2011 RIDERS
Profiles of the top riders entered for Trans-Provence 2011
Nicolas Vouilloz
DOB: 08/02/1976
From: Peille, Maritime Alps, France
Rides for: Lapierre
About: This 10-time World Champion was practically unbeatable in downhhill mountain biking through the 1990s and early 2000's. More recently (when not driving a Skoda Fabia rally car in the IRC) he has been one of the dominant figures on the Enduro circuit, having won the Megavalanche several times. For Trans-Provence, Nico is close to his home turf and will be out to prove that he's still at the very top of the gravity mountain biking game.
Fabien Barel
DOB: 26/07/1980
From: Peille, Maritime Alps, France
Rides for: Mondraker Factory Team
About: 2004 World DH Champion, 2005 World DH Champion. Recently retired from DH racing, Fabien is a true professional and all-round gentleman, not to mention one of the best riders on the planet.
Marc Beaumont
DOB: 25/09/1984
From: Shropshire, England
Rides for: GT Bicycles / Fox
About: Winner of Val di Sole World Cup Round in 2010. Ranked 11th in the World in 2011 overall standings. Mingles with the top 5 downhillers in the World when on form, but has the fitness to pedal like heck in a race like Trans-Provence. A definite one to watch.
Jérôme Clementz
DOB: 31/05/1984
From: Barr, Alsace, France
Rides for: Cannondale
About: Arguably the most accomplished Euro-Enduro rider of the current generation. 2010 Megavalanche winner, 2011 Megavalanche 2nd place. 2010 French Enduro Series Champion, 2011 French Enduro Series and French Cup Champion. Is there a better all-round mountain biker anywhere?
Mark Weir
DOB: 14/03/1973
From: Novato, California, USA
Rides for: WTB / Shimano
About: What can we say about this man who was already riding what we call “all-mountain” when everyone else was still in nappies? His name synonymous with the US Super-D movement, this several time Downieville Classic winner will be coming to Provence with the specific intention of teaching the Euro boys a lesson.
Tracy Moseley
DOB: 12/04/1979
From: Malvern, Worcestershire, England
Rides for: Trek World Racing
About: A veteran professional still at the very top of the Women’s DH game. 2010 DH World Champion, 2011 DH World Cup Overall Champion. Huge technical skill, world-beating consistency and long-distance pedalling ability to boot.
Anka Martin
DOB: 28/01/1977
From: Cape Town, South Africa
Rides for: Santa Cruz / SRAM
About: There are no more experienced riders out there than Anka. World Cup riders since the days of Missy Giove, Four-time Cape Epic finisher, 3rd in Mountain of Hell 2009, 4th in Megavalanche 2010, 1st in Enduro des Nations 2011 and last but definitely not least, 2011 South African National DH Champion.
Ben Cruz
DOB: 31/03/1990
From: Novato, California, USA
Rides for: WTB
About: This North California protégé of Mark Weir was over in Europe for the first time earlier in the year to check the place out. He is reputed to be extremely fast both up and downhill. The "oldies" should be worried about this young gun.
Rowan Sorrell
DOB: 22/10/1980
From: Newport, Wales
Rides for: Orange / Mojo
About: This popular Welshman is an ex-pro racer who gained some respectable DH World Cup results in the Mid-2000's. Dabbling with the gravity enduro scene over the last few years, Rowan excels at any format and terrain under the sun and will therefore be a constant threat on Trans-Provence.
Andreas Hestler
DOB: 12/05/1970
Hometown: Victoria, BC, Canada
Rides for: Rocky Mountain
About: Another North American who will be wanting to show the French and Brits how to pedal. His wins in the BC Bike Race, and previous participation in the Olympic MTB competition (Atlanta 1996) give us the feeling that Dre will be lightening fast up, along and down.