The Cape Epic has released the route for 2019, and as you would expect from the world’s most high profile mountain bike stage race, it is really going to deliver a huge challenge for those who atake the start. With a prologue on the iconic slopes of Table Mountain’s National Park through to trails on […]
Archives for September 2018
Equipment choices for MTB stage races
After finishing the recent Tour de Timor I have been giving my bike a post stage race overhaul. Going through my bike and all my personal equipment after many of these ‘adventure style’ stage races over the years has given me a deeper insight into appropriate equipment selection than I had before. By ‘adventure style’ […]
Langvad and Avancini win 2018 XCM World Championships
Annika Langvad won her 5th Marathon World Title today, as Brazilian Henrique Avancini won his first Marathon World Title. Both riders would no doubt have thought the victory in the XCM World Championships was even sweeter after the XCO World Championships in Lenzerheide. With the courses set as 89km for women and 102km for men, […]
Who can win the 2018 XCM World Championship?
The 2018 UCI Cross-Country Marathon Mountain Bike Championship is upon us. And if you haven’t heard already – the start lists are intense. While we’ve already given our thoughts on the course, the question of who can win on it isn’t so simple. Firstly, you should go and read the entry lists on the UCI […]
What’s it like to race XCO World Champs? Imogen Smith reports on Lenzerheide
I may not be an XCO racer most of the time, and on paper my result was nothing to write home about, but unless I suddenly become a rockstar, nothing I do in my life will come close to the exhilaration of racing XCO World Championships in Lenzerheide. So what’s it like racing XCO World […]
2018 XCM World Championship course preview
After the flat out marathon course in Singen for the 2017 UCI Cross-Country Marathon (XCM) World Championship, the course for the 2018 event is a completely different beast. The 3Epic race which hosts the Championship is a hilly course with sustained climbs and descents, taking in fast gravel roads, steep climbs, forest trails, a long […]
First Look: EIE carbon A29C25D22S wheel build
You may not have heard of EIE Carbon, but chances are you will hear of them more in the future. They make a big range of rims, but what I was looking for in a rim needed to be something that hit the following numbers: internal width of 24-26mm Asymmetric for more even spoke tension […]
Otway Odyssey and Great Otway Gravel Grind bring epic races for mountain bikers this Summer
Over a thousand riders are expected to race on some of Australia’s best single track at the 13th annual Otway Odyssey MTB Marathon presented by Focus, with entries for this iconic event opening today. Regarded as one of Australia’s most respected off-road cycling events, the Otway Odyssey delivers an incredible mountain biking experience for riders […]
Tour de Timor stage 5: Vaz and Ricardo wrap up emphatic GC victories
The final stage of the Tour de Timor finished on the tropical shores of the beautiful Timor Sea after another tough and elevation heavy 90km stage from the mid week camp in mountain village of Aileu. Now riders can relax in the comfort of their accommodation in the capital city Dili after a week of […]
Tour de Timor stage 4: Dramas for Vaz as Arnott takes stage!
Stage 4 lived up to its expectations as one of the toughest stages of this year’s tour. Without 1 significant, defining climb on the stage it was numerous climbs coupled with gnarly descents that tested all riders today. Overall race leader David Vaz was one rider who succumbed to troubles on one of the many […]