The second ever race at the Ancient Peaks venue has come and gone.
Riders last year had a hard time through the Rack garden that was built
so they adjusted that some on the Pro and Expert line. The downhill
course otherwise was pretty similar. They also added a Dual Slalom
course for this event and they had a number of entrants for it.
The downhill is loaded with a high-speed fireroad start that shoots
riders left into the trees. Once into the trees riders hit berms and
drops ranging from 3-4 feet. S0me of the corners are bermed while others
are off camber. There was very little rain so the upper section was
very loose and made it hard on some riders to carry speed through the
off camber turns for sure.
2012 AP Mountain Bike Classic Race
Monday, June 25, 2012
Friday, June 22, 2012
Magura MT8 Brake Review
The Magura MT8 brakes are some of the lighest brakes on the market. They're claimed weight sounds right we had the 203mm rotors and the brakes were 348gms with rotor. They are very sleek looking and the Cabotecture as a material was designed to save weight while still being stiff. It was apparent when lifting the brakes they succeded in the weight department. They are supe light. The brakes mounted with ease and broke in very fast with 3-4 runs they were bedded in.
The brakes only off lever pull adjustment no engagement point which on a brake this expensive is a big negative. In fact it is really the only negative with the brakes. They modulate very well and had plenty of power. They feely a bit like Avid brakes somehwat spongy with increasing power as the lever is pulled into the bars.
Magura MT8 Disc Brake Test
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Santa Cruz Syndicate At 2012 UCI World Cup Fort William
BRYCELAND PODIUMS AT FORT WILLIAM!
Fort William, Scotland
June 10, 2012
Santa Cruz Syndicate’s Josh Bryceland had confidence all week and carried it through to his final race run taking the fifth spot on the podium at the third round of the UCI World Cup Downhill Series. Greg Minnaar came 6th and Steve Peat was 77th as he attempted a race run after suffering a badly torn hamstring muscle the day before.
Fort William was dry and dusty all week and the midges were out in full force! Fans were as enthusiastic as ever and crowds swarmed the hill as much as the midges. The mechanics had the Shimano/Fox equipped V-10’s dialed each day for practice and the boys were training and getting up to speed together. They had fun on the track walk when Peaty had a BBQ up on the track for a feature for “This Is Peaty” . The week was unfolding well.
Qualifier day spirits were high, but on the last training run Steve had a crash and injured himself. His front wheel washed out and when it slid his legs spread apart and he felt a pop. Rolling to the bottom of the hill Steve couldn’t walk into the medical tent so he rolled on in. Upon examination it was determined that he had a bad tear of his left hamstring. Wanting to keep the possibility of racing open he chose to do the qualifier by just rolling out of the start gate (which is all he needed to do as a top 20 protected rider to qualify). Greg ended up qualifying 6th knowing he could make more time and Josh’s form netted him a 7th place qualifier.
Not having had any rain in six weeks it was no surprise that race day would be the day to rain! Steve didn’t practice in the morning while waiting to see if he would be up for the challenge of the race. He got a good taping from first aid and with pain meds onboard he decided to race. Out of the gate he was going for it giving it a proper go and feeling fast. Then he went down on a wet bridge and had to walk back up to get his bike. He carried on, but wanted to stay out of the way of the next few riders so he cruised from there. Josh took to the course and riding very well and moved into the 3-man hot seat to wait. Greg started off attacking the top and managed to hit a rock and damage his chain ring, thus inhibiting his effort for the rest of the run. He gave it the best he had but the chain was off by the bottom where he could have put the hammer down and just missed the podium by .08 seconds, but was stoked for teammate Bryceland as he was 5th scoring his second career UCI World Cup podium!
Santa Cruz Syndicate Video From 2012 Fort William
Fort William, Scotland
June 10, 2012
Santa Cruz Syndicate’s Josh Bryceland had confidence all week and carried it through to his final race run taking the fifth spot on the podium at the third round of the UCI World Cup Downhill Series. Greg Minnaar came 6th and Steve Peat was 77th as he attempted a race run after suffering a badly torn hamstring muscle the day before.
