As a coach I am often asked by athletes whether they are better off to go and do structured efforts on a solo ride or to join a local fast group ride instead? It is a good question which has a multifaceted answer and one in which I enjoy exploring with different athletes. As with […]
Archives for March 2020
Sam Fox recaps XCO National Championships
In Australia, The Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) XCO National Championships is the race that brings out all the big names. 2020 was no exception, with previous winners returning to defend their titles in Elite Men and Women, under 23 Men and Women, and other big names like Cam Ivory (2018 XCO, XCM, XCC champ), Brendan […]
Cape Epic 2020 – we need more than luck
Everyone wishing me well for the Cape Epic has reminded me to be safe, and wished me luck. It’s no accident that these two things come up time and again in conversations about the great untamed African race. In 2018, my team-mate Briony managed to get food poisoning, have all her money stolen by an […]
Cape Epic 2020 Press conference
The race favourites for the Cape Epic gathered at a media conference ahead of the 2020 edition in South Africa.. The traditional Pre-Race Press Conference is characterised by empty platitudes and vague talk of wanting to do well. But Cannondale Factory Racing’s Manuel Fumic and Henrique Avancini turned convention on its head, declaring outright that they are going “all-in” […]
Cape Epic’s COVID-19 statement
With news today of the Trek-Pirelli mountain bike team and all staff staying at home, along with the Wilier Team, it’s clear that the impact of the Coronavirus and COVID-19 on the Cape Epic is being felt. The Cape Epic have just issued their release on their updated safety plans for the event. “As we […]
Australian XCM Championships to Dwellingup, Western Australia for 2020
After the 2019 Cross-Country Marathon (XCM) Australian National Championships were postponed and moved from Townsville to Redlands and the Bayview Blast, many questions were left hanging over the 2020 venue and date. While The RATS MTB Club did a fantastic job hosting the Championships at Redlands, they did so without too much notice and there […]
Cuthbert and Johnston win 10th edition of The Willo
The 10th James Williamson Memorial Enduro (aka The Willo) was held at Sparrow Hill on 1 March and a crowd of over 400 mountain bikers gathered to remember one of Australia’s most talented endurance racers, James ‘Willo’ Williamson. The 2020 titles went to Canberra locals: National Marathon Champion Brendan Johnston won the classic marathon distance […]
Epic Trail (and views) at Bike Buller
Bike Buller is a 3-day mountain bike festival at, you guessed it, Mt Buller. There’a plenty of XC action amongst the gravity events, and today the Epic Trail point-to-point let us loose on the alpine singletrack in the Victorian High Country. A flat is definitely a good way to let your race, and your tyre, […]
Swiss Epic 2020 route revealed
The 2020 Swiss Epic entries have been open for a while, and while the stage towns have been made public, the final route has just been revealed. Unlike some mountain bike stage races, the Swiss Epic changes its route drastically each year. While the challenge of finishing the Swiss Epic will be the same year […]