BikeRadar.com Mountain Biking

Bike news round-up: Le Coq Sportif TdF yellow jersey

BikeRadar UK — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:47:00 GMT

From the latest product news to details of routes and events, our news round-up is a collection of short snippets of information in one handy article.

Today we bring you news of a change in manufacturer of the four Tour de France leaders jerseys, Rapha's Sample Sale heads outside London for the first time, a unique bike-themed stand-up gig, plus news from Profile Design and Bike Blenheim Palace.

Product and team news

Le Coq Sportif reunited with Tour de France

Le Coq Sportif have a long history with the Tour de France, having being the manufacturers of the yellow jersey in the days of Anquetil, Merckx and Hinault during a period spanning almost 40 years. After more than two decades away from the event, the French firm are back for 2012, replacing Nike as the makers of all four leaders jerseys. They are made from polyester, have almost full length zippers (don't tell Stephen Roche!) and cost £60 from stores including Wiggle, Evans Cycles and Cycle Surgery.

Rapha to hold sample sale in Manchester this weekend

The first ever Rapha Sample Sale outside of London is set for Manchester this weekend (26 May). End-of-line stock, returns and one-off samples will all be up for grabs at Thomas Street Post Office (M4 1NA) from 10am-6pm. To complete the weekend, they are organizing a ride from Manchester to Nonnas Restaurant in Chesterfield, arriving in time for the climax of the Giro d’Italia. See the Rapha Facebook page for more details.

Profile Design road wheel range given UCI green light

Profile Design’s full range of road wheels has been given the thumbs up by the UCI for use in competition. The governing body’s stringent process rules out scores of products each year which don’t pass muster, but all PD’s wheels, including the Altair 52 and 80 Semi Carbon Clincher, Altair 52 and 80 Full Carbon Clincher, Altair 52 and 80 Tubular and Armada 24 have been authorized in the “non-standard” category for road and track competition. The category includes rims higher than 2.5cm, fewer than 16 spokes and a spoke thickness of over 2.4mm.

Fox demo day at Mojo Suspension

Mojo Suspension is hosting a Fox demo weekend on 2-3 June at Cwmcarn Forest Drive. They’ll be setting up shop in the bottom car park with the latest Fox gear to try out, including the new DOSS seat post and Float CTD shocks. Staff will be there between 9am and 5.30pm on both days to answer any questions. Demo sessions are being run on a first come, first serve basis – email ashley@mojo.co.uk to book your place.

Routes, racing and rides

Off-road sportive added to Bike Blenheim Palace line-up

A 40km mountain biking sportive has been added to this year’s Bike Blenheim Palace festival (18-19 August). The route travels along the trails with the Blenheim Palace Estate as well as the surrounding Cotswolds. The £28 ride, which takes place on the Saturday, joins the 60/100-mile sportive, a 20km time trial , a bike polo tournament and the Brompton World Championships in an ever-expanding cycling extravaganza. www.bikeblenheimpalace.com

Stand-up comic to host unique bike-themed gig this Saturday

Stand-up comic Phil Kay will lead a bike tour around Grizedale Forest this Saturday, ending up at retailer Wheelbase’s store in Staveley for a unique one-off gig. Bike nut Kay will dish out his unique brand of humour through a megaphone during the ride, which begins at 5pm at the Cafe in the Forest at Grizedale, with the gig following at 8pm. Tickets are priced at £15; click here to buy a ticket.

CamelBak Baja LR hydration pack review

Guy Kesteven, What Mountain Bike — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

The Baja LR isn't one of CamelBak's mountain bike packs. Instead, it was designed for Stand Up Paddling, the kayaking-meets-surﬁng craze taking California by (presumably wobbly) storm. SUP demands a close-ﬁtting, lightweight and weatherproof pack where instant access to essential gear is crucial. Pretty similar to fast, keep-the-ﬂow, technical trail rides then…

The two big chest pockets are useful for items such as gels, bars, Buffs, phones and multi-tools. Big hip pockets store more gear under Velcro-closed ﬂaps. There’s even a splashproof Neoprene stash at the back. The mesh back is great for inner tubes, a stashed jacket or extra bladder, while two tunnel pockets turn out to be perfect for pump storage. You never know when the safety whistle might come in handy and you’ll probably even ﬁnd a bike-related use for the elasticated paddle loop, too. A stash of quick-release pastries, perhaps.

The bafﬂed 2-litre lumbar reservoir keeps water weight low down, while the upwardly-routed drinks pipe is perfect for instant sipping and CamelBak’s lockable bite valve is still the best in the business by far. The sliding-buckle elastic sternum straps keep it body hugging on the steepest descents and drops, when most packs would be ﬂopping around or trying to escape over your lid. The downside is the sweaty Neoprene belt and back panels, but there’s an almost identical Ultra LR pack for runners that’s all breathable fabric.

This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.

Hope Hoops Pro 3 SP-XC3 mountain bike wheelset review

Justin Loretz, What Mountain Bike — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:00:00 GMT

This wheelset from Lancashire alloy-turners Hope Technology blends new-age wheel technology with old-fashioned, high-quality tradition. Key to this lightweight 1,423g wheelset are Hope’s own Pro 3 hubs with their unique tri-arm rotor design.

The hubs are among the lightest you’ll ﬁnd, but on the downside it means you’re stuck using Hope’s own, admittedly effective and durable, Pro-3-speciﬁc discs. The hubs use Hope’s four-pawl ratchet, 24-tooth engagement cassette body, which is both fast to pick up and loud.

Hope spec the Pro 3 with 24 Sapim spokes and brass nipples, on Stan’s ZTR Crest tubeless rims. Our test wheels have had a rough life, living outside 24/7 and being asked to deal with harsher riding than maybe they should, but they’ve needed only the most minor spoke adjustment.

This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.

DT Swiss and Schwalbe 2013 mountain bike products

Rob Wilmott in Biel, Switzerland — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:56:00 GMT

At their factory in Biel, Switzerland, DT Swiss have just launched an array of 2013 mountain bike products, along with tyre partners Schwalbe. Headlining the action were the new Spline hubs and 650B tyres.

With such a large range of wheels, DT Swiss have tried to simplify their naming protocols by categorising each range.

First comes application range, with the quality being shown by number of characters – one letter for the most basic, and three letters for the very best, such as Cross [Country] – XRC, XR, X; Mountain – XM, M; Enduro – EXC, EX, E; Freeride – FX/FR.

Next is Main Feature, which for MTB designates weight in grams, such as 950, 1150, 1450 and so on.

Then comes the Family, denoting hub design – Dicut, Tricon, Spline or Classic. Finally we’ve got Sub Features, such as T (tubular), C (clincher, unless there’s no tubular version available), TL (tubeless), H (hybrid) and 29 (29er). Simple.

DT Swiss pride themselves on being the only manufacturer worldwide to make every wheel component themselves. They now have production sites in the USA, Taiwan, Poland and France, with all design and testing done in Biel. Eight women hand-build the wheels in Poland because they’ve been proved to be more precise than men.

The big wheel announcement came in the form of new Spline hubs, with the name derived from Straight Pull Line. DT Swiss have made straight-pull hubs for more than 10 years, with Bontrager-badged hubs helping Lance Armstrong to seven Tour de France wins. They’re now using their own name, though.

The M1700 Spline 650B rear wheel with Thru Axle

The mountain bike versions have already been used by pro riders at World Cup events this year. They’re the basis for three cross-country wheelsets in 26in or 29in, and one mountain wheelset in 26in or 650B.

The Spline M1700 is the only 650B tubular wheelset on the market, and a specific fork, wheels and rims will be on sale for 2013 in Europe at least. For now it’s only available in the weighty Mountain version, but lighter models will follow. The lightest cross-country 650B wheels are exclusive to the Scott-Swisspower team until after the Olympics, and at the moment the necessary tyres are only custom-made specials. That’s likely to change too, though.

At a claimed 1555g, the Spline XR1450 29 is one of the lightest aluminium 29er wheelsets on the market. As with most DT Swiss wheels, it will be available with a quick-release or thru-axle. The company believe that quick-releases are already dead on 29ers and will soon go the same route on 26in wheels, as even cross-country riders accept the 50g or so penalty for the extra security and stiffness a 15mm thru-axle offers.

Triple Connection Tricon wheels are now fully user serviceable, with all tools and spare parts available. The rim inserts for the straight double-threaded spokes keep the rim bed lighter and airtight for tubeless tyres. The Torx nipples give the spoke tool more grip, enabling the higher spoke tension necessary. Also, all mid- to high-end rims will have new, baked-on decals for 2013. These should prove tougher and be impossible to scratch or peel off.

Clarifying that DT Swiss never bought Pace, only their fork business, the first fork debuted was the Carbon Hollow Arch XRC 100. You can trace its DNA back to a Pace design. Sporting new wiper seals and damping oil and lube developed with Swiss company Panolin, which can be mixed to tune the fork, it was also displayed in 650B configuration. DT’s remote lockout lever now has rubber and plastic inserts, to be kinder to carbon bars. And at 6mm wide it can fit anywhere on your bar without compromising the other controls. It’s only 11g and the lightest on the market, if you’re a weight weenie.

Following on from the M212 Mountain rear shock comes the X313 Cross shock. At 198g for the three-mode unit it’s impressively light. But blowing it out of the water is the X313 Carbon Cross shock, with a carbon-fibre shell and internals bringing it in at 150g. Both shocks use the same remote lever as the Twin Shot fork. Pricing for the X313 will be competitive, at about €300. The carbon will retail for more, although no prices are available yet.

Schwalbe restake their claim in the 650B market

A 650b Schwalbe Hans Dampf

Danny Hart’s World Championship-winning tyre supplier have also recoded their product designations. For 2013, Active (A) Line tyres will all offer at least 50tpi and Kevlar guards. Performance (P) Line MTB tyres will all have dual rubber compounds. Evolution (E) Line rubber will continue to offer the highest grade materials and latest technology. Tyre walls will show square icon boxes for each feature, with the tyre line letter first and the diameter shown in bold characters elsewhere.

Almost all of the products in Schwalbe’s MTB range will be available in 29in. The brand’s own rolling resistance tests, conducted over different terrains and obstacles, showed the 29ers to roll 5-6 percent faster. They also topped the table for feelings of safety, ride experience and security for the 50 riders involved, compared to 26in wheels.

Schwalbe offered 650B tyres four years ago and removed them from the catalogue last year, after limited uptake. They’re now back and available in Racing Ralph, Rocket Ron, Nobby Nic, Hans Dampf and Rapid Rob patterns and several widths.

The Rocket Ron has undergone some changes, with tougher shoulder blocks to limit tyre squirm and a reconfigured centre block that’s claimed to reduce rolling resistance by about 15 percent. Each tread block has a siped surface to increase grip, and a new sidewall finish improves sealing to make it tubeless-ready.

