Stephan LeGrand is a French journalist who’s been living in America for over a decade now. He first brought the supercross fans in France all the news from here for Motoverte and then recently, broke out on his own to start LeBigUSA.com. But then a funny thing happened to the media mogul, he got in the underwear business as he explains in this interview.
Racer X: How's the website LeBigUSA.com going for you?
Stephan LeGrand: LeBigUSA.com is doing extremely well. After one year of existence it is today the #1 news website about supercross and motocross in France. I’m very proud of it because I put a lot of work and dedication into it.
You've started a new chapter in your life, can you tell us what it is?
About a year ago Sylvain Caire, CEO of Freegun, approached me and asked me to launch the brand in the U.S. Those guys sell about 500,000 pieces of underwear a month in Europe and they were ready to conquer a new continent. There is definitely a place for Freegun. We are the only underwear company that can offer diversity. Everything else out there is grey, white or black. Not Freegun. I became part owner in Freegun Inc. and I started working as the Brand Director coordinating the Marketing and Media Relation. My wife Karen takes care of Sales and Distribution. We operate from a warehouse and an office in Las Vegas where everything is being shipped out.sa
This weekend in Oakland, you showed off your new Mike Alessi signature underwear, how did that deal come about?
My first assignment when I started was to get some riders involved. I got lucky to have Ashley Fiolek onboard when she designed her own line of Freegun underwear. Thanks to her it helps putting the brand on the map. At that point I needed to get a male rider and Mike Alessi came to my mind. First he loved the product, he is a very fan oriented athlete -- his image fits Freegun perfectly. He did come up with a design of his own and we produced it. It’s now on sale for $19.95 for men and $12.95 for boys on our website (www.freegun-underwear.com).
Mike Alessi showing off his signature line of Freegun underwear.
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
What are the features and benefits of the Freegun underwear?
First of all Freegun features unique and good looking underwear. With 14 different designs for men and boys, 11 for women, Freegun is all about fun, being trendy and different. Our motto is “show your true colors.” It speaks for itself. Second of all they are really comfortable. Once you try one you don’t go back to anything else. They are made of polyester, which means you don’t get sweaty like with cotton underwear and they fit perfectly well. They support you in any means. Finally they are very affordable. $12.95 for men, $9.95 for kids and we sell women lingerie starting at $4.95.
What other athletes do you work with?
Besides Ashley Fiolek and Mike Alessi, we also support David Pulley, Branden Ward and Katie Gonzales in motocross, Josh Garner in minimoto, Jarryd McNeil in freestyle, Kurt Caselli in Enduro, Dustin Farthing in jetski racing. We also sponsor Terry Adams who is a BMX flatland rider, Ben Hucke and Daniel Sandoval in BMX, the Neff brothers in BMX racing, Anthony Johnson in skateboard, Chris Wehrheim in Go Kart Racing, Philip Felix in rodeo and the list goes on. Freegun Underwear loves diversity: colors, designs and sports. And support is our main focus, literally.
Thanks LeBig, and good luck on everything.
Thank you, see you at the races.
