Lopes set to beat you in BC Bike Race again this year.

“With celebrating our 10th anniversary this year we are thrilled to be partnering with such an innovative company as Pearl Izumi, and also one that holds the same philosophy of quality and customer satisfaction that we at BC Bike Race do,” says BC Bike Race President, Dean Payne.

Pearl Izumi has been constructing some of the world’s best cycling clothing for over 60 years, right from the beginning with a small operation in 1950’s Japan. ‘The human machine is the most perfect machine ever created. Empowering that machine to go faster, farther, and longer than it has ever gone before is what Pearl Izumi strives for.’ It’s this powerful belief and their strong legacy that makes the two companies such a perfect and complementary fit.

Marketing Manager, Pearl Izumi Canada, David Blondel sees the sponsorship as a natural fit. “Throughout the last 10 years the team behind BC Bike Race has worked hard to create the best Mountain Bike stage race in the world. They have built their legacy through this determined path. Similarly, over the last 60 years Pearl Izumi has focused on making the best ride apparel possible. Pearl Izumi and BCBR have shared passions; to create, innovate, and lead. The opportunity to work alongside one another as we move into the future has been a very welcomed one. Congrats to them on their 10 years!”

“Pearl Izumi and BC Bike Race are a great fit," echoes former World Cup DH racer, silver medalist at the World Cup Championships, and Katana CEO, Elladee Brown. 'Pearl Izumi's tag line of #endureandenjoy perfectly represents this event and the technology of Pearl Izumi fits very well with the technicality of BC Bike Race.” She should know, Elladee competed at the BC Bike Race last year – “it’s not just about the ride at BC Bike Race, it’s the ride culture. It’s the experience of a lifetime for any mountain biker.”

Pearl Izumi sponsored athlete, Brian Lopes already knows about the unique experience of BC Bike Race, as he will be returning for his second time this year. Competing this time around on a team with his old friend legendary biker Joe Lawwill, Brian says, “I’m super excited to be coming back to the BC Bike Race. To this day, it’s still one of my top 5 best experiences I’ve ever had on a bicycle. I’ve been racing bikes for 40 years and have been all around the world on my bike. After my last experience 5 years ago competing in this event, I’ve always told people, ‘you want to ride some of the best single track ever, see some of the most amazing scenery, and just have an overall experience on your bike that you’ll love and talk about forever? You have to do the BC bike race. Your mind will be blown away every day, scratching your head wondering how each one of these beautiful places, with such little population, could produce such a fun quality trail network, that very few people ever experience.’”

Brian also offered some advice for those who are new to the race this year or are considering doing it in the future, “I recommend doing your homework for the BC Bike Race as it will only make your overall experience more enjoyable. This 7-day stage race will not only test your endurance and technical skills, but it will also test your equipment. Having the right bike and apparel setup can be the difference between a great or miserable day on the bike, especially when the weather changes and goes from dry to wet, or hot to cold. Pearl Izumi is a company that offers a great line of technical apparel that can help keep you dry, warm, cool, and comfortable for whatever Mother Nature throws at you. You’ll be stoked to have that good equipment when you’re battling the elements for a week straight.”

BC Bike Race is excited to, not only be producing their custom line of retail clothing with Peal Izumi this year, but also to be outfitting their entire Bike Patrol Team. Racers in need of anything from moral support to mechanical or medical help can keep an eye out for their distinctive bright orange kits.