Episode 5 of The Atherton Project begins with the team travelling to the mountain town of Sauze D’Oulx for some a week’s free riding ahead of the next World Cup race. It’s a place where all there is to do is eat, sleep and ride – a perfect place to hone skills and switch off from the rigours of the World Cup, at least temporarily.
The team also reflect on the season so far, and look ahead to what’s to come.
The Atherton Project Season 3 Episode 5
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
2011 Ancient Peaks MTB Race
The Ancient Peaks Race happened last weekend. It was held on the Santa Margarita ranch about ten miles north of San Luis Obispo. The downhill course has been cut over the last four to five months. Nate Lewis was the course designer and lead trail digger. He had help from many friends and volunteers from the community to get the course ready to ride by race day.
2011 Ancient Peaks Downhill
2011 Ancient Peaks Downhill
Easton Havoc UST 150mm Announced
Scotts Valley, Calif., July 20, 2011- Meeting the increasing demands of freeride and downhill riders,
Easton Cycling has launched a 12x150mm version of its highly regarded Havoc UST wheelset. Total
wheelset weight for this new option is a remarkable 1,870-grams making it the lightest 12x150mm
wheelset on the market while delivering certified UST compatibility.
Easton will continue selling the Havoc DH, a heavy-duty alternative and official wheel of Whistler Bike
Park, but the new Havoc UST 150mm takes downhill wheels to a new level by dropping nearly a full
pound of weight and adding certified UST compatibility. This new wheelset has been race tested all season
on the downhill world cup by Team Lapierre and Team Devinci’s Steve Smith, recent winner of the
Canadian Open DH race on Havoc UST 150’s.
The Havoc UST 150mm features a tubeless compatible, true UST 23-millimeter internal rim width (28mm
external) and is laced with 28 straight-gauge Sapim spokes. Havocs are available with either bold orange
anodized hubs and matching water-transfer graphics or in a stealthy gray. The Havoc 150mm is sold as a
separate rear wheel for $555 or with a 20mm front wheel as a complete set at $1000 and is also
compatible with 157mm rear spacing through the use of modular end caps.
Easton Havoc UST
Easton Cycling has launched a 12x150mm version of its highly regarded Havoc UST wheelset. Total
wheelset weight for this new option is a remarkable 1,870-grams making it the lightest 12x150mm
wheelset on the market while delivering certified UST compatibility.
Easton will continue selling the Havoc DH, a heavy-duty alternative and official wheel of Whistler Bike
Park, but the new Havoc UST 150mm takes downhill wheels to a new level by dropping nearly a full
pound of weight and adding certified UST compatibility. This new wheelset has been race tested all season
on the downhill world cup by Team Lapierre and Team Devinci’s Steve Smith, recent winner of the
Canadian Open DH race on Havoc UST 150’s.
The Havoc UST 150mm features a tubeless compatible, true UST 23-millimeter internal rim width (28mm
external) and is laced with 28 straight-gauge Sapim spokes. Havocs are available with either bold orange
anodized hubs and matching water-transfer graphics or in a stealthy gray. The Havoc 150mm is sold as a
separate rear wheel for $555 or with a 20mm front wheel as a complete set at $1000 and is also
compatible with 157mm rear spacing through the use of modular end caps.
Easton Havoc UST
Intense Cycles New Carbine
The Carbine is a very refined 5.5 – 6 inch travel all mountain bike that climbs like you can not imagine. Really, I cant lie, standing up wrenching on the bars, or sitting – spinning - making peanut butter. It is really mind boggling how good it is at going up a hill, (it could have something to do with the 5.5lb frame, and maybe the well engineered carbon construction, maybe the VPP design or maybe the superior geometry). I guess I am raving about how good this thing climbs, because of how well it descends. And how well it handles tight poppy single track, and jumps, and corners, and, and, and.. You really need to ride the bike to find out for yourself.