Fort William was dry and dusty all week and the midges were out in full force! Fans were as enthusiastic as ever and crowds swarmed the hill as much as the midges. The mechanics had the Shimano/Fox equipped V-10’s dialed each day for practice and the boys were training and getting up to speed together. They had fun on the track walk when Peaty had a BBQ up on the track for a feature for “This Is Peaty” . The week was unfolding well.
Qualifier day spirits were high, but on the last training run Steve had a crash and injured himself. His front wheel washed out and when it slid his legs spread apart and he felt a pop. Rolling to the bottom of the hill Steve couldn’t walk into the medical tent so he rolled on in. Upon examination it was determined that he had a bad tear of his left hamstring. Wanting to keep the possibility of racing open he chose to do the qualifier by just rolling out of the start gate (which is all he needed to do as a top 20 protected rider to qualify). Greg ended up qualifying 6th knowing he could make more time and Josh’s form netted him a 7th place qualifier.
Not having had any rain in six weeks it was no surprise that race day would be the day to rain! Steve didn’t practice in the morning while waiting to see if he would be up for the challenge of the race. He got a good taping from first aid and with pain meds onboard he decided to race. Out of the gate he was going for it giving it a proper go and feeling fast. Then he went down on a wet bridge and had to walk back up to get his bike. He carried on, but wanted to stay out of the way of the next few riders so he cruised from there. Josh took to the course and riding very well and moved into the 3-man hot seat to wait. Greg started off attacking the top and managed to hit a rock and damage his chain ring, thus inhibiting his effort for the rest of the run. He gave it the best he had but the chain was off by the bottom where he could have put the hammer down and just missed the podium by .08 seconds, but was stoked for teammate Bryceland as he was 5th scoring his second career UCI World Cup podium!
Santa Cruz Syndicate Video From 2012 Fort William
Saturday, June 9, 2012
2012 UCI World Cup Round 3 Fort William
In 2012 there will be the biggest assembly of British World Champion title-holders in any single sport – in Fort William.
Is Downhill mountain biking one of the most successful of British sports in this Olympic year? Come and find out in June when 8 home-grown World Champions from the past 6 years take on the cream of the world’s downhill speed merchants, at the best mountain bike event on the planet, in front of the best crowds.
Having so many UK stars is an inspiration for everyone who attends – there’s always the prospect of Brits on the podium. But success is hard fought, with more than 250 riders from 25 countries battling down the notorious Nevis Range course in front of passionate, cheering crowds.
As well as the stars of downhill there’ll be a 4X Pro Tour event, the new international race series for the gladiatorial, head-to head mountain bike discipline that’s always a firm favourite at Fort William.
For the biggest sporting party with a glittering collection of British stars and global biking heroes, it’s got to be Fort William.
2012 Fort William WC 3
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Aaron Gwin Crushes Them At The 2012 Val Di Sole
After setting the fastest qualifying time yesterday by more than 7 seconds, Trek World Racing's Aaron Gwin displayed incredible poise and composure to once again win by a similar margin today in the finals here at Val di Sole, Italy. While the rest of the field were separated by tenths of a second, the sizes of Aaron's winning margins really were the talk of the paddock throughout the weekend. The win today puts Aaron in the leader's jersey, but tied on points with main rival Greg Minnaar (RSA).
Unfortunately Neko Mulally was unable to race as his ankle wasn't 100% ready for the demanding track. A single practice run on Friday made that abundantly clear, but he took a radio to the course and relayed a lot of valuable information back to the team's start crew. Starting last and not knowing what time Greg Minnaar had recorded, Aaron took to the track with a chance to win his 6th World Cup. While Minnaar sat in the hotseat it was clear that barring an accident, the win was Aaron's for the taking. No rider had beaten his qualifying time of 3mins 16.693secs so he still had the fastest time on the hill for the weekend no matter what, but Aaron went on to beat his qualifying time by 6 seconds.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
2012 Val Di Sole Qualifying
Aaron Gwin blitzed qualifying ahead of the second round of the UCI MTB DH World Cup in Italy. On a very rough Val di Sole course on Saturday, Aaron Gwin and Emmeline Ragot put in some incredibly fast times to put their mark on the competition.