The Hans Dampf enduro tyre has evolved, with a Super Gravity (SG) version now on offer that claims to be as strong as a downhill tyre but as light as a freeride. It has a Snake Skin sidewall to resist cuts. Already ridden in prototype form in the World Cup downhills this season, we were assured that its weight will be 995g. Compared to a 1200-1300g downhill tyre with six carcass layers, the SG tyre has fewer layers. The sidewall stiffness fits between that of downhill and enduro tyres but with a more flexible tread than downhill rubber would usually offer.

A new rubber compound also sits between those used for downhill and cross-country to offer the proposed performance. The reinforced Kevlar bead and Snake Skin protection should help resilience, and in tubeless configuration could save about 800g over a downhill tyre and tube setup. That just happens to be where it can make the most difference.

DT Swiss and Schwalbe 2013

Rob Wilmott in Biel, Switzerland — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:56:00 GMT

With such a large range of wheels, DT Swiss have tried to simplify their naming protocols by categorising each range.

Next is Main Feature, which for MTB designates weight in grams, such as 950, 1150, 1450 and so on.

The M1700 Spline 650B rear wheel with Thru Axle

Schwalbe restake their claim in the 650B market

A 650b Schwalbe Hans Dampf

UCI announces Olympic mountain bike spots by nation

Sue George, Cyclingnews.com — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:38:00 GMT

This article was originally published on Cyclingnews.com.

The UCI announced the number of mountain bike spots qualified for each nation for the 2012 London Olympic Games on Wednesday. The spots are based on three criteria specified by the UCI including nations ranking and performance within the individual continental regions.

The UCI Olympic qualification ranking was determined by summing the points of the UCI rankings by nation Olympic format as of May 23, 2011 and May 23, 2012.In case of equal points, the nations were ranked by their best place in the UCI rankings by nation.

For the men's race, the top 24 ranked nations qualified one, two or three riders depending on their specific ranking. In addition, seven other nations also qualified one rider each based on individual rankings as of the 2011 Continental Championships for Asia, America, Africa and Oceania. Finally, Guam qualified one rider under a special provision which states that if an NOC obtains a qualifying place under criterion no. 2, but has already qualified under criterion no. 1, the next best ranked NOC in the respective continental championships ranking will qualify.

For the women's race, the top 18 ranked nations qualified one or two riders depending on their specific ranking. In addition, four other nations also qualified one rider each based on individual rankings as of the 2011 Continental Championships for Asia, America, Africa and Oceania.

In total, 50 men and 30 women are allocated spots by nation for the Olympic Games. A complete listing of the number of mountain bike racers qualified per nation is below.

Although there was some minor shuffling in the rankings after this past weekend's World Cup in La Bresse, France, there were no changes in the number of racers each nation qualified relative to what Cyclingnews posted last week thank the calculations of Rob Jones.

What happens next is that nations will decide whether to accept all qualified spots and then name their riders to the teams. Any unclaimed spots will be re-allocated by the UCI.

The Olympic mountain bike races will happen at Hadleigh Farm in Essex on Saturday, August 11 and Sunday, August 12.

Olympic Mountain Bike race qualifying by nations

Men

#	Country	Spots
1	Switzerland	3
2	France	3
3	Czech Republic	3
4	Spain	3
5	Germany	3
6	Italy	2
7	Netherlands	2
8	South Africa	2
9	United States of America	2
10	Austria	2
11	Canada	2
12	Poland	2
13	Belgium	2
14	Great Britain	1
15	Sweden	1
16	Australia	1
17	Japan	1
18	Brazil	1
19	Ukraine	1
20	Hungary	1
21	Russian Federation	1
22	Argentina	1
23	Greece	1
24	Cyprus	1
25	Namibia (Africa)	1
26	Rwanda (Africa)	1
27	Colombia (America)	1
28	Costa Rica (America)	1
29	Hong Kong, China (Asia)	1
30	People's Republic of China (Asia)	1
31	New Zealand (Oceania)	1
32	Guam	1

Women

#	Country	Spots
1	Canada	2
2	Switzerland	2
3	France	2
4	Poland	2
5	United States of America	2
6	Slovenia	2
7	Germany	2
8	Norway	2
9	Russian Federation	1
10	Czech Republic	1
11	Italy	1
12	Austria	1
13	Netherlands	1
14	New Zealand	1
15	Ukraine	1
16	Great Britain	1
17	Sweden	1
18	Denmark	1
19	South Africa (Africa)	1
20	Colombia (America)	1
21	People's Republic of China (Asia)	1
22	Australia (Oceania)	1

Nutrition round-up: USN Delite Bar packs big protein punch

John Whitney in Bath, UK — Wed, 23 May 2012 11:38:00 GMT

Only you can decide what balance of carbs, protein and fat you need from your energy snacks and nutrition products, but here's a quick round-up of the latest options to hit our desks.

USN Delite Bar

Heavier on the stomach than a sledgehammer to the midriff, USN's latest monster protein product, the Delite Bar, certainly packs a punch. Each bar contains a not insubstantial 30g of protein and comes in two flavours - Cookies and Cream (76g/315kcals) and Toffee Almond (96g/412kcals). The latter is the richer of the two, with more weight, more fat (16g against 11g) and more carbs (37g against 24g).

We found the chocolate and toffee certainly helps with palatability but there's still that non-specific protein taste once you get further into the bar. If you were hungry before eating one, you won't be for a while afterwards. But if you struggle to get your daily requirement of protein in, then these could help you.

They're not so light on your wallet, either. They come in boxes of 12 direct from USN for £41.88 (Cookies and Cream) and £45 (Toffee Almond), meaning each bar costs a maximum of £3.75. If we weren't feeling queasy before, we are now. www.usn.co.uk

Kinetica

This Irish firm's latest energy gel off the production line, Fuel Gel, is packed with several ingredients that claim to boost physical and mental performance. Each 35ml serving (110kcal), is filled with 27g of carbohydrates (Glucose, Fructose, Maltodextrin), L Carnitine (to help convert fat into energy), L Tyrosine (mental alertness and focus) and a reasonably high 81mg of caffeine.

It comes in Strawberry Zing and Fruit Punch flavours, and both had a medicine-like taste which wasn't such an issue when the hunger pangs came a knocking. We had some of our best rides of the spring with these stuffed in our pockets, which is pretty much all you can ask for from a gel. They are available in packs of 24 from Kinetica's website for £36. www.kineticasports.com

Maxim

Although 35mL is about the standard serving size for a gel, it's sometimes good to have a little bit extra. Step forward Maxim's whopping 100ml gel pouches, which has a screw cap in case you want to take it in doses. If not, each sachet contains 300kcal and 74.3g of carbohydrates, along with stimulants guarana and caffeine. As well as the orange here, they come in four other flavours (citrus fruits, grapefruit and orange, passion fruit and orange and strawberry). www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk

Sponser

Swiss firm Sponser are still relatively new to the UK, but are better known on the continent with their association to star athletes such as former mountain biking cross-country world champion Christoph Sauser. Their Recovery Drink (Strawberry-Banana), which comes in the sachets above (box of 6, £11.99) or a 1,200g tub (£34.99), contains casein and whey proteins (10g per sachet) and 39g carbs (218kcal). As with many drinks of this type, you're supposed to add water but we've always found that milk tastes much better. This drink is no exception. www.sponseruk.com

Superstar Switch AM mountain bike wheelset review

Guy Kesteven, Mountain Biking UK — Wed, 23 May 2012 10:00:00 GMT

The Alex Supra rims used for Superstar's Switch AM wheels are reliably tough and broad enough to handle fat tyres without being heavy and slow on the bike, and production sets will be laser etched.

They’re hand-built in the UK with top quality Sapim CX Ray spokes and while they’re not the tightest-laced wheels, Superstar offer lifetime retensioning as part of the price. The Switch hubs will handle a full range of axle options and the bearings last okay.

They’re not tubeless as standard, but full spares support and reduced cost crash replacement, plus custom colour and spoke options for an extra £50 make them a bargain. There’s a new faster-reacting freehub, SKF bearing hubset in the pipeline too.

This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.

NS Core 3 review

Jake Ireland, Mountain Biking UK — Wed, 23 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Polish dirt jump bike pioneers NS have broken into the all-round hard-hitter bracket with their Core series of bikes. With rider feedback and development at the core of the company, we were expecting greatness. But while the basic Core 3 has a good frame, the low-quality, heavy spec and budget fork lets it down.

Ride & handling: Needs a few spec changes to shine

While it's firmly aimed at play riding rather than cross-country duties, we managed to get enough seatpost out of the Core 3 to be able to get pedalling, although any rider much taller than 5ft 6in was pushing the post past its limit on our size medium test bike.

Sam Pilgrim’s signature grips combined with an NS Terra bar wasn’t the most comfortable cockpit we’ve ever experienced. The bar felt as if it had no sweep, and the thick grips with minimal pattern will have limited appeal and got very slippery when wet.

The NS's ride was surprisingly harsh, even on surfaced trails. The Suntour Duro fork had problems reacting to small bumps effectively, even with the preload on both legs wound to a minimum. The spring was ideal for trail riding but the fork’s stickiness rendered it ineffective for any slight impacts.

It was disappointing on dirt jumps too, and tended to blow through its travel with little support, even with the preload wound all the way on. Small bump sensitivity isn’t an issue at the jumps though, because the fork remained pretty smooth after the initial part of the stroke. The fork seems to suffer from a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none problem.

Throughout the testing, the Kenda Kinetic tyres were a disappointment, too. They were slow-rolling and created a lot of trail noise, as well as giving a lot of feedback and vibration at 30psi. When ragging technical singletrack, the NS came into its own. Its size allowed us to move the bike around easily, though once again the spec hampered performance.

The brake pads had a large amount of free play in the callipers, and even after an hour of fiddling, we still couldn’t get the basic mechanical callipers to feel positive and sharp. This resulted in a really spongy feel when we tried to slow down. It’s disappointing, especially as the frame could shine with a few spec changes – not least a new fork.

Frame & equipment: Bombproof but heavy

NS build their hardtails from steel because they believe it’s the best material for the purpose. It’s strong, and NS reckon it reduces vibration too. Unfortunately, there's a weight penalty with steel, and the Core is comes in at 16.8kg (37lb, without pedals).

The ‘Trimoly’ tubeset is made up of a chromoly down tube, top tube and chainstays, with simple steel tubing elsewhere. The frame of the Core 2, the next bike up in the range, is 100 percent chromoly, which makes it lighter than the Core 3. The frame has a standard 1.125in head tube, normal 135mm rear end and a 25.4mm seatpost size, which could prove a problem as 25.4mm posts aren’t easy to replace.

One of our biggest qualms with the Core is that the mech hanger isn’t replacable. Although it’s not a massive issue with a steel frame, if it’s bent a lot (which is likely, given the type of riding that the bike is designed for), it’s only going to get weaker.