"State of the art engineering and technology, along with the vision and design of Jeff Steber, has culminated in the production of our most alluring and inspired mountain bike design to date. "We combined the best of the best" says Steber, "American design with German engineering."
Intense employed the services of German firm, SEED Engineering to match its vision with their expertise in carbon-fiber product development and engineering.
The brains behind SEED come from years of experience in carbon fiber manufacturing. “We use all the great technology there is, but especially keep a focus on providing the best product”, says SEED engineer, Thomas Harter.
The outcome is remarkable: a do-it-all trail bike with a dual personality. "We took the original DNA of the famous Tracer VP and re-designed and improved it using carbon fiber construction”, says Steber.
The Carbine is proving to be Intense’s best all-around trail bike. The combination of the properties of carbon fiber and the magic of patented VPP suspension makes the new Carbine a segment leader."
Intense Carbine
"State of the art engineering and technology, along with the vision and design of Jeff Steber, has culminated in the production of our most alluring and inspired mountain bike design to date. "We combined the best of the best" says Steber, "American design with German engineering."
Intense employed the services of German firm, SEED Engineering to match its vision with their expertise in carbon-fiber product development and engineering.
The brains behind SEED come from years of experience in carbon fiber manufacturing. “We use all the great technology there is, but especially keep a focus on providing the best product”, says SEED engineer, Thomas Harter.
The outcome is remarkable: a do-it-all trail bike with a dual personality. "We took the original DNA of the famous Tracer VP and re-designed and improved it using carbon fiber construction”, says Steber.
The Carbine is proving to be Intense’s best all-around trail bike. The combination of the properties of carbon fiber and the magic of patented VPP suspension makes the new Carbine a segment leader."
Intense Carbine
Saturday, July 23, 2011
2011 Crankworx Giant Slalom
WHISTLER, BC July 22, 2011 – A redesign of the course and a new format put some of the world’s best mountain bikers through the paces today at the Giant Slalom, presented by Giant Bicycles. Thomas Slavik had the fastest combined time of 1:20.25 in the Pro Men’s category while Jill Kintner took first place in the Pro Women’s category and pretty much solidified her chance at becoming this year’s Queen of Crankworx.
The new course featured a flowing, yet technical ride that tested the high speed skills of each rider. Tight rhythm sections at the top, high-speed berms and a full complement of jumps kept things interesting for the athletes.
Thomas Slavic (CZE), took first place with a time of 1:20.25; Johannes Fischbach (GER), took second place with a time of 1:20.76; Blake Carney (USA), took third place with a time of 1:20.85.
In the Pro Women’s category, Jill Kintner (USA), took first place with a time of 1:27.40; Melissa Buhl (USA), took second place with a time of 1:30.68; Danielle Beecroft (AUS), took third place with a time of 1:32.42.
Jill was also named Queen of Kokanee Crankworx by having also won the Slalom and Pump track events and coming second in the Jeep Air DH. Mitch Ropelato was named King of Kokanee Crankworx.
2011 Giant Slalom Results
The new course featured a flowing, yet technical ride that tested the high speed skills of each rider. Tight rhythm sections at the top, high-speed berms and a full complement of jumps kept things interesting for the athletes.
Thomas Slavic (CZE), took first place with a time of 1:20.25; Johannes Fischbach (GER), took second place with a time of 1:20.76; Blake Carney (USA), took third place with a time of 1:20.85.
In the Pro Women’s category, Jill Kintner (USA), took first place with a time of 1:27.40; Melissa Buhl (USA), took second place with a time of 1:30.68; Danielle Beecroft (AUS), took third place with a time of 1:32.42.
Jill was also named Queen of Kokanee Crankworx by having also won the Slalom and Pump track events and coming second in the Jeep Air DH. Mitch Ropelato was named King of Kokanee Crankworx.
