P R E S S K I T

R A C E S – R I D E S T E S T S – A C T I V I T I E S

7th - 11th OCTOBER 2015

PRESS ROOM

Press room equipped with free Wifi access for accredited journalists.

Start lists, results, information, etc. will be at your disposal.

Opening times �Wednesday 7th October: 2pm to 7pm � Thursday 8th October: 8am to 7pm � Friday 9th October: 7.30 am to 7pm � Saturday 10th October: 7.30 am to 7pm � Sunday 11th October: 7.30 am to 7pm

WORKING AREAS

Designated working areas will be provided in zones at the start and the finish. They will be acces-sible to journalists and photographers who have a press accreditation and a bib.Photographers will have access to the podium and a boom-lift at the start.

FOLLOWING THE RACE

Press shuttles will be organised from Thursday to Sunday to drop off journalists at strategic points along the courses. If you are interested, please submit your request to the press department.

ROYALTY FREE PHOTOS

Royalty free photos will be available:

� Via the link featured on the press release

TV NEWS ACCESS

Royalty free images for news purposes will be available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday:

� Downloadable via the FTP (feed news)

SOCIAL NETWORKS

� Facebook - Roc Series � Twitter - #RocdAzur � Instagram - Roc Series

WEBSITE

www.rocdazur.com

MOBILE APP

IPhone & Android : Roc Series

PRESS CONTACTS

Press RelationsAgence Mille & une vaguesSoazig Guého / Nicolas GuillemartTel.: +33 (0)1 55 38 98 20Mob.: +33 (0)6 62 08 75 44

+33 (0)6 23 16 43 21@ : contact@milletunevagues.com@ : presseroc@aso.fr

On request from the press department:

� Start zone: access to the boom-lift and podium

� Press shuttles to follow the races

� Royalty free photos and videos

MEDIA INFORMATION

Editorial - Alexandre Maslin ....................... 3

The History of the Roc d’Azur ..................... 4

The Roc, an eternal pioneer ........................ 5

The Roc d’Azur’s List of Winners ................ 6

The land of champions ................................. 8

Interview - Frédéric Salomone ................... 11

Race schedule .............................................. 12

Presentation of the races ............................ 13

Key figures ................................................... 16

The exhibition .............................................. 18

Activities and shows ................................... 20

Partners ......................................................... 24

Roc Series..................................................... 28

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SUMMARY

The Roc d’Azur and the Massif des Maures, a relationship built to last...

The Roc d’Azur has taken place in the Var for the past 31 years and is firmly anchored in the region. Since the races and the village became based in Fréjus in 1997, the event has expanded to become the biggest mountain bike event in the world in terms of number of competitors and the exhibitors’ village.

This year, A.S.O. has expanded its contracts with the various communities involved in the project, to focus the event even more clearly upon Fréjus and Roquebrune-sur-Argens, thus enabling it to continue its development around three areas:

� The competitors’ experience: Each rider should receive a high level, innovative level of service, responding to their expectations ensuring that their participation in the event is unforgettable. This starts from the moment the rider registers.

� The exhibition: Fully booked for several months now, reflecting its status as the benchmark event for brands, it is one of the key elements of the event. We will continue to develop the level of service we offer brands and visitors. For example, a mobile app has been developed this year to optimise how information is communicated to visitors and to improve the visibility of exhibitors. We have also reworked the Roc Test Camp, which is a vital aspect for the brands.

� International: Everyone involved in the project is convinced that the event can attract all kinds of participants. We are working on the reputation and visibility of the event abroad to encourage participants from to come and mark the end of the season at the Côte d’Azur.

We will continue, year after year, to develop the event, to innovate and to imagine new ways in which the Roc d’Azur can remain the world’s leading mountain bike event.

The growth of the Roc d’Azur also involves the development of the Roc Series in new locations. This is why 2016 will see ROC events roll out in some of the most beautiful spots in the world.

Alexandre MASLIN,Events Manager

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EDITORIAL

Seven men took part in the first edition of the Roc d’Azur, created in 1984 by Stéphane Hauvette. Thirty-one years later, more than 20,000 riders now take part. Three decades during which the Roc d’Azur has continued to evolve and expand, while staying true to its original values.

BIRTH

Stéphane Hauvette brought back the first mountain bikes from a trip to Canada. With steel frames, triple cassettes, wide tyres and weighing… 20kg. In 1984, he came up with the idea of challenging a group of friends to a 60km race between Ramatuelle and Saint-Tropez. Seven of them took part in the race. The first winner was Larbi Midoune, a cyclo-cross specialist. And so, the Roc d’Azur was born. The next year there were 30 riders and in 1986 there were 120. To mark its fifth anniversary, in 1989, the 1,000th participant took part. Among them, for the first time, women were (finally) invited. Nathalie Segura was the first to see her name go down as the winner of the women’s event.

GROWTH

In 1997, the Roc d’Azur left Cogolin (Var) where it had moved the year before after having been moved on from Ramatuelle, to the nature base at Fréjus. 8,500 competitors signed up for the race, and more than 10,000 took part the following year. A major new development was the organisation of a mountain bike exhibition alongside the competition. A new record for the number of participants was set in 2005 with 14,132 riders on the start line. There were 17 races on the programme. The following year, the Roc organised the final of the BMX Supercross World Cup.

EXCELLENCE

In 2008, the 25th edition broke new records. 100,000 people made their way to Fréjus. The record was broken again the following year: 100,000 visitors and 17,430 participants. The event’s management policy became increasingly significant, with the Brigades Vertes lining the routes.

A new record was set again in 2010 with 17,680 participants. The routes evolved under the management of Frédéric Salomone, successor to Alain Bianchi, who had passed away a few weeks earlier.

