Easton EC90 Aero review

Here's a review of the Easton EC90 Aero Clincher wheelset on bikeradar website.

bikeradar.com

Le Topolino d'Opus cité sur Playboy.com

Le site Playboy.com parle de vélos urbains dans sa section "Lifestyle" et du Topolino d'Opus entre autres.

Pour lire l'article :

playboy.com/city-bikes

Playboy's website is talking about city bikes in its "Lifestyle" section presenting the Opus Topolino.

To read the article:

playboy.com/city-bikes 

CXBL short video

Where do you plan to place your GoPro HD Hero 2 this season in Paintball?! 

See the short video:

facebook.com/photo

Opus annonce la composition de l’équipe nationale de cross-country sur vélos de montagne pour 2012

Montréal (Québec), le 13 avril 2012 - Les vélos Opus seront à nouveau dans la compétition sur le circuit canadien de courses sur vélos de montagne pour 2012, et la société a le plaisir d’annoncer les nouveaux coureurs et ceux qui sont déjà en lice. La championne du Québec U23, Andréanne Pichette, le triple champion de la Coupe Québec chez les Maîtres , Alex Frappier, Steven Noble (Sénior Élite), Daniel Varga (U23) et Frédérique Larose-Gingras (Junior féminin) reviendront sur Opus pour la saison 2012. Les nouveaux venus de l’équipe Opus cette année seront le champion Élite de la Coupe Québec 2011, Mathieu Bélanger-Barrette, et le médaillé d'argent du classement cumulatif de la Coupe Québec catégorie Cadet, Guillaume Larose-Gingras.

Suite aux solides succès que ces coureurs ont remportés en 2011, le directeur marketing chez Opus, Sylvain Bossé, est heureux de retrouver la plupart des coureurs Opus 2011 cette année. Il a déclaré : « Andréanne Pichette est une jeune femme qui a beaucoup de talent et qui continue de remporter d'excellents résultats au Canada et sur la scène internationale. Nous sommes heureux de voir Andréanne revenir, ainsi que le champion de la Coupe Québec des Maîtres, Alex Frappier. Nous avons hâte de continuer avec nos cyclistes exceptionnels dont plusieurs qui composaient aussi l’équipe de 2011. »

Avec plus de dix années d’expérience et le titre Sénior Élite au championnat de la Coupe Québec de 2011, Bélanger-Barrette est un apport bienvenu à l’équipe. « Nous croyons que l’enthousiasme et le dévouement de Mathieu sont un excellent complément à notre équipe nationale existante de vélos de montagne », a expliqué M. Bossé.

Guillaume Larose-Gingras apporte aussi des antécédents éprouvés à la liste du vélo de montagne Opus. 2e au classement cumulatif de la Coupe Québec catégorie Cadet en 2011, Larose-Gingras cherche à continuer à améliorer ses résultats en 2012. « Guillaume est depuis un moment déjà sur nos écrans de radar », dit Bossé.  « Nous avons hâte de voir ses résultats pour 2012. » Guillaume rejoint sa sœur, Frédérique Larose-Gingras, qui entame sa deuxième année avec l’équipe de vélos de montagne Opus.

Surveillez l’équipe de course sur vélos de montagne Opus 2012 montée sur les tous derniers vélos de montagne cross-country aux épreuves cross-country de la Coupe Canada et celles sanctionnées au niveau provincial.

Pour en savoir plus sur les vélos Opus, visitez www.opusbike.com ou contactez info@opusbike.com

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Opus Announces 2012 National Cross-Country Mountain Bike Team

Montreal, Quebec, 13 April, 2012 - Opus bicycles will once again compete on the Canadian national mountain bike race circuit in 2012, and are pleased to announce both new and returning riders to the team.

Quebec U23 Champion Andréanne Pichette, three-time Quebec Cup Masters Champion Alex Frappier, Steven Noble (Senior Elite), Daniel Varga (U23) and Frédérique Larose-Gingras (Junior Female) will all be back on Opus bikes for the 2012 season. New to the Opus squad this year will be 2011 Quebec Cup Elite champion Mathieu Bélanger-Barrette and 2nd overall Quebec Cup Cadet champion Guillaume Larose-Gingras.

With their strong success in 2011, Opus Marketing Director Sylvain Bossé is excited to see so many riders return for 2012, “Andréanne Pichette is a very talented young woman who continues to achieve top results both in Canada and on the world stage. We’re pleased to see Andréanne return, along with Quebec Cup Masters Champion Alex Frappier. We look forward to building on the momentum of a number of our other exceptional riders who made up the 2011 team as well.”