Since the 3 is the entry-level bike in the Core range, the spec is nothing special, but it's all kit that should last well and take a good beating. Suntour’s Duro fork is up front with 130mm (5.1in) of travel and rebound adjustment, with the cockpit completed by an NS Quark stem and Terra bar. Tektro’s Novela mechanical disk brakes are in charge of stopping duty, with 180mm rotors front and rear.

The drivetrain is a SRAM SX-4 eight-speed setup, with dual chainrings up front to assist on the climbs. The Truvativ Ruktion crankset uses the hard-wearing Howitzer bottom bracket system. The wheelset is made up of wide Jalco rims and Joytech hubs, with the front axle being nutted while the rear is a quick-release. Kenda’s Kinetic tyres do their best to keep contact with the ground.

This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.

110% Play Harder Transformer Shorts: Video unboxing

BikeRadar, UK — Tue, 22 May 2012 12:14:00 GMT

It's been some time since Cycling Plus Editor Rob Spedding graced BikeRadar with his unboxing series but he's finally back. More of an unbagging than an unboxing, Rob has got his mitts on a pair of compression shorts with a difference from 110% Play Harder.

The theory suggests that using compression wear during and after exercise to help improve circulation and reduce swelling. Ice, often in the form of the dreaded ice bath, is used additionally to reduce inflammation and pain by restricting the blood vessels and preventing the accumulation of fluids.

110% Play Harder have combined the two with their 110% Compression + Ice range, a series of products that include a pocket designed to fit an ice sheet. The Transformer Shorts target the quads, hamstrings, hips and lumbar area without the unnecessary, torturous plunge into the ice bath.

The firm are well established in the US, where the shorts can be purchased direct from their website for $110. They've recently extended their reach into the UK, where they can be picked up for around £80. Click here for a full list of retailers. www.110playharder.com

SR Suntour Epicon 29in X1 LO RC fork review

Guy Kesteven, What Mountain Bike — Tue, 22 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

This 29er fork is available with the two structural elements that really make a difference to the tracking performance of those inescapably longer legs – a 15mm through-axle and a tapered steerer.

The QR Loc axle is admittedly not perfect, however. The cunning expanding collar engages and disengages really quickly and works well if you’re sliding it through a smooth, constant diameter hub. However, if there are steps inside the hub – common with hubs using switchable end caps for different axle sizes – the cam expands inside and jams, unless you can shove it through with a long Allen key. It deﬁnitely makes a noticeable difference to front wheel tracking though, so it’s worth the faff.

Even with a quick-release axle, the stout magnesium lowers and the broad bridge of the Epicon chassis mean it still steers better than most budget forks. With a cut steerer it’s a good weight for a tight-feeling 29er fork too, with only RockShox’s SID coming in signiﬁcantly lighter – but at much higher cost.

If you’re upgrading from cheaper original forks you’ll notice a big difference in suspension performance. This thing is smooth, and not just on the ﬁrst couple of dry rides. There was some notchiness initially, but our sample became increasingly plush during the ﬁrst 10 hours and has stayed consistently smooth through several wet winter months of testing. Suntour have obviously worked really hard on improving their damping for the 2012 model year, too.

The new RC cartridge is 80g lighter but re-valved to give a much smoother and more measured response to larger hits. It can still hiccup in the mid-stroke if you really hammer it down steps, but it takes a lot more frequent or bigger impacts to give it real indigestion. You get lockout and a usefully subtle low-speed compression damping adjuster too. Suntour also offer a 120mm version if you need a bit more length to really laugh stuff off.

It’s a tribute to the general build quality and ﬁnish that the fork cleaned up to pretty much brand-new when we treated its host Scott to a thorough spring clean. The Fox-style brake hose guide and metal top caps/adjusters keep it looking neat on the bike as well.

This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.

American Classic All Mountain wheelset review

Guy Kesteven, Mountain Biking UK — Tue, 22 May 2012 10:00:00 GMT

These very impressive new versions of American Classic's proven tubeless wheels save weight off your trail bike with no obvious stiffness or strength downsides.

The most obvious aspect of these wheels is a very low weight (1,582g) that’s comparable to carbon ﬁbre wheels at a much lower cost. While freewheel pickup can lag, they light up very quickly once locked in. They ﬂick and lift around effortlessly on the trail.

They’re not as stiff as the most rigid wheels available when you’re really ripping them round corners or rattling through rocky sections, but they still hold a line predictably enough to push the pace. The big, rounded rim has a super-wide 24mm internal diameter that fattens up mid-sized tyres noticeably and gives a secure footing for the biggest rubber, so grip or tyre roll is never an issue.

So far they’ve handled all our local rockeries, steps and drops without denting or losing their tubeless ready integrity either. They’re tubeless taped as standard and valves are included too, although a slacker ﬁt than most means a compressor is useful for inﬂating. It does mean you won’t be breaking tyre levers or thumbs trying to get your tyres on or off like some other sets.

American Classic hubs generally last really well even under enduro/24-hour racers, the steel inserts add freehub longevity, and red marker spokes speed up valve ﬁnding.

This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.

Magura launches TS8 and TS6 forks

Matt Pacocha, US editor, in Sedona, AZ — Tue, 22 May 2012 02:14:00 GMT

Magura already made waves earlier this year with the launch of their RT8TT hydraulic time-trial brake and conversion system, which will be called RT8C (or 6C) for road use. But there’s much more than just a new road brake for 2013 from this German manufacturer better known for mountain bike brakes and suspension.

TS6 and TS8 forks: new 29in and 650b models

Magura have a new line of 29in forks, which rely on a new, lighter lower casting based on the Thor lower legs. The new forks will fall under the TS (Team Suspension) 6 and 8 model names with options of 80mm, 100mm, and 120mm of travel.

Magura added their own 15mm through axle, dubbed M15, which relies on a T25 Torx wrench. Magura built a removable T25 wrench that snaps into the opposite — non-drive — side of the axle, thus the needed tool is always with the fork.

The 29in lowers come with Magura’s DAD (Dual Arch Design) and with a direct 7in/180mm post mount brake mount. “This makes sense on a 29er wheel,” said Stefan Pahl, Magura’s suspension product manager. “If you take a 26in wheel with 160mm rotor, the torque ratios are similar to a 29in wheel with 180mm rotor, because of the ratios we go to a bigger rotor to maintain similar braking forces.”

Magura have recessed the rebound adjustment knob and integrated new protection bumpers on the 29er forks

For weight considerations, the top-end TS8 models come with two different 32mm upper tube stanchion tube lengths depending on travel. The 80mm and 100mm models share the shorter stanchion length, and are internally adjustable between the two options, while the 120mm model uses longer stanchions, and is fixed at the stated travel.

Magura’s 29in TS8 forks come with two damper options: DLO, which is an on-off compression lockout, or Albert SL, which is a lighter damper with a fixed, non-adjustable compression damping setting. Both have adjustable rebound damping control.

Magura’s DLO+ damper is a dynamic lockout that allows the fork to sag to a rider's normal sag adjustment and utilize its negative travel when locked

The TS6 models use one set of upper tubes, and are internally adjustable between the three travel options. Externally, the second tier forks look exactly the same, but the less expensive range utilizes more steel and less internal machining.

Other details found on Magura’s entire fork line include an integrated cable guide, crown-mounted bosses for remote adjusters and rubber bumpers on the bottom of the fork legs to protect the magnesium when the bike is set down without a wheel installed.

We weighed a TS8 R 120 29in fork at 1,750g with its M15 through axle and tool. Depending on the model, Magura’s new 29er forks range from US$649 to $849.

TS8 and 6 forks for 650b-27.5 wheels

Magura added a sticker to their 26in fork for the 650b-27.5in crowd. While they will sell a ‘650b/27.5in’ model in TS8 only, in reality, it’s simply a sticker that calls attention to the fact that all of Magura’s through-axle equipped 26in forks offer clearance for the middle wheel size. “If a tire ever passes through the casting, you’re safe to ride this fork, because it will never hit the crown,” said Pahl.

Magura will have 120, 140, and 150mm 650b compatible models available now, with 80mm and 100mm models promised by fall.

Magura’s 650b/27.5 model will be a designated TS8 model, however, it’s just a rebadged 26in fork

The longer, 150mm travel 650b and 26in forks come with Magura’s Albert Select + damper, which is a compression adjustment that offers an adjustable platform. The longer travel —120mm and 150mm forks — 26in and 650b forks also have the option of Magura’s Lift Select travel adjust system, which will lower the fork 30mm externally.

Magura’s non-29in wheel forks also come with SRAM’s Maxle Lite through axle, or 9mm open options — as opposed to the M15 axle found on the new 29in forks.

We weighted a TS8 R 150mm fork at 1,680g. Magura’s 650b and 26in forks range from $599 to $849.

Other news for the entire TS range

In 2012, Magura switched all of their forks from an open bath lubrication system to a new grease-based lubrication design to put a stop to the weeping that plagued the previous oil-based design.

Magura call their proprietary silicon grease system the ‘Fork Meister Concept’. The pores in the aluminum of the lower stanchions are said to trap the grease, which is actually a food-grade silicon lubricant that Magura tout as a greener and more eco-friendly system. Along with the grease-based system Magura have also switched to new bushings, which are without the normally needed grooves for oil flow and offer larger surface contact.

Magura also made the TS line’s air spring more progressive in response to rider feedback of the forks diving too much on stairstep-style drops. This spring rate increase is new for 2013, and our first impression is that Magura nailed the rate.

MT Brakes: Magura head back to the OE market

Magura’s MT line of brakes, which includes four models — 8, 6, 4, 2 — all prefaced by the MT moniker, remains unchanged, as it was just launched last year.

Magura's MT brake line

New this year, Magura are back into the OE (original equipment) market, which means riders should expect new 2013 models from Specialized, Cannondale, and Pivot to be rife with Magura’s MT brakes. To keep up with demand, Pahl said that Magura's German factory is running three shifts per day.

Magura offer custom options to bike manufacturers, as to match their brakes to the makers paint schemes and even mix and match Magura’s spec. Magura will offer a special MTS model for Specialized with faded gold accents, as well as an all black MT6.

Cannondale have requested Magura’s BAT adjustment (what other manufacturers call pad contact or free stroke adjustment) on the MT6, 4 and 2 models they will spec on their bikes for 2013; Magura only offer BAT on the MT4 model for the aftermarket.

Ogio Endurance 9.0 kit bag review

Triathlon Plus — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

The Endurance 9.0 is the ideal race-day bag. Its concise package of pockets and slots means there’s a place for all of your essentials.

One full-length side pocket offers slots for nutrition products and sun cream, etc. The mirror pocket on the other side has a tool and spares slots, and a neat hard-sided ‘tech vault’ pocket ideal for your phone. A slot for your changing mat is also fitted on this side. Two further side exterior slot pockets will each take a water bottle.

