If there is one rider who can single handedly make cross-country racing cool, it’s Nino Schurter. The Swiss World Champion is a huge personality, with an ever-present smile and a huge presence on the bike. He puts everything into his riding and racing, and is just as frequently in the air, crossed up, as he […]
In the pits at the Cairns World Cup
The first round of the UCI XCO World Cup is on this weekend at Smithfield Mountain Bike Park north of Cairns. The mountain bike world has been flying in to the tropical paradise over the last week or more. As the first round of the World Cup in an Olympic year, and the fact that […]
The count down to Val di Sole
For the last leg of the UCI World Cup, the party heads to the Val di Sole. Trentino and Val di Sole are ready to welcome the biggest names of the international XCO, DH and 4X scene together with thousands of enthusiasts who will attend those fantastic 2015 World Cup Finals. This part of the year is […]
Why The Hardtail Isn’t Dead
The Rise Of Full Suspension It’s the age-old question; “Should I get a hardtail or a dually?” Having worked in many bike shops over the years, this is without doubt one of the most common questions I’ve heard from mountain bikers who are in the market for a new XC bike. And it’s likely a […]
Merida Ninety Six Team 2016: Ride impressions
With offices in Germany, and an uber-strong mountain bike race team starring riders like Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå and José Hermida, you’d be forgiven for assuming that Merida was as Euro as Nutella and headbands. Not so. Merida was founded in the early 70s by Taiwanese engineer Ike Tseng who, it is rumoured, was so incensed […]
Seb Jayne’s 2nd European Chapter
Progression: the process of developing gradually towards a more advanced state. That key word, gradually. A sometimes-frustrating time construct for me to endure. But that ‘more advanced state’ ideal does have a certain ring to it. And if I have to endure something, it might as well be on a bike! The German Bundasliga race, […]
Seb Jayne’s Euro Odyssey: Chapter 1
After five weeks, Chapter 1 of my European racing trip has come to an end. And just like a good book it went exceedingly fast. From Germany to Austria to the Czech Republic and back to Germany, each country and race has thrown up its fair share of challenges. Four back-to-back top level XC races […]
Albstadt World Cup XCO course preview with Sebastian Jayne
Sebastian Jayne has just kicked off his 2015 European season. After races in Austria, and the first World Cup round in Nove Mesto, Seb will take to the course at 9am European time for the U23 men’s World Cup XCO. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSmCC9z88_M
Nove Mesto world cup – Equipment choice
For the last two years the Nove Mesto World Cup has been voted as riders favourite and with one lap around the course it’s easy to see why. The course is exciting with technical rock gardens and climbs with multiple lines that provide epic wheel-to-wheel battles that are sure to excite the crowd. Speaking of […]
Nove Mesto World Cup Preview
After an extended break the UCI MTB World Cup kicks off again this weekend in the Czech Republic. The Nove Mesto course is a favorite among riders being voted best XCO/XCE event in both 2013 and 2014. Packed into a densely wooded forest next to a Biathlon stadium, the course features roots. Just lots […]