Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Noah FAST - The Winner of Expo-Bici Technical Award 2011


The Ridley Noah FAST has been declared, last Friday the winner of the prestigious Expo-Bicitech Innovation Award, for the "Road" category.
The members of the jury (journalists, engineers, cyclists, shops) awarded the trophy to the groundbreaking and revolutionary FAST-concept of Ridley Bikes.

Once again, an important recognition to our company, that has always made of "innovation" its main goal, becoming the pioneer, almost 10 years ago, with tapered, oversized head-tubes, that, later became a market standard; applying aerodynamics in cycling, 5-6 years ago and bringing it now to an extreme level, with the F.A.S.T. (Future Aero Speed Technology) Project, of which the Noah is only the first masterpiece.


Winning this award in Italy, a country where road cycling has always been so important and famous bicycle brands have made up the history of the road bicycle, makes everyone even prouder, at Ridley.
Ridley, the first and only brand in the bike industry to feature a real integrated brake. Do you want to discover more ? Visit : www.fast-concept.com

The Ridley Noah FAST bike will be at display in the winners booth of the award for the whole duration of the Expo Bici Show (24/09-26/09).
Visit Ridley Bikes, at Expo Bici Padua Show, hall #8, booth #F164. "Noah FAST, winner of the 2012 Expo-Bici Innovation Award".

Friday, August 26, 2011

Visit our booth on location A3-700 at Eurobike and discover the new Ridley range.

Meet the Tour de France hero, Johnny Hoogerland, and hear his stories on the battle for the mountain jersey. Autograph session at the Ridley booth on Wednesday, August 31st from 11.30 to 12.00 and from 13.30 to 14.00.




American racer, Liz Hatch, will be signing autographs at the Ridley/4ZA components booth on Wednesday, August 31st from 11.00 to 12.00 and from 15.00 to 16.00 and Thursday, September 1st from 12.30 to 14.00.


Wednesday, August 3, 2011

FAST Noah @ Bike Dealer Camp 2011

Ridley USA introduced the Noah FAST at dealer camp last month, here's the videocast with Ridley USA sales manager, Todd Schmidt.


Friday, July 1, 2011

Hello from Budapest!

Today I have received a great picture from my friend and dealer in Hungary - Markus. I like it so much, that I decide to post it on blog. In this great picture you can see his team of triathletes, which, I think looks fantastic on the background of the impressive Parliament building and the longest European river - Danube.

I ask Markus to tell me more about his team, and here's a brief description:
"It’s an amateur triathlon team, but with quite good results. 2 age groupers at the Hawaiian Ironman WCH last year, and a lot of Hungarian Age group championship titles (last one belongs to Markus, who won it last Saturday, on half distance Ironman - Congratulations!).
Our best male athlete is Top 3 overall in Hungarian Longdistance Championship. Of course, he rides a Dean."

If you want to say Hello to Markus when you visit Hungary, most of time you will find him in his shop - ProAtlhon, located in heart of Budapest. Otherwise he's on trainings :)

Now, I'll let you enjoy the picture and the upcoming week-end. Cheers!

Sunday, June 26, 2011

FAST-CONCEPT LAUNCHED!

Thursday afternoon, at 1.30pm, the Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling team presented its selection of riders that will go to the Tour de France 2011. Following riders will conquer 3430 kilometers on their way to the ‘Grand Finale’ at the Champs Elysees: Bjorn Leukemans, Thomas De Gendt, Wout Poels, Lieuwe Westra, Johnny Hoogerland, Borut Bozic,Marco Marcato, Romain Feillu, Rob Ruijgh.

The presentation took place at Ridley Bikes HQ and at Circuit Zolder, and included the launch of Ridley’s new aerodynamic technology, the Fast-concept. This groundbreaking technology will first belaunched on Ridley’s ‘Noah FB’ bike, the first road bike ever that will have a fully integrated carbon brake! A prototype of this revolutionary bike will be ridden by the riders of the Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling team during certain stages of the Tour de France.

What makes this bike so revolutionary? Ridley’s Fast-concept !