On the narrow ends there's an integral shoe bag, with space for two pairs. The other end has an integrated hard protection case for your glasses, GPS etc. A full-length wet pocket is perfect for your post-race kit; this expands with a full-vented surround to help it dry as you travel.

The main compartment is big enough for the remainder of your kit and even this features a helmet sleeve. The bag can be carried like a regular holdall or worn as a rucksack – we’ve even used it as carry-on luggage. Only the price stops it getting full marks.

This article was originally published in Triathlon Plus magazine, available on Zinio.

Strength in Numbers to be streamed online

BikeRadar UK — Mon, 21 May 2012 10:59:00 GMT

Hot on the heels of its UK premiere in London last week, Strength in Numbers will get its first online broadcast this Thursday (8pm GMT).

The Anthill Films production is one of the most eagerly awaited of the year and the opportunity to view it free of charge is one not to be passed up. All you need to do is head to Red Bull's website on Thursday evening (12pm PST), where it'll be shown for a limited time only. Should you not be able to make it, it will be released on DVD/BluRay and iTunes the following day. www.anthillfilms.com

Hope Hoops Pro 2 Evo wheelset (Stan's Flow rims) review

Guy Kesteven, Mountain Biking UK — Mon, 21 May 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Hope’s homemade wheel buffet still beats most pre-built wheelsets on versatility, value and reliability. Stan’s Flow rims are good light-yet-strong and tubeless-ready hoops, and are great value from Hope compared to the price of buying separately. There’s a wide range of Mavic and DT alternatives for the same price, all laced in Lancashire using Sapim spokes.

The Pro 2 Evo hubs are superbly sealed, have fully interchangeable axles and are easily serviceable too. Hope’s factory direct after-sales service is legendary too. The straight-pull design can get baggy over time and you need to tighten the cassette hard to avoid scarring and sticking. The noisy freewheel is slow to engage and even with Stan’s rims, they’re not light.

This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.

Best double cranksets for mountain bikes

BikeRadar, UK — Mon, 21 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

It’s looking like 2012 will be the year that double cranksets – those with twin chainrings instead of the traditional three – begin to dominate. With no outer chainring to catch on logs and rocks, and less chain flapping around, they make sense for more aggressive riders, and with the latest wide-range 10-speed cassettes you shouldn't be short of gears. Here's our pick of the best mountain bike doubles we've tested this year.

Best double cranksets

Winner: Shimano Deore XT M785

£195/$320

Shimano lagged behind rivals SRAM when it came to introducing 2x10 chainsets but they appear to have made up for that by improving on last generation XT with super-stiff big-profile arms, a new spider design and meticulously profiled rings that remain slick, quiet and accurate even when shifting under extreme pedal pressure. Weight is impressive for such a stiff crankset, too.

Click here to read BikeRadar's full review of the Shimano Deore XT M785 double.

Joint value winner: FSA Comet 386

£120/$175

The reasonable price of the 386 makes it a great choice for anyone who regularly damages kit. Wide-profile scalloped arms are stiff and the wide three-arm spider gives lots of support to the rings. It’s a durable setup that can handle punishment. Shifting is reliable, if slightly clunkier under power than more upmarket cranks. All-in weight still compares with more costly units.

Click here to read BikeRadar's full review of the FSA Comet 386 double.

Joint value winner: SRAM X5

£113/$190

Considering that a lot of top-end cranksets only weigh 100g or so less than this and are almost imperceptibly stiffer, opting for the SRAM X5 is a wise buying decision for most riders. The beauty of a crankset like this is that it’s equally good for beginners and experts alike. Weight is reasonable and the price is so good that’s you’re probably better off replacing the whole unit when the rings wear.

Click here to read BikeRadar's full review of the SRAM X5 double.

FSA Afterburner 386

£190/$240

One of the first tough trail double chainsets is still a great value, durable all-rounder. The combination of broad hollow-forged arms and oversized chromoly steel axle has proved strong and stiff in the several years we’ve been using these cranks. They fit easily and stay secure, and there’s a lighter, stiffer alloy axle BB30 version for bikes fat enough to take it.

Click here to read BikeRadar's full review of the FSA Afterburner 386 double.

Gravity Light 7050 MegaExo

£220/$289

This hollow forged crankset is designed for heavy-duty big terrain duties. It's super-tough without carrying around any excess weight. Chromoly steel pedal inserts add durability, as does a chunky polycarbonate bashring, which is ideal for hopping across logs and rocks in a clumsy/carefree manner without possible outer chainring damage. The nicely profiled rings ensure excellent shifting.

Click here to read BikeRadar's full review of the Gravity Light 7050 MegaExo double.

Shimano SLX M665

£150/$240

The wide section hollow crank arms are very stiff and the bare outer surface stays scuff-free for far longer than black cranks. A burly steel axle and steel pedal inserts hint at the cranks’ intended hard hitting abilities, as does the fat polycarbonate bash guard. But the weight is still reasonable enough for cranks like this to appeal to ‘normal’ trail riders.

Shimano XTR Trail M980

£435/$649

Shimano’s flagship unit proves you don’t need cosmetically compromised carbon to make a super-stiff, lightweight crankset. At 670g, it’s a very light double setup, but the polished alloy outer face means our year-old set still looks brand new. We’ve not trodden on anything stiffer in a conventional format either – and we’ve taken some big old drops.

Click here to read BikeRadar's full review of the Shimano XTR Trail M980 double.

Truvativ X9

£200/$285

This is essentially SRAM’s X9 crankset made compatible with 2x10 drivetrains but with a tough aluminium bash guard (£34) instead of an outer chainring to deflect log and rock hopping damage. It’s a lightweight option compared to most bash guard setups, which makes it more suitable for those who ride with finesse but still prefer a precautionary guard rather than having the bigger gear ratios of an outer ring.

Click here to read BikeRadar's full review of the Truvativ X9 double.

Things to bear in mind when buying a double crankset

You don't always get what you pay for: While the top-end carbon-based cranksets are undoubtedly things of beauty, they’re not much lighter than top-end aluminium-based cranksets and on the whole they don’t seem to last any longer. We'd opt for good value, sub-£200, every time, and SRAM, FSA and Shimano can all come up with winners in that market sector.

Ditching a chainring doesn't mean losing one-third of your gears: The conventional triple chainring setup leads to overlapping of gears, so a 3x10 drivetrain may only yield 18 or so unique ratios. This overlap is reduced on a double, and trouble-free chain lines mean there are no sprocket combos you can’t use.

Switching to a double won't save much weight: You might not be saving more than 50g by doing without a granny ring, so don’t choose a double on weight grounds.

Be careful with your gear ratios if you're not super-fit: Some bigger ringed doubles can leave you running out of gears on steep climbs; go for 26 teeth or fewer if you have fitness doubts.

Cranks that look good on the shop floor don't always stay that way on the trail: While we like the look of black cranksets, the silver or polished outer crank surface options stay looking good for more rides.

Anatomy of a crankset

Chainrings

Almost all manufacturers use shaped teeth, ramps and pins on the inner edge of chainrings to help guide the chain between the rings. Some are more efficient than others, but front gear mech positioning and adjustment is equally important. Only having two rings cuts down on chain line problems and, if twinned with a shorter axle, results in a shorter distance between your feet (Q factor), said to be more efficient for pedalling.

Axles

Different cranks use different spline setups on the axle. Some slide onto the spline and are fastened tight by a bolt threaded into the end of the axle. Others involve the crank being pinch tightened around them. In both cases, spacers dictate ideal positioning for chain line, crank clearance and a snug fit with smooth-running bearings and no play.

Bottom bracket

Square-taper bottom bracket axles with cups and bearings inside the frame shell are still available but most new cranksets now have an oversized hollow axle fixed to one crank, a splined axle onto which the other crank is bolted and bearings that fit into cups outside the frame’s BB shell.

We’re not testing BB30 or other oversized cups/axles in this test, but it’s worth being aware that they’re creeping in at the top end of the market as a way of trimming weight and boosting drive stiffness on top end frames. A BB30 bottom bracket has bearing cups that press-fit into the frame.

Bash guards

If your rides involve log hops and/or rocky step riding, you’ll probably already know that slamming the big ring on logs/rocks will damage the teeth. Double cranksets have smaller outer rings, reducing this problem, or you could get a crankset with a bashguard instead of the big chainring.

Stiffness and weight

Extra weight can add stiffness to cranks just as less weight can add flexibility. The skill of making great cranks at any price is to create stiffness where it’s useful while trimming weight where it’s not. Just don’t expect very light and very stiff. There’s usually a trade-off.

This article is based on reviews originally published in What Mountain Bike (available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio) and Mountain Biking UK (also available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio).

YT Industries Romp review

Jake Ireland, Mountain Biking UK — Mon, 21 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

YT Industries are a German brand who pack a serious punch in mainland Europe. Only selling direct to the customer makes their prices super-low, so although the Romp dirt jump/four-cross bike looks expensive, it isn't. It punches well above its price, with a stiff, light and well made frame, and decent finishing kit.

Ride & handling: BMX track demon that's light enough to use for the odd trail jaunt too

There’s no disputing that the designers of this bike never intended for it to be used for ambling round cross-country trails, but take it somewhere with descents that you can really attack and climbs you can stand up and stomp your way up, and the Romp does the job very well.

That’s mainly thanks to its relatively light weight (less than 2.5kg for the frame), because the gearing, with a close-ratio 11-26 cassette and 36-tooth chainring, really isn’t suited to uphill duty. The 10-speed setup worked perfectly once tweaked – it needed a bit of a fiddle when the bike arrived.

It was the BMX track that really brought out the best in the Romp, and no wonder – it’s the same frame that YT's four-cross team roll out on. Boy is the frame stiff. There’s no sign of flex whatsoever, which did lead to the occasional harsh cased landing, but when it came to putting the power down the Romp just… romped! Even down to details like the freehub’s engagement being positive and fast, the YT just wants to get going – fast.

As well as the 135x12mm bolt-through rear end, the Marzocchi DJ fork has a 20mm axle and tapered steerer to match the head tube, which further increases the stiffness of the frame. The fork’s air preload valve came in useful when different riders hopped on – we never felt the need to do any more than just grab a shock pump.

The fork remained composed, no matter what we threw at it – including some pretty heavy landings over some big jumps at Birmingham’s European-standard BMX track – and remained plush and predictable whatever was going on underneath the wheels.

With the chainstay length set about halfway along its adjustable dropout, some of our shorter test riders had issues with pushing the back wheel of the bike down into a manual over sharp transitions, but with a quick adjustment to the shortest setting, the bike was back to comfortably sitting with the front wheel aloft.

