The Three Stripes Hit the Dirt: adidas and Norco Unveil New UCI Downhill Team

The "Three Stripes" are lining up at the start gate with Norco Bicycles. Today, adidas and Norco Bicycles pulled the curtain back on a massive multi-year title partnership, announcing the formation of the Norco adidas Race Division.

While we’ve seen Five Ten (under the adidas umbrella) as a staple in mountain bike footwear, this marks the first time adidas is stepping up as a title-level partner for a UCI World Series downhill program. It’s a statement pairing one of the world's largest sports brands with a Canadian mountain bike staple with 60 years of trail behind it.

We won't have to wait long to see this new kit in action. The Norco adidas Race Division is set to make its World Series debut in the Republic of Korea from May 1–3, 2026.

A Heavy-Hitting Roster

The team isn't changing. No one is leaving, and no riders are being added. The Norco adidas roster remains a blend of veteran speed and explosive young talent, including: Danny Hart, Gracey Hemstreet, Erice Van Leuven, Bodhi Kuhn, and Lina Frener. Leading the charge from the pits is none other than the winningest downhill racers of all time, Greg Minnaar, who keeps the ship upright as Team Director. Minnaar has already been sharing his extensive catalog of knowledge, gained over decades of racing, to support the team and foster the next generation of talent.

One of the most refreshing aspects of the Norco adidas Race Division is the commitment to visible representation. The team actually features more female riders than male, a deliberate move to support equality and progress within the sport.

The Gear: Performance and Lifestyle

On the bike, the team will be piloting Norco’s world-leading downhill platforms, refined through the brand’s deep heritage in the rugged terrain of British Columbia. Off the bike, the partnership gets even more interesting. Adidas is, of course, outfitting the crew with a mix of high-performance footwear and lifestyle apparel to stay competitive between the tape and chillin' trackside.