BIKEPORN - BLUEGRASS ENDURO TEAM
It's true, time passes and even though it was "just yesterday" when we started racing with Max and Miky, this year we will already open the third season. We are very happy that we managed to find our place on the Czech scene. And not only thanks to the results of our riders Mikulas Nevrkla and Max Adami, but also thanks to our distinctive image and presentation at the most important domestic races. We have a clear idea of how we want it all to be. There are a lot of wheels and it just has to all fit and line up properly. And it's not just about the racing material itself, it's about everything. Only then we can pump the right mood into the atmosphere. And that's what we're all about. To have fun together and to live by riding bikes. No more chatter about what we're going to get this year? We've spread our wings a bit and got a few more sheep. So this racing season you can look forward to the appearance of five riders.
Don't worry, Max and Miky are staying. They are our stalwarts and megastars, who like imaginary diamonds. Hopefully one day we'll sell them to antwerp for an unpublishable sum. These two experienced matadors will become a bit of mentors this season. We've decided to bet on young blood and start farming a little. The other two arrivals are the talented youngsters Šimon Lehký and Jakub Kalousek. Both riders were carefully scouted by our experienced scouts at the races. Whether they will fulfil our ambitions and confirm their flair for talent remains to be seen. As we know, pressure creates....ano, again those diamonds. Speaking of gems (again) we must mention the last one. Something was still missing in our arsenal. We didn't like anybody for a long time, we didn't want it for a long time, until it came to us. A woman. Yes, that's right. She'll be in the minority and we won't be as gender-balanced, but she will be. And who is she? Put the name Denise Bravenc in your diaries. A petite girl with a disarming smile and a universal feel for the pedal and the tyres. Her range extends from the enduro world to cyclocross.
What about that material? Bikechecks are, along with the jersey design reveal, the most followed. That's why we're gonna let you guys take a little more time. We can reveal that the whole crew will be riding Nukeproof bikes this year. Specifically the Mega models. Each rider has been given space for personal customization of individual components. You can look forward to an interesting mix of suspension, shifting, brakes and other bits and pieces from Bikeporn's portfolio. The choice of WTB tyres and spokes was a uniform one. As always, Bluegrass and Race Face are responsible for protecting the health of our sheep.
This year the whole team met with stable manager Radek Urbanek in the popular Finale Ligure where they brought back a lot of valuable height meters and one broken arm. Simple preparation with everything. For now you can enjoy the photos from this preparation camp. The revealing of the jerseys and bikes is planned for after Easter. Just before the starting gun goes off for the first stage. Follow us and our riders and you will always be the first to know.
Looking forward to a taste of racing champagne!
The racing calendar will be full. Blinduro, Czech Enduro series, national championship and probably also some EWS race. Over the winter some riders got a bit rusty, so maybe we'll run them in some gravel races. Follow us and our riders on social media to see how we ride without brakes!
You'll have to wait a little longer to see the team jerseys and bikes. We're just fine-tuning the last details etc. After Easter everything will be ready to launch. We are working on it!.
RIDERS
MAX ADAMI
How long have you been cycling?
My first race was in my four years and I´ve been racing till now. I am 22, so this year is my 18 racing season in a row.
Which race result are you proud of?
MCR title, Elite win at 17 years old. Sometimes results that mean nothing on paper, but mean a lot to me.
What´s your favourite bike location in CR?
Sušice, Klíňák, Kouty..
What's the one part you can't imagine riding without?
I think that frame is pretty important part :D
Who takes care of your bike?
Ondra... I owe him my soul for this one, and he knows it.
What´s you favourite tires?
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 :), Vigilante 2.5 toug high grip.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
To working with the youngest in our team. The boys are pretty fast, but they don't have much racing experience yet. I'm looking forward to the team atmosphere and improving the speed of our teammates, thanks to my tips.
What gift you want under the tree?
Motorcycle.
Why have you chosen NKPRF MEGA?
I've never been more comfortable with a bike. We are like Harvey Spectre and Donna.
What was your biggest crash?
Špičák, night prologue.. I have flew x meters in air, dropped on the side, tore the ligaments in knee, blew out shoulder and bruised ligaments, pulled trapezius and hit head in such a way that I wasn't able to read anything for another hour.
Speed or technique?
Speed...I dont even know how to ride a bike, I am just crazy
Flip-flops or overdrive?
I think it´s already obvious now :D
Brunette, Blond, Redhead or Black hair?
If she is skinny, have a nice ass and great personality, I really dont care.
MIKULÁŠ NEVRKLA
How long have you been cycling?