The low weight of the bike and the lightweight wheelset combine to make the YT more air-friendly than EasyJet, with the only emissions being the ones you’re hollering after jumping higher than before.

It’s almost too light at times, and we did have to tone it down at the local jump spot after going in at the usual speed but overjumping everything. Once we were used to it, it could really be pushed high and was confidence inspiring even when we were confusing our own ability level with that of the bike.

Frame & equipment: Pro four-cross developed chassis; excellent kit for the price

The YT oozes quality. The graphics on the frame might not be to everyone’s tastes but the finish is top notch. The Romp is constructed from 7005 T-6 aluminium, and its smooth frame profile is largely thanks to the hydroformed down tube and low-slung top tube, which also keeps standover height to a minimum. The wheelbase adjusters add versatility and are easy to use.

The spec for the money on the Romp could almost be described as bonkers. SRAM’s 10-speed X9 shifter and mech aren’t usually seen until bikes get considerably more expensive. The 20mm axle Marzocchi DJ fork has a useful air preload as well as rebound adjustment and isn’t as heavy as you’d expect. Truvativ Descendant cranks provide a stiff power transfer to match the frame, and the bar and stem come from Truvativ’s Holzfeller range.

The wheels are built with reputable Alex FR30 rims and Division (YT’s own brand) hubs, which are all sealed-bearing units. They keep grip with the ever-popular Kenda Small Block Eight tyres. Avid’s Elixir 3 brakes are proven reliable, powerful stoppers too. The value of the YT is highlighted by the fact that it even comes with some really nice quality, sealed-bearing, magnesium bodied pedals.

This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.

Fox offer iCD electronic suspension system details

James Huang, tech editor, from Boulder, CO — Sun, 20 May 2012 18:01:00 GMT

Fox Racing Shox released information, today, of their new Float iCD electronic suspension project, previously seen in prototype form on the bikes of Geoff Kabush (Scott-3Rox Racing) and Catharine Pendrel (Luna). The new electronic damper will be available for sale in 2012 for both forks and rear shocks.

While we're still anticipating a highly advanced terrain-sensing system to be announced in the coming months, for now Fox say the system is essentially what it appears to be: an electronic remote lockout system that controls either the fork only or the fork and rear shock simultaneously.

The new system is part of Fox's Intelligent Ride Dynamics (iRD) advanced development group and switches between an ultra-firm 'Climb' mode and fully open 'Descend' mode (but not a 'Trail' mode like on the MY2013 traditional forks and rear shocks) via a bar-mounted rotary switch with two or three positions depending on the application: Climb (fork and rear shock), Climb (rear shock only), and Descend (fork and rear shock).

Developed in cooperation with Shimano, Float iCD uses a rechargeable Li-ion battery borrowed from the Japanese company's Di2 electronic road transmission to power a tiny actuator rod inside the fork and rear shock. The wires are identical to those used in the current Ultegra Di2 6770 group and claimed battery life is upwards of 2.5 months.

According to FOX, the Float iCD system can also be hooked up to a laptop computer to customize the remote switch settings, update the firmware, and access diagnostic protocols. Claimed weight for a complete fork and rear shock is as little as 1,860g (4.10lb) while the fork alone will start at 1,555g (3.43lb). Projected consumer availability is this September.

The new FOX Float iCD system will be offered in both forks and rear shocks starting this September

While certainly intriguing, Float iCD is also very expensive with a complete fork system estimated at US$1,499 and a fork-plus-rear shock setup costing a whopping US$1,999. All Float iCD forks with include FIT dampers and Kashima-coated upper tubes with options to include 100mm or 120mm of travel, 26" or 29" wheel fitments, and 9mm or 15QR thru-axle dropouts. Rear shocks will be offered in 6.5 x 1.5" to 7.875 x 2.0" sizes and in standard or high-volume air can options.

At this point, many of you are undoubtedly wondering: if the Float iCD system is little more than an electronic lockout (at this stage, anyway), what's the point?

According to Fox global marketing communications manager Mark Jordan, Float iCD's main advantages over a traditional cable-operated remote system are a faster initial setup, lower maintenance, and easier operation while on the trail.

Claimed actuation speed is also lightning-quick at just 0.25 seconds for the fork and 0.45 seconds for the rear shock. "The most important advantages happen on the trail through the speed of the adjustments, ease of use and very low remote activation force required," he told BikeRadar. "These three features promote increased use over a standard cable system with less fatigue, which allows riders to take advantage of this system much more often to greatly increase the efficiency of their mountain bike by constantly matching the suspension tune to the terrain."

Fox project engineer David Batterbee adds there are some more advanced functions built into the system, too.

"For every switch position, riders can program whether both the fork and shock are in climb mode or descend mode. Riders could, for example, program the middle switch position to lock only the fork or only the shock. Another interesting feature of the software is that it counts the number of switch operations and it will report how many times the fork and shock have been locked out."

Not convinced yet? We'll admit to being skeptical ourselves but Fox have promised a sample setup for testing soon, so we'll reserve any judgment until then.

MTB World Cup XC #4: Dahle-Flesjaa and Absalon back on top

Rob Jones, Cyclingnews.com — Sun, 20 May 2012 18:00:00 GMT

Women: Dahle-Flesjaa back on top at La Bresse World Cup

This article was originally published on Cyclingnews.com.

Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (Multivan Merida) raced to victory at the fourth round of the 2012 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in La Bresse, France on Sunday. Dahle Flesjaa took over the race lead on the final descent, overtaking eventual runner-up Katerina Nash (Luna). Julie Bresset (BH-Suntour) rode in for third place. It was Dahle-Flesjaa's first World Cup win since 2008 and her 27th career total. It was also her first World Cup win since having a baby.

"I can't really believe this," said an incredulous Dahle-Flesjaa. "I was focusing on not going over my limit. You need so much power and concentration on this course. I had a very good race. I paced myself. The course is great. It was tough up and tough down."

The women delivered a super exciting race on a technical course with regular lead changes as they took turns crashing at various points in the race. They raced in front of huge crowds.

Nash spent much of the race at the front while the women with her shuffled. Bresset was with her for the first part of the race, and then Pendrel moved her way steadily up before taking over the lead.

About mid-way through the five-lap race, Pendrel crashed on the descent. Bresset was unable to avoid her and endo-ed. Nash got around both women and took over at the front, and the crash seemed to slow the momentum of both downed riders. Pendrel struggled to get her chain on afterward while Bresset tried to get her seat back to a level position.

Meanwhile, Dahle-Flesjaa, one of the most experienced racers out there, bided her time and rode steadily toward the front. By the final lap, she was in second place behind Nash. The Czech star looked comfortable and likely to win, but two crashes on the final descent opened the door for a smooth riding Dahle-Flesjaa, who overtook her en route to the victory.

"Everyone is talking about the Olympics, but we have other big races, like today. If I want to fight for a gold in London, I have to be superb. I'm on the right path and we'll see what happens in London," said Dahle Flesjaa.

Race note: Former World Champion Irina Kalentieva (Topeak Ergon) skipped the race, instead choosing to do altitude training in preparation for the Olympic Games.

Men: Absalon wins La Bresse cross country in front of home crowd

This article was originally published on Cyclingnews.com

Julien Absalon (Orbea) won the elite men's cross country World Cup in front of a home crowd in La Bresse, France. Absalon, who lives about 10km away, rode a smart race tactically and managed to escape the bad luck that affected some of the other favorites. Jaroslav Kulhavy (Specialized) steadily worked his way up throughout the race and made a late bid to overtake Absalon, but finished second. Ralph Naef (Multivan Merida) was third, putting in a strong performance in his quest to make the Swiss Olympic team.

"It is maybe one of my best races. It's been in mind forever - first World Cup at home is a lot of pressure, and I'm happy," said Absalon after winning on an "old school" course designed by his brother Remi.

It was a dramatic finish with Absalon crashing on the final technical descent. A surging Kulhavy nearly caught the Frenchman, who quickly got back up and into action.

"It was hard. When I saw Jaroslav in the last half lap, I was dead," said Absalon. "I was thinking I needed to go slow and not crash on that last descent, but then I lost my concentration and I crashed."

While the women's race was influenced by crashes among the favorites, the elite men's race was influenced more by mechanicals and flats. Burry Stander (Specialized) flatted just after the start, and Marco Fontana (Cannondale) flatted while leading the race, unfortunately immediately after passing the tech zone which meant he had a long way to go for help. Moritz Milatz (BMC) also had a mechanical just after the tech zone and Manuel Fumic (Cannondale) required a wheel change. World Cup leader Nino Schurter (Scott Swisspower) sat out the race due to "stomach problems".

Naef, Florian Vogel and and Marco Fontana set the pace from the start until Fontana flatted and ended up pulling out. Behind them, Absalon, Milatz, Giger and Lukas Flueckiger chased together.

Absalon attacked and went to the front on the second of two laps as Milatz and Vogel chased him, a few seconds back. After Milatz's mechanical, Giger, Vogel and Naef formed the primary chase group.

At the end of lap 4, Naef made an impressive bid for victory by attacking, then catching and passing Absalon. But Absalon wasn't about to give up a win on home turf and he surged past Naef on the climb on lap 5. Kulhavy, who had been steadily working his way up through the field, overtook a fried Naef and went in pursuit of Absalon. He got close and almost caught Absalon on the final descent of the final lap, when the fatigued Frenchman crashed. Kulhavy finished just seven seconds back in second place, and Naef soloed in for third.

