Norco's piece of art for the Olympics

Norco has taken two of his mountain bikes, some maple leaves, and customised the Canadian team's bikes in shades of gold. Quite simply, they have made a little piece of art to match their participation in the Olympic Games.

The Norco Revolver FS 100 and HT for Smith and Disera

It's been a week of absolute vertigo with the presentations of the custom bikes for the Tokyo Olympics. We've already seen the Mondraker models, and a few days ago we also saw the Specialized bikes. Today it's Norco's turn and, to be honest, it's something different.

Because Norco has made a totally personal customisation, if that's the case. Bike by bike and detail by detail. Because few things are more identifiable with Canada, which is the team that will ride with Norco, than the maple leaf that also appears on its flag.

Well, Norco has taken that maple leaf and created a frame that, like it or not, has identity to spare.

The model is the Norco Revolver FS 100 and HT, and the riders are the two Canadians Haley Smith and Peter Disera, who make up the North American team. What Norco did was to take their bikes, maple leaves as we say, but totally real leaves, and bathe them in gold to try to inspire the riders to go for the gold.

Norco, or how to paint artworks in the shape of a mountain bike

As we say, it is honestly a little piece of art what Norco has done for the Olympic Games. In fact, the brand has not made a series, a run of bikes with this design, but has customised the frames of the bikes that will compete in the Tokyo Olympics and that's it. Moreover, it was done at the last minute, so the paint arrived almost fresh across the ocean.

This is noticeable. It's not a commercial version, but a party. A celebration for a manufacturer like Norco to be able to ride on the Japanese circuit wearing its logo. A celebration to take part in the Olympics. And so they have done it.

Izu will determine whether the gold that impregnates the paintwork of Norco's mountain bikes will end up bringing fortune to Smith and Disera. But beyond the sporting success, the success of the design team deserves recognition. The images of the painting process are illuminating: sheet by sheet, frame by frame. Then there are the results, and we will know that on 26 and 27 July. But these Norco's deserve a prize. We don't know if they deserve a medal, but they do deserve a prize. Norco is welcome to the Olympics if they take the simple painting of their mountain bikes with this sensitivity.