Stories

Riding High - Aaron Rolph

With each tiny step, I gasp perilously for oxygen in the thin, frigid air and laugh to myself, “What the hell am I doing here?”

A Flurry Of Gold: World Champs Photo Epic
A one day race to hand out cycling’s most elusive prize - a coveted rainbow jersey. A challenging track, ever changing weather conditions, and a roaring crowd - the stage was set for an epic 2019 Mountain Bike World Championships. 
Photo Epic: UCI DH World Cup #6 - Val Di Sole
Val Di Sole always seems to be the catalyst for drama and this year was no different. After a mostly dry practice, the heavens opened for qualifying providing the world’s best riders a genuine challenge on just getting the down the hill in one piece. The sun would come out for finals, setting the backdrop for another nail biting World Cup race! 
Photo Epic: UCI DH World Cup #5 - Les Gets
After over a decade long hiatus, the popular French mountain bike town of Les Gets returned to the World Cup circuit. With wide open corners and big jumps, the course kept much of its old school feel and provided another great race.
Photo Epic: UCI DH World Cup #4 - Vallnord, Andorra
After a few weeks of down time, the UCI DH series returned to action in Vallnord, Andorra. With tight championship battles in both the men’s and women’s categories, and a steep and dusty track that challenged the world’s best, the race was set to be an epic battle! 
Photo Epic: UCI DH MTB World Cup #3 - Leogang, Austria
One week on from the wet and wild battle of the Scottish Highlands, the World Cup circuit landed in Leogang, Austria for World Cup #3. Riders were met with a bike park style track that posed an entirely different set of challenges from the week prior. The sun was out and the race was on!
Photo Epic: UCI DH MTB World Cup #2 - Fort William
Torrential rain throughout the weekend brought challenge after challenge to the riders and teams. The World Cup circuit is defined by its extreme highs and lows, and this weekend was to be no different.
KEEP ON WINNING: EWS #3, MADEIRA
After a quick break, the EWS returned to action upon the small island of Madeira. Round #3 would provide two epic days of racing on trails deep in dust, with an astounding ocean backdrop. 
Photo Epic: UCI Downhill World Cup #1 - Maribor, Slovenia
After a 9 year hiatus the UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup returned to Maribor, Slovenia, to kick off another year of racing. Back in 2010 Greg Minnaar came out victorious on a rain soaked course, becoming the first rider to win a World Cup on a complete carbon DH bike. 9 years later and the revolutions continue, this time, with mismatched wheel sizes. Let the racing begin!
BACK TO BACK: EWS #2, Tasmania
Martin Maes showed no signs of slowing down in Tasmania, capturing a second victory in as many weeks and extending his points lead in the World Enduro championship battle.
First Day Back At School: EWS #1, Rotorua
After a long off season away from the races, athletes lined up this weekend in Rotorua for EWS#1 to see if all their hard work would pay off! 
EWS #7: Cecile clinches another!
For #7 of the Enduro World Series, the circuit returned to Aínsa, Spain, after a few years away. The riders were met with long dusty stages, ecstatic fans, and scorching weather conditions.
UCI XC World Champs: Kate Courtney brings home gold!
With a hard-fought race and perfectly timed last lap pass, Kate Courtney was able to capture her first Elite World Championship in Lenzerheide. She achieved this incredible feat at just 22 years old, ending USA's 17-year gold medal drought; all on board Eggbeater 11 pedals. Click below to check out our photo epic from the race!
UCI DH World Champs: 4 World Champions, 1 Pedal!
Lenzerheide World Champs served as the closing chapter to an unforgettable year of downhill racing for racers and fans a like.
UCI DH #7: Maes Does The Unimaginable!
A race truly fitting for a World Cup final; La Bresse’s short track coupled with treacherous weather made for one of the most exciting finals in recent years.
Crankworx Whistler: The Tour Concludes
From DH races to Whip Off World Championships, Crankworx Whistler delivers an array of events, hosted right in the heard of MTB paradise.
UCI DH #6: The return of Super Bruni!
The World Cup circuit has been coming to MSA since 1993 and its high-speed straights and rocky wood sections have become notorious among riders and fans alike. Thunderstorms during the first day of practice turned the track up a few notches and posed more of a challenge than ever before. One man wasn’t phased.
Manson Clinches National Title on Crankbrothers Prototype Carbon Wheels
Magnus was onboard a pair of our prototype carbon wheels for the race and we’re thrilled to see them be a part of such an impressive victory. After hours of meticulous lab testing, a product’s real test comes on the race track, and we couldn't be happier with the results. 
EWS #5: The streak continues!
An Italian hillside full of perceived obstacles provided no halt to a season of absolute dominance.
UCI DH #5: Vergier clinches first win!
With big jumps and an endless array of steep and twisty turns, the Vallnord racetrack is a rider favorite year after year.
UCI DH #4: Seagrave steals it!
Already deep in the history books of mountain bike racing, Val Di Sole once again delivered an electrifying final.
EWS #4: Maes fights to the end!
The Enduro World Series continues to outdo itself; this weekend providing steep challenging trails that culminated in a final stage duel between a veteran and a phenom.