Lapierre has a high profile in its native France, a profile in no way hindered by being the bike of choice for multiple World Champion Nico Vouilloz (who's enjoying one of those Ned Overend-style "retirements" that doesn't appear to involve giving up bike racing). We've encountered Lapierre at trade shows but its expanding export portfolio hadn't reached the UK. Until now - Hotlines Europe has stepped up the plate with a distribution deal that will begin with the 2008 range to be launched at Eurobike.
Lapierre has a long history, having been founded in 1946 by Gaston Lapierre in Dijon, France. The company's production and R&D is still based there. Obviously it wasn't doing MTBs in 1946, but today there's a full range of mountain and road bikes.
Illy Anastasi, General Manager at Hotlines, said: "We welcome Lapierre into our stable of brands and we are 100% confident that the sheer quality and the advanced technical aspects of Lapierre products will be a great benefit to any independent bike dealer in the United Kingdom."
2008 First Looks It's that time of year again, 2008 bikes before we're even halfway through 2007...
Nicolas Vouilloz's Lapierre X-160 Member's Pro Machinery Multiple World Champ Nico may be semi-retired, but he's still fast as you like - we sneak a look at his bike