Thursday, May 12, 2011

Jochim Aerts, CEO Ridley Bikes, elected young entrepreneur of the year

The network of young and enterprising people, JCI Flanders, voted Jochim Aerts the young entrepreneur of the year. Earlier this year Jochim Aerts won the Limburg entrepreneur of the year and he now repeated his win on the Flanders level.

The prestigious trophy was awarded during the closing gala at Technopolis in Mechelen to the CEO of Ridley Bikes, the renowned bicycle manufacturer from Paal-Beringen. In this final round Ridley Bikes defeated Massive Media, a media group including Netlog.

The innovation, research and development at Ridley Bikes was particularly appreciated by the JCI jury. The international breakthrough of Ridley Bikes over the last years was also a decisive factor for this award winning victory. For Ridley Bikes, manufacturer of high-and aerodynamic racing bikes, the award is a confirmation for the hard work of the past 20 years. Jochim Aerts was obviously very excited and proud with this victory.

Jochim Aerts: "This trophy is obviously a team effort of which I am particularly proud of."

This victory will give Jochim Aerts the opportunity to compete with young entrepreneurs worldwide in the JCI World Congress in November 2011.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Sohrabi leads in UCI race wins



With the year almost a third of the way through, it may come a surprise to some to hear that the number one ranked UCI race winner of the 2011 season to date is Iranian rider Mehdi Sohrabi of the Tabriz Petrochemical Team. Sohrabi has scored 10 victories so far this season on his Ridley Noah bike: five stages and the overall at the Kerman Tour, two stages and the GC at the Jelajah Malaysia and a stage of the Tour de Taiwan, leaving him three notches ahead of the likes of Philippe Gilbert and young Italian sprinter Andrea Guardini (Farnese Vini). Known as a powerful all-rounder, the bulky Sohrabi is a double Asian Road Race Champion (2006, 2010) and won the overall 2010 UCI Asia Tour title, which he also leads so far in 2011.

Following a busy early season, where the Tabriz Petrochemical Team won the UCI Asia Tour's Tour of Thailand, Tour of Taiwan and Jelajah Malaysia the squad will line up for a May double billing on home turf; The International Tour of Azerbaijan and the International Presidency Tour.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

My Ronde story

Three weeks past already, but I’m still under the great impressions of famous Ronde. Famous because you can hear about it from every cyclist’s mouth, famous because some people can only dream about it, famous because it’s the oldest and most popular Belgium race, famous because for some pro-riders it’s the best challenge and trophy of their career. At least this was my perception about Tour of Flanders, which in real life was something completely unknown for me, yet exciting.

My Ronde story is as simple as memorable; especially that coincidentally it happened exactly on my Birthday date. It started few months before, from a simple question of my boss: “Hey Iulian, why don’t you come over to Belgium and join us on the Tour of Flanders?”

While I was thinking about a response on that question, a stock of special Excalibur edition (painted in the new Team Replica design) has been built in the meantime, designated for pure Flemish races. And I didn’t realize when I arrived in Belgium - after visiting our Polish distributor - the great event was just around the corner. Despite the fact I really didn’t know what to expect from a Classic spring course, full of cobblestoned climbs, I could only sign up for this, especially after Jo told me: “When you’ll finish this course – you’ll become a real Flandrien”. What can be more motivating?!

However I still was not realizing what I signed for until we arrived at the starting point on Saturday morning, 2nd of April, the morning when I just turned 27. But when I saw the huge crowds of cyclist and spectators I start liking the “party” I was going to have J.

We were a big group of workmates from Ridley and from 4ZA, as well as many journalists and customers - visiting us - from all over the world. We split in two groups, those like me – riding for the first time on Ronde and eager to have more fun rather than sportive performance – we took 75km, and those who were well trained and wanted to go against the time, they took 140km. As an amateur rider, I don’t cycle very often (not as much as I want), and 75km would become the longest distance I ever made. However I was relaxed and confident due to my lightweight Excalibur, equipped with a compact crank (thank goodness!).

I don’t know exactly how many participants were riding, but I saw registration numbers above 22.000 – amazing isn’t? Me personally, I was registered with number 14549. Probably this is also the number of how many times I asked myself while climbing step hills: “What am I doing here on my B-day, while I could stay very relaxed at home and receive nice greetings from all my friends?” And the answer was the same every time: “You are riding on Ronde Iulian – it’s the best gift you could ever make to yourself. Shut up and keep pushing!” And so I did J.