Results

Women

1 Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (Nor) Multivan Merida Biking Team	1:39:57
2 Katerina Nash (Cze) Luna Pro Team	0:00:16
3 Julie Bresset (Fra) BH - SR Suntour - Peisey Vallandry	0:00:55
4 Catharine Pendrel (Can) Luna Pro Team	0:01:12
5 Maja Wloszczowska (Pol) CCC Polkowice	0:02:22
6 Georgia Gould (USA) Luna Pro Team	0:02:46
7 Katrin Leumann (Swi) Ghost Factory Racing Team	0:03:06
8 Annie Last* (GBr) Milka Brentjens MTB Racing Team	0:03:20
9 Emily Batty (Can) Subaru - Trek	0:03:51
10 Sabine Spitz (Ger) Sabine Spitz Haibike Team	0:05:14
11 Elisabeth Osl (Aut) Ghost Factory Racing Team	0:05:24
12 Nataliya Krompets (Ukr) ISD MTB Team	0:05:39
13 Pauline Ferrand Prevot* (Fra) Rabobank Giant Offroad Team	0:05:40
14 Lucie Chainel-Lefevre (Fra) BH - SR Suntour - Peisey Vallandry	0:06:22
15 Alexandra Engen (Swe) Ghost Factory Racing Team	0:07:00
16 Lea Davison (USA) Specialized Racing	0:07:14
17 Tanja Zakelj (Slo) Salcano Factory Team	0:07:30
18 Aleksandra Dawidowicz (Pol) CCC Polkowice	0:07:37
19 Blaza Klemencic (Slo) Felt Oetztal X - Bionic Team	0:07:58
20 Eva Lechner (Ita) Colnago Sudtirol	0:08:13
21 Marie-Helene Premont (Can)	0:08:21
22 Cécile Ravanel (Fra) GT Skoda Chamonix	0:08:30
23 Esther Süss (Swi) Wheeler - IXS Team	0:08:47
24 Sabrina Enaux (Fra) Specialized Solodet Vosges	0:10:00
25 Anja Gradl (Ger) Team Bulls	0:10:43
26 Mary Mcconneloug (USA)	0:10:47
27 Sarah Koba (Swi)	0:11:09
28 Janka Stevkova (Svk)	0:11:20
29 Tereza Hurikova (Cze) Sabine Spitz Haibike Team	0:11:21
30 Amanda Sin (Can) Scott-3Roxracing	0:11:33
31 Katarzyna Solus-Miskowicz (Pol)	0:12:05
32 Vera Andreeva (Rus)	0:12:26
33 Rie Katayama (Jpn)	0:12:54
34 Silke Schmidt (Ger) Notebooksbilliger.De Team	0:13:31
35 Qinglan Shi (Chn)	0:14:11
36 Heather Irmiger (USA) Subaru - Trek	0:14:43
37 Hanna Klein (Ger)
38 Laura Turpijn (Ned) MPL Specialized MTB Team	0:15:25
39 Heidi Sandsto Rosaasen (Nor) Team United Bakeries	0:15:32
40 Julie Krasniak (Fra) Focus Mig Team	0:15:53
41 Corina Gantenbein (Swi) Fischer - BMC
42 Jean Ann Berkenpas (Can)	0:16:11
43 Elisabeth Sveum (Nor) Team Crampfix Nakamura	0:16:36
44 Fanny Bourdon (Fra) GT Skoda Chamonix	0:16:53
45 Pavla Havlikova (Cze)	0:17:02
46 Laura Metzler (Fra) BH - SR Suntour - Peisey Vallandry	0:18:28
47 Marielle Saner-Guinchard (Swi) Bikepark.Ch Craft	0:20:47
48 Judy Freeman (USA)	0:20:56
-1lap Githa Michiels (Bel) Trek-KMC Trade Team
-1lap Jenni King (Aus)
-1lap Kathrin Stirnemann (Swi) Sabine Spitz Haibike Team
-1lap Anna Villar Argente (Spa)
-1lap Nicoletta De Jager (Ned) MPL Specialized MTB Team
-1lap Caroline Mani (Fra)
-1lap Asa Maria Erlandsson (Swe)
-1lap Lucie Vesela (Cze) GT Bicycles Opportunity
-2laps Anne Terpstra* (Ned)
-2laps Samantha Sanders (RSA)
-2laps Franziska Brun (Swi)
-2laps Judith Pollinger (Ita) Hard Rock Canossa Merida
-2laps Kristien Nelen (Bel) Houffalize-Granville Team
-2laps Rowena Fry (Aus)
-2laps Krista Park (USA)
-2laps Elisa Maria Garcia (Chi)
-2laps Céline Farner (Swi) Jb Felt Team
-2laps Aurélia Perry (Fra)
-2laps Jessica Roberts (GBr)
-3laps Inbar Ronen (Isr)
-3laps Chloe Woodruff (USA)
-3laps Maxine Filby (GBr)
-3laps Katherine O'shea (Aus)
-3laps Elisabeth Brandau (Ger) Notebooksbilliger.De Team
DNF Adelheid Morath (Ger) Felt Oetztal X - Bionic Team
DNF Magdalena Sadlecka (Pol) CCC Polkowice
DNF Annika Langvad (Den) Team Fujibikes Rockets
DNF Nathalie Schneitter (Swi) Colnago Sudtirol
DNF Maaris Meier (Est)
DNF Lene Byberg (Nor) GT Skoda Chamonix
DNF Karen Hanlen (NZl)
DNF Angelica Edvardsson (Swe)
DNF Zephanie Blasi (USA) WXC World Racing
DNF Erica Zaveta (USA) Moda-Bikemagic Racing Team
DNF Joanne Clay (GBr) WXC World Racing
DNS Anna Szafraniec (Pol) CCC Polkowice
DNS Sabrina Maurer (Swi) Bskgraf Rollmat-Koba MTB Team
DNS Ana Zupan (Slo) Energijateam.Com
DNS Tracy Moseley (GBr)
DNS Anneke Beerten (Ned) Milka-Superior MTB Racing Team
DNS Joanna Petterson (USA)

Teams

1 Luna Pro Team	91	pts
2 Ghost Factory Racing Team	60
3 BH - SR Suntour - Peisey Vallandry	49
4 CCC Polkowice	41
5 Multivan Merida Biking Team	40
6 Milka Brentjens MTB Racing Team	23
7 Sabine Spitz Haibike Team	23
8 Subaru - Trek	22
9 ISD MTB Team	19
10 Rabobank Giant Offroad Team	18
11 Specialized Racing	15
12 Salcano Factory Team	14
13 Felt Oetztal X - Bionic Team	12
14 Colnago Sudtirol	11
15 GT Skoda Chamonix	9
16 Wheeler - IXS Team	8
17 Specialized Solodet Vosges	7
18 Team Bulls	6
19 Scott-3Roxracing	1

Elite women individual World Cup standings after round 4

1 Julie Bresset (Fra) BH - SR Suntour - Peisey Vallandry	750	pts
2 Catharine Pendrel (Can) Luna Pro Team	690
3 Maja Wloszczowska (Pol) CCC Polkowice	670
4 Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (Nor) Multivan Merida Biking Team	538
5 Emily Batty (Can) Subaru - Trek	515
6 Katerina Nash (Cze) Luna Pro Team	509
7 Irina Kalentieva (Rus) Topeak Ergon Racing Team	425
8 Georgia Gould (USA) Luna Pro Team	393
9 Pauline Ferrand Prevot* (Fra) Rabobank Giant Offroad Team	374
10 Katrin Leumann (Swi) Ghost Factory Racing Team	362
11 Sabine Spitz (Ger) Sabine Spitz Haibike Team	349
12 Blaza Klemencic (Slo) Felt Oetztal X - Bionic Team	348
13 Annie Last* (GBr) Milka Brentjens MTB Racing Team	342
14 Esther Süss (Swi) Wheeler - IXS Team	332
15 Marie-Helene Premont (Can)	306
16 Elisabeth Osl (Aut) Ghost Factory Racing Team	303
17 Eva Lechner (Ita) Colnago Sudtirol	295
18 Lea Davison (USA) Specialized Racing	252
19 Karen Hanlen (NZl)	234
20 Adelheid Morath (Ger) Felt Oetztal X - Bionic Team	230
21 Sabrina Enaux (Fra) Specialized Solodet Vosges	226
22 Marielle Saner-Guinchard (Swi) Bikepark.Ch Craft	209
23 Nathalie Schneitter (Swi) Colnago Sudtirol	207
24 Alexandra Engen (Swe) Ghost Factory Racing Team	199
25 Tanja Zakelj (Slo) Salcano Factory Team	196
26 Aleksandra Dawidowicz (Pol) CCC Polkowice	196
27 Rosara Joseph (NZl) Rabobank Giant Offroad Team	182
28 Tereza Hurikova (Cze) Sabine Spitz Haibike Team	181
29 Heather Irmiger (USA) Subaru - Trek	179
30 Lucie Chainel-Lefevre (Fra) BH - SR Suntour - Peisey Vallandry	176
31 Elisabeth Brandau (Ger) Notebooksbilliger.De Team	159
32 Mary Mcconneloug (USA)	157
33 Julie Krasniak (Fra) Focus Mig Team	155
34 Nataliya Krompets (Ukr) ISD MTB Team	153
35 Annika Langvad (Den) Team Fujibikes Rockets	150
36 Lene Byberg (Nor) GT Skoda Chamonix	142
37 Vera Andreeva (Rus)	126
38 Laura Turpijn (Ned) MPL Specialized MTB Team	125
39 Amanda Sin (Can) Scott-3Roxracing	124
40 Anna Szafraniec (Pol) CCC Polkowice	120
41 Cécile Ravanel (Fra) GT Skoda Chamonix	119
42 Janka Stevkova (Svk)	118
43 Hanna Klein (Ger)	118
44 Rie Katayama (Jpn)	114
45 Elisabeth Sveum (Nor) Team Crampfix Nakamura	111
46 Sarah Koba (Swi)	110
47 Qinglan Shi (Chn)	105
48 Magdalena Sadlecka (Pol) CCC Polkowice	104
49 Silke Schmidt (Ger) Notebooksbilliger.De Team	103
50 Kathrin Stirnemann (Swi) Sabine Spitz Haibike Team	103
51 Heidi Sandsto Rosaasen (Nor) Team United Bakeries	93
52 Judy Freeman (USA)	91
53 Katarzyna Solus-Miskowicz (Pol)	84
54 Anne Terpstra* (Ned)	83
55 Laura Metzler (Fra) BH - SR Suntour - Peisey Vallandry	80
56 Anja Gradl (Ger) Team Bulls	70
57 Corina Gantenbein (Swi) Fischer - BMC	63
58 Katherine Compton (USA) Rabobank Giant Offroad Team	51
59 Rowena Fry (Aus)	51
60 Jean Ann Berkenpas (Can)	50
61 Fanny Bourdon (Fra) GT Skoda Chamonix	47
62 Githa Michiels (Bel) Trek-KMC Trade Team	47
63 Pavla Havlikova (Cze)	38
64 Chloe Woodruff (USA)	36
65 Samantha Sanders (RSA)	36
66 Jenni King (Aus)	31
67 Caroline Mani (Fra)	25
68 Anna Villar Argente (Spa)	24
69 Mikaela Kofman (Can) Scott-3Roxracing	24
70 Ivonne Kraft (Ger)	20
71 Nicoletta De Jager (Ned) MPL Specialized MTB Team	15
72 Willow Rockwell (USA) Trek World Racing	14
73 Asa Maria Erlandsson (Swe)	13
74 Jodie Willett (Aus)	13
75 Lucie Vesela (Cze) GT Bicycles Opportunity	12
76 Katherine O'shea (Aus)	12
77 Pavlina Sulcova (Cze) Merida Biking Team	10
78 Franziska Brun (Swi)	9
79 Catherine Vipond (Can)	9
80 Julia Colvin (RSA)	9
81 Judith Pollinger (Ita) Hard Rock Canossa Merida	8
82 Jane Nussli (GBr) Fischer - BMC	8
83 Melanie Palframan (RSA)	8

