After the first day of racing at Finale Ligure, there was a surprise at the top of the standings, Giant Factory Rider Yoann Barelli was sitting on the top spot. In his first year with the Giant Factory Off-Road Team, French rider Yoann Barelli has put down some solid results in the EWS consistently taking his teams top finish. However at the Finale Ligure event, he was on a mission, taking fifth-place overall after winning two stages. His success in Finale also secured a top-ten finish overall after the seven rounds. We check out his Giant Reign Advanced 27.5

The Reign Advanced 27.5 frame is constructed from Giant’s Advanced-grade composite and utilizes 160mm of Giant’s Maestro Suspension.
The Reign Advanced 27.5 frame is constructed from Giant’s Advanced-grade composite and utilizes 160mm of Giant’s Maestro Suspension.
The rear suspension is driven by a RockShox Monarch Plus RC3 Debonair
The rear suspension is driven by a RockShox Monarch Plus RC3 Debonair
Barelli’s bike is nearly identical to the stock Reign Advanced 27.5 0 Team model. Only the tyres and race tool kits have been added.
Barelli’s bike is nearly identical to the stock Reign Advanced 27.5 0 Team model. Only the tyres and race tool kits have been added.
With a Truvativ Holzfeller 40mm stem and Truvativ Boobar, cut to 760mm, the cockpit is wide and short.
With a Truvativ Holzfeller 40mm stem and Truvativ Boobar, cut to 760mm, the cockpit is wide and short.
Yoanne was running Magic Mary front tyre and a Rock Razor rear for the trails of Finale Ligure.
Yoanne was running Magic Mary front tyre and a Rock Razor rear for the trails of Finale Ligure.
The drivetrain is a mixture of SRAM X01 and XX1
The drivetrain is a mixture of SRAM X01 and XX1
The  Fi’zi:k Tundra saddle is light and comfortable.
The Fi’zi:k Tundra saddle is light and comfortable.
Yoann joins Josh Carlson and Adam Craig on the Giant Factory Racing team.
Yoann joins Josh Carlson and Adam Craig on the Giant Factory Racing team.
After testing a prototype alloy Reign 27.5 for most of the season, Barelli made the jump to the composite Reign Advanced 27.5 for the last two rounds of the series.
After testing a prototype alloy Reign 27.5 for most of the season, Barelli made the jump to the composite Reign Advanced 27.5 for the last two rounds of the series.

Words: Trev Worsey Photos: Manne Schmitt


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