In 2011, A.S.O. took over from Sportys, part of Havas Sport, to head up the event. A violent storm obliged the organisers, for safety reasons, to evacuate and close the exhibition during its first day. But the sun quickly returned. The Tri Roc joined the programme the next year at an event which focused on the quality of services on offer to riders, particularly with the Roc Service Center.

The race nearly reached the 20,000 mark in 2013, with 19,700 cyclists from 40 different countries taking part. More than 100,000 visitors attended the exhibition, to the delight of the 250 exhibitors. Sixteen years after his first win and at the age of 37, Miguel Martinez, Olympic Champion in 2000, won his third Roc d’Azur and dominated the podium, which also featured another Olympic medallist, the Czech rider Jaroslav Kuhlavy, who won gold in London in 2012 and was third in the Roc.

The thirtieth edition, last year, finally broke the mythical 20,000 marks -with 59 nationalities- and celebrated the rise to glory of two young French riders, Jordan Sarrou and Margot Moschetti.

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HISTORY OF THE ROC D’AZUR

It all began somewhere in the Massif des Mau-res, one autumn day in 1984. It was the brain-child of Stéphane Hauvette, who had returned a few months earlier from the United States. At the time, five of the seven pioneers were using a strange contraption which had just arrived from the States, the Mountain Bike, which the French soon renamed the “VTT”. The two others set off for the Place des Lices at Saint-Tropez, 60km away, on cyclo-cross bikes.

Today, the Roc d’Azur is 31 years old. It has be-come the world benchmark for mountain bike events. For three decades, the Roc has seen the discipline evolve and the equipment be trans-formed. There is a remarkable contrast between a 1984 mountain bike and the models of today. “Everything has changed” says Julien Rebuffet, president of the Association Génération Mountain Bike, who sees himself as a VTT historian and who was behind the Musée du Roc last year. “Back then, mountain bikes weighed around 16 or 17 ki-los. The brakes simply slowed you down and there was no suspension. Riders felt even the slightest of bumps. It was hellish compared to the much more comfortable new models which the champions are now using.” Over the years, what had been a passing trend became an “art de vivre”. More than 20,000 mountain bikers and 100,000 visitors now attend the Var event each year.

The Roc d’Azur has always been careful to reflect changes in the mounting biking world and in so-ciety itself, in order to better meet the public’s ex-pectations. Every edition has been marked by new events and new approaches. This year, the crea-tion of a Rando Roc Électrique Noire (Saturday 10th October), aimed at fans of electric bikes, takes place against the backdrop of a real explosion in the market (more than 50,000 sales in 2013 in France and more than 400,000 in Germany). Electric bikes are a form of transport which was originally urban, but which very quickly gained ground in the mountain bike community. “The elec-tric bike enables riders to overcome slopes which would be inaccessible on a traditional mountain bike” explains Frédéric Salomone, Sports Director of the Roc d’Azur. “It remains a highly athletic discipline, involving a great deal of technical skill. The engine doesn’t do it all. You have to be in top physical and technical shape. You also have to know how to manage the battery’s energy, so that you don’t run out of power. It’s great fun. To try it is to love it.”

Despite its success, the Roc d’Azur continues to evolve, because it has chosen to be a force for change and inspiration rather than blending into the crowd, following very much in the footsteps of the pioneers of 1984.

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THE ROC, AN ETERNAL PIONEER

The 2014 Roc d’Azur podium

Jordan SARROU, winner of the Roc d’Azur in 2014

MEN YEAR WOMENJordan SARROU (FRA) 2014 Margot MOSCHETTI (FRA)

Miguel MARTINEZ (FRA) 2013 Elisabeth OSL (AUT)

Stéphane TEMPIER (FRA) 2012 Anna SZAFRANIEC (POL)

Moriz MILATZ (GER) 2011 Maja WLOSZCZOWSKA (POL)

Alban LAKATA (AUT) 2010 Maja WLOSZCZOWSKA (POL)

Roel PAULISSEN (BEL) 2009 Aleksandra DAWIDOWICZ (POL)

Roel PAULISSEN (BEL) 2008 Elisabeth OSL (AUT)

Jean-Christophe PÉRAUD (FRA) 2007 Henzi PETRA (SUI)

Christoph SAUSER (SUI) 2006 Alison SYDOR (CAN)

Christoph SAUSER (SUI) 2005 Maryline SALVETAT (FRA)

Miguel MARTINEZ (FRA) 2004 Alison SYDOR (CAN)

Jean-Christophe PÉRAUD (FRA) 2003 Alison SYDOR (CAN)

Peter POULY (FRA) 2002 Laurence LEBOUCHER (FRA)

Thomas DIETSCH (FRA) 2001 Laurence LEBOUCHER (FRA)

Thomas DIETSCH (FRA) 2000 Chantal DAUCOURT (SUI)

Christophe DUPOUEY (FRA) 1999 Laurence LEBOUCHER (FRA)

Christophe DUPOUEY (FRA) 1998 Laurence LEBOUCHER (FRA)

Miguel MARTINEZ (FRA) 1997 Gunn Rita DAHLE (NOR)

Christophe MANIN (FRA) 1996 Gunn Rita DAHLE (NOR)

Bart BRENTJENS (NED) 1995 Sophie EGLIN (FRA)

Jean-Christophe SAVIGNONI (FRA) 1994 Sophie EGLIN (FRA)

Bruno LEBRAS (FRA) 1993 Sylvia FURST (SUI)

Tim GOULD (GBR) 1992 Eva ORVOSOVA (SVK)

Tim GOULD (GBR) 1991 Eva ORVOSOVA (SVK)

Bruno LEBRAS (FRA) 1990 Sylvia FURST (SUI)

Olaf CANDAU (FRA) 1989 Nathalie SÉGURA (FRA)

Patrice THÉVENARD (FRA) 1988

Eric CHANTON (FRA) 1987

Jean-Pierre MOREL (FRA) 1986

Alain DALLENBACH (SUI) 1985

Larbi MIDOUNE (FRA) 1984

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LIST OF WINNERS

Only ten months separate the 2015 Roc d’Azur from the Rio Olympics. On 20th and 21st August 2016, the world’s best female and male mountain bikers will fight it out for the Holy Grail, an Olympic gold medal. The Roc d’Azur and the Olympic Games have always been intricately related.

