001 is to secure the sponsorship necessary to host one in 2002," Klein said. "We know the race has been a highlight for many professional teams and racers, and we hope to relaunch an event of this caliber."

Klein expressed NORBA's appreciation for the hard work and support of those involved with the Mercury Tour: race organizer Len Pettyjohn, title sponsor Mercury, presenting sponsor and broadcast partner Outdoor Life Network and venue host Steamboat Springs Ski Resort.


Nicolas Vouilloz to Race the Rally of Monte Carlo

La Grave de Peille, France (Jan 16, 2001) - Nicolas Vouilloz has been selected to race in the 3 days Rally of Monte Carlo, commencing Jan. 19th. He will be driving a Renault Clio Williams Group N3. This is the most famous car race in France and is part of the World Rally Championships! Each day the competitors will start in Monaco, racing 4 to 6 stages on the roads in the surrounding area and then finishing the day returning to Monaco.

This is not Nicolas' first try at car racing. He competed in the Rally of Vence two months ago. He performed very well, leading the N group (stock category) at the completion of the first day. Unfortunately, he as forced to abandon the second day, due to shifting problems. Nicolas is happy with his car, "I did try different sets of tires, including the snow tires, they make the car slide a little more on the dry sections, but I am getting used to it. We drove all the stages except the one we will race on Sunday. This is no big deal as they are my training roads."


Race Face Acquires T'N'T

Vancouver, B.C. - Race Face Components Inc., one of North America's leading producers of high performance mountain bike components and clothing, is proud to announce two new additions to its pro team - Brett Tippie and Tarek Rasouli.

Legendary Free Rider Brett Tippie took time away from signing autographs, liability disclaimers and bail documents to ink his name on a Race Face sponsorship contract. In addition to his relationship with Rocky Mountain Bicycles, Brett will be riding Race Face components and promoting our line of performance clothing. Tippie will also be involved in all aspects of product development and testing. We are really excited about having Brett on our team as his style and attitude personify the Race Face name.

Tarek is the latest addition to the Race Face team. Signed through 2002 to ride RF components and clothing, the 27 year old German jumping phenomenon has brought his skills garnered as a BMX pro into the mountain biking realm. Tarek has a penchant for dating supermodels and can often be seen drinking Red Bull and Vodka in the Munich nightclubs, surrounded by a bevy of beautiful women vying for his undivided attention. He is a bona fide media star in the European bike industry and it's only a matter of time before we start to see more of Tarek in the North American press.

Look for Brett and Tarek in the upcoming Radical Films production of 'Kranked IV'.