2011 Giant Slalom Results
Thursday, July 21, 2011
2011 Teva Best Trick SHowdown
WHISTLER, BC July 21, 2011 – Benny Phillips will be a name to remember after the sponsor-less rider stormed the Teva Best Trick Challenge to take the win in Session One with a 360 Double Downside Whip. His attempts at Front Flip Tailwhips were impressive, but not stomped. The newcomer burst onto the slopestyle scene tonight and shares the Teva Best Trick Showdown podium with Cam Zink, one of the best slope riders in the world.
Phillips recently moved to Whistler from Melbourne AUS and was “discovered” by Whistler Mountain Bike Park Manager Brian Finestone. “He was basically living at the Airdome and Brian noticed his determination and skill,” says Brett Tippie, professional rider. “This got the wheels turning for Benny to get invited as an alternate rider for the Red Bull Joyride event this Saturday.”
Cam Zink (USA), winner of Session Two at the Teva Best Trick Showdown, is no stranger to the podium and his winning run featured a risky Front Flip off the final Kokanee Cabin step down feature. “To throw down that trick before the Red Bull Joyride is pretty risky but he was totally committed and it paid off for him,” says Tippie.
2011 Crankworx Teva best Trick Showdown
Phillips recently moved to Whistler from Melbourne AUS and was “discovered” by Whistler Mountain Bike Park Manager Brian Finestone. “He was basically living at the Airdome and Brian noticed his determination and skill,” says Brett Tippie, professional rider. “This got the wheels turning for Benny to get invited as an alternate rider for the Red Bull Joyride event this Saturday.”
Cam Zink (USA), winner of Session Two at the Teva Best Trick Showdown, is no stranger to the podium and his winning run featured a risky Front Flip off the final Kokanee Cabin step down feature. “To throw down that trick before the Red Bull Joyride is pretty risky but he was totally committed and it paid off for him,” says Tippie.
2011 Crankworx Teva best Trick Showdown
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
2011 Crankworx Garbanzo Downhill
WHISTLER, BC July 19, 2011 – With only one run to make his mark, Sam Blenkinsop (NZL) made an incredible recovery after hitting a tree to take the Pro Men win in the Garbanzo Downhill with a time of 13:44.52.
“That was hard. I hit a tree and it knocked all the wind out of me,” said an out of breath Blenkinsop at the bottom of the course. “It took me awhile to breath again after I got back on my bike. Compared to this race, the World Cup Downhills feel pretty easy. This is much longer than usual DH races, you can't ride it 100 per cent all the way down.”
Another racer putting on the power, and linking together a good run, was Whistler local Claire Buchar who won the Pro Women’s category with a time of 16:06.68.
The Garbanzo DH is an epic course when the conditions are ideal so the variable conditions the racers had to deal with today made the course extra challenging. Cold and wet conditions up top transitioned to extremely slippery roots and rocks on the mid-mountain and then merged with dry conditions on the bottom. The racers had to constantly adapt to the ever-changing conditions but the weather stayed consistent for the entire race, giving the athletes a level playing field from the first to the last rider.
In the Pro Men category 1st Sam Blenkinsop13:44.52; 2nd Marcelo Gutierrez Villega 13:57.23; 3rd Jack Reading 13:58.44. In the Pro Women category 1st Claire Buchar 16:06.68; 2nd Manon Carpenter 16:13.82; 3rd Miranda Miller 16:55.00.
Full event results at this link: http://www.crankworx.com/index.php/results/kokanee-crankworx/2011-results/47-2011-results
The Garbanzo Downhill is a 3,400’ arm-pumping, finger-cramping, unrelenting descent from the top of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park to the valley bottom. The course snakes through some of the most challenging and aggressive terrain available in Whistler.
2011 Garbanzo DH
“That was hard. I hit a tree and it knocked all the wind out of me,” said an out of breath Blenkinsop at the bottom of the course. “It took me awhile to breath again after I got back on my bike. Compared to this race, the World Cup Downhills feel pretty easy. This is much longer than usual DH races, you can't ride it 100 per cent all the way down.”
