Continental signs Sam Pilgrim: Helps with new tooth.

The Conti team is delighted to have a new addition to its family: Sam Pilgrim, the 2013 FMB World Tour Champion, is now relying on Continental tires to keep him gripped to the ground.

With the Continental top-models featuring the Black Chili Compound, Sam Pilgrim will be fully equipped to perform his breathtaking tricks. The successful freerider had the opportunity to test his brand-new tires at Red Bull Rampage in Utah (USA).

For a dirt jump loving guy like Sam Pilgrim, landing rubber side down is the key to success. Having the right grip on every kind of terrain is crucial for his performance - whether it is dry, dusty or wet. When doing risky tricks like his signature move - the backflip tuck no-hander, Pilgrim needs to be certain the bike will land cleanly. For this reason, Pilgrim is putting his faith in Conti tires, handcrafted in Korbach, Germany. The 23-year old overall-winner of the 2013 FMB World Tour is very excited about the cooperation with the German tire manufacturer: "Conti is the perfect sponsor for me because I'm 100 percent convinced by the quality of their products. Next year, I will be armed with the Black Chili models from the "King" product series (X-King/Race King) - the right equipment to defend my FMB World Tour title."

Continental is also stoked about the new member of the prominent Conti MTB team. Joerg Malcherek, Head of Marketing and Sales at Conti's Two-wheel department "Bicycle Tyres", welcomes Sam to the Conti family: "Our new member Sam fits perfectly into our bike sponsoring program. His style of riding is innovative, progressive and precise. We are proud to have him on board and look forward to his valuable input regarding the performance of our products."

Conti has been engaged in the mountain bike scene for years. The tire manufacturer works together with exceptional sportsmen like the Athertons, Kenny Belaey, Danny MacAskill, Martin Soderstrom, Andreu Lacondeguy, Anton Thelander and Richie Schley. Partnering with such high profile athletes is not only a good sponsoring platform: In Korbach, at the manufacturing base of Conti, the product development department is very keen on profiting from the experience and the professional expertise of these riders.

And when it comes to testing for the right grip, Sam Pilgrim is the right man for the job: for six years the British shredder has been a part of the world's slopestyle-elite and since then has repeatedly won big events like 26TRIX in Leogang (AUT) and Red Bull District Ride in Nuremberg (GER). But winning the overall FMB World Tour title, the most important freeride-series in the world, remained his unachieved goal - until now. This year, he became the first European rider to win the FMB World Tour overall ranking. Sam has had such a successful season that he even had the title sealed before the final competition, Red Bull Rampage in Utah (USA). He owes this success to his consistent performance throughout the season: finishing on the podium in nearly every contest he entered. One of his closest competitors was fellow Conti-wheeled Swede, Martin Soderstrom, who came second in the overall ranking.

The Conti Two-wheel department congratulates Sam Pilgrim and their other MTB athletes for their fantastic success in 2013 and is looking forward to a successful and safe 2014 season!