Issy-les-Moulineaux, Thursday, July 28, 2016 ROC D’AZUR 5 - 9 october 2016 An Olympic Classic While the world’s best athletes will come together in Rio to compete for Olympic gold from August 5-21, the mountain bikers will end their season on the Roc d’Azur. The two races have something in common, champions. Key points - The Roc d’Azur, from October 5-9, the conclusion of an Olympic year - From Miguel Martinez (FRA) to Alison Sydor (CAN), common career records - Julien Absalon and Pauline Ferrand-Prévost Olympic gold candidates (Mountain Bike events from August 17-21) The 33rd edition of the Roc d’Azur will heat up the Fréjus tracks this coming 5-9 October. But before passing early autumn in the South of France, the world’s best mountain bikers will battle in Rio’s the western suburb of Deodoro at the Olympic Games. But the proximity of the calendar isn’t the only common trait between the reference in mountain biking and the mythical competition. Many of the riders who have worn and will sport the colours of their countries in the shadow of the Olympic rings have also competed on the Roc d’Azur. A quick glance at the events’ lists of winners is enough to understand the link between the two races. French rider Miguel Martinez holds the record for most wins on the Roc d’Azur, including his most recent victory in 2013 and it is no coincidence he has one of the most impressive Olympic records with the bronze medal in 1996 and the gold at Sydney in 2000. In that same race in Australia Switzerland’s Christoph Sauser took the bronze before going on to win at Fréjus in 2005 and 2006. In the women’s division, while Canada’s Alyson Sydor has three Roc d’Azur triumphs, she also took Olympic silver in 1996. Maja Włoszczowska did the same at the 2008 Olympics and scored back to back wins at Fréjus in 2010 and 2011. The Polish rider will also race in Rio. This double success tradition continued on in 2012 when Julie Bresset won the 2012 London race and is the defending Roc d’Azur race winner. And while the French rider will not defend her title, the pre- race favourite could also join the riders with the impressive double success. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, who is often on hand at the Roc d’Azur, is aiming only for gold in Brazil. As is her male homologue Julien Absalon, who is dreaming of nothing else than a third Olympic title, before, perhaps, finally adding his name to the annals of the Roc d’Azur. His main rival will be Switzerland’s Nino Schurter who won the bronze medal in 2008 and silver in 2012, and who also took part in the 2011 Roc d’Azur. In Rio they will be joined by the winner of 2015 Roc d’Azur, France’s Victor Koretzky and Maxime Marotte, who won the 2014 Roc Marathon. The Roc d’Azur is a very Olympic classic. Registration for the 2016 Roc d’Azur is in full swing, with nearly 15,500 riders signed up, 7% more than in 2015, at the same period. The Rando Roc Odyssey, the Rando Roc Electrique Noire, the Roc Trophy and the Enduroc are already sold out. Registration open on www.asochallenges.com Find out more on www.rocazur.com PRESS CONTACTS Agence Mille et une vagues Soazig Guého / Eve Mailho 06 62 08 75 44 / 06 30 01 54 04 [email protected] / [email protected] .