A new World Cup season is here, which means new bike and new kit. For Norco adidas Race Division, that means the first kit with new title sponsor, global footwear and apparel brand, adidas. The iconic three stripes are, indeed, present, but the design influence from the new co-title sponsor see’s Norco racers borrow from football design for the year’s first kit.
As for the bikes? Still that ever-evolving prototype. But Norco closes with a hint that more is coming soon. When is soon? Who knows. But soon is better than never, right?
Norco adidas 2026 team kit and South Korea roster
Norco’s blue and white kit for the first World Cup of 2026 may be showing in a Korean karaoke bar, but the influence comes from the football turf. Obviously the real football, not U.S. football. This is adidas we’re talking about. The official word is “Teamgeist,” according to Norco. And it’s on full display in Mona Yongpyong this weekend.
Here’s Norco:
“Teamgeist was built around the idea of team spirit: different personalities coming together under one identity. That part stuck with us, and felt honest to what we’re building with the team. Speed between the tape is just one level to a tight-knit group full of charisma, working to break boundaries in downhill racing.”
That philosophy is applies to Norco’s downhill team, with the result being what you see in front of you now and what you will see on screens this weekend. POC, technically still Norco adidas Race Division’s on-bike apparel partner, worked with adidas to pull off the full kit for the team’s season debut.
Four riders will be on the start line in South Korea for Norco adidas Race Division (which we’re trying very hard not to abbreviate), as Erice van Leuven is currently on the injured reserves after a crash at home in New Zealand.
That leaves Gracey Hemstreet, Danny Hart, Bodhi Kuhn and Lina Frener to represent the team in South Korea. As a Canadian publication, we’re happy to see Hemstreet and Kuhn on the roster for the home team (and who isn’t a fan of Danny Hart?!?).
Then, here’s the kicker in the closer of Norco’s PR:
“And before anyone asks, yes… the bike is coming.”
Norco adidas Race Division – Just Getting Started – S3Ep1 – Setting Things Up
Norco adidas Race Division’s year-long video series, Just Getting Started is back for a third season, too. Watch the preseason episode below and get hyped for this weekend’s World Cup action.