Another racer putting on the power, and linking together a good run, was Whistler local Claire Buchar who won the Pro Women’s category with a time of 16:06.68.
The Garbanzo DH is an epic course when the conditions are ideal so the variable conditions the racers had to deal with today made the course extra challenging. Cold and wet conditions up top transitioned to extremely slippery roots and rocks on the mid-mountain and then merged with dry conditions on the bottom. The racers had to constantly adapt to the ever-changing conditions but the weather stayed consistent for the entire race, giving the athletes a level playing field from the first to the last rider.
In the Pro Men category 1st Sam Blenkinsop13:44.52; 2nd Marcelo Gutierrez Villega 13:57.23; 3rd Jack Reading 13:58.44. In the Pro Women category 1st Claire Buchar 16:06.68; 2nd Manon Carpenter 16:13.82; 3rd Miranda Miller 16:55.00.
Full event results at this link: http://www.crankworx.com/index.php/results/kokanee-crankworx/2011-results/47-2011-results
The Garbanzo Downhill is a 3,400’ arm-pumping, finger-cramping, unrelenting descent from the top of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park to the valley bottom. The course snakes through some of the most challenging and aggressive terrain available in Whistler.
2011 Garbanzo DH
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
2011 Crankworx SRAM Whip-It
Today was a off day at Kokanee Crankworx so the bike suppliers got into the action . We headed up to the rebuilt Crabapple hits, the newly tooled super step ups that will send you 30 plus feet, this is not a place for the faint of heart. Pro rider from the World Cup along with some big slopestyle guys came to session the jumps for video and photo's for Sram products. With the likes of B Fairclough, D Riffle, M Hannah,A Neethling and slope style senders C Zink, K Strait, Tyler McCaul, M Soderstrom, A Lacondeguy we new we were in for a major whip session. The riders hit the jumps over and over, hiking their bikes back up and going single and trains, so wicked. The photo guys along were Sven Martin, Frazer Britton, Adrian Marcoux and myself as well as Taylor Sage and the Parkin Bros doing Video. You know with these talents someone is getting bangers for sure. These are a few of mine from today, thanks to Sram and the riders for doing this.
2011 SRAM Whip It Day
2011 SRAM Whip It Day
2011 Crankworx Dual Slalom
WHISTLER, BC July 16, 2011 –A crash in last year’s Dual Slalom Pro Men’s Final kept Mitch Ropelato (USA) from earning gold but he redeemed himself a year later by coming out on top in today’s race. With hardly an error in any run, Ropelato has able to blaze through each ladder, consistently pinning it to take gold over Mick Hannah (AUS) in the finals. Jill Kintner (USA) took gold from Micayla Gatto (CAD) in the Pro Women’s category with clean runs through each ladder. Kintner went in with an advantage of 0.49 and a serious bobble on the moguls by Gatto at the top end of the course took the defending champion out of the running.
2011 Crankworx DS
2011 Crankworx DS
2011 Crankworx Canadian Open DH
Today Vancouver Island’s Steve Smith kept the Canadian Open Downhill title on home soil by dominating the notoriously technical course to take first place with a time of 3:00.01. Rachel Atherton (GBR) had the fastest time for the women with a time of 3:34.45.
“The Canadian Open DH is my favourite event at Kokanee Crankworx. After getting a flat on the course last year I was ready to go hard this year,” says Smith. “This track suits my style; it is rough and technical, and one of my favourite trails to ride in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.”
2011 Canadian Open Downhill
“The Canadian Open DH is my favourite event at Kokanee Crankworx. After getting a flat on the course last year I was ready to go hard this year,” says Smith. “This track suits my style; it is rough and technical, and one of my favourite trails to ride in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.”