With over ten years of experience and the 2011 Quebec Cup Championship Senior Elite title, Bélanger-Barrette is a welcome addition to the team. “We believe Mathieu’s enthusiasm and dedication are an excellent complement to our existing national mountain bike team,” explained Bossé.

Guillaume Larose-Gingras also brings a proven track record to the Opus mountain bike roster. 2nd overall in the Quebec Cup Championship Cadet category in 2011, Larose-Gingras looks to continue to improve in 2012. “Guillaume has been on our radar for a while,” says Bossé, “We’re looking forward to seeing his 2012 results.” Guillaume joins his sister, Frédérique Larose-Gingras, who is entering her second year with the Opus mountain bike team.

Watch for the 2012 Opus mountain bike race team competing aboard the latest 2012 Opus cross-country mountain bikes at select Canada Cup and provincially sanctioned cross-country events.

For more information about Opus Bicycles please visit www.opusbike.com or contact info@opusbike.com

GoPro HD: Aaron Gwin vs The Clock

GoPro welcomes 2011 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup winner, Aaron Gwin, to the GoPro MTB Team. Racing against the clock through his hometown hills of Temecula.

Watch the video on Pinkbike.com

Bicycle Service Coordinator

Job description:

Reporting to the Director of Operations, will be responsible for:

• 
Coordinating and managing after-sales service and warranty for all OGC bicycle brands (BMC, Intense, Opus)
• coordinating with BMC, Intense and Opus brand managers, customer service and field sales representatives
• devising and managing solutions for service and warranty issues
• coordinating the building of samples with the Opus production team
• managing returns and related reports to suppliers on a regular (monthly) basis

Requirements:

• Bilingual
• Exceptional mechanical (bicycle)
• Skills and experience including knowledge of hydraulics and suspension systems
• Competence in Microsoft Excel
• Experience in customer service
• Strong organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Work well within a team
• Excellent time and project management skills
• Attention to detail


Salary will commensurate with experience. The company offers excellent benefits and work environment.

Please email your resume to mikeb@ogc.ca or fax it in to Mike Bajohr at 1-800-661-1691. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Coordonnateur du services des vélos

Description de l'emploi :

Se rapportant au directeur des opérations, il sera responsable de :



• coordonner et gérer le service après-vente et de garantie pour toutes les marques de vélos OGC (BMC, Intense, Opus)
• Coordonner avec les gestionnaires de marques BMC, Intense et Opus, le service à la clientèle et les représentants de vente sur le terrain
• la conception et la gestion de solutions pour les problèmes de service et de garantie
• la coordination et l'assemblage d'échantillons avec l'équipe de production Opus
• la gestion des retours et des rapports liés aux fournisseurs sur une base régulière (mensuelle)
• assister aux achats des produits de production ainsi qu'a la gestion de bases de données




Exigences :

• Bilingue

• Exceptionnel en mécanique (vélo)
• Compétences et connaissances reliées aux systèmes hydrauliques ainsi qu'aux systèmes de suspension
• Compétence dans Microsoft Excel
• Expérience en service à la clientèle
• Sens de l'organisation, capacité d'analyse et de résolution de problèmes
• Capacité à travailler au sein d'une équipe
• Excellente gestion du temps et compétences de gestion de projet
• Souci du détail


Le salaire sera en fonction de l'expérience. La compagnie offre d'excellents avantages sociaux et un bon environnement de travail.

Veuillez envoyer votre curriculum vitae à mikeb@ogc.ca ou par télécopieur à l'attention de Mike Bajohr au 1-800-661-1691.