The same can be said of the women. Olympic champion in 2004 and four-time world champion, Norway’s Gunn-Rita Dahle Fesja is a familiar fig-ure at the Roc d’Azur, with two notable successes in 1996 and 1997. Olympic silver medallist dur-ing the first race in 1996, Canada’s Alison Sydor, who is also three-time world champion, also won the Roc d’Azur on three occasions (2003, 2004 and 2006). Poland’s Maja Wloszczowska, who won silver in Beijing, has also won the Roc twice. Olympic champion and two-time world champi-on, Britany’s Julie Bresset has often spoken of her fondness for the Roc d’Azur which she would, undoubtedly, like to win one day.

The October event is a highlight of the season for thousands of fans, as well as for the best spe-cialists in the discipline. For three decades, the world’s best mountain bikers have come together at one point to immerse themselves in the particular atmosphere of the Roc d’Azur. Since mountain biking became an Olympic sport in 1996, the list of winners at the Games has reflected the sporting value of the Roc d’Azur.

The first gold medal in Atlanta was awarded to the Dutchman Bart Brentjens, who won the Roc in 1995. Miguel Martinez, Olympic champion in 2000 in Sydney, boasts three victories at Roc d’Azur on his CV, in 1997, 2004 and 2013. The Czech rider Jaroslav Kulhavy won gold in Lon-don three years ago, and came second in the Roc Marathon in 2013, which he had won in 2012, and came third in the Roc d’Azur. Of all the Olympic champions, only Julien Absalon, the two-time Olympic champion in 2004 and 2008, has not yet won the Roc. Originating from the Vosges region of France, he is a regular participant, but has taken a “festive” rather than a competitive approach to the race so far, which has left him short of victories.

Other Olympic medallists who have shone at the Roc include Jean-Christophe Péraud, who was sec-ond last year in the Tour de France! Olympic silver medallist in 2008, he won the Roc in 2003 and 2007. Switzerland’s Christoph Sauser won bronze in Sydney in 2000 and is himself an emblematic figure at the Roc d’Azur, which he won in 2005 and 2006, success which was further enhanced by several victories in the Roc Marathon.

Maxime MAROTTE,winner of the Roc Marathon in 2014

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THE LAND OF CHAMPIONS

A FEW WORDS FROM THE CHAMPIONS

Julien ABSALON (Olympic Champion in 2004, 2012): "The Roc is unmissable. It’s the only chance we get to share our passion with all the amateur riders. But the pressure of the competition is year-long. That’s why I try to make the most of it in a different way, not as a competitor. I take part to enjoy myself with friends, without stressing over it. The “top riders” are there, and to win the race, you need to be at 100%."

Miguel MARTINEZ (Olympic Champion in 2000, winner of the Roc d’Azur in 1997, 2004 and 2013): "Winning the Roc is amazing. It’s not the same as a World Cup win, but the feeling is even stronger, because for me it’s the best race in the world."

Julie BRESSET (Olympic Champion in 2012): "I’ve been coming here since I was in the “Cadette 2” category. It’s the perfect event for clubs. We camp, it’s sunny, everyone’s there, and it ends with a dip in the sea; it’s great. It’s an important fixture on our calendar. For the kids, the Roc is also all about hunting down posters in the stands and get-ting the champions’ autographs. I was after Julien Absalon’s, obviously…"

Stéphane TEMPIER (winner of the Roc d’Azur in 2012): "Winning the Roc d’Azur really means something. For the general public, it probably means even more than winning a World Cup. The Roc d’Azur is a fabulous race. There’s always such a crowd at uphill stretches like the one at Le Bougnon. That helps you to keep going. Since I started in the “Benjamin” category, I’ve done all the categories (with a victory as a Junior). The end-of-season mood makes the event quite jolly, although if you’re partying the night before the race, you’re obviously in for a tough time…"

Maxime MAROTTE (member of the French team): "I’ve been coming to the Roc ever since I was in the “Cadet 1” category. I can’t have missed more than one or two. The Col de Bougnon and the Col de Fournel, the chemin des douaniers, the beach section: these are the places you see in the mag-azines. When you’re a kid, being there for real is incredible. Now, it’s a way to end the season with a bang and enjoy yourself in the sun one last time. It’s also a chance to share happy moments, to all get together, have a drink and – I won’t lie – have a bit of a party! That’s part of the Roc."

Julien ABSALON, Jean-Christophe PÉRAUD & Miguel MARTINEZ

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THE LAND OF CHAMPIONS

Race Director since 2010 and involved in the organisation for ten years, Frédéric Salomone explains what’s new for 2015.

What changes have been introduced to the route for the 2015 edition?Nothing revolutionary, but we have made a few changes. The main one is, without a doubt, the return of the Flûte to the Roc d’Azur on the Sunday. We haven’t been there since 2010 and it is a section of the race which is held in great esteem, with two very steep kilometres around the 15km mark, after riders having already completed three kilometres of climb at the foot of the Fournel. Many riders are scared of it. We also wanted to extend the race at the Chemin des Douaniers at the end of the route.

