Commencal Vallnord DH Racing Team Sign George Brannigan
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When we heard the news from our tech writer, Paul Aston, who's currently sunning himself in New Zealand, that George Brannigan had been spotted ripping up Queenstown on a Commencal, we (Pinkbike) reached out to get the official line on who this 23-year old pinner would be riding for in 2016. Hailing from Hawkes Bay on the North Island of New Zealand, but now living in the MTB mecca that is Queenstown on the South Island, George is entering his tenth year of downhill racing...
How’s the off-season going?Good so far! I’ve pretty much been getting straight back into full-on training since December, working on getting some things back into balance with my body, along with my two new hobbies - pit biking and river surfing! Leading into the season I just want to come in strong like I did last year, but this time I’ll put things together.
So, how did this deal with Commencal come about?Well, as everyone knows, the whole TWR team came to an end last year and we all knew before the season was over, so I had time to search for options, but it took ages to finalise things... But after I tested the bike, I knew that was where I wanted to go.
Can you tell us about your new bike?I have only ridden it in Queenstown so far, but that’s my ‘local’ and I know the tracks and the terrain and it's really easy to get an understanding of the bike there. Of course, I really like it. Everything is well balanced with the weight being down low, so at high speeds, it’s really stable and I love that in a bike. The suspension is super active and with the rearward axle path, it loves taking the big hits... I gave her a good test the other day when I cased a gap straight into a sharp knuckle and it loved it, ha-ha! I’ll post the video in the next day or two…
Are you worried about going from an English speaking team to French speaking team? No, I’m not really worried about that to be honest because I know for a start they are all a really cool bunch and I’ve done my research to find how people have coped on similar teams, especially Cam Cole. Having been on the team before and being a fellow Kiwi, he's only said good things. Plus my mechanic is from Queenstown and he’s a real cool dude so we’ll be able to hang out and work together while we're away from home.
Aside from the World Cup series, what other events are you attending this year?I’ll be starting off with a couple of races here in NZ and of course Crankworx Rotorua, then the other Crankworx events, plus some select races in Europe. Basically the same as usual, but I have to say, I’m stoked to be going back to Whistler this year. I haven't been since 2013!
Which single event are you most looking forward this year?I’m really looking forward to Crankworx Rotorua, just because the track is one of my all-time favourite tracks, it's so much fun! I'm also looking forward to Lourdes as well because its the season opener and I love the track too. I felt last year that I could have done really well there, but a certain section got the best of me for the second time that weekend. Not this year!
Who or what influences your riding?I have always looked up to riders who are at the top, so that’s been a big influence for me. But I guess at the same time, sometimes my own riding can influence me too. If I’m not going fast enough and giving my self a good scare, then I’m not having as much fun...
What are your personal goals for 2016?Firstly, I just want to start the season off on a good note because I often build into things during a World Cup season, but most of all, I don’t want to over-think things, which was my biggest mistake last year… I was riding the best I ever have, but probably racing the worst I ever have at the same time, so 2015 was a bit of a piss-off in that regard. So, YOLO runs will still be a part of racing for me, but I'll be more in control this time!
What’s been your most memorable moment from racing so far?I have had so many memorable moments, mostly good ones and that’s why I still love what I do so much, but you can’t beat the feeling of getting a podium. That’s what drives me the most and that’s what I’m aiming for - getting back on that podium!
Are there any plans for a crazy off-season edit like last year?Definitely! I have two edits planned and the second will be the same idea as last years edit, just bigger, faster and more than just a day and a half filming this time… Last years will be hard to top though.
Last question. We've heard you have some interesting nicknames?Yeah, I have a few ha-ha, but on the WC circuit the most common seems to be either ‘Horhay’ or ‘Clifford the G.C’.
Here's the official word from Commencal on George's addition to the team and RockShox coming on board to handle the teams suspension duties:
After reports of a fast rider tearing up Queenstown on a neon yellow bike a couple of weeks back, rumours of who it could be began to quickly surface on the internet. Some of you had probably guessed that it was a Supreme DH V4 and some perhaps, who the rider was too. So there you are, it’s official, the New Zealander George Brannigan will be riding in the Commencal Vallnord DH Racing Team colours for the next two seasons!
