Biography
rémy absalon
born February 28, 1984
12x Megavalanche wins.
Mountain of Hell 2017 winner.
4x French Enduro Series overall winner.
4x DH Marathon European Cup winner.
portrait
Place of residence: Saint-Nabord, Vosges, France
Marital status: couple with Marine and father of Tara
Job: company director (Irwego and Abs Ride Company) and pro rider
Education: Bac S, Licence Management et Gestion des entreprises dans le sport, Master conduite de projet et développement des territoires
Hobbies: Motocross enduro, ski rando et freeride, cinema, travel
Favourite film: Dikkenek
Music: a bit of everything, but especially rock, rap and reggae
Favourite dishes: pasta and especially desserts
Favourite drinks: Piggy beers
Loves: eating and riding of course!
Dislikes: waiting
Favourite place to ride: Vosges, Canada West Coast, Chile
Most beautiful trip: Nepal
Awards
Enduro
2017: Winner Mountain of Hell les 2 Alpes
2016: 6th in round#5 of the Enduro World Series in Aspen/USA - 19th in the Enduro World Series
2015: European Enduro vice champion - 13th overall Enduro World Series
2014 : 13th overall Enduro World Series
2013: 4th overall Enduro World Series
2009, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2016: winner Mégavalanche de l'Alpe d'Huez
2005, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2016: winner of the Mégavalanche de La Réunion
2007, 2008, 2009 and 2012: overall winner of the Enduro Series
2004, 2005, 2007 and 2010: winner of the Maxiavalanche European downhill marathon cup
2010: winner of the Crankworx Open enduro at Whistler
2008: winner of the Saab Salomon Avalanche trophy
XC and DH
2002
4th of the XC World Cup in Les Gets in junior
2nd of the XC French Cup in junior
2001
Winner of the Avalanche Cup in Morzine in junior
Multiple Lorraine XC and DH champion
interview
First sports:
"As a child, my first sport was judo. At first, it wasn't really my thing, but I persevered and even entered a few competitions. Then I took up downhill skiing in a club. Between 2 rounds of competitions, my mates and I would go free-riding in the woods, even to the point of missing the start of races... Obviously, the freeride and enduro spirit was already part of my conception of the sport. I dabbled in a number of other sports, such as tennis and swimming. My parents always encouraged me to take up sport. But they didn't force us and let us choose what we liked.
First bike:
"Of course, like many children, I was given a bike as a toddler. I used to make circuits on the terrace and do endless laps. My first 'real' bike was a Schwinn BMX, on which I used to jump bumps in the garden of the family home with my brother Julien."
First race:
"I started competing in cycling in 1996, when I took part in the TNJV (Trophée National des Jeunes Vététistes - National Trophy for Young Mountain Bikers, comprising Trial, Cross-Country, Downhill and Orienteering). My brother had been competing for a year and that inspired me. It was a very good school because it allowed me to try out all the disciplines. That was the start of a long series of competitions. My parents played a big part in all this, as they accompanied, encouraged and helped me.
So a big thank you to them!
First discipline:
"I immediately felt more at home with cross-country and downhill. So much so that I couldn't decide on one discipline. So I did both at the same time for several years. It didn't work out too badly, and in fact I was part of the French XC and DH teams in the cadet and junior categories".
First sponsors:
"Julien, my brother, was part of the Scott France and then International teams. In view of my results, Scott also invited me to join the Scott France team, managed at the time by Franck Gamonet. I stayed with the team from 2000 to 2004. It was a superb experience and a real childhood dream come true. During this period, I tried my hand at enduro, and my dual skills in XC and DH served me well. My results caught the eye of Max Commencal, who was a forerunner in enduro bikes. That's when my great adventure with Commencal began in 2005...".
First landmark victory:
"It's hard to choose, as so many have left their mark on me... I'd like to single out 2: thehe 2004 MaxiAvlanche European Cup, where before the final run of the last round, we were tied with Alex Balaud in the overall standings. I won the race by 10 seconds. In other words, I beat the discipline's benchmark.
and my first victory at the Mégavalanche de l'Alpe d'Huez in 2009: following a mano à mano with René Wildhaber, I won THE mythical race ahead of THE legend".
My first steps in my team ...
"They say 30 is a milestone. I decided to make the most of it by setting up my own structure to create a customized bike and organize a season in my own image. It's also an adventure for 2, since Marine, my partner, is also joining the structure as team manager. After 9 wonderful years with Commencal, I wanted to work with new sponsors who were close to my heart and who trusted me to accompany me in this project. SR Suntour was the first brand to follow me into the adventure, followed by Scott...a return to my roots...
A few years later, it was time to move on to the other side, time for my sporting retirement, but to better manage the team and support young enduro talent at the highest level. Now it's time for the next generation and new projects with the team!