What about changes to the schedule? The Roc Challenge on Thursday has been replaced by the Rando Roc All Mountain. This is open to more technical participants, with no competitive objective. The start and finish take place in Roque-brune-sur-Argens, which allows us to get straight back to the heart of the event. Also on Thursday, the Roc Light replaces the Roc Pro. It is open to everyone, and at 24km in length and 350m of elevation gains and losses, it allows newcomers to join in who have not necessarily had the time to train for longer distances. The women’s race will be the first one held on the Sunday, which will allow riders to compete over a completely fresh track.

What’s special about the Roc d’Azur? First and foremost, it’s a mass sporting event at-tracting with an incredible range of people. Par-ticipants range from seven year old kids to world champions. This mixture is one of the major pluses of this event. It is also very complex because it needs to be organised in such a way as to avoid difficulties which can arise between riders who pedal at 22kmh and others who are at 5kmh. We do lots of test runs. Safety is also crucial. We have 100 fire fighters on site, helicopters, and doctors in 4x4s and on motorbikes. It takes a great deal of preparation.

What are the major difficulties of such an organ-isation?Obtaining the authorisations necessary to cross 150 private properties over three communes takes a phenomenal amount of work. We also need to coordinate all the sectors, with 800 volunteers and everyone involved in the event. We work very closely with the three town halls in Fréjus, Roque-brune-sur-Argens and Sainte-Maxime, all of whom make available a wide range of technical and human resources.

What types of routes will the participants be rid-ing on? The terrain is somewhat particular. The climbs are steep and there is little in the way of grip. Riders need to be perfectly balanced in their bikes to avoid skidding. This doesn’t last very long, but it’s intense... in the downhill parts, a significant amount of steering is required and the sandy ter-rain means riders need to be particularly vigilant and use a great deal of concentration. Last but not least, there isn’t much time to recuperate.

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INTERVIEW

RACES AND RIDES DISTANCE START TIME

AGE CATEGORY

HEIGHT DIFFERENCE

STARTING / FINISHING POINT

WEDNESDAY 7th OCTOBER 2015

GÉNÉRATION ROC - 8KM 8km 2.15pm and 3.25pm

Base Nature, FréjusGÉNÉRATION ROC - 15KM 15km 2.35pmGÉNÉRATION ROC « SPORT POUR TOUS » 8km 3.45pm

THURSDAY 8th OCTOBER 2015

BUFF MASTERS ROC 42km 8am 1985 and before +/-700 m Base Nature, Fréjus

RANDO ROC ALL MOUNTAIN 40km 9.30am 1998 and before +/-1 350 m Roquebrune-sur-Argens

ROC LIGHT 24km 9.30am 1998 and before +/-350 mBase Nature, Fréjus

RANDO ROC ALTITUDE 44km 12 noon 2000 and before +/-750 m

ENDUROC 29km 1pm 2000 and before +950 m -1 140 m Roquebrune-sur-Argens

TRI ROC 1,5/24/11 1pm 1998 and before +/-350 m Base Nature, Fréjus

FRIDAY 9th OCTOBER 2015

CANYON ROC MARATHON 82km 8am 1996 and before +/-2 275 m

Base Nature, FréjusMID ROC 38km 12.30pm 1996 and before +/-550 m

RANDO ROC ODYSSEY 37km 1.15pm 1996 and before +/-650 m

ROC RUELLES FREJUS (85 teams of 2) 800m 7pm 2000 and before

Place de l’Eglise, FréjusKID ROC RUELLES 800m 7.40pm 2001 to 2004

SATURDAY 10th OCTOBER 2015

ROC D’AZUR JUNIORS HOMMES 42km 8am 1997 and 1998 +/-700 m

Base Nature, Fréjus

ROC TANDEMS 42km 9am 1998 and before +/-700 m

RANDO ROC ÉLECTRIQUE NOIRE 50km 10am 2000 and before +/-900 m

ALLTRICKS.COM RANDO ROC NOIRE 50km 10.15am 1998 and before +/-900 m

RANDO ROC ROUGE (FANCY DRESS) 18km 1.30pm 1999 and before +/-160 m

KID ROC - 2 km 2km 2.30pm 2007 to 2009

KID ROC - 4 km 4km 3pm 2005 to 2006

KID ROC - 6 km 6km 3.30pm 2003 to 2004

KID ROC - 8 km 8km 4pm 2001 and 2002

RANDO ROC FAMILLE 8km 4.30pm 2004 and before

ROC RUELLES ROQUEBRUNE-SUR-ARGENS (85 teams of 2) 900m 7pm 2000 and before Roquebrune-sur-Argens

SUNDAY 11th OCTOBER 2015ROC D’AZUR DAMES & ESPOIRS DAMES 42km 8am 1996 and before +/-700 m

Base Nature, FréjusROC D’AZUR CADETS, CADETTES & JUNIORS DAMES 18km 8.30am 1997 to 2000 +/-160 m

ROC D’AZUR 56km 9.30am 1996 and before +/-1360 m

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RACE SCHEDULE

MAIN RACES

WEDNESDAY 7th OCTOBER

GÉNÉRATION ROC - 2.15PMSecondary school pupils from the Académie de Nice traditionally open the Roc d’Azur. The prin-ciple of these free races, which are organised in partnership with the UNSS, is to open up mountain biking to these young people (aged 11-18 years-old) and to volunteers from local organisations (the Red Cross, visually impaired people) by lending them 400 bikes.

THURSDAY 8th OCTOBER

BUFF MASTERS ROC - 8AMThe Buff Masters Roc is open to the general public for cyclists born in 1985 and before, i.e. those over the age of 30. They will set out on a “brac-ing” 42km ride with all the characteristics of a race of attrition (rapid, sometimes rocky descents). 2 waves: 8am/8.15am.

