2016 Press Kit Table of Content
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2016 PRESS KIT TABLE OF CONTENT P.3 This is our passion P.4 Mission, vision and values P.5 Why Argon 18? P.6 A history of excellence P.10 Our athletes, always aiming higher P.15 Complete collection THIS IS OUR PASSION Established in Montreal, Canada since 1989, Argon18 has built itself a strong reputation in the cycling world. An R&D team guided by former Olympian Gervais Rioux, one of the most successful North-American racers of his generation, designs all Argon 18 bicycles. The cycling champion represented Canada in major international events for over a decade, such as the Commonwealth Games in 1982 and the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. His passion for the cycling world remained strong. In 1989 Gervais bought a small shop in central Montreal and there began to realize his vision of bicycle construction & what would very soon become Argon 18. This vision was based on a Olympian Gervais Rioux, one of the most suc- deep respect for cycling traditions but enhanced by cessful North-American racers of his genera- modern advances in materials and technologies. tion, designs all Argon 18 bicycles. More than 25 years later, the perfect combination of Optimal Balance - comfort, light weight, rigidity and aerodynamics - is what guides Argon 18 through the development and design process. In July 2015, Argon 18 marked a milestone in its history by making its Tour de France debut with BORA – Argon 18. With the young German National Road Champion Emanuel Buchmann, the team has presented one of the Tour’s revelations with his podium finish in the Pyrenees, while veterans like Jan Barta and Bartosz Huzarski earned Most Active Rider awards and the team was a constant part of the breakaways as well. “This is a historic moment for our brand and our staff. The Tour de France is ultimate seal of approval. It’s an important step for us, since it secures Argon 18’s position among the world’s top bike brands” - Gervais Rioux, Argon 18 Founder and President In 2015, Argon 18 also revealed its new line-up of triathlon bikes, including four new frames: the E-119 Tri and the E-117 Tri, as well as their enriched counterparts the E-119 Tri+ and the E-117 Tri+. These bikes are the culmination of Argon 18’s passion, dedication and know-how. Thanks to input from IRONMAN™ triathlon champions, we have once again pushed the boundaries of performance, aerodynamics and technology to create these powerful winning machines. Today, Argon 18 employs more than 40 and is sold in more than 70 countries around the world. Technological evolution is our perpetual quest. page 3 MISSION, VISION AND VALUES Each company has its own story. Each one has values. Each has grown through imagination and perseverance. Often, success springs from the ideas of one individual, but only finds its ultimate expression through the work of many. This is how the story of Argon 18 so far has been written—and it’s the key to the ongoing strength of the molecule brand. From assembly, operations, purchasing and sales, accounting, research and development, customer relations, communications and marketing, all departments have a role to play in the smooth running of the brand. A group working together in the service of success. Like all molecules, the Argon 18 molecule is a cluster of atoms. But that combination is not immutable; it can change so as to better adapt to its environment. Each individual role within the company can be seen as an atom. Bound to the others, ensuring the smooth operation and sustainability of Argon 18. These are the outcomes that all employees of Argon 18 must strive to attain. MISSION Display innovation and develop the highest-performance road, time trial, triathlon and track bikes the industry by harnessing leading-edge technology, with deep respect for cycling tradition. VISION Be a profitable and innovative leader on the world high-end bike market. VALUES • Success • Leadership • Innovation • Quality • Efficiency • Respect • Collaboration page 4 WHY ARGON 18? Argon 18, for a human-sized business based in Canada, but supported by an extensive network of distributors in Europe and all over the globe. Argon 18, for an internationally recognized cycling expertise. Argon 18, for a dedication to innovation magnified by a head office located in Montreal, a true creativity hub where some of the best ideas come from. To name only a few, Ubisoft, CGI and Cirque du Soleil are all prime examples of Montreal tremendous know-how. Argon 18, for continuous R&D that benefits to our whole bike line up, regardless if it’s for this year’s new models or a soft upgrade of prior ones. Argon 18, for an R&D team that systematically strive to go above