Ever since Shimano XTR M9000 and XTR Di2 were released in 2014, riders, bike mechanics, and tech gurus have been weighing up the benefits and disadvantages of each system. And this has also involved, quite literally, weighing the components of each system as well. I have been a long-time user of Shimano’s XTR components, with […]
The Alps Epic: A newbie stage race that’s turning heads
Related Event: Alps Epic
In the summer of 2016, a new European stage race was born, and this year the team at MarathonMTB.com couldn’t be more excited. Not since the Swiss Epic launched in 2014 has Europe hosted a new stage race with all the trimmings and all the ingredients for a truly epic experience: a journey through hidden […]
Extra 200 Places for the Craters Classic
There’s no better way to finish a MTB race than soaking in a thermal hot tub. Well, possibly soaking in a thermal hot-tub with a rather nice frothy amber-coloured beverage in hand. And that’s part of the appeal of the Craters Classic. The Craters Classic – scheduled for 11th June 2017 – has just opened another […]
REVIEWED: Shimano 11-46 cassette
If I think back, I remember buying an 11-28 7 speed cassette for my rigid chromoly mountain bike. I was pretty happy to stick to that size even when the 11-30 was available as my Sugino cranks had a 20t little ring after all. Times change, and with the advent of 1×11 (and 1×12) gearing […]
Henderson and Johnston win 2017 Australian Marathon titles in Townsville
Related Event: Australian XCM Championships - UCI XCM Series
On the 30th April, the 2017 Australian Cross-Country Marathon (XCM) titles were hard-fought at Cape Pallarenda in Townsville, Queensland. The event is due to be held for two consecutive years in Townsville, and the initial course we rode in January had some modifications for race day. With the age group and open races decided on […]
Day 1 at the Australian National XCM Championships
Related Event: Australian XCM Championships - UCI XCM Series
Since 2015, the Australian National Cross-Country Marathon (XCM) Championships have been split across two days. This allows less traffic on the course as a short, lap-based event has been used to contest the titles since 2011, as opposed to a traditional point-to-point or big loop marathon. And the 2017 edition in Townsville, Queensland, is no […]
The AMB100 – a race that has come of age
Rocky Trail Entertainment have a vast array of events, and play a key role in others. Their Shimano MTB GP Series has helped plenty of riders get the taste for competitive events, and are a proving ground for endurance riders around New South Wales and the ACT. But their lap-based marathon race at Mt Stromlo, […]
Woolcock and Kruger cruise to maiden Winelands triumph
Seasoned professionals Waylon Woolcock and HB Kruger captured the overall title in the three-day Liberty Winelands Encounter mountain bike race at their first attempt today after setting the pace from day one. Using the same strategy as before, the BCX duo were again able to build up a lead during the first half of the 48km […]
Wrapping up the Tour of Portugal
I feel like I’ve learnt a lot this past week in the Portugal MTB Tour, in particular about how my body reacts to consecutive days of racing. Racing in a two man team has shown me that I have the mentality to follow orders during a race rather than being impulsive. It’s also confirmed that I […]
Jolanda Neff targets XCM repeat in Singen
Jolanda Neff has announced her start at the UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Champions in Singen. On 25th of June, the Swiss mountain bike star wants to use the experience she made, when she lost the finish at the European championships at the Hegau Bike Marathon in 2015 and defend the world title she won in […]