Prizes: Men: 1st: €€320 ; 2nd : €180 ; 3rd : €100.

RANDO ROC ALL MOUNTAIN - 9.30AMThis is one of the new features in 2015 with a typi-cal All Mountain circuit around Roquebrune-sur-Ar-gens. This race is 40km long and has 1,350m of elevation gains and losses. It is untimed but fea-tures a few good climbs and some great sensations in the downhill segments.

RANDO ROC ALTITUDE - 12NOONAn untimed race which, nonetheless, requires suf-ficient stamina and endurance to cover the 44km on the schedule - with the added bonus of riding across summits offering a unique panorama of the Mediterranean.

REGISTRATIONS AND RACE BIBS

Registration for the races takes place exclusively on the A.S.O. Challenges website (www.asoch-allenges.com), and is open until the night before the event at 5pm. Registration is open as long as places are available. For safety reasons, the organisation restricts the number of competitors on certain races.

Race bibs can be picked up at the Base Nature François Léotard in Fréjus at the following times:

�Wednesday 7th October: 2pm - 7pm � Thursday 8th October: 7am - 7pm � Friday 9th October: 7am - 7pm � Saturday 10th October: 7am - 7pm

Bibs can be picked up until one hour before the start of races scheduled after 10am. For races scheduled before 10am, bibs must be picked up the day before the race.

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PRESENTATON OF THE RACES

ENDUROC - 1PMA race combining physique, skill and fun over a distance of 29km. The route takes the form of five timed, downhill specials (2.9km, 1.7km, 2km, 2.3km, 2.2km) which are combined to give the final ranking. The cumulative elevation losses amount to 1,137m. The climbs are untimed but when added together they make a total of 950m of elevation gains. No reconnaissance trips will be allowed before the start from Col de Valdingarde, 23km by road from the nature base. The race will finish in Roquebrune-sur-Argens for the 350 participants who must wear full body protection.

Prizes: Men: 1st: €1 550€, 2nd: €800 ; 3rd: €550. Women: 1st: €350 ; 2nd: €200 ; 3rd: €150.

TRI ROC - 1PMThis nature triathlon combines 1,500m swimming in the sea, 24km mountain biking and 11km of trail running between the Mediterranean and the Massif des Maures. There is growing enthusiasm for this race among triathletes and it allows them to join the Roc d’Azur community. The organisers didn’t forget to include some significant climbs in the race, with elevation gains and losses of 350m in the mountain bike part: in total 950m of eleva-tion gains and losses are on the schedule.

FRIDAY 9th OCTOBER

CANYON ROC MARATHON - 8AMThe longest race at the Roc d’Azur, this is a long-distance timed race over 82 km which is open to everyone over the age of 18. The eleva-tion gains and losses amount to 2,275m. More than 2,000 riders will start in groups of 500, with the first group set aside for the elite riders. This race is integrated in the Marathon Series of the Fédération Internationale de Cyclisme (UCI) and often sees major champions taking part. 4 waves: 8am/8.15am/8.30/8.45.Prizes: Men: 1st: €1,300 ; 2nd: €1,000 ; 3rd: €700

(up to 10th place).Women: 1st : €1,000 ; 2nd: €700 ; 3rd: €500 (up to 5th place).

RANDO ROC ODYSSEY - 1.15PMThis untimed, 37km race with 650m of gains and losses, is a fun race. It is aimed at riders who do mountain biking as a hobby but who have, none-theless, trained for the race and want to push them-selves a little further. Featuring a traditional route through the iconic sites of the Roc d’Azur such as Fournel, Car Brûlé, Saint-Aygulf and the chemin des douaniers. 2 waves: 1.15pm/1.30pm.

ROC RUELLES - 7PMSince 2005, this event has brought together mountain bike enthusiasts in an urban setting on Friday night in Fréjus and then Saturday at Roque-brune-sur-Argens. For 30 minutes, 85 teams of two competitors take it in turns to hurtle round an urban course, attempting to complete the maximum number of circuits on this bumpy, closed 1km track. Stamina and explosive energy are needed and rid-ers will have to be in peak physical condition. The best 15 riders qualify for the final. Some will skid, others will clip the walls and houses, the younger riders will show off, but one thing is sure, everyone loves this race, since it was first organised nine years ago.Created last year, the KID ROC RUELLES at 7.40pm enables children born between 2001 and 2004 to take part in the festivities on Friday night in the streets of Fréjus.

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PRESENTATION OF THE RACES

SATURDAY 10th OCTOBER

ROC TANDEMS - 9AMEvery year, over a 42km route, more than 300 male, female or mixed tandems impress the crowds. As for the Roc d’Azur, the climb to Four-nel will be the highlight of this, the biggest tandem race in the world, where you need to have com-plete confidence in your partner.

Prizes: Men: 1st: €175 ; 2nd: €100 ; 3rd: €75.

RANDO ROC ÉLECTRIQUE NOIRE & ALTRICKS.COM RANDO ROC NOIRE - 10AMNearly 3,000 riders can be at the start of this 50km rando. The elevation gains are more im-portant here than on other races: +900 m. It is an untimed race, and riders take part just for fun. Elec-tric bikes are very much on the rise in France, and they will join in the fun with the Rando Roc Élec-trique Noire for a sporting approach to this new mode of transport where the battery doesn’t do all the hard work. 4 waves: 10.15am/10.45am/ 11.15am/11.45am.

KID ROC - 2.30PM TO 4PMA total of 1,500 children aged between 6 and 14 will set off around the Fréjus nature base in four staggered starts. The children will be riding against the clock on flat routes of between 2 and 8km.

