The fourth round of the Enduro World Series, Black Hole Festival Petzen Jamnica, threw up all the drama you’d expect from a race taking place across two different countries at the midway point of the season. Sam Hill Six stages across two days of racing all came down to just 1.6 seconds and the final stage in the men’s race. Sam Hill (Chain Reaction Cycles Mavic) and Martin Maes (GT Factory Racing) were locked in battle all weekend – each winning three stages – with it all coming down to the last stage of the race. After five stages Hill…
Author: Tomas
The first round of the European Enduro Series got off to a blistering start with the Drop Down Superenduro Val Di Fassa in Italy last weekend. Five hundred riders from 16 different countries took to the start line in the Dolomites, as riders began their fight to be crowned the European Enduro Series Champion. Created by the Enduro World Series (EWS), the four race European series is designed to bridge the gap between Qualifying events and the main EWS races. The series allow up and coming riders to compete in existing events closer to home, gain ranking points and the…
Round four marks the halfway point of the 2018 Enduro World Series, and something very different awaits the riders at the Black Hole Enduro Petzen Jamnica. Not only will this be the first time an EWS race has crossed borders – encompassing both Austria and Slovenia – but there will even be an underground liaison. Riders will get to traverse directly through Peca Mountain, using lights to guide their way. Featuring six stages over two days, riders will be faced with an incredibly diverse range of terrain. Rocks and roots will be the order of the day in Jamnica on…
There’s really only one thing that makes a day out mountain biking on flowy trails in alpine terrain even better: enjoying the ride with your buddies. Two-wheeled trips such as these always make for the best stories, to be told in the evening after a great day outdoors with a cold beverage in hand. Riding buddies Danny MacAskill and Claudio Caluori experienced this in “Home of Trails”, when they discovered the best trails in Graubünden, Switzerland. These spots have now been revealed. With its 1,000 summits, 615 lakes and 150 valleys, it’s quite easy to feel a bit lost in…
A deafening chorus of cowbells, chainsaws, exploding fireworks, and cheering fans rose up from the sun-drenched, rolling hills of the French Alps today, as Nicholi Rogatkin (USA) stepped up to the top of the podium in the Crankworx Les Gets Slopestyle, and one step closer to the never-before-claimed Triple Crown of Slopestyle. Nicholi Rogatkin Nicholi Rogatkin: I didn’t think it was possible to be set up for the Triple Crown again, especially after how Rotorua went. I’m stoked for the opportunity once again and I definitely can’t complain about going back-to-back in Europe here. It’s been absolutely unreal. Rogatkin earned…
Dropping in last after French rider Amaury Pierron, who stormed the finish line amidst “maximum bruit” from the French crowd, Troy Brosnan (AUS) was tracking ahead, but nearly fell victim to the dusty, raw conditions on the iconic Crankworx Les Gets Downhill track. Troy Brosnan Troy Brosnan: The top was super blown and you could see it when you went up the little chairlift. Towards the bottom I just opened it up and went as fast as I could and I had a real relaxed grip. I actually hit a big hole and my grip just blew off the bar,…
As the pink sky turned turned black over the French Alps, fireworks exploded and a chorus of vuvuzelas, chainsaws and rabid mountain bike fans pushed Mathilde Bernard (FRA) across the finish line and onto the top step of the podium in the RockShox Les Gets Pump Track Challenge, kicking off Crankworx Les Gets 2018, and a new chapter of a young career. Jill Kintner vs Mathilde Bernard In her first Crankworx competition, 18-year-old Bernard unseated veteran Pump Track specialist, and the defending Queen of Crankworx, 36-year-old Jill Kintner (USA). Mathilde Bernard: I feel very good. It’s the first time I’ve…
The final medals of Crankworx Innsbruck 2018 have been awarded, with the winners in today’s iXS Innsbruck Downhill presented by Raiffeisen Club solidifying a trend that’s been consistent through more or less the entire festival. Tracey Hannah (AUS) and Danny Hart (GBR) shared the top step today, repeating last year’s wins on “The Rough One,” Bikepark Innsbruck’s Downhill track. Of the seven first places awarded over the past five days, six have been repeats. Danny Hart And while a replicate, the win didn’t come easy for either, as a result of some early season struggles, rough conditions and challenges leading…
In one of the most highly anticipated rematches in recent Slopestyle history, it was looking like a repeat of the 2017 Crankworx Innsbruck Slopestyle presented by Kenda was on the horizon heading into the second runs of the day. Brett Rheeder (CAN) sat in first with an 86.75, having pulled the strongest run of the field of 14 and debuting a never-before-seen flat drop backflip oppo tailwhip. It was the same position he was in in the same event last year when Nicholi Rogatkin (USA) stormed the second round for the win. Nicholi Rogatkin After today’s first runs, Rogatkin sat…
The name of the game may be speed and style, but in the end, it was speed, style and stamina that won the day in the Mons Royale Dual Speed & Style Innsbruck. Tomas Lemoine’s (FRA) command of all three pushed him to the top of the podium for the second year in a row. Mitch Chubey vs Sam Reynolds Tomas Lemoine: Cardio helps a lot. I started this morning and I didn’t stop until now. I’m super happy, but also happy to rest now. Lemoine’s speed was consistent all day, and he managed to beat Sam Reynolds (GBR) in…
The Pump Track heavy hitters rose to the top on the RockShox Innsbruck Pump Track Challenge tonight, with Men’s and Women’s finals that were both shaping up to be as tight and evenly matching as they come. Until, that is, Adrien Loron (FRA), current King of Crankworx and three-time Pump Track World Champion, rode too close to the edge and went down in the first round of the Big Final against his fellow countryman Chaney Guennet (FRA). Riding clean in their second dual, Guennet would take the win, repeating his performance on the same track last year and improving on…
They’ve gone a few rounds against each other, the clock and themselves. We’ve gotten a taste of who’s fittest, fastest, strongest. Who’s been working on new tricks and new skills. It all began to come to light in March, hints of what would roll out over the course of the season. The reigning Queen emerged from Crankworx Rotorua leading the pack but frustrated with her downhill game, pledging to shift her spring training focus. 2017’s King left the Southern Hemisphere in eighth place, licking his wounds and preparing to surge on home soil, a Kiwi-usurper instead leading the charge. Casey…
The European Enduro Series is just a couple of weeks away and all four rounds are now open for entry. Created by the Enduro World Series (EWS), the four race series kicks off at the end of the month in Val di Fassa, Italy. Bridging the gap between Qualifying events and the main EWS races, these new events allow up and coming riders to compete in existing events closer to home, gain ranking points and the chance to win a completely new Championship title; European Enduro Series Champion. Alongside the new North American and Asia Pacific Series, which start later…
For those stoked on riding bikes this has to be the best part of the year. After months of tedious bike-free boredom, the dirt and mountains are finally calling. Mountain bike rookies, families and experts will be able to send it in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis from June 8. The bike region has a great camp and event lineup prepared this year. Whether you are looking for a chilled mountain bike tour, some flowy turns or a fast-paced descent on gnarly downhill tracks in the bike park, there are plenty of positive MTB vibes to go around. Its time to finally send it…