MTB News: The cat is out of the bag – ROSE presents the squad for its new freeride team, the ROSE Rad Squad. In addition to the well-known ROSE athletes Tobias Wrobel, Lukas Knopf and Jakub Vencl, there will also be two world-class newcomers: Antoine Bizet and Anthony Messere.
It can definitely be described as a bang that the ROSE Rad Squad Freeride and Slopestyle Team, newly created for this season, can welcome Antoine Bizet, one of the currently probably most sought-after and strongest freeriders, to its ranks. The 24-year-old Frenchman narrowly missed out on winning last year's Red Bull Rampage with the first double backflip in Rampage history and looks set to be one of the favorites at the biggest freeride events again this year.
In addition to Bizet, you could also win over the Canadian Anthony Messere - the only 20-year-old made headlines as a teenager when he was able to reach the front ranks at events with world-class athletes. Even if the really big victories are still a long way off, Messere is one of the greatest slopestyle talents and should certainly make the ROSE Rad Squad cheer a few more times. No wonder that Anatol Sostmann, Marketing & PR Manager at ROSE Bikes, is full of praise and really looking forward to the new season: “The ROSE Rad Squad is awesome and definitely one of the strongest teams on the tour. With Anthony and Antoine we have two newcomers to ROSE who are among the very best the mountain bike world has to offer. But Torquato has already shown the level he's at this year and that he's ready for some big things. In my opinion, Lukas is the strongest driver in Germany and simply a blatant trick machine. Like no other, Jakub embodies the fun and thus the lifestyle that the team stands for. Tobi has recovered and we will see him more often in 2017; it is clear that your mouths remain open. I wish all drivers safe flights and good times!”
To briefly introduce the six team riders, ROSE asked each of the athletes what it means to them to be part of the new team and what they think of their team bikes.
Antoine Bizet (FRA)
“I'm super motivated to drive for ROSE. From freeride to dirt to enduro - I like all ROSE bikes and I'm really looking forward to finally riding a slopestyle bike. I'm going to rock the Jester Slopebike like crazy this year!
My Jester is basically a standard factory model The Jester II, but with brand new Michelin tires, a badass Fabric saddle and freaky Fabric grips. My brakes are TRP and it will all be rolling on Spank wheelsets. My Jester is controlled by a Spank stem and handlebar combo. Get ready 2017 - we are perfectly set for some phat riding sessions!”
Lukas Button (GER)
“It's just great to ride for ROSE Bikes, I've been riding for them for two years. It's insane to have such a big brand having your back, especially now with the new additions. ROSE will really make it this season!
I chose both the ROSE The Jester and the ROSE The Bruce. The first is a slopestyle, the other a dirt jump bike. Both ROSE frames come with a KMC chain, Novatec wheels and Kenda tires. The set-up is pretty light and also very stable! I can't think of any other bike that would suit me better.”
Tobias Wrobel (GER)
“Riding for ROSE Bikes feels great and I'm totally stoked to be a part of this big family again. Perfect bikes, great teammates and of course great people behind the scenes - that's what family feels like.
This year I switched to a larger frame and tried to build my bike as cleanly as possible. I ride a Rock Shox Pike DJ with an ACROS headset, my wheel sets are equipped with Maxxis IKON tires so that I have perfect grip on every course. For the brakes, I opted for a Shimano XTR with enough power and easy handling. My crank arms are from e*thirteen LG1, I have completed my bike with components from KORE.”
Torquato Testa (ITA)
"I'm really happy and honored to be part of such a professional team! ROSE bikes really are the best I've ever ridden!
Mostly I ride my dirt jump/slopestyle bikes “The Bruce” and “The Jester”! The frames of both models are just perfect for my tricks, super fast and light, I can turn in all directions with them. I even did a bit of freeriding on my The Unchained 2.0 and I'm still totally stoked at how light this bike is! I can do almost the same tricks with my DH bike that I normally do with my hardtail.”
Jakub Vencl (CZE)
“I've been riding for ROSE for six years now and it's always been awesome. I really appreciate the great support over the years. These bikes feel like home to me.
The Bruce is a great little dirt jump beast. It has some really original features and overall it's very stable, which is what I think a dirt jumper should be.”
Anthony Messire (CAN)
“I am really looking forward to driving for ROSE. I've only heard good things about their bikes in the past. After looking at the geometry of the frames, I knew we'd be a good match. I couldn't wait until the frames were ready and I could finally ride them. After riding The Bruce for a couple of weeks I'm totally happy with how it feels. Now I'm excited to ride all the other ROSE bikes.
The setup of my "The Bruce" and my "The Jester" are identical. So changing from one bike to another is completely easy.”