RANDO ROC FAMILLE - 4.30PMNot too long and with no climbs, this race is for those who want to enjoy the Roc d’Azur as a fami-ly, without any pressure to win. The important thing is for parents and children to have fun together in a refreshing cross-generational race.

SUNDAY 11th OCTOBER

ROC D’AZUR DAMES & ESPOIRS DAMES - 8AMOver a 42km circuit, the first rider will undoubtedly finish within two hours. The last finisher might take more than five hours. This is a race reserved for women and some of the greatest world champions have won in the past. The first group is reserved for the elite riders.

Prizes: Women: 1st: €1,200 ; 2nd: €700 ; 3rd: €500 (up to 5th place). Espoirs Dames: 1st: €175 ; 2nd: €120 ; 3rd: €80.

ROC D’AZUR - 9.30AMThe flagship Roc race, over 56km. Fournel, La Flûte, Les Clapiers, chemin des douaniers… the places visited by the Roc d’Azur are the stuff of dreams for the 5,200 participants. The first timed race will feature the elite riders who come to conclude their cycling season. With elevation gains and losses amounting to 1,360m, specta-tors will enjoy applauding the arrival of the first finishers only 2 hours 20 minutes after the start. 8 waves : every 15 minutes.

Prizes: Men: 1st: €€3,000 ; 2nd: €1,500 ; 3rd: €900

(up to 10th place). Espoirs: 1st: €550 ; 2nd: €350 ; 3rd: €250.

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PRESENTATION OF THE RACES

THE ROC D’AZUR BOASTS:

28 races150km of trails

120 hectaresAlmost 300 exhibitors

100 firemen onsite and on the trails850 volunteers

25,000 square metres of exhibition space of which 8,000 square metres indoor

Evolution of the number of participants

10 000

5 000

1984

1985

1986

2003

1997

2004

2005

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

19951989

1 000

10 000

15 102

20 035

1998 2006 2014

0

15 000

20 000

52,90%52,90%

2,68% 3,77%

16,06%

23,1%

1,49%

-18 years 18 - 24years

25 - 34 years

50 - 64 years

65 years +

35 - 49 years

5%5% 95%95%

Average age: 43 years

First participation in the Roc d’Azur: 36%

Participants’ profile

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THE ROC’S KEY FIGURES

THE 2014 FIGURES

20,035 participants More than 100 000 visitors 50 nationalities

MOST REPRESENTED COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE:FRANCE84,37% OF THE ENTRIES(7 902 participants)

ITALY....................6,21%

BELGIUM..............5,07%

SWITZERLAND........2,26%

UNITED KINGDOM....0,38%

MOST REPRESENTED REGION OF RESIDENCE: RHÔNE-ALPES17,35% OF THE ENTRIES (1 374 participants)

PROVENCE-ALPES - CÔTE D’AZUR - 16,02%

ÎLE-DE-FRANCE - 10,98%

MIDI PYRÉNÉES - 5,23%

AQUITAINE - 5,21%

17 feeding zones spread over all the courses:

� 44,500 litres of water � 4,000 kg of bananas � 2,800 kg of oranges � 500 kg of dry fruit � 32,400 biscuits � 15,000 cereal bars � 330 kg of chocolate � 7,000 muffins � 260 kg of gingerbread

� 350 kg of madeleines � 100 kg of tapenade � 3,500 French baguettes � 12,000 slices of saucisson � 230 kg of cheese � 165 kg of sugar lumps � 300 kg of sports drinks, in a powder format

� 0 disposable cups thanks to the introduction of the EcoCup operation.

The riders will receive a plastic cup in exchange for a small de-posit. They can either keep the cup or return it and recover their deposit.

Where did participants come from in 2014?

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THE ROC’S KEY FIGURES

FEEDING ZONES IN 2015

Mer Méditerranée

Rue

des

Batte

ries

Salon Intérieur

SalonExtérieur

Mer

SalonExtérieur

Mer

Zone AnimationsZone Animations

Salon Extérieur TerreSalon Extérieur Terre

EspacePartenairesEspacePartenaires

Start

Finish

Podium

Official Boutique

Information

Drinks and food

Team Space

Tri Roc start

VTT Tri Roc park/Transition zone

Registration/Bibs

Roc Service Center

Bicycles renting

Roc Test Camp

Bicycles park

Press office

First Aid

Osteopaths

Club Roc

Helicopters drop zone

Exhibitors’ car parks (P1 & P2)Press - Organization - Volunteers car park (P3)Public car park

Toilets

The Key

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THE EXHIBITION

This gathering is an absolute must for profession-als. The Roc d’Azur Exhibition is the place to be for all major brands devoted to mountain bikes, nutrition, sports clothes and activities linked to the sport. With over 300 exhibitors spread across 25,000m², it is the largest public cycling exhibition in Europe today, welcoming over 150,000 visitors. “The exhibition brings the village area to life,” explains Alexandre Maslin, Director of the Roc d’Azur. “It offers content and free activities for the general public. That’s important because the races set off from the hinterland, and you don’t see the participants during the races. That means we need to provide something else to do.”

At the Roc Test Camp, the biggest mountain bike brands invite visitors to discover their equipment. This is your chance to try out new bikes and gear, and to give direct feedback to the exhibitors, who are delighted to hear for themselves what their customers think.

THE ROC SERIES APPLICATION

Like at the Roc des Al pes - La Clusaz, a mobile ap-plication (Android, Ap-ple, Windows phone) will be available for download, providing as much information as possible and simplifying the exhibition experience for users. Visitors will be able to sort exhibitors by category (clothes, equip-ment, nutrition, etc.) and bring up a list of products available to test. They can also consult the race schedule and activities programme.

