The Mitas 4 Islands MTB Race has been quick to find fans around the world. And what’s not to like? The 4-day mountain bike stage race explores trails on four islands in Croatia, with the racers transported by boats. It’s a pairs race that is early in the season – offering great trails, good racing […]
Lüthi and Włoszczowska to tackle Cape Epic
Ariane Lüthi is a three-time UCI Women’s category and two-time Virgin Active Mixed category Absa Cape Epic winner, and Ariane Lüthi has joined Kross Racing for the 2019 season. Lüthi will partner with two-time Olympic Silver Medallist, 2010 XCO and 2003 XCM World Champion, Maja Włoszczowska, as the pair go in search of victory for […]
One year on Nextie NXT29AS30 carbon wheels
Last November we previewed the build of some Nextie NXT29AS30 rims that would be the new race wheels for MarathonMTB.com Team racer Imogen Smith. Having raced on NoTubes Valor rims for over three seasons, then spent some time on an earlier generation of 30mm Nextie rims, Imogen knew she wanted something wider than the Valors, […]
Racing with Megabake’s Vietto’s Tears – one season in
In March this year I was given a few bags of Vietto’s Tears to try out, by Megabake head baker Brett. I bumped into Brett over three years ago when supporting my then fiancé Imogen Smith at the Chicks in the Sticks 3 hour race. At the time, Brett had one main product with the […]
Transalp 2019 route is revealed
The 2019 version of Bike Transalp has had the course revealed. Organisers say it will let you discover entirely new stage towns and completely new trails. And with a new start town in Tux, they might be right. From day one you shoot along the recently finished and never before ridden bike trail from Tuxerjoch […]
The Pioneer Stage five – Final stage brings a few surprises
Tired legs roll out of Bannockburn This morning we got up before dawn and munched through breakfast in the dark. It’s always unbelievable to me that, given my usual appetite, when we get into the depths of a stage race I find myself completely without interest in food, so that eating is stripped of any […]
The Pioneer Stage 4 – Mt Difficulty and other difficult climbs
Click. Beep. Click. Beep. Click. Beep. Ok I’m definitely in my smallest gear, but how is that possible? I’ll just check again. Beep. Yep. Shit. Getting going again Today Mike and I started Stage four of The Pioneer with the goal of making it to the first feed zone, then reassessing things after our nightmare […]
Hellfire Cup Sprint Stage Race Wraps up in Tasmania
The final two days of the Hellfire Cup have wrapped up on the stunning Tasman Peninsula outside Hobart, Tasmania. Friday evening brought with it a rather catastrophic forecast with sever weather warnings given to the race area of catastrophic winds of over 110km/h. Subsequently the race organisers ‘Storm Bay Productions’ headed by Tasmanian MTB personality […]
The best in the west – Cape to Cape Day One
It’s October, and that means stage races are going crazy. With the Cape Pioneer Trek, the Crocodile Trophy, Cape to Cape and soon the Brazil Ride kicks off – it’s a pretty hectic time. If you were gifted with unlimited funds, you’re looking at four really diverse events to pick from. In Australia, the clear […]
Croc Trophy Update; Switch of Swiss in GC lead!
Stages 4 and 5 of the 2018 Crocodile Trophy brought with it a shake up in the General Classification lead for Men and Women. The first 3 stages took riders over the great dividing range to the small town of Herberton which was the starting point for the stage 4 Individual Time Trial, a 38km […]