I've been cycling since I was a kid. I dont remember the year, when I have been riding bike for the first time, but my first race was in five years. From that time I´ve started with bycross.
Which race result are you proud of?
I think 3rd place on MS. I could say many MCR bycross titles or Europe champion, but MS podium was the best.
What´s your favourite bike location in CR?
I am from Jeseniky and my whole MTB trying accompany Kouty, so they are on the first place.
What's the one part you can't imagine riding without?
It's not part of the bike, it's a drinking bottle. Ever since I learned to take a drink and sometimes a drink, I can't do otherwise.
Who takes care of your bike?
The regular one I can do by myself, if it is something advanced, my dad is doing that.
What´s your favorite tires?
WTB Judge and WTB Vigilante, the best combination.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
Nothing specific, I will see where this year will take me
Why have you chosen NKPRF MEGA?
I was deceding between MEGA and GIGA, but GIGA was too much, so I took the MEGA mulet version.
What was your biggest crash?
When I was a kid, I stabbed my spleen with the handlebars, it was very unpleasant. On the end of this summer I break my arm bone. I have many more falls, but this two were most serius ones.
Speed or technique?
Bycross taught me, that without speed you dont have technique either and on the contrary. In the Enduro world you have it different, so I say speed.
Flip-flops or overdrive?
I like jumps more. On the bike I enjoy trail jump the most, so from this two I take overdrive.
JAKUB KALOUSEK
How long have you been cycling?
I've been riding since I was young (3 years old), but I wasn't a racer. I got my first full suspension bike when I was 13 and that got me interested in DH. Two years later my coach showed me that there was such a thing as Enduro. It really grabbed me and I knew it was the way to go. Because of that, I started racing in the middle of the 2022 season.
Which race result are you proud of?
I appreciate the results from the Kraličák 2022 enduroseries the most, where I stood side by side with the best.
What´s your favourite bike location in CR?
I like to train in Kouty or Dolní Moravě (on DH trails), but of course the best trails are behind our house!
What's the one part you can't imagine riding without?
I can´t imagine riding without right cockpit setup (handlebar angle, backsweep, material - carbon handlebars, Ergon ge1 Evo grips...) and also proper sticky tires with grip.
Who takes care of your bike?
I take complete care of my bike. I do everything from chain lube to fork service. The only thing I don't do is mount the bike because I don't have the tools.
What´s your favorite tires?
I haven't had a WTB long, but my favorites are the Judge tough/high grip on the rear and the Vigilante on the front or the Verdict for wet conditions.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
I am looking forward on EWS, which I havent ride yet and of course on Enduro series and every other races.
What gift you want under the tree?
Top cap on headset from Nukeproof with Flat pedals win medals title
Why have you chosen NKPRF MEGA?
I was testing the M size of the bike for two weeks and I felt in love with it. Little bit smaller bike than I usually have, but it is much better. The bike isn´t "tank" like GIGA and into the tight corners, he's really keen. After all, the Nukeproof - Sram Factory team has also switched to the Megu and as you can see, it can still win races after the famous era of Sam Hill.
What was your biggest crash?
My hardest crash was in 2018. The crash ended in a broken collarbone. Since then I have learned that you need to use your head when riding, but sometimes no one can avoid a fall. I don't encourage "wreath or somersault" style riding and have been riding for a long time without any major crashes because of it.
Speed or technique?
I prefer faster trails than some trail bullshits, but you neeed to train everything.
Flip-flops or overdrive?
I more likely ride Flip-flops, but if overdrive isnt as big as on Rampage, of course I like to jump it.
Brunette, Blond, Redhead or Black hair?
Brunette, but sometimes you can make a exception.
DENISA BRAVENCOVÁ
How long have you been cycling?
I have been riding bike since I was young. For my dad is bike passion and he taught me that. I wasnt good at it, for a long time, before I learned to ride without those little training wheels. I got in 10 years in to racing team with bike with stand, so the beginning was hard. Later I added to the original XC an imaraton and cyclocross, which I was most passionate about and until recently was my main discipline. I also tried track, but that was pretty much a one-off thing. On the road I just train, or I'll do a local race. I came to endurance basically by accident three years ago, and I have to say that I didn't know what I was missing until then.
Which race result are you proud of?
On Enduro was first place on Morávka and then second place on Špičák. It wasn't about placing, it was about the feeling of how far I can go and what I can do on a very difficult track and in difficult conditions.
What´s your favourite bike location in CR?
Most likely I ride in Kouty or Hynčici. I like it on Špičák too, but it is far away.
What's the one part you can't imagine riding without?