SERVICES FOR RIDERS

Various services for participants will be on offer at the exhibition. The Roc Service Center will be open to athletes who want to clean their mountain bikes after races, or to get them ready before they head for the start line (lubrication, inflation). Access to the centre is totally free. To allow you to make the most of the exhibition and its activities, a bike storage service is also open from 7am to 8pm (€2 per day, €5 per night). Finally, osteopathic treatment is provided by members of the European Osteopathic College, to get riders’ bodies back on track after a hard race.

FREE ENTRANCE:

� Thursday 8th: 10am – 7pm

� Friday 9th: 9am – 7pm

� Saturday 10th: 9am – 7pm

� Sunday 11th: 9am – 6.30pm

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THE EXHIBITION

Of course, sport is at the heart of the Roc d’Azur. But while the mountain bikers are criss-crossing the Massif des Maures during one of the 28 races on the schedule life goes on at the Fréjus site. Activities and shows are an integral part of the success of the Roc d’Azur and mark each day of the event.

As is the case each year, activities are managed by the Moniteurs du Cyclisme Français (MCF) and are open to the general public, from expert riders to complete beginners. One or two people oversee each activity. All members of the MCF are State qualified and safety remains a priority.

BIG AIR BAG

A ramp, a jump and a flying mountain bike. But there’s no need to be worried, because landing takes place on an immense 10m x 7m mattress filled with air from two huge compressors. A short-er ramp gives beginners the feel for it, while a bigger one enables more experienced riders to do back flips and 360s.

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ACTIVITIES

PUMP TRACK

Featuring bumps and tight turns, the Pump Track circuit requires riders to be in good physical condi-tion. The aim is to keep going without pedalling at all. To do so, arm and leg flexions and extensions have to serve as an engine. The most skilled riders will even increase their speed by going over the bumps and pumping into the dips and turns

HANDLING - ROAD SAFETY

Children can also take part in the Roc. The Roc d’Azur offers them an introduction to mountain biking (handling and awareness raising about road safety rules). Even the smallest riders can join in the fun on balance bikes.

The Village also features musical entertainment. Moreover, the “wall of names” will bring together the names of everyone participating in the Roc d’Azur to create a mural reflecting the spirit of the Roc d’Azur.

Discover the entertainment programme when you arrive at the Village

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ACTIVITIES

An explosion of sound, shouting, and people turning their eyes to the skies to see the riders fly through the air… the Roc d’Azur features a unique entertainment programme to enthral the public each and every day. Because the Roc is a meeting place for all mountain biking communities, the programme showcases the most spectacular disciplines, so the public can experience mountain biking in its full glory.

BMX ROC CONTEST

The BMX PARK, which consists of 14 permanent modules, is a highly demanding circuit which guar-antees a spectacular show. The objective is the same for everyone - to conduct the most stunning tricks in order to win. There are three competitions: pros, amateurs and girls.

FREESTYL’AIR SHOW

This show is inspired by Street Trial and usually takes place in cities and towns on urban land-scapes. It is a spectator sport, combining trial movements with movements from street cycling (rotations, manual, etc.). At the Roc d’Azur, bikers in the FREESTYL’AIR SHOW will put on three shows per day from Friday to Sunday. This show allows amateurs to discover the world of Trial biking and to get an introduction to this highly spectacular discipline.

ROC N’RIDE

Perhaps the most impressive show in the village with an 8m high starting ramp, a dirt track which is nearly 50m long and three jumps so the riders can get airborne and do the craziest tricks - 360s, backflips and frontflips are guaranteed. Open your eyes and hold onto your seats: some of the world’s best specialists will be taking to the skies.

Discover the shows programme when you arrive at the Village

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THE SHOWS

Director of Canyon France, Rodolphe Beyer, explains why the partnership between Canyon and the Roc d’Azur is a natural one.

For the third year, Canyon will be the main partner of the Roc d’Azur. And it’s not over yet...

We have decided to continue our partnership for three more years. Working with A.S.O. is a mark of professionalism. It is an organiser which reflects our image perfectly. It’s a win-win situation. A.S.O. is happy with the way in which we have contrib-uted towards developing the event, and our rep-utation has grown considerably thanks to the Roc d’Azur, which forms part of our global approach to the French and European markets. Canyon is now considered as the reference brand in France. In the mountain bike of the year awards, we won twice as many votes as the second place holder. That’s not just down to the Roc d’Azur, but it has certainly contributed greatly to it, around 30 to 50%. We are, nevertheless, a fairly new brand, because we have been in the French market for only ten years. This is a mark of success for us and we are very proud of it.

What does the Roc d’Azur mean to you?

The Roc d’Azur is an unmissable event. It brings together all the ingredients for success, with a fes-tive approach, seasonality and location. It is a little reminder of summer and marks the end of the competitions and exhibitions. People come along with family and friends for the atmosphere and also for the Salon, which is an integral part of the success of the Roc d’Azur. It is also an event with values which are close to our own, such as closeness to nature. For us it is also a way to get into direct contact with our clients. It is an occasion for our clients to cross paths with our champions.

How will you be participating in the Roc d’Azur Exhibition?

Like last year, we will have a main stand where we will present our range of mountain and road bikes. We will also be at the Roc Test Camp with bikes from our stall which visitors can try. This will also enable us to get some direct feedback. The Canyon Café will give all competitors the chance to relax a little and chat. From a practical point of view, we also support the Roc Service Center where mountain bike riders can clean their bikes. And we are also working towards organising some new entertainment.