and beyond, an R&D team whose expertise includes design, engineering, CFD (computational fluid dynamics), finite element analysis and virtual carbon lay up optimization. Argon 18, for solid and lasting relationships with its production facilities. A longstanding collaboration that allows to push development and innovation even further. These factories have been working with carbon for 35 years and have in the cycling industry for over 20. Cycling is our passion. Our goal is to make the best bikes in the world. Period. page 5 Argon 18 is so much more than a story. Its an adventure. A dream that became a challenge become a reference A HISTORY among bie manufacturers. For the past 25 years, Argon OF EXCELLENCE 18 has been constantly innovating in order to provide always more pleasure and satisfaction to the riders. 1989 A cycling vision taes form the birth of Argon 18. 1999 irst Argon 18 presence at Interbike, largest gathering 1990of the bie industry. 2001 irst Argon 18 100 carbon frameset launched. Innovation, Argon 18s state of mind. 2002 Our Argon 18 Gallium Pro Team bies handlle remarably well. I cant remember ever trying out a more responsive, stable and yet nervous ride. It instantly makes you feel more confident. And a confident rider is a fast rider. 2000- Steve Bauer, 4th place Tour de rance 1988 - 11 days yellow jersey 2005 irst Argon 18 monocoue Gallium. 2006 Argon 18 becomes triple world champion with three of his triathletes Samantha McGlone Ironman 70.3, Torbjrn Sindballe and Bella Comerford full distance world champion. 2007 Argon 18 at the head of the bunch, with two podiums in the Ironman world championship ona Torbjorn Sindballe 3rd, Samantha McGlone 2nd. page 6 2008 E-114 start up, a new story about cycling, with the ONEness concept. A full integration of stem, for and handlebar. Argon 18 is the father of this integrated approach that, barely 5 years later, is now used in more than the third of the TT bies used at the Ironman World Champion- ships in ONA. 2008 Argon 18 wins the prestigious Eurobike esign Award with E-114 and once more establishes itself as one of most innovating manufacturers. This award confirms, at the international level, Argon 18s capacity for innovation. The E-114 is much more than just another bike, it reflects our determination in pursuing the companys international development in the highly competitive maret for ultra high-end bies. 2008 Argon 18 bies are available in more than 0 countries. 2009 New System, an Argon 18 exclusive a structural extension of the headtube for increased rigidity. 2012 Spidertech, powered by Argon 18 bies, made 2010another breathrough in professional cycling, receiving an invitation to race the Tour de Suisse, the first-ever invite from a WorldTour race in Europe. 2012 E-118 start up, born of an exhaustive R&D effort in close collaboration with triathlon champion Tim O'Donnell. The bike of champions, UCI-certified. 2013 New partnership agreements with Amore&Vita Italy, Team People4you-Unaas Cycling (Sweden) and five of the best triathlon champions Terenzo Bozzone, Leon Griffin, Magali Tisseyre, Iván Raña and Clemente Alonso McKernan. page 7 2014 Argon 18 is proud to consolidate its presence on the elite road cycling circuit with new partnerships with Jelly Belly Cycling Team, the worlds longest-running title sponsorship in professional cycling, criterium specialists Champion System Stans Notubes, Team Clif Bar and Team Argon 18 Scandinavia. 2014 Argon 18 mared a milestone in its history by signing a partnership with a team competing in the Tour de rance. As of anuary 1st 2015, the NetApp-Endura team, who’s leader finished 7th in the latest Tour general individual classification, will be nown as BORA – ARGON 18. 2015 page 8 Wildcard2 invitation0 for1 the5 Tour de France "This is a historic moment for our brand and our sta. The Tour de France is ultimate seal of approval. It's an important step for us, since it secures Argon 18's position among the world's top bike brands" - Gervais Rioux, Argon 18 Founder and President page 8 2015 irst big wins for team BORA Argon 18 1st place at the Tour of atar and the Giro del Trentino team time trials. The E-118 Next maes its mar on the international circuit. Four teams competing under the Argon 18 banner tae part in the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic monumental race. Argon 18s bicycles are available in more than 0 countries. The company continues to tae on the world. 2015Team BORA Argon 18 participates in the Tour de France. Emanuel Buchmann is German Champion Historical podium for Emanuel Buchmann at the Tour de France 3rd place. Argon 18 reaffirms its commitment to triathlon with new Tri-specific line-up: the E-119 Tri, E-117 Tri, E-119 Tri+ and E-117 Tri+.