GoPro Becomes Platinum Sponsor of the CXBL

BuyPBL Strikes Partnership Agreement with GoPro®  Cameras GoPro®  Becomes Platinum Sponsor Canada’s Premier Paintball League - The CXBLMontreal, Quebec. BuyPBL is pleased to announce the official partnering with GoPro® HD Cameras, and the sponsorship of the CXBL paintball league.  GoPro®  is a platinum sponsor alongside G.I. Sportz, SupAir, Sly and Empire. It's not an over-exaggeration to say that the GoPro®  has changed the world of both amateur and professional video making. GoPro®  produces arguably the most versatile cameras in the world, the famous HD HERO line of wearable and gear-mountable cameras and accessories will bring a new dimension to the already impressive lineup of Backline Media produced web series. Robert Lee, CEO of PBL Action Sports said “We are pleased to have GoPro®  on board for the upcoming CXBL season.  We believe that our companies share the same vision, and together we will produce the most cutting edge paintball footage and league coverage.   To quote Nicholas Woodman, the founder and CEO of GoPro®  “GoPro®  helps people capture and share lives’ most meaningful experiences with others—to celebrate them together. . .the sharing of our collective experiences makes our lives more fun...”   Eric Mayeu, Marketing Coordinator for  GoPro®'s Canadian distributor (OGC) said “We were impressed by PBL when they approached us about a partnership. Their professionalism and sheer love of their sport fits perfectly into the GoPro® philosophy. We are excited to work with the CXBL, their events will showcase our products, and our products will showcase their events!” The CXBL Elite games will be filmed using the adaptable GoPro®  Hero II cameras, elevating the existing coverage and providing viewers with an even better seat to Canada’s premier paintball sporting league.  GoPro®  cameras are available immediately for retail at the Montreal Flagship location of PBL Action Sports, in addition the cameras can be purchased from PBL’s e-commerce website, www.buypbl.com. Email sales@buypbl.com for additional information. GoPro®  is the world’s leading activity image capture company. GoPro® ’s products are sold through leading specialty retailers in more than 50 countries and online. GoPro® ’s official website  is www.GoPro.com and they can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoPro. BuyPBL is one of Canada's largest paintball stores located in major cities across Canada. BuyPBL is the exclusive Canadian distributor for renowned paintball brands such as G.I. Sportz Paintball Products, DXS Paintballs, VForce Goggle Systems and HK Army as well as a master distributor for popular brands such as Tippmann and Valken.  Official press release

News from Team SpiderTech

(Belgium – April 4, 2012) Guillaume Boivin of Team SpiderTech powered by C10 posted his fifth top-10 result of the season in the 100th edition of the prestigious Scheldeprijs in Belgium Wednesday.

Boivin, who will turn 23 in May, mixed it up in the bunch sprint that ended the 200-km race in wet and cold conditions, which was marked by multiple crashes in the last hour of racing.

“I felt really good today. I felt like I was able to hold position well and I made all the splits in the hectic final. My team did great to get me in position, but I had to freelance the last bit. I got a bit boxed in, the sprint lead outs were a bit slow because of the rain and it made for a messy finish. I’m really looking forward to me next races,” said Boivin after the race.

Teammate Simon Lambert-Lemay of St. Ours, QC, played a critical role in Boivin’s success, joining a breakaway that lasted for the majority of the race, relieving the pressure on Team SpiderTech to better execute the final sprint.

Boivin is having a remarkable season, posting strong and consistent results week after week. So far this season Boivin has finished in the top 11 seven times, including three podiums.

RESULTS
1. Marcel Kittel (GER) Argos-Shimano 4:30:52
2. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin-Barracuda ST
3. Theo Bos (NED) Rabobank Cycling Team ST
4. Romain Feillu (FRA) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team ST
5. Manuel Belletti (ITA) AG2R La Mondiale ST
10. Guillaume Boivin (CAN) Spidertech p/b C10 ST


------------------------------

(Belgium – April 5, 2012) Team SpiderTech’s Guillaume Boivin of Longueuil, QC and Ryan Anderson of Vancouver, BC both cracked the Top 5 at the Grand Prix Pino Cerami, in Belgium, part of the UCI Europe Tour.

Both Boivin (4th) and Anderson (5th) finished side-by-side with a time of 4:52:11, the same time as the race winner Gaëtan Bille of World Tour team Lotto-Belisol. Today, the team expected that the real race would likely happen on the three laps of the 24-km finishing circuit. Caleb Fairly marked a critical 19 man split on the first two laps. Then Lucas Euser bridged to the move to have two Team SpiderTech riders in a split of 21 men. This move was caught with one lap to go. Ultimately, the race ended with a bunch sprint, and despite his fourth-place finish Boivin was hoping for more.

“I’m not happy, no. Fourth is close, but we wanted to get a win. I’m really happy to have helped Randy (Ryan Anderson) today. We talked and knew there wouldn’t be much co-ordination with other teams because of the uphill finish. I told him to just follow me, I would sprint for the win, but if he could come around he should. And we should both sprint for a result. Lucas [Euser] and Dave [David Boily] moved us into position with 5km to go which was great. In the finish the Lotto rider caught everyone off-guard. There was a pause and then Randy and I got a bit caught in the swarm,” said Boivin after the race.

Boivin, who has raced more than 2,500 kilometers in 17 races this season alone – the most of all riders in Team SpiderTech — has five Top 5 finishing this season alone, stepping three times on the podium. For Anderson, this fifth place today represents his career-best result on the international scene, cracking the Top 10 for the first time with a professional continental team. 

