Are you a talented up-and-coming rider (be honest now...)? If so, you could be just the candidate for the new Kona/Nissan Grassroots program, set up to provide support for and promote promising young riders.

Talented youngsters will be helped to reach the professional ranks of their chosen discipline, be it XC, DH, freeride, 4X or dirt jump, with bikes, team kit and race day support available at selected events.

There is perhaps a hidden agenda, with Kona keen to find future champions, and supporting riders as they rise through the ranks is critical. Russel Carty, Kona marketing manager, says: "We've all been at the start lines of our local races at 7:00am battling our friends and we recognize the hard work and dedication that it takes to make it into the elite ranks of racing. We hope that we can help to bring these local champions into the limelight."

Darren Cox, European Brand Promotion Manager for Nissan adds: "Nissan has historically supported adventurous activity but now we're stepping up a gear and will really show the passion that we as a company hold for sports adventure and the environments in which they are held. Through this Grassroots program we are supporting we want to inspire adventure spirited people to get into bike racing throughout Europe."

Grassroots team members will be identified, recruited and managed by local Kona dealers. Kona and Nissan will provide each Grassroots rider with promotional items to make them stand out from the pack. Each promotion piece will have room for participating shops to add their logo as well as any additional sponsors the Grassroots members have.

Grassroots Teams and riders will post regular updates on their online profiles at www.kona-nissangrassroots.com with race reports, pictures and videos of their performances and achievements from each event they compete in, with further distribution through Nissan's various media properties, such as www.nissansportsadventure.com providing Grassroots member's additional national and international exposure.

The Kona/Nissan Grassroots program is currently available in the UK, France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Spain, Ireland & South Africa.

To find your local Kona dealer, visit www.konaeurope.com.