All latest news! http://www.cedricgracia.com/ Race report from the BRIGADE : French Championship This weekend was the French Championship in Val d’Isère. First of all I tried to remember when was the last time I raced the French Championship! (8 years ago!). I arrived with the BRIGADE crew to the beautiful Val d’Isère and it was no surprise how well everything was prepared! I started 4 cross practice, even if the track wasn't the best for passing. The track was really fun for drifting ; ), and I love that. I got out in 1/2 final and I end up 6th in the B final, but had a lot of fun on the track! DH The track was on the mythic ski slope of Bellevarde (Olympic ski track). The track was so dusty and steep but really fun at the same time! I love these track! A manly track where you have to fight your fear! I had a heavy crash in practice. I hurt my shoulder but I managed to race. I got 4th in the final run. I tried to ride without thinking of the results, just riding CG style! Flat out and jumping everywhere ; ) I'm pleased with my result, but need to improve on some areas of my riding... feel good with my results ! I want to give a big thanks to Kevin for his great work this weekend together with X1 Racing Suspension, incredible work ! CG, the sergeant http://www.cedricgracia.com Race report from the BRIGADE : Leogang & Northstar The week end started really good with a beautiful sunshine here in Leogang but the weather changed quickly ! The 4 cross was another bmx race but it’s change a bit with the rain, it became more technical and interesting ! I qualify 16 on the full suspension bike but change to my JACKAL for the race ! It was a good move for sure. In the round of 1/4 I was with some big boys, Prokop and Slavik. My start isn’t one of the best in the world cup then I was behind those guys in the first corner but I made a move in the second in the inside ! But unfortunatly I wasn't quick enough to push the pedal around and they passed me ! In DH the track was destroy and difficult, and to make a good results on that track you have to be on your A game ! Flat out and confident, and unfortunatly again I wasn't on this one. I end up 42 and I was not happy about that results ! After a weekend of frustration I need to relax a bit ! Then I fly of to the USA for OAKLEY photoshoot and check the Rampage location with Steve Blick and OAKLEY designer ! After the work was done I had to go back to Europe but I find out than GRT was on in Northstar and I had everything to race : ) ( clothing and protection) I call Rob and we talk about me racing the GRT and I was up for it, then cash a plane out of Vegas in the morning, show up in Reno, got pick up by Kathy and drive up to Northstar ! Put my bike together , clothe on, and did 3 runs before we find out than we had to do a race run the same day : ) I got 6 th. Next day some more practice in the dry and we finally knew a bit more, where we was going on the track : ) Sunday ! Game on, I feel good on the track and it's time for me to get back with the fast boys ! I did a good run, maybe not agresive enough but pleased with my 4 th place, just behind sheffield steel : ) ( Steve Peat ) Thanks to Rob family to welcome me, Doug to take care of my V10 carbon, and the full SYNDICATE crew. CG, the sergeant http://www.cedricgracia.com MAXIAVALANCHE – Vallnord, Andorra Well this weekend, I was at home and for ones I had a weekend off just to recover from the last two world cup. It was before I find out than the MAXIAVALANCHE will take place here in Vallnord, Andorra : ) I decide to race it ! But not the normal way of course, I decide to take my V10 carbon bike just to do some hard training on it (climbing, pedaling , 25 minutes run). I qualify 3 behind Remy ABSALON, and let me tell you this is the hardest training I had ever do on the DH bike : ) On sunday I decide to race my 4 cross bike the NICKEL, just to have less of a bike to carry on a "cross country enduro track" and it work incredibly! I crash at the start and got pass by 10 riders, but I manage to pass them fast enough to don't get behind them on the pedaling section : ) ! I got 4th of the 1st final run. The run 2 of the final was different, it start to rain a bit on the track but this time I had a good start! I was 3 on the front with the big boy and i control them until the up hill when i decide to show them who is the DADDY ! I took the front of the course with Franck PAROLIN for a long time but I could feel a bit tired due of the attack : ) ( normal I am just a dowhiller ! ) by 3/4 of the track Absalon past us with another rider, and I try to bring back Frank to the front but I was banking big time ! Franck and myself decided to ride as fast as we could with what we had left : ) In the end I got 3rd of the run and 3rd overall ! Not a bad weekend for sure and surprise I could keep up with the enduro boys : ) Thanks Kevin for the preparation of the V10 carbon and the NICKEL and thanks to the fan's on the side of the track in the moment I needed it the most ! CG, the sergeant http://www.cedricgracia.com