2011 Canadian Open Downhill
Thursday, July 14, 2011
2012 Specialized SX Trail
Looking for a bike to handle the gnarliest downhill trails, but agile for hitting stunts in the park? The 180mm-travel SX Trail is the bike for you partner. With a Fox 36 Van R coil-sprung fork, custom Avid Elixir 7 hydraulic disc brakes and Specialized Butcher SX tires, the SX Trail is versatile downhill machine.
2012 Specialized SX Trail
2012 Specialized SX Trail
2012 Specialized Demo
With two downhill World Championships already to its name, the Demo 8 II is the world's fastest downhill machine. With 200mm of travel, a Cane Creek Double Barrel shock and a RockShox World Cup fork, it oozes premium downhill performance.
2012 Specialized Demo
2012 Specialized Demo
2012 Session 9.9
Trek World Racing’s Aaron Gwin raced a prototype of an OCLV Mountain Carbon Trek Session to his third World Cup win in four starts this season, furthering his overall lead and maintaining his reputation as the man to beat in 2011. After qualifying second in muddy conditions two days prior, Gwin ripped the new bike through a dry Sunday course on his way to another podium. Gwin’s Trek World Racing teammate, Tracy Moseley, returned to the site of her 2010 World Championship run in familiar fashion racing to the top of the women’s DH podium aboard her team-issue Trek Session 88.
Rumors of the existence of a carbon Session have abounded for weeks, exacerbated by numerous spy photos and a highly publicized practice run, but on Sunday, Gwin would expose the bike and its capabilities to the world. “It’s hardly a secret that we’ve been working on a new bike with Aaron,” said Michael Browne, Trek’s Global Mountain Bike Brand Manager. “He’s been on the bike a few times and obviously felt confident enough after a few runs to race it. It’s exciting to watch this incredible season unfold along with the development of a new racing machine.”
2012 Trek Session 9.9
Rumors of the existence of a carbon Session have abounded for weeks, exacerbated by numerous spy photos and a highly publicized practice run, but on Sunday, Gwin would expose the bike and its capabilities to the world. “It’s hardly a secret that we’ve been working on a new bike with Aaron,” said Michael Browne, Trek’s Global Mountain Bike Brand Manager. “He’s been on the bike a few times and obviously felt confident enough after a few runs to race it. It’s exciting to watch this incredible season unfold along with the development of a new racing machine.”
2012 Trek Session 9.9
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Elelments Of Perfection 2 ROCK
2nd of 5 in Elements of Perfection video series.
ROCK: You are more than a mere part of the earth. You are the earth. You erupt from deep volcanic faults or collect in ancient processes. Upon impact, you give nothing, but you give everything through your existence. You are the beginning, middle and end of all trails. So thank you. Thank you for letting me ride all over you. Thank you for allowing my tires to leave their rubber fingerprint on you. For dictating the path of the trail: over, above and around. For allowing traction on dry days, and scary-but-fun sliding on soggy ones. For jagged, demanding descents and burly no-fall lines. For always being there. For never changing. Thank you for providing mental markers with your cracks and lines. For nearvertical rollovers and wallrides and lips that never need reshaping. For giving birth to gravel and dirt. For bringing together others just like me to worship you in this kick-ass place. At once, you are everything to me, but just one small part of my favorite bike park in the world.
Elements Of Perfection 2
ROCK: You are more than a mere part of the earth. You are the earth. You erupt from deep volcanic faults or collect in ancient processes. Upon impact, you give nothing, but you give everything through your existence. You are the beginning, middle and end of all trails. So thank you. Thank you for letting me ride all over you. Thank you for allowing my tires to leave their rubber fingerprint on you. For dictating the path of the trail: over, above and around. For allowing traction on dry days, and scary-but-fun sliding on soggy ones. For jagged, demanding descents and burly no-fall lines. For always being there. For never changing. Thank you for providing mental markers with your cracks and lines. For nearvertical rollovers and wallrides and lips that never need reshaping. For giving birth to gravel and dirt. For bringing together others just like me to worship you in this kick-ass place. At once, you are everything to me, but just one small part of my favorite bike park in the world.
