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Damian "Dogman" Groves ripping his Niner bikes through Eastridge Woods.

With the summer fading into the distance in Europe, heres something to get your fire stoked. Stan’s NoTubes riders Veronique Sandler and Joel Anderson let loose, lighting up Morgins bike park. With the pair blowing up turns and sending gaps before trying new stunts in Champery.

After a hard fought year we find ourselves in Val di Sole for the final round of the UCI MTB DH season. The Italian venue has always been known for its rocks, roots, dust galore and there was no change this weekend.

Chris Keeble-Smith takes his Marin Wolf Ridge down the rooty, loamy and dusty trails of Super Morzine. Running fast and dry it was all systems shred until Chris ripped a hole in his tyre, it resealed but with not much air left all you can do is schralp some turns eh! roostdh.com

Veronique Sandler aboard her 2018 Marin Attack Trail taking on the tricks and tracks of Super Morzine in the heart of the Portes Du Soleil. Stopping off at Roost MTB Vero was quick to hit the trails with a professional workshop to set up the bike, lift pass waiting and a belly full of great food to keep her going! roostmtb.co.uk

Immediately following Vallnord, Andorra World Cup, the team packed up and headed for Lenzerheide, Switzerland for World Cup #5. This would be the second double event (DH and XC), so once again, added spectators and action for everyone! As most World Cup riders would agree, it would not be fair to label Lenzerheide’s purpose built World Cup track as very 'bike park'. It may have multiple berms and man-made features, but it’s a very technical and demanding track as well. Due to the high speeds, loose terrain, and top rock garden alone, it test both rider and bike at peak...

Following the Crankworx Innsbruck, the team was immediately off to Andorra for round 4 of the UCI World Cup series. This would be the first World Cup of season with a double event (DH and XC), so it's always exciting to have the extra riders, staff, pit set-ups, and fans. We also had Norco Bicycles Factory XC team as neighbours, so lot's of good team vibes in the pits! If anyone remembers last year's World Cup here in Vallnord, then you might remember Sam's little trip in a helicopter to the emergency room. Here we are a year later, and...

Following Crankworx Les Gets, the team was off to Innsbruck, Austria for the 3rd Crankworx event of the year. As we’ve mentioned before, these are such great events to race, have some fun, ride bikes, and hang out with fans. This was the first year for Crankworx in Innsbruck, so everyone was excited to see the venue and city. With continued hot and humid weather in Europe, it was once again looking like great weather for the event. Nice to see for the fans! Like Les Gets, for Sam and Henry, first up was Whip Off. Again, Joe would sit...

Leogang, home to round 3 of the UCI DH world cup series. A Marmite track, you either love it or hate it, either way it always makes for good, close racing. With a few subtle tape changes since 2016, smoothing out rock gardens and adding a bit more fresh soil, hopefully this was enough to keep the riders entertained. There was no margin for error as the track was so fast, the slightest mistake could either drop you far back in the field or land you in hospital. Sam was having a real fun time, hitting out laps after lap...

The second round of the UCI MTB downhill season took us back to the historic Fort William track in Scotland. With the same top section since the first round, they added a new tweak after the deer gate to shake things up, this coupled with the grim woods section made for interesting racing. We have had mixed results here, with a track so prone to causing mechanical malfunction and crashes it is hard to stay consistent. A good percentage of the field where either rolling down with flats or going over the bars in the tricky woods section. Sam Blenkinsop...

A long winter has gone and the long anticipated round 1 of the UCI MTB downhill world cup is now complete. Gripping action from start to finish in the holy town of Lourdes. With the Norco Factory Racing boys on new bikes, the equipment was in check, the only thing standing in their way was the challenging Lourdes track. Rooty, rocky and hardpacked, it wasn't going to be easy. Henry took to the hill, the stoke was high, loving the trail and bike. All through practise he looked solid but come qualification run and in his nations jersey, he washed...

The last five days have been eventful for the Norco Factory Racing team. After a great finish in the Rotorua Enduro World series Sam Blenkinsop has had a crash, putting him out of any action during the entire Crankworx week. This leaves the newcomers Joe Smith and Henry Fitzgerald to take the reigns as they put their Norco Development bikes through their paces at their first DH event. The air DH was a great show, the track lined with jumps and the crowd eager. Henry came down first, super aggressive but hesitating in a few corners giving him a 26th...

Norco Factory Racings Sam Blenkinsop and Joe Smith take on the Whakarewarewa Forest and the seven stages of the first Enduro World Series. Whilst Joe seemed to get off with a good start, missing the rain on stage one and two and taking third on the first stage, he held tight for a solid 18th place finish. He finished, 3, 25, 24, 25, 21, 28, 44. Sam got hit with all the weather as his start times where later, a big mistake on stage one leaving him right back in 53rd but he battled on back to finish 16th! He...

“First, we would like to thank Race Face for all their support in 2015 – 2016. They have been an amazing group of people to work with, who’ve supported our team from it’s start in 2015. With some of the top MTB products out there, we have reached many milestones due to their support. We wish everyone at Race Face all the best for 2017 and beyond. See you on the trails!” - Norco Factory Racing

"With our 2017 – 2018 team announcement coming soon, we wanted to send out a ‘THANKS' and 'best in the future' to team riders Harry Heath and Fraser McGlone. Both who are both not on the team in 2017.” "As some know, Harry has decided to ‘retire’ from professional mtb racing indefinitely. After 8+ years of professional downhill mountain bike competition, he’s excited to explore other aspects of life outside of racing. Many of us have watched his progression, and have been inspired by his dedication and hard working approach to reach top 10 World Cup results. As a team...