Visualize the track, take a deep breath, shake out the hands, build up body tension and hit the track. This could be what the pre-race preparation of every downhill rider looks like. But how do you prepare for a race and what does race preparation for young mountain bikers look like, so that they can be focused and relaxed in the start gate, ready to hit the right line and improve their times without forgetting to have fun in the meantime? The bike region Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis challenges itself to solve this question every year during the MTB-Festival: All mountain bike rookies…
Author: Tomas
Leatt just announced the release of their brand-new weather-resistant gear line designed for fall/winter conditions. The inventors of the Leatt-Brace® and creators of technologically advanced protective gear, now offer head-to-knee protection and a full DBX apparel range of products for all bicycle disciplines. Their new 2019 bike outerwear collection includes a new waterproof yet breathable DBX 5.0 All-Mountain jacket, jersey, and shorts gear set, a Windblock, soft-shell 4.0 jacket, a lighter 2.0 jacket, and 2.0 Windblock gloves. The jackets are now more fitted compared to previous models and feature a unique Magnetic Hood System. All models are available in three…
If someone has already visited Romania, he knows that this country is mostly covered with mountains. Mountain ranges in many places have still preserved their wilderness and inaccessibility, making them an ideal destination for people who want to escape from loud and crowded tourist resorts. Romania is great for those who like to ride full natural trails or paths not designed for a bike. Searching for some interesting places in this country I came across a place that is known as a first Flow Trail built in Romania and also it is serviced by a gondola lift. What’s more, this…
This past weekend the iXS European Downhill Cup celebrated the season finals in Brandnertal. At the end of an exciting and extremely demanding race under more than difficult conditions, Monika Hrastnik and Joshua Barth entered the books as the winners of the iXS EDC 2018. Wojciech Czermak On the first September weekend the iXS European Downhill Cup invited the downhill elite to its fifth and last race of the season. For the first time in EDC history Brandnertal in Austria hosted the final round of the cup and despite the unfortunate weather it was a great weekend at the bike…
The inaugural edition of BIKE Festival Saalfelden Leogang starts in just a few days’ time. From August 31 to September 2, visitors and athletes will be greeted by a large exhibition offering a first glance at 2019’s hottest new bikes and products as well as exciting race action and competitions. Registration for the races is still open online and is possible in person until an hour before the start of the various races. The heart of the new BIKE Festival Saalfelden Leogang is the large outdoor expo which features many big brands and names from the mountain bike, lifestyle, tourism…
The 2018 Mountain Bike World Cup might already be history, but the battle for glory in Downhill and Cross Country is about to reach another level! The world’s best mountain bike athletes and the rising stars of the future generation will be competing for gold medals and rainbow stripes during the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships presented by Mercedes-Benz from September 5-9 in Lenzerheide. 10 athletes and one national team will be crowned as World Champions in front of tens of thousands of supporters. First though athletes in both disciplines will have to overcome the demanding tracks. Tickets for the…
An exciting new contest format, more confirmed riders and the spectacular new location rapidly transforming into a world-class mountain bike venue; yes, preparations are running at full speed for the Audi Nines MTB 2018. From 8-13 September 2018, in partnership with Bikepark Idarkopf, the 8th edition of the prestigious mountain bike event will make its debut within a stone quarry in the Rheinland-Pfalz Region of Germany. This pioneering new contest format, debuting in the mountain bike scene leads the list of new developments for the Audi Nines MTB 2018, formerly known as Nine Knights MTB. Instead of the one-day contests…
The drier, the better. This seems to be the mantra of Australian downhill racers Troy Brosnan (AUS) and Tracey Hannah (AUS). They each took the wins in their respective elite fields at today’s Crankworx-closing Canadian Open Downhill presented by iXS, while also each besting their times from last year. Brosnan crossed the finish line in 2:45.37, compared to last year’s 2:46.04, while Hannah clocked a time of 3:16.27, faster than last year’s 3:17.85. After 2017’s race Brosnan had said the track was the driest he’d ever seen it. And this year? Troy Brosnan Troy Brosnan: Somehow it’s beaten it. The…
Nicholi Rogatkin (USA) stomped his way into the mountain bike history books in front of a crowd of over 35,000 fans at Crankworx Whistler today. His win at Red Bull Joyride marks his third this season. And with that, he becomes the first rider ever to claim the Triple Crown of Slopestyle. Nicholi Rogatkin Nicholi Rogatkin: I feel absolutely honoured to even have the opportunity to win this award today. To take it home. I’m absolutely speechless. I just have to thank everyone for believing in me that this was possible, because honestly it’s a feat that a lot of…
As Danielle Beecroft (AUS) was getting ready to drop in off the start gate in the gold medal matchup of the 100% Dual Slalom Whistler, she wasn’t thinking about the fact that her longtime hero was beside her. She also didn’t know that her opponent, Jill Kintner (USA), had won the Whistler event the past five years in a row. She just concentrated on doing what she came there to do. Jill Kintner vs Danielle Beercroft Danielle Beercroft: I just told myself: “I know what to do. Just do what you’ve done all day. Have fun.” I wasn’t even nervous.…
For many, it was the race to end the season – the race the season’s battles had been building toward. But for Caroline Buchanan (AUS), returning to the event she won a year ago was also her return to competition. Tonight’s RockShox Ultimate Pump Track Challenge at Crankworx Whistler was her first race of the season. Jill Kintner vs Caroline Buchanan Caroline Buchanan: It’s pretty surreal. I came to this event with pretty low expectations. I wanted to just get through the first. I told myself that any result would be a bonus, and that’s kind of the mindset I…
“I think I should win today, it would be a good birthday present.” These were the fighting words now 19-year-old Whistler local Finn Iles (CAN) told himself before dropping in to today’s Fox Air Downhill at Crankworx Whistler. Sam Blenkinsop “And I did, so I’m pretty pleased with how it went. Good day.” Iles’ final time of 3:58.06 pushed him ahead of Magnus Manson (CAN), who was sporting the Canadian flag on his sleeve earned from his recent Canadian National Downhill Championship win, who crossed the line in 4:00.35. Kelowna’s Bas van Steenbergen (CAN), who won the event two years…
Crossing the finish line after 12:46.84 of full-gas racing, Sam Hill (AUS) bested a field of some of the world’s fastest men, reclaimed a throne that was last his 11 years ago, and set down a challenge for Crankworx Whistler 2019. Sam Hill Sam Hill: I won it quite a few times before Marcelo [Gutierrez Villegas] came along. I haven’t been here to race him. He was definitely the number one guy to beat here. I just wanted to have fun and wasn’t sure where i’d gauge myself really, but I’m happy to come down in first. It’s a familiar…
A punishing 1,548 meter descent on the last stage of the day would claim more than a few victims today in the CamelBak Canadian Open Enduro presented by Specialized at Crankworx Whistler – notably the exhausted- and devastated-looking Richie Rude (USA), sweat dripping from his face, who rolled into the finish corral with a flat – but not Martin Maes (BEL). Martin Maes Martin Maes: It’s amazing. I think two or three years ago I was leading before the last stage. It’s kind of redemption for me. It just feels amazing. I’m super stoked. On top of the absolution of…