NEWS 27.03.26
WORLD CUP PRE-PREVIEW: After a long winter training, signing deals and, for many pros, getting some sunshine in New Zealand, racers are starting to focus their game ready for the opening UCI MTB World Series races in just five weeks. Round one of DH and XC World Cup racing is at the brand-new venue of Mona Yong Pyong in South Korea, 01-03 May. The first Enduro World Cup will be at the combined DH and EDR round in Loudenvielle, France, 28-31 May. While we’re on the subject, riders have been getting their first practice laps on the currently dusty Loudenvielle DH track this week; with the snow receding and ski lifts still running, bikes are allowed on track and several teams have been making the most of it.
TECH: Back in NZ in February, SRAM-RockShox launched its latest BoXXer DH fork and a DH-specific wireless XX DH Transmission. Meanwhile in Europe (a week and several bleary-eyed flights later for some reporters), FOX launched its latest 40 DH fork in Finale Ligure, Italy, conveniently around the corner from the Misspent Summers office. It was great to see dozens of bike journalists and there were also many influencers in town. It’s looking like a head-to-head for the two giants of MTB suspension in this year’s DH World Cup. Complete tangent, but if you’ve ever struggled to get a tubeless tyre seated, watch this.
MUSIC TO OUR EARS: Last week’s Red Bull Tennessee National deserves a column of its own. The event, run by Aaron Gwin and friends at Windrock Bike Park (Gwin and his wife own the venue), brought a crop of the world’s best DH racers into the woods for a superb weekend of racing. Watch the replay here – commentated by none other than Rob Warner and Eliot Jackson (classic Warner one liners included). The winners, Aletha Ostgaard in elite women and Austin Dooley in elite men, took away some very special Gibson guitars (best trophy ever?).
REVERSE TRADING: Red Bull is no longer a MTB World Series sponsor. The drink of choice for World Cup racing is now Monster Energy, which has stepped in as one of the three ‘Main Partner’ brands (Whoop is a level above as the sole ‘Series Partner’). On a somewhat unrelated tangent, WBD Sports, the series organiser, announced on International Women’s Day (March 8) that, for the first time ever, elite women will race last (after elite men) at the Leogang DH World Cup round (11-14 June). WBD said, ‘With the women’s field, including local legend Vali Höll, bringing the action to a close, it’s a powerful moment of visibility and recognition for the athletes who continue to elevate the sport.’ Who will be on the podium?
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