Photos: Humar
After the tragic death of Steve Smith (#longlivechainsaw) Devinci decided to step away from downhill racing at the end of 2016. It was a tough decision for the the Candian team that had been on top of the world just 12 months earlier.
But, unable to find a team that they were fully happy with, they stepped back to plan and develop for a day when they could return to mountain biking’s highest plain.
Today is that day and a partnership with the Unior Tools team (that formerly rode Trek Sessions) has brought them along with a strong, fresh line up.
Heading up the team is Jure Zabjek. Breaking into the World Cup top ten for the first time last year, the Slovenian National Champ and former European Champ is currently ranked eighth in the world by the UCI and, at 22, has plenty of improving still to do.
Next up is a member of the prolific Cabirou clan – Rudy. He also bagged a top ten at Lenzerheide last year and a top 20 at World Champs. Completing the team is American Dakotah Norton who has been chasing the dream on Morpheus for the past couple of years. We’re stoked to see him get a proper team deal and have no doubt he’ll be firing next year.
Next to Unior Bike Tools & Devinci Cycles, team partners are SRAM, Rock Shox, Maxxis, Race Face, City of Ljubljana, Lizard Skins, HT, SDG, Motorex, Mudhugger, Sapim, CamelBak, FSA, e*thirteen, Stan’s No Tubes. Enduro team will use Fox wear & helmets, downhill team will have Alpinestars wear & Leatt helmets.
Here’s the full release
February 8th 2018, Chicoutimi – Slovenia-based tool manufacturer Unior and Canadian bike brand Devinci have joined forces in the name of elevating the hustle, this week unveiling their new gravity-enduro team of elite UCI World Cup and Enduro World Series (EWS) racers.
Unior specializes in high-end tools and is no stranger to crafting competitive racing programs. With eight years in the game, the brand’s current lineup includes a mix of apex DH, XCO, BMX/4cross athletes. And by combining forces with Devinci, enduro muscle now enters the fray.
“Unior and Devinci have so much in common, making it easy to build a solid foundation for the new program,” says Grega Stopar, DH/XCO Team Manager. “Both companies share a passion for racing—Devinci with super fast bikes, and Unior with the best tools to keep those machines in top shape.”
Devinci has been cooking up podium-destined frames at its Chicoutimi, Canada headquarters for more than three decades. “Being back on the DH saddle with young and talented athletes is a thrill,” says company founder Felix Gauthier. “Add our outstanding enduro team to the mix and we have the recipe for an exciting season.”
On the DH side of the equation are young rippers Jure Žabjek and Rudy Cabirou. Žabjek, 22, is currently ranked 8th on UCI’s list of elite riders. He’s also a former European DH Champion and a Slovenian National Champ. Teammate Dakotah Norton, from the U.S., is another standout. The trio will be chasing top-10 finishes on UCI World Cup stage, starting next month in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
“I’m excited to be a part of the merger,” says Norton, who shocked onlookers with his ferocious UCI debut last year. “The Unior Tools Team has always had a great reputation, and Devinci has achieved some amazing results on the track with the Wilson design. It’s a match that’s destined for some great results.”
Piloting the Spartan build, on the other hand, Frenchman Damien Oton will lead the enduro charge. And this year, 21-year-old Kiwi phenom Keegan Wright also joins the ranks. As members of the newly formed Unior/Devinci Factory Racing squad, both powerhouses will be vying for podium honors on the EWS circuit in 2018.
“I’m stoked to be heading into my fifth EWS season with Devinci,” says the veteran, Oton. “Together we’ve built more than a partnership; we’re a family—and I salute Unior as the newest member of it all.”
Another key piece to the collab is Olympian XCO racer Tanja Žakelj, one of the fastest female mountain bikers on the planet. And Kevin Bergin and Filip Flisar will be representing the team on the 4X Pro Tour and at select BMX races. All on Devinci bikes, all with support of Unior tools, all with one goal: to deliver best possible results.
Next to Unior Bike Tools & Devinci Cycles, team partners are SRAM, Rock Shox, Maxxis, Race Face, City of Ljubljana, Lizard Skins, HT, SDG, Motorex, Mudhugger, Sapim, CamelBak, FSA, e*thirteen, Stan’s No Tubes. Enduro team will use Fox wear & helmets, downhill team will have Alpinestars wear & Leatt helmets.
Keep up with Unior/Devinci Factory Racing on social media and at the official website:
Facebook @uniordevinci
Instagram @uniordevinci
www.uniordevinci.com
