In March 2020, MarathonMTB.com Team rider Imogen Smith was making the final preparations to race the Cape Epic with Briony Mattocks. Her Norco Revolver was prepped, she was fit, they were there in Cape Town – and of course the race was cancelled hours before the start. Countless teams were left wondering what to do, […]
The bikes that won XCM World Championships
In September, two new Cross Country Marathon (XCM) World Champions were crowned in Graechen, Switzerland. The demanding routes for men and women saw both riders arrive at the finish line solo – the course was truly decisive. But what bikes were the riders racing on to win the XCM World Championships? With Pauline Ferrand-Prevot racing […]
Bike Check: Ryan Standish’s Merida Ninety Six
This Merida Ninety Six was photographed on location on the Mongolian steppe by Alex Malone from Cyclist. The whole bike shot is noticeably different as it’s clean! This was taken in Park City by Ryan. Ryan Standish is an American bike racer who has grown up on the rocky and spikey trails of Alice Springs, […]
Bike Check: Jolanda Neff’s Kross Earth
Jolanda Neff is one of the most exciting and dynamic riders in cross-country racing. She is the reigning XCO World Champion and won the XCM World Championships in 2016. Neff has also confirmed she will ride the Whaka 100 in New Zealand this October. Since riding for Kross Neff has been on a Kross Level hardtail, […]
Bike Check: Markus Kaufmann’s Centurion Numinis Carbon XC Team
Related Event: Andalucia Bike Race
At Andalucia Bike Race a couple of weeks ago we had a chance to look at one of the most impressive looking bikes on the pro circuit, the Centurion Numinis Carbon XC Team of Markus Kaufmann and Team Centurion Vaude. Weighing in at a featherweight 9.3 kilograms this rocket ship will be ridden by the […]
Canyon’s new cross-country bike
HOLD ON! The Canyon Lux has been launched – check it out!! It’s been clear that Canyon have been working on a new cross-country full-suspension bike. With the LUX first spotted ahead of the Cape Epic in 2012, it’s life cycle may have run too long. Those who paid attention during the Tankw Trek might […]
Bikes of the Crocodile Trophy: Mike Blewitt’s Norco Revolver 29 FS
Related Event: Crocodile Trophy
The 23rd Crocodile Trophy finished last Saturday, and as usual it was a test of the support crew, riders and their bikes. The 8 day race takes in a huge variety of terrain with about 13000m of climbing and over 600km of racing. I have done the Crocodile Trophy 3 times before, so have a […]
Bike Check: Jolanda Neff’s Kross Level
The Swiss mountain bike superstar Jolanda Neff has just won her first Elite Women’s XCO World Title, with a commanding display of technical ability, fitness and race tactics in Cairns, Australia. Although Neff won the XCM World Championships in 2016, this is her first elite title in XCO, which is her main discipline. She’s just […]
Bike Check: Adam Cooper’s Orbea Oiz
Adam Cooper is a Canberra based mountain biker, and it is fair to say his bikes are often the best-finished, and best looking, in the field. From running an S-Works Epic with a SRAM XO 7 speed DH group set, to a ridiculously light OPEN hardtail, and now to this Orbea Oiz – Cooper’s bikes […]
Bike Check: Peta Mullens’ Focus O1E
On the last weekend of February, Peta Mullens pulled on her new Focus-Attaquer MTB kit and raced on the dirt for the first time in months, aboard her new Focus O1E. Although Mullens has a number of mountain bike national titles to her name, her summer had consisted of road racing until she lined up […]