Actually the ride was not only about pushing. It has many sections where you can simply enjoy the surroundings, feel the breeze, get in different groups, and even meet and communicate with new people from different countries while riding. For me it was also exciting the feeling that I’m riding on exactly the same course as the Pros. And when you know on your own skin how tough can be certain climb, or pave section, or difficult turn, it makes the official race being much more interesting to follow.

I must confess though how “surprised” I was when I hit the first pave section – man was it tough.

Big and rare cobblestones: worst combination. I also noticed if I slow down, my wheels can easily get caught between the stones. I totally lost the feeling that I’m controlling the bike, and I start asking myself if I didn’t turn wrong somewhere before this?! J Anyway, a crash on the stones was not an option for me (especially on my B-day), and fortunately, the bike knew very well how to act on pave, and it behaved really strength. When I realized that, I just put the foot on the gas and we managed to pass successfully the pave. I was so happy being back on flat, and honestly a little bit proud after facing the Flemish character of the Ronde. It was a good lesson for the rest of race, and also the chemistry between me and my bike went up to 100%.

The rest of race was in the same style, testing my legs and my endurance. Of course other surprises like brutal side winds ready to take you away, was also part of the course. But no problem for Excalibur, with its classic round tube shapes, which can handle that easily.

After all, the closer I was getting to finish line the happier I was. The fatigue and tough tests were in past, and I could only think about a well-deserved Belgium beer at the finish. And I could see the same expression on everybody’s faces. Finally when I finished with a big smile on my face and with unbelievable impressions, I went to registration booth to give back my badge with starting-number, and to claim my 5euros for that. But those guys offered me another option instead: a T-shirt with Ronde’s pave logo and “Original Flandrien” inscription. Obviously I took the T-shirt (which I proudly wear now). And I know behind that inscription there is something true J

I enjoyed my beer and I felt just fulfilled. Wow, what a great race, what a great bike, what a great sunny day…what a great B-day!

And now, I can tell you for sure, Tour of Flanders is not famous, it’s just a rumor – until you don’t ride it!

ps: next year’s goal: 140km J

Cheers,

Iulian

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Monday, March 28, 2011

Oak Bay Bicycle's womens team riding Ridley Asterias

There may still be snow in some parts of Canada but Oak Bay Bicycles are getting ready for the new race season on the Asteria. Good luck to the team, we're looking forward to hear how the season progresses! Here's a link to their website - http://oakbaybikes.com/ridley-asteria-obb-womens-race-team-bike/

Congratulations Jochim - CEO of Ridley Bikes, elected Limburg young entrepreneur of the year!


The network of young and enterprising people, JCI Limburg, voted Jochim Aerts the young entrepreneur of the year. The prestigious trophy was awarded during the closing gala in Hasselt (Belgium), to our CEO. For Jochim, the award is a confirmation for everyone's hard work over the past 20 years - "I did not expect it, but secretly hoped for it and for me this is a confirmation that we are on the right track. This trophey is obviously a reward for all of our employees."


Proficiat Jochim and the team!

Eibegger wins 2011 Tour de Taiwan


Having surrendered the Yellow jersey to TPT team mate Sohrabi at the end of stage 6, the 2009 Austrian champion stayed in the race by occupying no 2 spot in the general classification and claimed back the yellow jersey on the final stage of the tour going up Yangmingshan in tough weather conditions that had more in common with his homeland. This marks Markus Eibegger's (& Ridley Damocles) first tour win in Asia.



Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Eibegger takes over Yellow Jersey in Taiwan


While Sohrabi and his Noah have taken all the limelight during the past 3 events of the UCI Asia Tour calendar the affable Austrian has put in great performances with podium spots and top ten finishes in the general classification. So it came as no surprise when Markus Eibegger shrugged off the cold, wind and rain to take stage 3 of the Tour de Taiwan on his Ridley Damocles during the coldest winter of Taiwan in 40 years. Along the way Markus managed to pick up both KOMs and so took over the mountain classification Jersey too. Eibegger now leads the race with a 12 second margin followed by team mate Sohrabi.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

CX Season Review with Nicole Duke

Sohrabi puts on Yellow Jersey in Taiwan


Mehdi Sohrabi of TPT & Ridley continue their domination of the UCI Asia Tour. Sohrabi put on the Yellow Jersey after winning stage 2 of Tour of Taiwan picking up the mountain classification leader's red jersey as well as the blue jersey for the best-ranked Asian rider. He will start stage 3 with a 7 second cushion on last years winner, David McCann of Ireland (Giant Asia) and 1 min 7 seconds on yesterdays leader Adam Phelan of Australia (Drapac).

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Sohrabi wins Jelajah Tour of Malaysia

Back to back tour wins for Mehdi Sohrabi, TPT and Ridley Noah.







Mehdi Sohrabi of TPT went on to win the final stage of Jelajah tour of Malaysia and the yellow jersey with a virtuoso performance. He was trailling the overnight leader, ex Footon-Servetto rider Vidal Celis Zabala of spain by 3 seconds, however by winning both sprint 2 and sprint 3 he picked up 6 bonus seconds placing him as virtual race leader by km 156. He then went on to drop all but the seasoned 9 time Irish road race and ITT champion David McCann who managed to hang on to Sohrabi till the closing kilometer. Mehdi's teammate, Markus Eibegger also put in a strong performance on his Damocles and went on to finish 8th in the overall tour classification helping TPT finish as overall leaders in the team competition.


Thursday, March 10, 2011

Double Yellow

Its not very often that you see double yellow in Europe and Asia on the same brand so today was a special day for Ridley as Thomas De Gendt started stage 5 of Paris-Nice in yellow Jersey aboard his Helium while Mehdi Sohrabi of TPT started stage 3 of Jelajah Tour of Malaysia also in Yellow Jersey on his Noah. But of course this is not the first time for Ridley, it all started back in summer of 2008 when both Cadel evans & Hossein Askari wore the yellow jersey at the same time - Evans at Tour de france and Askari at the 2.HC ranked Tour of Quinqhai lake in China.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

UCI Asia Tour 2011



Racing season in Asia is well on its way and by the look of it the 2010 UCI Asia Tour champion Mehdi Sohrabi of TPT has no intention of parting with the yellow jersey in 2011 either. Having won all 5 stages of Tour of Kerman he was quick to get back in yellow by winning stage 1 of Tour of Jelajah Malaysia on his Noah after driving a 60km breakaway that was timed to perfection.


Friday, March 4, 2011

February Racing and trade showing

Asian Championships
The Asian Championships wrapped up in Thailand at the end of February with a huge medal haul for Ridley riding athletes.

The Ridley supported Iranian team secured two gold medals with Rajablou on the Arena in the Points Race and Kolahdooz riding the Dean in the Junior Individual Time Trial. Additionally Rajablou placed second in the Madison also aboard the Arena and Asgari received a pair of Bronze medals in the Road Race and the Individual Time Trial.


Tour of Kerman

At the first international tour of 2011 in Iran - Tour of Kerma - Mehdi Sohrabi of the Ridley sponsored TPI team aboard his Noah managed to win all 5 stages of the tour and of course the yellow Jersey - a 1st in the Iranian tour history! The Green Jersey was won by TPI teammate Hossein Nateghi also on his Noah


QBP Frostbike

Our US distributor QBP hosted its annual open house and defacto trade show in Minneapolis, MN. Ridley staked claim to the “Northwest Territory” by far and away the largest booth space in the show and some of the busiest realty throughout the weekend. On show were all the 2012 cyclocross bikes complete with new technology and fancy new paint schemes. The large Vlaamse Leuw backdrop shouted “WE ARE BELGIUM” to the gathered bike fans, shop owners and industry stalwarts while also providing a convenient meeting point (overheard “meet me at the Belgian lion”). Season pre-orders were brisk and plentiful as stocking dealers loaded up for a much-anticipated selling season. The Flandrien collection was a strong seller while the Customizer drew a huge amount of attention. The conversation soon turned to the weather as a true North American blizzard trucked its way into MPLS dumping over a foot of fresh snow and shutting down the airport.