With over 220 men vying for just 80 spots in Sunday’s race - the second UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup event of the season – the competition was fierce. Gwin finished nearly eight seconds faster than second-placed Greg Minnaar, with Marc Beaumont third and Gee Atherton fourth.
American junior Richie Rude rode brilliantly to finish qualifying in 11th, while Brit Berny Kerr was 12th after another great ride. Steve Smith had to sit out qualifying after dislocating a finger in Saturday morning's practice but is hoping to compete in Sunday’s race.
In the battle for places in the women’s race, Emmeline Ragot stormed the Val di Sole qualifying session, finishing six seconds faster than second-placed Rachel Atherton.
Manon Carpenter hurt her shoulder so left the start hut then pulled over to rest up ahead of Sunday, while Tahnee Seagrave suffered a crash and did not finish.
Given how much the course has deteriorated over the past few days, Val di Sole promises to be one of the most punishing and technical rounds of the year.
2012 Val Di Sole Qualifying Results
Friday, June 1, 2012
2012 Val Di Sole World Cup
Mountain biking is back again! After the Mountain Bike & Trials
World Championships that were held here in June 2008 and just one year
after the 2011 World Cup, Val di Sole once again confirms itself as one
of the most important mountain biking areas on the international sports
scene: on June 2nd and 3rd these mountain biking
acrobats will let loose in Commezzadura for the prestigious UCI WORLD
CUP ROCKY ROAD.NET (DHI) and for the new International Circuit 4X,
4XPROTOUR .
Downhill (DH): a breathtaking timed downhill race on slopes with ramps for the spectacular leaps and jumps of these bikers. Extreme courage, skills, technologically advanced equipment and a pinch of madness is the combination needed for this adrenaline filled sport. The Val di Sole track, known as the “snake pit” has been excellently tested over the past ten years and the following are some of the most important competitions held here: 2 Italian Championships, 2 European Elite Championships and 3 European Master Championships, in addition to other prestigious international events including the 2008 World Championships and the 2010 and 2011 World Cup.
Four Cross (4X): four riders compete against each other at the same time on a short but demanding track that is filled with jumps and bumps giving spectators the chance to watch an exhilarating race with modern day gladiators that will take place in the evening. The Val di Sole 4X track, called the “camel’s humps”, has a length of about450 m with 7 parabolic turns and an elevation difference of70 meters. The entire track is visible from the stands in the finish area and from other areas reserved for spectators.
These two races in Val di Sole are the only World Cup races that will take place in Italy this year. This is the top international circuit for downhill mountain biking (seven races held in the following countries: South Africa, Scotland, Canada, USA, France and Norway), in addition to the new 4X Pro Tour, the most important international Four Cross competition with five races held in the following countries:Belgium,Poland,Scotland and Germany.
2012 Val Di Sole WC Round 2
Downhill (DH): a breathtaking timed downhill race on slopes with ramps for the spectacular leaps and jumps of these bikers. Extreme courage, skills, technologically advanced equipment and a pinch of madness is the combination needed for this adrenaline filled sport. The Val di Sole track, known as the “snake pit” has been excellently tested over the past ten years and the following are some of the most important competitions held here: 2 Italian Championships, 2 European Elite Championships and 3 European Master Championships, in addition to other prestigious international events including the 2008 World Championships and the 2010 and 2011 World Cup.
Four Cross (4X): four riders compete against each other at the same time on a short but demanding track that is filled with jumps and bumps giving spectators the chance to watch an exhilarating race with modern day gladiators that will take place in the evening. The Val di Sole 4X track, called the “camel’s humps”, has a length of about450 m with 7 parabolic turns and an elevation difference of70 meters. The entire track is visible from the stands in the finish area and from other areas reserved for spectators.
These two races in Val di Sole are the only World Cup races that will take place in Italy this year. This is the top international circuit for downhill mountain biking (seven races held in the following countries: South Africa, Scotland, Canada, USA, France and Norway), in addition to the new 4X Pro Tour, the most important international Four Cross competition with five races held in the following countries:Belgium,Poland,Scotland and Germany.
2012 Val Di Sole WC Round 2
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