RESULTS

1. [BEL] BILLE, Gaëtan (Lotto-Belisol) 4:52:11
2. [FRA] FEILLU, Romain (Vacansoleil-DCM ProCycling Team) ST
3. [BEL] VANGENECHTEN, Jonas (Lotto-Belisol) ST
4. [CAN] BOIVIN, Guillaume (Team SpiderTech-C10) ST
5. [CAN] ANDERSON, Ryan (Team SpiderTech-C10) ST

------------------------------

(France - April 10, 2012)

Hugo Houle managed to finish 22nd of Paris-Camembert. He sprinted at the front of the peloton who was 30 seconds back on race winner Pierre-Luc Perichon (La Pomme Marseille).

RESULTS

1   Pierre Luc Perichon (Fra) La Pomme Marseille                       4:47:34

2   Cyril Bessy (Fra) Saur - Sojasun

3   Jean-Marc Bideau (Fra) Bretagne - Schuller

3   Geoffroy Lequatre (Fra) Bretagne - Schuller                          0:00:06

3   Steven Caethoven (Bel) Accent Jobs - Willems Veranda's

...

16  Julien Simon (Fra) Saur - Sojasun                                          0:00:30

...

22  Hugo Houle (Can) Spidertech p/b C10

-----------------------------

(Belgium – April 11, 2012) Canadian cyclist Ryan Anderson of Vancouver, BC came within seconds of a second Top 10 in as many races as Team SpiderTech powered by C10 was back in action on Wednesday at the 52nd edition of Flanders’s classic “De Brabantse Pijl” in Belgium.

Anderson, who last week was fifth in the Grand Prix Pino Cerami, crossed the finish line of the 196-km course in 11th place, just ahead of 2011 race winner Philippe Gilbert of Team BMC Racing.

“This was definitely an improvement from last year, and knowing the course really helped,” Anderson said. “The SpiderTech tape that I used, four X-Spiders, kept my legs from cramping and I was able to really give it all. I was marking the big-name guys that were left on the final circuit, including [Philippe] Gilbert, and was able to get by him in the finish.”

The technical finishing circuits featured four climbs, two of them on cobbles. The team did a fantastic job of keeping Ryan protected until the final 35 km, and delivered him in good position for the circuits where position was crucial.

“Classic Belgium weather for a classic race – wind, rain on and off all day, temperatures went from 8 to 12 degrees,” said Michael Carter, directeur sportif on site.

RESULTS
1. Thomas Voeckler (FRA) (Team Europcar) 4:49:07
2. Oscar Freire Gomez (SPA) (Katusha Team) +1:11
3. Pieter Serry (BEL) (Topsport Vlaanderen – Mercator) +1:11
4. Fabio Andres Duarte Arevalo (COL) (Colombia – Coldeportes) +1:14
5. Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) (BMC Racing Team) +1:17

...
11. Ryan Anderson (CAN) (SpiderTech powered by C10) +1:56

-----------------------------

Team SpiderTech to race in Tour de Suisse 

(St. Catharines, ON – March 28, 2012) Canada’s own Team SpiderTech powered by C10 made another breakthrough in professional cycling today, receiving an invitation to race the 2012 Tour de Suisse, the first-ever invite from a WorldTour race in Europe.

The Tour de Suisse is the fourth-biggest bike racein the world and its long tradition and popularity make it the largest regular annual event in Switzerland. Last year’s 75th anniversary edition of the Tour de Suisse was broadcast on television in more than 100 countries.

“This is fantastic news for all of us at Team SpiderTech. We made very public our vision to crack the WorldTour, and this is another step in the right direction. We will use this golden opportunity to show we can race amongst the biggest teams, in the largest races. Our results this season, three podiums early in the season capped with a few top-15 rankings in classic races, are a testament of the strength of our program,” said Steve Bauer, Olympic medallist and directeur sportif for Team SpiderTech powered by C10.

Bauer has good memories of the Tour De Suisse. During his illustrious career he stepped on the podium four times at the Swiss national tour, winning the eighth stage and finishing second overall in the 1988 edition.

Team SpiderTech has two other links with the Tour de Suisse. Newly-signed Dane Brian Vandborg has had strong performances at the Tour de Suisse, notably 26^th overall in 2009 after finishing 8th in the time trial stage.

Swiss rider Raymond Künzli is thrilled to have a chance at being selected to the eight-rider Team SpiderTech squad. Künzli signed his first professional contract with Team SpiderTech during the off-season. “A new chapter begins in 2012. It’s a dream come true for me to have the chance to take part in an event like the Tour de Suisse right at the start of my professional career,” said Künzli.

In securing the invitation to race the Tour de Suisse, Team SpiderTech powered by C10 also owes a genuine thanks for the great support of SpiderTech and its magic blue kinesiology tape that keeps our riders performing on the bike every day.