Monday, January 31, 2011

Cyclocross World Champs





The great American football coach Vince Lombardi once said "Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all time thing. You don't win once in a while, you don't do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit"
And so another cyclocross season is wrapping up and winning is certainly a habit. Look back at the past ten World Championship events - seven of the past decade's victors rode Ridley bicycles. Can anyone say dominance?
Zdenek Stybar claimed his second elite title yesterday in St Wendel Germany in resounding fashion. The new rising star of Kevin Pauwels added some sparkle as well claiming his first elite category podium placing. Add in strong rides with Vantornout in sixth, Wellens in eighth and Meeusen in tenth position for fully half the top ten riders on Ridley X-Night frames.







Sunday, January 16, 2011

Tested on Pavé kaohsiung style

Hello cyclist around the globe,

For the past 5 days we have been traveling around Asia. During our stop today we passed by a cool bike shop in Kaohsiung city in Taiwan.
Our distributor La Bici has done a great job with the shop owner and really nailed the decoration.
The tested on Pavé neon sign is so cool :)

Thanks to you all you riders supporting Ridley around the globe. It for you that we continuously strive to improve our frames, make nice designs...







Pedal hard, ride fast!

cheers

Yannick

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Vacansoleil Team Presentation



Exciting times around Ridley HQ here in Belgium. Road racing season is nigh upon the horizon with the Tour Down Under beginning next week. We attended the Vacansoleil-DCM team launch this past Monday in Rotterdam along with tons of media, politicians and plenty of bike industry partners.

The team staff provided a wonderful setting, excellent commentary and plenty of access to the athletes - all topped off by an extravagant luncheon and take home goodie bags. The quote of the day was from Matteo Carrara "your bike has to be like your girlfriend you have to love your bike as your girlfriend or even more of course I prefer to share my bed with my girlfriend but immediately after comes my bike" Pretty much says it all right there!
The team has a wonderful international flare with Italians led by Ricco and Carrara, Belgians with Devolder and Leukemans, Dutch dudes with Johnny Hoogerland and Pim Ligthart and of course the Slovenian sprinter Bozic, the French Feillu and the Ukranian Lagutin plus Spain, Russia and other countries. Lots of difficult names to spell and pronounce luckily the official team language is English.
This is a great image of Riccardo Ricco - he's super motivated this year and seems to very comfortable with the his new team surroundings.

A few media outlets are making a big deal about a brewing rivalry between the two Belgian strongmen Devolder and Leukmans. Pretty funny actually since they seem to be very much at ease with each other and will certainly be a formidable force when other teams are on the attack.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Where heroes are born and legends are made

But First things First, i wish you all a happy new-year.
For some 2010 has been wonderful, for others a year with ups and downs. One thing is for sure 2011 is destined to be good! So let’s put our shoulders under it and blast off.
I’ve made my new year’s resolutions, but better to keep them for myself since they tend not to come true when I pronounce them out loud :p

Last Wednesday me and some friends went out for a MTB ride at Kluisbergen. What’s the big deal you would think? It’s “flat”, it was cold, snow & mud… well when driving over I recalled myself the hours I spent riding these roads.
The small, narrow, crappy concrete roads making my way to the hills nearby. Hills I disliked, hills I had to do several times during that training. At the time I did not feel the myth, only wind and leg cramps…
Coming back to these training grounds made me think of the great races that pass there every year, the thousands of people cheering, yelling. On these hills and pave sections the finale of the tour the Flanders starts, this is where they throw the first card on the table and men are separated from the boys.
During training camp of the Vacansoleil-DCM team I asked Stijn Devolder “aren’t you tires of riding those roads over and over again??” “Nah, are you crazy, there is nothing I love more than riding these races”
When struggling your way up the Oude - Kwaremont/Paterberg/… ,even on a mountainbike, I have to admit having a big grin on the face. Being able to shift that one gear up, quicken the pedal stroke and gently squeeze the force out of your competitors on these cobbles…
This mythical place will once again be the playground for those 2wheeled gladiators in spring.

Till next time!
Yannick