Shimano partners with UCI Downhill Champion Camille Balanche for the 2024 season

Shimano is pleased to announce a new partnership with UCI Downhill World Champion, Camille Balanche. The Swiss athlete, riding for DORVAL AM COMMENCAL, has achieved remarkable success already, winning the UCI Downhill World Championship in 2020 and securing the overall World Cup title in 2022.

Camille is set to ignite the trails this summer as part of this new collaboration that will see her exclusively wear Shimano's GE900 shoes this season.

“Shimano supplies high-quality and high-performance components for all my bikes, so it's all I'm looking for,” Camille said of the partnership. “Shimano is also a super iconic brand that I'm proud to represent.”

Camille emphasizes the importance of surrounding herself with the best support for peak performance, including top-notch training, recovery, and nutrition, along with meticulously dialed-in components for every race this coming season. Shimano's global presence at every World Cup event provides additional reassurance and ensures that any technical issues can be addressed.

Shimano's GRAVITY line-up caught Camille’s eye for several reasons, including the GE900’s sleek new design, which impressed her right away:

The Gravity Enduro lineup delivers a fully re-vamped range of footwear featuring the enduro-optimized ULTREAD GE outsole, enabling athletes to find their flow in rugged, technical terrain with uncompromising comfort and control.

For a self-proclaimed fan of the BOA® Fit System, like Camille, the GE900 goes above and beyond, delivering quick and precise closure and a superior foot hold for aggressive pedaling over rough terrain.

As Shimano’s high-end gravity shoe, the GE900 features a TORBAL 2.0 midsole that allows the heel section to move torsionally, maintaining a full range of motion for improved comfort, fluidity, and on-bike control. A full-length EVA midsole reinforced with carbon reduces weight and enhances pedaling efficiency.

For Camille, the Shimano partnership goes beyond high-performance components: “I've been riding only Shimano components since I started to ride a bike, so I feel safe and confident, she shared.

“I love to compete, and my priority events are all the World Cup rounds and the World Championship this year. My aspiration is to become a better athlete and try to be faster every year.”

Balanche's passion for mountain biking shines through when discussing her favorite aspects of the sport.

"I have the most joy and fun when I ride my bike as fast as I can," describing the exhilarating feeling of riding in a state of focused concentration. But she also finds enjoyment in casual rides with her friends.

When it comes to favorite trail features, Camille says she is all about fresh trails, offering new challenges and exciting terrain to conquer.

This partnership between downhill champion Camille and Shimano promises an exciting season ahead, with both parties driven by a shared passion for innovation and a love for the sport of mountain biking.

Shimano Europe's Head of Sports and Events, Tommaso Amadio, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, adding, “We are thrilled to have Cam join the Shimano family, extending this great partnership with footwear, after using Shimano components to secure many victories over the years, and have her become a true blue-blooded athlete. We want to support her this season in the best way possible to reach those ambitious goals.”

Riding for performance, fun, and shredding in style on Shimano's new GE MTB Gravity Shoes, watch Shimano athletes Camille Balanche and Wyn Masters carve up the slopes together:

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NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Embargo: Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 17:00 CEST.
2. About Shimano Europe: Founded in 1921, Shimano is dedicated to helping its customers get closer to nature, supporting people to realize their dreams and create new lifestyles. That comes with the desire to create outstanding cycling products and apparel. With over 100 years’ experience in creating internationally renowned bicycle components, Shimano is proud to have developed products that continue to take countless athletes to victory and provide the means for limitless global bicycle journeys. For more information see: mtb.shimano.com