The 2012 Tour de Suisse will start in Lugano on June 9 with a 7.3-km time trial. The seventh stage, held on June 15, is a 34.3-kilometer time trial race in Gossau. The ninth and final leg will finish in Sörenberg on June 17.

“We have made some significant improvements in our operations this past off-season,” said Bauer. “We picked up some great riders to the already solid team we had last year and we are riding stronger this season. We have great partners on board, such as SpiderTech Inc. as well as a consortium of partners dubbed C10, which includes BlackBerry, NRS Brakes, Pinetree Capital and Argon 18. We also brought on board key players to our management, such as Michael Carter and Curt Harnett, which will improve our field operations and business development tactics.”

Team SpiderTech powered by C10 is sponsored by Giro and Finish Line.

First US Owner of an Opus bike

Three weeks ago, a lucky man was the winner and one of the first US Owner of an Opus Bike at the Portland PDX Show in Oregon.

Opus Classico bike

Cam Smith - Pursuing Passion

For those who are already looking to next Winter!!

Here's a nice video from Cameron Smith, aspiring professional skier, on his road to making his passion into his profession.

Pursuing Passion - Trailer from Evan Berg on Vimeo.


Cameron Smith is sponsored by Giro for Winter helmet and Goggles.

Sous la pluie à Paris-Camembert

Ce mercredi, avait lieu la 73e édition de Paris-Camembert. Nous avions 206 kilomètres à franchir dont deux grands circuits de 25 kilomètres incluant la côte de Canapville (environs 1,5 km à 9%) et la côte de Roiville (environs 1 km à 8%) que nous effectuions à deux reprises. Pour finalement entamer le circuit final avec trois autres côtes plus raides d’environ 1 km à 16% chacune. 

C’est sous la pluie battante que nous avons débuté l’épreuve. J’avais pour tâche de suivre les échappées. J’ai essayé plusieurs coups qui n’ont jamais réussi à fuir le peloton. Finalement, deux coureurs ont pris la fuite après 45 kilomètres de course.

Une fois l’échappée partie,  il fallait attendre les circuits finaux. Étant donné le froid et la pluie, j’ai dû effectuer quelques aller-retours à la voiture pour aller chercher les imperméables Pearl Izumi.

Dans les circuits finaux, il faillait rester bien placé à l’avant du peloton, car les routes étaient très étroites et en plus, dû à la pluie, le peloton s’étirait beaucoup. Après un tour de circuit, je me suis rendu compte que j’avais de bien meilleures jambes que sur le Tour des Flandres U23. Je me suis bien positionné aux avant-postes pour suivre les attaques au sommet des bosses et essayer de partir dans un petit groupe. Par contre, je me suis fait déjouer : un groupe de 12 coureurs est parti sur le plat avec 25 kilomètres à faire. Pas grave, j’avais deux coéquipiers devant soit Raymond Kunzli et Guillaume Boivin. 

Étant donné que la majorité des équipes étaient bien représentées devant, personne ne voulait rouler dans le peloton. Il a fallu attendre les trois dernières côtes pour que le peloton s’active. J’ai réussi à m’accrocher au groupe, mais j’ai manqué de puissance dans les 500 derniers mètres à 16% pour suivre la bonne attaque qui a réussi à revenir sur l’échappée dans le dernier kilomètre. J’ai disputé le sprint de mon groupe pour terminer 22e.

C’est positif pour le Grand Prix Denain Porte du Hainaut qui sera terminé au moment où vous lirez ces lignes et le Tro-Bro Leon ce dimanche.

À Bientôt !

Hugo Houle

facebook.com/Hugo-Houle

L'Équipe SpiderTech propulsée par C10 est supportée par Giro et Finish Line.

Ian Hughes à l'ACC

Cliquez sur l'image pour l'agrandir.

Ian avec son vélo de montagne Prime d'Opus.

The All-new BMC granfondo GF01 bike!

BMC is presenting his all-new endurance series bike: the granfondo GF01!

Right in time for the big test at Paris-Roubaix where Alessandro Ballan (BMC Racing Team) end up third on a photo-finish finale for the five-up sprint for second. Ultimately, it was determined Sébastien Turgot (Team Europcar) edged out Ballan after the former world road champion sprinted from the back of the group on his new BMC granfondo GF01 with 200 meters to go. "I'm not fast in the sprint and I don't have the history in the velodrome, so it was hard for me," Ballan said.

Thor Hushovd and Taylor Phinney respectively finished 14th and 15th.

New granfondo GF01 video

Ian Killick photos

Here's photos of Ian Killick.

Ian Killick is a Giro sponsored athlete. MTB helmet and gloves.