Team World Cup standings after round 4

1 Luna Pro Team	296	pts
2 CCC Polkowice	176
3 Ghost Factory Racing Team	164
4 BH - SR Suntour - Peisey Vallandry	155
5 Subaru - Trek	119
6 Felt Oetztal X - Bionic Team	111
7 Rabobank Giant Offroad Team	105
8 Multivan Merida Biking Team	98
9 Colnago Sudtirol	91
10 Sabine Spitz Haibike Team	85
11 Topeak Ergon Racing Team	82
12 Milka Brentjens MTB Racing Team	67
13 Wheeler - IXS Team	55
14 Specialized Racing	44
15 ISD MTB Team	31
16 Team Fujibikes Rockets	31
17 Bikepark.Ch Craft	28
18 Specialized Solodet Vosges	25
19 Notebooksbilliger.De Team	22
20 Salcano Factory Team	22
21 GT Skoda Chamonix	18
22 Focus MIG Team	7
23 Team Bulls	6
24 Team Crampfix Nakamura	2
25 Scott-3Roxracing	1

Men

1 Julien Absalon (Fra) Orbea Racing Team	1:37:33
2 Jaroslav Kulhavy (Cze) Specialized Racing	0:00:07
3 Ralph Naef (Swi) Multivan Merida Biking Team	0:00:40
4 Florian Vogel (Swi) Scott - Swisspower MTB Racing Team	0:01:24
5 Fabian Giger (Swi) Rabobank Giant Offroad Team	0:01:41
6 Christoph Sauser (Swi) Specialized Racing	0:02:08
7 Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra)	0:02:20
8 Maxime Marotte (Fra) BH - SR Suntour - Peisey Vallandry	0:02:35
9 Max Plaxton (Can)	0:02:51
10 Lukas Flückiger (Swi) Trek World Racing	0:03:20
11 José Antonio Hermida Ramos (Spa) Multivan Merida Biking Team	0:03:24
12 Manuel Fumic (Ger) Cannondale Factory Racing	0:03:45
13 Martin Gujan (Swi) Cannondale Factory Racing	0:03:46
14 Carlos Coloma Nicolas (Spa) Wildwolf - Trek Pro Racing	0:04:15
15 Mathias Flückiger (Swi) Trek World Racing	0:04:42
16 Sergio Mantecon Gutierrez (Spa) Wildwolf - Trek Pro Racing	0:05:32
17 Stéphane Tempier (Fra) TX Active Bianchi	0:05:43
18 Wolfram Kurschat (Ger) Topeak Ergon Racing Team	0:05:46
19 Rudi Van Houts (Ned) Multivan Merida Biking Team	0:05:47
20 Martino Fruet (Ita)	0:05:51
21 Daniel Mcconnell (Aus)	0:06:05
22 Martin Fanger (Swi) Giant Swiss SR -Suntour	0:06:08
23 Emil Lindgren (Swe) Rabobank Giant Offroad Team	0:06:10
24 Burry Stander (RSA) Specialized Racing	0:06:21
25 Liam Killeen (GBr) Giant Factory Off-Road Team	0:06:26
26 Jochen Kass (Ger) Multivan Merida Biking Team	0:06:52
27 Jeremiah Bishop (USA) Cannondale Factory Racing	0:06:54
28 Marek Konwa* (Pol) Milka-Superior MTB Racing Team	0:06:59
29 Kohei Yamamoto (Jpn) Specialized Racing	0:07:05
30 Andras Parti (Hun) Euroone-Waberer's-Cube MTB Team	0:07:24
31 Jürg Graf (Swi) Bskgraf Rollmat-Koba MTB Team	0:07:37
32 Ivan Alvarez Gutierrez (Spa) Elettroveneta - Corratec	0:07:44
33 Karl Markt (Aut) Felt Oetztal X - Bionic Team	0:07:59
34 Samuel Schultz (USA) Subaru - Trek	0:08:06
35 Chris Jongewaard (Aus) Milka-Superior MTB Racing Team	0:08:28
36 Stephen Ettinger (USA) Bmc Mountainbike Racing Team	0:08:55
37 Michele Casagrande (Ita) Elettroveneta - Corratec	0:09:33
38 Sepp Freiburghaus (Swi) Thoemus Racing Team	0:09:50
39 Fabien Canal (Fra) GT Skoda Chamonix	0:09:59
40 Andrea Tiberi (Ita) Torpado Surfing Shop	0:10:02
41 Henk Jaap Moorlag* (Ned) Rabobank Giant Offroad Team	0:10:07
42 Milan Spesny (Cze) S&H Superior MTB Team	0:10:16
43 Lachlan Norris (Aus) Giant Factory Off-Road Team
44 David Fletcher (GBr) Orange Monkey-Cannondale	0:10:18
45 Kevin Van Hoovels (Bel) Versluys Team	0:10:24
46 Nicola Rohrbach (Swi)	0:10:38
47 Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (USA) Subaru - Trek	0:10:44
48 Catriel Andres Soto (Arg) Wildwolf - Trek Pro Racing	0:10:59
49 Alexis Chenevier (Fra) Scott Les Saisies	0:11:10
50 Todd Wells (USA) Specialized Racing	0:11:11
51 Marek Galinski (Pol) JGB - 2 Professional MTB Team	0:11:29
52 Adam Craig (USA) Rabobank Giant Offroad Team	0:11:37
53 Sergji Rysenko (Ukr) Isd MTB Team	0:12:01
54 Umberto Corti (Ita) Team Cbe Tecnoimpianti A.S.D.	0:12:22
55 Ruben Almeida (Por)	0:12:28
56 Hannes Metzler (Aut)	0:12:32
57 Jérémy Huguenin (Swi) Giant Swiss SR -Suntour	0:12:34
58 Piotr Brzozka (Pol) JGB - 2 Professional MTB Team	0:12:44
59 Marc Bassingthwaighte (Nam)	0:12:52
60 Uwe Hochenwarter (Aut) Muskelkater Genesis Team	0:12:58
61 Shlomi Haimy (Isr) Focus MIG Team	0:13:35
62 Kevin Pauwels (Bel)	0:14:42
-1lap Martin Loo (Est) Hard Rock Canossa Merida
-1lap Spencer Paxson (USA) Kona
-1lap Sebastien Carabin (Bel) Versluys Team
-1lap Hans Becking (Ned) Milka-Superior MTB Racing Team
-1lap Patrik Gallati (Swi) Bmc Mountainbike Racing Team
-1lap Kazuhiro Yamamoto (Jpn)
-1lap Simon Scheiber (Aut) Felt Oetztal X - Bionic Team
-1lap Pascal Schmutz (Swi)
-1lap Paolo Cesar Montoya Cantillo (CRc)
-1lap Pierre-Geoffroy Plantet (Fra) Lapierre International
-1lap David Joao Serralheiro Rosa (Por)
-2laps Tiago Jorge Oliveira Ferreira (Por) Bi&Esse - Infotre Protek
-2laps Pascal Hossay (Bel) Merida Wallonie Mountain Bike Team
-2laps Benjamin Wittrup Justesen (Den)
-2laps Javier Eduardo Puschel (Chi)
-2laps Lukas Kaufmann (Swi) Team Fujibikes Rockets
-2laps Daniel Eymann (Swi) Thoemus Racing Team
-2laps Severin Disch (Swi) Thoemus Racing Team
-2laps Marcel Wildhaber (Swi) Scott - Swisspower MTB Racing Team
-2laps Ludovic Dubau (Fra) Team Newcycling
-2laps Derek Zandstra (Can) Scott-3Roxracing
-2laps Giuseppe Lamastra (Ita)
-2laps Cristobal Silva Ibaceta (Chi)
-2laps Michael Broderick (USA)
-2laps Seiya Hirano (Jpn) Bridgestone Anchor Cycling Team
-2laps Lukas Sablik (Cze) Rubena Auto-Mencik Specialized
-2laps Vitalii Zubchenko (Ukr) Isd MTB Team
-2laps Dariusz Batek (Pol)
-2laps Jonas Baumann (Swi) Wheeler - IXS Team
-2laps Simon Gegenheimer (Ger)
-3laps Davy Huygens (Bel)
-3laps Paul Van Der Ploeg (Aus) Felt Oetztal X - Bionic Team
-3laps Sid Taberlay (Aus)
-3laps Simon Seehofer (Aut)
-3laps Marco Schätzing (Ger)
-3laps Brice Scholtes (Bel) Merida Wallonie Mountain Bike Team
-3laps Tim Lemmers (Ned) Feenstra Stevens Bike Team
-3laps Sandro Soncin (Swi)
-3laps Bojan Djurdjic (Srb) Salcano Factory Team
-3laps Steffen Thum (Ger)
-3laps Adrien Niyonshuti (Rwa)
-3laps Weisong Tong (Chn)
-3laps Pascal Meyer (Swi)
-3laps Artyom Golovaschenko (Kaz)
-3laps Klaus Nielsen (Den)
-3laps Dennis Ebert (Ned)
-3laps Philip Buys (RSA)
-4laps Robby De Bock (Bel)
-4laps Besik Gavasheli (Geo)
DNF Geoff Kabush (Can) Scott-3Roxracing
DNF Jan Skarnitzl (Cze) Rubena Auto-Mencik Specialized
DNF Moritz Milatz (Ger) Bmc Mountainbike Racing Team
DNF Alexis Vuillermoz (Fra) Lapierre International
DNF Jiri Novak (Cze)
DNF Inaki Lejarreta Errasti (Spa) Orbea Racing Team
DNF Daniel Geismayr (Aut)
DNF Andy Eyring (Ger)
DNF Julien Taramarcaz (Swi) Bmc Mountainbike Racing Team
DNF Marco Aurelio Fontana (Ita) Cannondale Factory Racing
DNF Christoph Soukup (Aut)
DNF Oleksandr Gerashchenko (Ukr) Isd MTB Team
DNF Giancarlo Sax (Swi) Thoemus Racing Team
DNF Adam Morka (Can)
DNF John Whittington (GBr)
DNF Kirill Kazantsev (Kaz)
DNF Oliver Beckingsale (GBr)
DNF Robert Mennen (Ger) Topeak Ergon Racing Team
DNF Sven Nys (Bel)
DNF Tom Meeusen (Bel)
DNS Nino Schurter (Swi) Scott - Swisspower MTB Racing Team
DNS Cédric Ravanel (Fra) GT Skoda Chamonix
DNS Alban Lakata (Aut) Topeak Ergon Racing Team
DNS Brian Lopes (USA)
DNS Heiko Gutmann (Ger)
DNS Miha Halzer (Slo) Energijateam.Com
DNS Florian Thie (Swi)
DNS Arnould Jeremy (Fra)