It didn’t take long for the Kiwi to impress the Commencal clan with his engaging style and steeze, and they were quickly endeared to his personality. We are convinced by his ability and we’re itching to see the Thirion-Brannigan duo in action!
 | Joining the Commencal Vallnord DH Racing Team is hugely exciting for me, it's a fresh start with a new and cool group of people to work with. I have been welcomed to the team with open arms so it just makes me stoked to do my best with them. Having a good bike was at the top of my list for switching teams so after the first ride on the Supreme DH V4 I knew it was the right choice to make. Everything is dialled from team support to the bike, so now it's go time! - George Branigan |
As well as George Brannigan, the Commencal Vallnord DH Racing Team is made up of Myriam Nicole, Rémi Thirion - both of whom have re-signed until 2018 - and Gaëtan and Thibaut Ruffin as well as junior Gaëtan Vige. COMMENCAL is once again committed to the Riding Addiction structure until 2018.
| We are really happy to welcome George to the team. He has an engaging style that everyone loves and we are sure that the Supreme DH V4 will enable him to exploit his potential. With Remi, we now have two riders capable of reaching the top step of the podium, not forgetting Myriam doing it for the girls and Gaetan in the junior category. This is undeniably the goal of the next couple of seasons and we will work hard towards achieving it. - Thibaut Ruffin, Team Manager. |
| To be honest, I don't personally know George. However, there are certain riders that transmit positive vibes, who are kind, even if you've never personally addressed them. George is one of those people! His riding is crazy, all out 100% and I don't know why, but I get the impression that his personality is similar to that of Remi's and on their Supreme V4's that should do the job... This season, he will have the courage and commitment that will make the difference. And they both have the calibre. - Max Commencal. |
Max Commencal discussing race tactics with Remi Thirion.
The other big news in 2016 involves our sponsors. We’re proud to announce that the team will be riding with RockSox suspension. Both SRAM and RockShox have become official partners with COMMENCAL.
| It takes a special type of athlete to be a part of the SRAM Team. The Commencal Vallnord DH Racing Team is very special that way. You feel like you're staying with a family, but at the same time they are showing great professionalism and sportsmanship. Knowing Thibaut and his teammates for a long time now, I can say they are making a step forward every year and I'm very confident that the team will carry some good momentum from last year's Worlds at their home in Andorra, into the next season. It's going to be an awesome year! - Martin Kirchner, SRAM European MTB Sports Marketing. |
In more news, the team will be equipped with Spank Spike Race 33 and 28 wheels and in addition, participate in product development.
| There are a lot of obvious synergies between Spank and Commencal, including shared philosophies of delivering cost effective quality with environmentally responsible materials, and commitment to innovative design and development. We are excited to have Commencal Riding Addiction competing on our flag ship Race33 wheels, the first DH race rim to pair the rigidity of the Oohbah inverted profile with BeadBite anti-burp tubeless technology. Testing with Remi Thirion and the rest of the team has been very positive and we're extremely impressed with the level of professional and technical feedback from the squad. We look forward to continuing our testing and development with the team in 2016 and beyond. - Gavin M. Vos, CEO and Lead Designer, Spank Industries. |
As in 2015, the Commencal Vallnord DH Racing Team is supported by Vallnord, Fox Head, Hutchinson and more...
| It is very important for us to associate Vallnord with a team and it is natural to have done this with a local team that runs at an international level. It is a partnership that you want to last for time and that fits into our strategy to become the best bike park in the world! - Josep Marticella, Director of Vallnord Resort. |
| In order to do so we surround ourselves with and count on the support of our partners. The Commencal family have provided tremendous support all of these years. It's a pleasure to be part of the crew again for the next three seasons. Vallnord is also our partner of choice, they have everything that we need to progress and we are honoured to be associated with this Mecca of MTB. SRAM has donned our bikes with brakes and transmission for five years and we are super happy to continue with this relationship. The expansion of this partnership for 2016 with RockShox is an essential point. The first tests showed big potential and we can't wait to see it for real in a race environment! Spank is also new for the team, with new Spike Race33 and 28 wheels, which are real jewels! This collaboration is very exciting. Fox Head Europe is a key player in our sport not least because of the quality and beauty of their products. We can't wait to evolve in their new Flex Air MTB range. Hutchinson was solid for the team in 2015, their products and attention to detail combined with their proximity makes them an ideal tyre partner. We also thank all of our other partners who join us in this adventure: CN Spoke, Renthal, Prologo, e*thirteen, Feedback Sports, Unior Tools, Five Ten, Thomson, Finishline, Ryno Power, Lite Springs, BV Sports and Goodman Cycles. To say that we're excited to start the season is an understatement! We meet in a few days in California for our team camp and start preparing over the next months for the first World Cup in Lourdes. - Thibaut Ruffin, Team Manager. |
Photos: Commencal and Jay French from Freeride New Zealand for the George Brannigan shots.
MENTIONS: @COMMENCALbicycles / @SramMedia / @FiveTen
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Maybe if they ride together their max gap length will double?
From www.pinkbike.com/news/first-ride-rocky-mountain-maiden-2015.html,
"Except for the base model Maiden Park, all of the bikes use BOS suspension products, a spec choice that stands out in the sea of RockShox and FOX equipped downhill bikes that are currently on the market. According to Rocky, the decision to go with the French brand rather than one of the bigger players was partially due to the feedback from Vancouver area racers and shops who had been impressed with construction quality and on-trail feel of the company's products."
That's the most important part of the interview.
And AG's new team will be released very soon I guess?