In a year that will be remembered for different reasons by everyone, elite athletes have had a serious shift in their goals. With Tokyo 2020 becoming Tokyo 2021 (maybe?), the Cape Epic being cancelled, and the XCO World Cup being crammed into two months lots of athletes are overhauling their race calendars. With the Swiss […]
Bike Check: Norco Revolver Hardtail team builds
With two new Norco Revolver hardtails added to the MarathonMTB.com service course, it is worth asking what role does a hardtail play in the mountain bike world? The humble hardtail is often seen as the bike for beginners, for family riders, and for ‘cross-country’. A hardtail can also be seen as a race-only bike, a […]
An insider’s guide to WEMBO 24 hour racing
Racing a 24 hour mountain bike race in the solo category can be anything from a New Years resolution, a dare from a mate, a personal goal, or a professional accomplishment. But the challenge of riding your mountain bike isn’t diminished, not matter the reason for you to sign up to a solo 24 hour […]
Dragon Trail MTB
Anyone can see that around Australia, the marathon scene is shrinking. Some of the classics keep fighting on, but the demand for single day 100km races is not what it used to be. And given the costs involved for a one day event it is understandable. Time off work, entry, accommodation, maybe airfares as well […]
My favourite event: Transalp
As we move into a year unlike no other, being able to travel the world and race your bike seems like such a luxury! I don’t think I ever took it for granted, but as each week passes I’m left thinking about what race I’d really like to do, or do again. I also think […]
Cape Epic 2021 entries open soon
After the last minute cancellation of the 2020 Cape Epic, the world has had a succession of huge changes. The Olympics have been postponed, millions have lost jobs, hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost, and economies have dived into recession. However, there have been positives. They may not outweigh the negatives, but there […]
Train with MarathonMTB.com for the Convict 100
So far the year 2020 has thrown up challenges around the world. The world of sport has been upended, but in some countries events have been able to reschedule, allowing us mountain bikers to set goals for later in the year. Goal setting is a key part of motivation, and a positive goal to train […]
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 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 […]