Elements Of Perfection 2
Elements Of Perfection 1 DIRT
1st of 5 in Elements of Perfection Video Series.
DIRT: An infinite collection of tiny rocks and decomposed plant matter. You clog my lungs and grit my teeth. You scratch my goggles and stain my clothes. But you also stain my soul. So thank you. Thank you for letting me ride all over you. For being forgiving while I learn whips. For two-wheel drifts and big, fat skids. For providing soft ground between stone and wood. For flowy lines and sculpted berms. For the scars on my shins. For the impressions in my memory. For bringing together others just like me to worship you in this kick-ass place. At once, you are everything to me, but just another small part of the best bike park in the world.
Elements Of Perfection 1
DIRT: An infinite collection of tiny rocks and decomposed plant matter. You clog my lungs and grit my teeth. You scratch my goggles and stain my clothes. But you also stain my soul. So thank you. Thank you for letting me ride all over you. For being forgiving while I learn whips. For two-wheel drifts and big, fat skids. For providing soft ground between stone and wood. For flowy lines and sculpted berms. For the scars on my shins. For the impressions in my memory. For bringing together others just like me to worship you in this kick-ass place. At once, you are everything to me, but just another small part of the best bike park in the world.
Elements Of Perfection 1
Atherton Project Season 3 Episode 4
Episode 4 begins with the team hitting the road as they make the long drive to the next world cup race in Leogang, Austria. Gloomy weather means the track’s not looking its best. Undeterred, Gee’s keen to get a good qualifier and a podium place to get some points in the bank. Dan’s fast getting reacquainted with the sheer speed of World Cup races, and needs to find his pace if he’s to be in contention.
The team then drop in at the Red Bull Hangar-7 in Salzburg for a high-G spin in one of the Flying Bulls stunt planes. The idea that extreme athletes should be able to take anything thrown at them soon goes out the window, and it’s sick bags at the ready as the team takes to the skies.
The Atherton Project Season 3 Episode 4
The team then drop in at the Red Bull Hangar-7 in Salzburg for a high-G spin in one of the Flying Bulls stunt planes. The idea that extreme athletes should be able to take anything thrown at them soon goes out the window, and it’s sick bags at the ready as the team takes to the skies.
The Atherton Project Season 3 Episode 4
Monday, July 11, 2011
Specialized Butcher DH Tires
Specialized released these awhile ago and we have had some serious saddle time on them. They have held up well to rocks at 20PSI and sloppy Santa Cruz based mud. They are a solid tire all the way around. We noticed a good size weight fluctuation in the tires almost 100GM on some. If you really care weigh the Specialized Butchers to make sure your bike is "light".
Banshee Legend MKII Update
We have had the Banshee Legend MKII built for close to a year now. So far the bike has been killer all the way around. It pedal decent, sits low, tracks very good, holds lines and is stable, and inspires confidence in the rider. Recently we added a pair of E13 Downhill cranks to the bike. They are stiff, light and holding up well. So far the only issues with them was mounting them it was a pain.
Scott Sharples Joins Intense Cycles As Marketing Manager
Temecula, CA: Intense Cycles proudly announces the addition of Scott Sharples as Marketing Manager/brand ambassador.
Scott brings with him extensive experience in the cycling industry, including a successful career as a top pro downhiller, editorial contributor to a variety of publications and founder/manager of the athlete development program “Race Brain”.
Sharples is best known, however, for his success as a Cycling coach. From 2001-2007 he was head downhill coach for Cycling Australia, where he created and implemented a flagship downhill race program for his native country’s national cycling body.
Scott Sharples As Intense Marketing Manager
Scott brings with him extensive experience in the cycling industry, including a successful career as a top pro downhiller, editorial contributor to a variety of publications and founder/manager of the athlete development program “Race Brain”.