What? I want all the bolts, handlebars, saddle too.. I think I dont understand this question.
Why have you chosen NKPRF MEGA?
At first I consider NKPRF Reaktor, because I rode smaller suspension travels. At the end I took MEGA and I am totally happy, nothing to change. It is big shift forward. About the technical specifications I asked for the advice. I like bikes very much, but I do not undestand everything technical. My biggest wish was to have on it pink colour and I want to thanks for that to Bikeporn guys for tunning my love and for the patience they have with me (and hope they will have it in the future too :))
What´s your favorite tires?
I have to say WTB tires are durable :) In Italy I rode on front Vigilante and Judge on the rear wheel.
If I will look on tires in different way, most of the training time I spend on road tires. Around the flat Olomouc is hard to ride Enduro, so I have to travel by car somewhere and I dont have time for this. This year I spend much more time in terrain, for both cross and bike, because I cant let Mega only in garage.
Who takes care of your bike?
Washing, waxing and other cosmetic treatments are in my action. If there is something else, I give it to my dad or Marťas, with everything bigger I go to bike service.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
I am looking for race day by day and similar events like Finale. I have very cool team around me, so I hope for some meetings or short rides.
What gift you want under the tree?
The puppy will be ideal.
What was your biggest crash?
The worst crashes was on XC, I was falling all the time. On the Enduro it is little bit better. For my luck, on the bike I havent break something yet.
Speed or technique?
Ideal is something between. I am afraid of the full speed, so technique. I dont really have talent for bike. Everything I can, I work hard for it. I'm still lacking in technique, but it's definitely on the right track. When I'm in form, I'm pretty fast uphill, I think Zadov was great, so I'm sorry that he won't be there this year.
Flip-flops or overdrive?
There was a time when even a speed bump was a problem:) Max started teaching me how to turn properly in Itoška. But I really hope I'll jump some overdrive one day.
Brunette, Blond, Redhead or Black hair?
Boys, always boys...
ŠIMON LEHKÝ
How long have you been cycling?
This year will it be 4 years
Which race result are you proud of?
1.place on Czech Enduro series Zadov 2022
1.place on Czech Enduro series Klínovec 2022
What´s your favourite bike location in CR?
Sušice, Kouty nad Desnou, Špičák
What's the one part you can't imagine riding without?
Without shock, I really need them to life
Who takes care of your bike?
My dad till now, the bikeporn boys will help with that this year
What´s your favorite tires?
In this moment I like the most WTB Vigilante 2.5 High Grip on front and Tough on rear wheel
What are you most looking forward to this year?
For when I get my hand together and can ride again.
What gift you want under the tree?
GoPro 11
Why have you chosen NKPRF MEGA?
There were more things to think about. The main things were ideal travel, great geometry and robust frame.
What was your biggest crash?
This year in Finale Liqure - broken wrist. This one was the worst, as to its outcome. Fracture is healing well and I hope that I will be ready soon. I want to ride again.
Speed or technique?
Definitely speed, there is nothing to think about
Flip-flops or overdrive?
It is clear from the question before. More speed is equal to overdrive. They are my best. But of course I can handle some of the Flip-flops.
Brunette, Blond, Redhead or Black hair?
Brunette and Blond.
RADEK URBÁNEK - THE CHIEF
How long have you been cycling?
Maybe at age 3 like everyone else. To what I am ridding now I am working on it 5 last years
Which race result are you proud of?
Mine or our team? From mine there is nothing to talk about.
What´s your favourite bike location in CR?
Kouty nad Desnou!
What's the one part you can't imagine riding without?
Definitely dropper post.
Why have you chosen NKPRF Mega?
I wanted to raise my suspension travels from the previous bike, which had more like trail travels and sometimes it wasnt enough. I have chance to tested Mega properly in Scotland and that make me sure, that it is a good choice. Besides, they make it in size XXL
What´s your favorite tires?
WTB Vigilante front wheel and Judge rear wheel.
Who takes care of your bike?
Our mechanic Ondra. After Max´s bike he likes mine the best.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
On Enduroseries with our motorhome and team, which have currently five members. It will be fun.
What gift you want under the tree?
Chill.
What was your biggest crash?
I stucked my front bike and flew in to the stone field 2 years ago. Our photograph was just taking pictures, so he caught the moment and the photos are on our Bikeporn Instagram.
Speed or technique?
I am not good at either, but rather technique... faster technique, no trial.
Flip-flops or overdrive?
Overdrive!
Brunette, Blond, Redhead or Black hair?
I dont really care, if she has C tits.