Contact:Rodolphe BAYER - CEO @: rbayer@canyon.com Tel.: +33 (0)3 89 49 83 58Website: www.canyon.com

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PARTNERS

For the third time, Ekoï is the Roc d’Azur’s helmet partner.

French brand Ekoï is the market leader in mid-and high-range helmets in France. Ekoï helmets are worn by top-level mountain bikers in Team Focus Rotor Ekoï, by road bikers in the team AG2R LA MONDIALE, and by triathletes Fred Van Lierde, for-mer World Iron Man Champion, and the Brownlee brothers, Olympic Champion and former World Champion. At the 2015 Roc d’Azur, Ekoï will be presenting various new helmets:

� The Ekoï Shooting helmet, which offers excellent value for money at 59 euros (including tax), for on- and off-road training and competitions, � The Ekoï Plum helmet, which weighs an incredible 170g for the S/M sizes, at 129 euros (including tax), for competitions (one of the lightest helmets in the world).

Like every year, Ekoï will be running a Roc d’Azur special offer, offering participants in the Roc d’Azur an exception deal when they exchange their old helmets.

Contact:Jean-Christophe RATTEL - Managing Director @: jcekoi@gmail.com Tel.: +33 (0)675 214 443Website: www.ekoi.com

Buff®, the original multifunctional headwear

Buff, created in 1992, designs, creates, produc-es and distributes over 90% of its products from Igualada (Barcelona). Both the offices and the factory are based in the same 12.000m2 building, giving the company complete control over all the processes.

Our star product is the multi-functional tubular Orig-inal BUFF®, an original and practical garment that will help to protect you in all weather conditions.

BUFF® is not just functional, it is a form of expres-sion, which is why BUFF® tubulars of every type are made, both for intensive sport, walking through the mountain or everyday wear.

During the Roc d’Azur, Alltricks.com, the online

shop specialising in bikes, bike parts and acces-sories, will be running a pop-up store where en-thusiasts can enjoy total immersion into the world of bikes.

Onsite, visitors will be able to stop by and make use of the full range of services offered online: expert advice, interactive terminals to have access to 30,000 references on offer on the alltricks.fr website and express delivery (order before 6pm to receive items the following morning on the Roc d’Azur site).

Additionally, Alltricks.com will have around a hun-dred models on sale at the pop-up store.

Contact:Camille TORTE - Partnership Management @: camille@alltricks.comTel.: +33(0)1.30.48.90.07Website: www.alltricks.fr

Because we are non-conformists and we want to take things further, creating a lifestyle. Reinventing the everyday to be original. Flat is boring!

Contact:Luz BALLESTEROS Dequatro… en adelante. Press Office @: comunicacion@dequatro.comTel.: +34 93 488 30 60 Website: www.buff.eu

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PARTNERS

The Roc d’Azur thanks its 2015 partners

MAJOR PARTNER

INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS

OFFICIAL PARTNERS

OFFICIAL SUPPORTERS

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS

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PARTNERS

The 2015 mountain bike season is marked by the ROC events, which all have the same philosophy. “The principle is to keep the same triptych which has made the concept a success” explains Alexandre Maslin, Director of the Roc. “These three elements are sport, with a large number of races, the Village, to gives brands greater visibility, and finally activities, to provide something for everyone and not just serious riders.”

Roc Argentina6th to 8th March in Villa Carlos Paz (Argentina)

Argentina is not only the country of the tango, empanadas or Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. Mountain biking is also on the rise in this country which offers a variety of landscapes and a fantas-tic playground for mountain bike lovers.

After the first edition in Patagonia, the Roc Argen-tina moved towards Villa Carlos Paz, in the prov-ince of Cordoba in the centre of Argentina. This turned out to be a winning choice, with 820 par-ticipants from nine different countries taking part in the seven races on the schedule (cross-country, enduro, downhill). Felipe Sundblad and Florencia Padilla are among the winners.

Roc d’Ardenne1st to 3rd May in (Belgium)

”The Mecca of mountain biking” is often how Houf-falize is defined, with the World Cup stage long being considered as the most beautiful and intense of the season. It was here that Golazo, A.S.O.’s partner, organised the second edition of the Roc d’Ardenne at the heart of the Ardenne Bleue and the province of Luxembourg. Three days of racing through the stunning Ardenne countryside, con-sisting of steep, short climbs and very technical descents. The 4,500 riders attending the second edition can clearly see that Belgium is far from being a flat country... The Belgian riders Octavien Maillard and Laura Metzler added their names to the list of Roc d’Ardenne winners.

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2015 ROC SERIES

Roc des Alpes - La Clusaz12th to14th June, La Clusaz (Haute-Savoie - France)

With more than 4,500 participants, the third edition of the Roc des Alpes - La Clusaz kept its promises. In a picture postcard setting against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, the par-ticularly technical routes adapted to all disciplines (cross-country, enduro and downhill) offered a stunning introduction to the Massif des Aravis, the Plateau des Confins and all the valleys surround-ing La Clusaz. The use of ski lifts meant that riders could easily reach the highest peaks to then fully enjoy their downhill rides. Victories in the Roc des Alpes went to the German Sascha Weber and the French rider Hélène Marcouyre.

Roc d’Azur7th to 11th October in Fréjus (Var - France)

This is where it all began in 1984. There were seven riders in the first edition and now more than 20,000 take part each year at the Fréjus site, tack-ling the paths of the Massif des Maures, following tracks which have gone down in the history of the Roc such as the Bougnon, Car Brûlé, the Sentier des Douaniers, the Plage de la Caliote and Four-nel. More than 100,000 visitors also come along to take advantage of the biggest mountain bike village in the world at this key event. .

March May June October

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2015 ROC SERIES

rocazur.com @rocseries facebook.com/rocseries

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