Sharples is best known, however, for his success as a Cycling coach. From 2001-2007 he was head downhill coach for Cycling Australia, where he created and implemented a flagship downhill race program for his native country’s national cycling body.
Scott Sharples As Intense Marketing Manager
Aaron Gwin WIns 2011 Windham World Cup
All four Trek World Racing downhill riders performed strongly at Round 5 of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Windham, New York in front of a large US crowd on a short and technical track. Neko Mulally (USA) took another solid top 30 result to move up in the rankings, Justin Leov (NZL) had his best result of the year in 6th, just 1/10th of a second off the podium, and Tracy Moseley (GBR) kept her perfect record of being on the podium for every World Cup race in 2011, with a 3rd place.
But it was Aaron Gwin's 4th win of the season that had the fans chanting U-S-A-GWIN at the podium and the city adminis trators changing the name of host town Windham to ‘Gwindham’ for the remainder of the day, in a flurry of red white and blue flags, that had everyone talking. Aaron's win, after qualifying first on Friday, was the first win on US soil by an American downhiller since both Missy Giove and Shaun Palmer won in Big Bear, California, in 1999. Furthermore, Aaron joins a small group of 3 men who have won 4 Downhill World Cups in one season, the other two being Francois Gachet (FRA) and the legendary Nicolas Vouilloz (FRA).
This was the second time the World Cup has visited Windham and the course certainly had its share of technical content with three major rock garden sections, and running around two and a half minutes in length. The weather was perfect and the crowds built all morning to beat the numbers from 2010. Tracy had qualified 3rd and was hoping to move up to second, but last year's winner Rachel Atherton (GBR) repeated for 2011, and this season's other in-form rider Floriane Pugin (FRA) took 2nd. Tracy maintains the overall lead of the series by 100 points with 2 races to go.
Gwin Wins Windham
But it was Aaron Gwin's 4th win of the season that had the fans chanting U-S-A-GWIN at the podium and the city adminis trators changing the name of host town Windham to ‘Gwindham’ for the remainder of the day, in a flurry of red white and blue flags, that had everyone talking. Aaron's win, after qualifying first on Friday, was the first win on US soil by an American downhiller since both Missy Giove and Shaun Palmer won in Big Bear, California, in 1999. Furthermore, Aaron joins a small group of 3 men who have won 4 Downhill World Cups in one season, the other two being Francois Gachet (FRA) and the legendary Nicolas Vouilloz (FRA).
This was the second time the World Cup has visited Windham and the course certainly had its share of technical content with three major rock garden sections, and running around two and a half minutes in length. The weather was perfect and the crowds built all morning to beat the numbers from 2010. Tracy had qualified 3rd and was hoping to move up to second, but last year's winner Rachel Atherton (GBR) repeated for 2011, and this season's other in-form rider Floriane Pugin (FRA) took 2nd. Tracy maintains the overall lead of the series by 100 points with 2 races to go.
Gwin Wins Windham
Saturday, July 2, 2011
2012 Kona Operator
Last year we launched our new Operator platform with one purpose: ride the bejesus out of the world’s downhill tracks all week, race the hell out of them on Sunday, then do it every weekend forever. It starts with a wholly rejuvenated version of our famed Walking Beam 4-Bar suspension system. The design features incredibly plush and durable oversized axle pivots and bearings, combined with low standover and a modern, balanced riding position. We’ve taken everything we’ve learned from our World-Championship-winning Stab and created a bike that speeds into a new era of downhill riding. It’s easy to maintain, with a supple and deep rear suspension feel designed for The Long Sweet Ride, so it’s no surprise Dirt Magazine called it “Bang on!” To make it even better, we added new rear shock mount options and shortened the rear chainstays. To make it even better, we added new rear shock mount options and shortened the rear chainstays.
2012 Kona Operator
2012 Kona Operator
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