Teams

1 Specialized Racing	68	pts
2 Multivan Merida Biking Team	64
3 Cannondale Factory Racing	41
4 Orbea Racing Team	40
5 Trek World Racing	37
6 Rabobank Giant Offroad Team	36
7 Wildwolf - Trek Pro Racing	32
8 Scott - Swisspower MTB Racing Team	30
9 BH - SR Suntour - Peisey Vallandry	23
10 TX Active Bianchi	14
11 Topeak Ergon Racing Team	13
12 Giant Swiss SR -Suntour	9
13 Giant Factory Off-Road Team	6
14 Milka-Superior MTB Racing Team	3
15 Euroone-Waberer's-Cube MTB Team	1

Elite men individual World Cup standings after four rounds

1 Nino Schurter (Swi)	700	pts
2 Julien Absalon (Fra)	650
3 Jaroslav Kulhavy (Cze)	625
4 Burry Stander (RSA)	568
5 Manuel Fumic (Ger)	470
6 Fabian Giger (Swi)	440
7 Marco Aurelio Fontana (Ita)	410
8 José Antonio Hermida Ramos (Spa)	405
9 Ralph Naef (Swi)	395
10 Florian Vogel (Swi)	390
11 Lukas Flückiger (Swi)	385
12 Christoph Sauser (Swi)	364
13 Stéphane Tempier (Fra)	364
14 Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra)	331
15 Maxime Marotte (Fra)	314
16 Moritz Milatz (Ger)	290
17 Rudi Van Houts (Ned)	284
18 Martin Gujan (Swi)	280
19 Sergio Mantecon Gutierrez (Spa)	272
20 Emil Lindgren (Swe)	242
21 Mathias Flückiger (Swi)	236
22 Carlos Coloma Nicolas (Spa)	227
23 Max Plaxton (Can)	212
24 Jochen Kass (Ger)	212
25 Liam Killeen (GBr)	206
26 Geoff Kabush (Can)	192
27 Ivan Alvarez Gutierrez (Spa)	190
28 Karl Markt (Aut)	189
29 Wolfram Kurschat (Ger)	187
30 Kohei Yamamoto (Jpn)	166
31 Samuel Schultz (USA)	162
32 Inaki Lejarreta Errasti (Spa)	160
33 Daniel Mcconnell (Aus)	152
34 Thomas Litscher (Swi)	148
35 Marek Konwa* (Pol)	143
36 Michele Casagrande (Ita)	135
37 Henk Jaap Moorlag* (Ned)	127
38 Milan Spesny (Cze)	124
39 Catriel Andres Soto (Arg)	114
40 Tony Longo (Ita)	111
41 Martin Fanger (Swi)	108
42 Alexis Vuillermoz (Fra)	105
43 Jan Skarnitzl (Cze)	104
44 Fabien Canal (Fra)	103
45 Sven Nys (Bel)	100
46 Martino Fruet (Ita)	98
47 Jürg Graf (Swi)	98
48 Jiri Novak (Cze)	91
49 Stephen Ettinger (USA)	90
50 Todd Wells (USA)	83
51 Chris Jongewaard (Aus)	82
52 Derek Zandstra (Can)	76
53 Andrea Tiberi (Ita)	70
54 Matous Ulman (Cze)	68
55 Andras Parti (Hun)	63
56 Uwe Hochenwarter (Aut)	56
57 Cédric Ravanel (Fra)	53
58 Kevin Van Hoovels (Bel)	53
59 Jeremiah Bishop (USA)	52
60 Piotr Brzozka (Pol)	51
61 Umberto Corti (Ita)	48
62 Lukas Sablik (Cze)	42
63 Lachlan Norris (Aus)	41
64 Julien Taramarcaz (Swi)	40
65 Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (USA)	40
66 Marek Galinski (Pol)	37
67 Nicola Rohrbach (Swi)	34
68 Sepp Freiburghaus (Swi)	30
69 Robert Mennen (Ger)	30
70 Philip Buys (RSA)	30
71 Adam Craig (USA)	29
72 Alban Lakata (Aut)	29
73 Periklis Ilias (Gre)	27
74 David Fletcher (GBr)	24
75 Patrik Gallati (Swi)	24
76 Kristian Hynek (Cze)	20
77 Jérémy Huguenin (Swi)	20
78 Alexis Chenevier (Fra)	19
79 Paul Van Der Ploeg (Aus)	16
80 Sergji Rysenko (Ukr)	15
81 Marcel Wildhaber (Swi)	14
82 Ruben Almeida (Por)	13
83 Hannes Metzler (Aut)	12
84 Kevin Pauwels (Bel)	11
85 Michal Lami (Svk)	10
86 David Joao Serralheiro Rosa (Por)	10
87 Sebastien Carabin (Bel)	10
88 Marc Bassingthwaighte (Nam)	9
89 Martin Loo (Est)	8

Team World Cup standings after four rounds

1 Specialized Racing	295	pts
2 Cannondale Factory Racing	238
4 Multivan Merida Biking Team	227
3 Scott - Swisspower MTB Racing Team	194
6 Orbea Racing Team	134
5 Rabobank Giant Offroad Team	131
7 Trek World Racing	119
10 Wildwolf - Trek Pro Racing	83
8 TX Active Bianchi	74
9 BMC Mountainbike Racing Team	59
12 BH - SR Suntour - Peisey Vallandry	59
11 Felt Oetztal X - Bionic Team	39
13 Scott-3Roxracing	35
14 Elettroveneta - Corratec	24
15 Giant Factory Off-Road Team	20
20 Topeak Ergon Racing Team	17
16 Subaru - Trek	11
21 Giant Swiss SR -Suntour	10
17 Rubena Auto-Mencik Specialized	8
18 Lapierre International	6
19 S&H Superior MTB Team	5

MTB World Cup Eliminator #3: Wins for Lüthi and Rissveds

Rob Jones, Cyclingnews.com — Sun, 20 May 2012 17:28:00 GMT

Men: Patrick Lüthi too good

This article was originally published on Cyclingnews.com.

Switzerland's Patrick Lüthi started his World Cup career in the best possible way - winning the third round of the eliminator World Cup in La Bresse, France. Held in the streets of the host village, the French community embraced the event, with spectators lining the course that took riders along narrow footpaths, through a church yard and down a set of stairs that proved to be the most serious obstacle of the day, causing a number of crashes.

Round one winner Brian Lopes was one of the strong favourites for the men's race, since the tight, technical course suited the skills of the former four cross world champion. Lopes qualified second, behind Miha Halzer (Energijateam.com), with Lüthi qualifying fourth. They were joined in the final by Stefan Peter (MTB Kader Zentralschweiz).

Lopes after the finish

Peter got the hole shot at the first corner, when Lopes and Halzer both had poor starts. The American moved up to third, behind Lüthi, but was thwarted in his attempt to move up to second in the corner following the stair descent. However, Lüthi was successful in overtaking Peter just before the ramp descent and held on for the win ahead of Peter, with Lopes rolling in third. Paul van der Ploeg (Felt Oetztal X-Bionic) was the top Australian, finishing 12th.

"It is just unbelievable to win my first World Cup," said Lüthi. "I never thought I would be in this place. I thought it might be difficult to qualify and now I am here ... just unbelievable. I think it is very hard, this race. The winner could have been anyone. It is just great to be the one."

Women: Rissveds, Engen and Stirnemann take honours

This article was originally published on Cyclingnews.com.

Seventeen-year-old junior Jenny Rissveds of Sweden took the biggest win of her career in round three of the eliminator World Cup, beating countrywoman and mentor Alexandra Engen (Ghost). Held in the streets of the host village La Bresse, the French community embraced the event, with spectators lining the course.

The 725-metre course started on the main street of La Bresse, before cutting across a river via a footbridge, and over a steep bridge. From there the riders headed up a small climb to a church yard, where they hit what proved to be the biggest obstacle of the race - a set of stairs in front of the church that led to a number of crashes and flat tires when riders hit the base of the stairs too hard. After a few tight turns through narrow streets, the riders then went down a narrow ramp and into the town square, before circling around the end and hitting one final corner before the sprint to the line.

In the women's final, Rissveds was joined by Engen, Kathrin Stirnemann (Sabine Spitz Haibike) and Australia's Rowena Fry. Not making the final were favourites Anneke Beerten (Milka-Superior), who flatted while leading her semi-final race, and Great Britain's Tracy Moseley, who crashed hard in her semi-final.

Rissveds had a very strong start in the final, hitting the turn to the footbridge first, just ahead of Engen. The two Swedish riders then held off Stirnemann to take the top spots, with Fry rolling in fourth.

Rissveds screamed as she crossed the finish line, ecstatic at her win. "It is awesome to win this race. It was very hard, I tried to take the lead at start because it was important to be very tough and be first through the first corner. Then it was just to to stay ahead to the finish. It is awesome to have two Swedish riders on the podium. Alexandra (Engen) means a lot to me. She has taught me very much."

Results

Men

Big Final

1 Patrick Lüthi (Swi)
2 Stefan Peter (Swi) MTB Kader Zentralschweiz
3 Brian Lopes (USA)
4 Miha Halzer (Slo) Energijateam.com

Small Final

5 Alexis Vuillermoz (Fra) Lapierre International
6 Heiko Gutmann (Ger)
DNS Daniel Federspiel (Aut) Notebooksbilliger.de Team

Semi-Final

8 Simon Gegenheimer (Ger)

1/4 Finals

9 Mirco Widmer (Swi) Giant Swiss SR - Suntour
10 Titouan Perrin Ganier (Fra)
11 Gregor Raggl (Aut)
12 Paul Van Der Ploeg (Aus) Felt Oetztal X - Bionic Team
13 Jeremy Arnould (Fra)
14 Dennis Ebert (Ned)
15 Marek Konwa (Pol) Milka-Superior MTB Racing Team
16 Sepp Freiburghaus (Swi) Thoemus Racing Team

1/8 Finals

17 Lukas Loretz (Swi) Giant Swiss SR - Suntour
18 Martin Gluth (Ger)
19 Pascal Schmutz (Swi)
20 Nicola Rohrbach (Swi)
21 Fabrice Mels (Bel) Salcano Factory Team
22 Philip Buys (RSA)
23 Sergji Rysenko (Ukr) ISD MTB Team
24 Marcel Wildhaber (Swi) Scott - Swisspower MTB Racing Team
25 Lars Forster (Swi)
26 Jürg Graf (Swi) Bskgraf Rollmat-Koba MTB Team
27 Daniel Eymann (Swi) Thoemus Racing Team
28 Kevin Van Hoovels (Bel) Versluys Team
29 Johan Widen (Swe)
30 Robbert De Nijs (Ned) Giant Dealerteams
31 Javier Eduardo Puschel (Chi)


Women

Big Final

1 Jenny Rissveds (Swe)
2 Alexandra Engen (Swe) Ghost Factory Racing Team
3 Kathrin Stirnemann (Swi) Sabine Spitz Haibike Team
4 Rowena Fry (Aus)

Small Final

5 Cécile Ravanel (Fra) GT Skoda Chamonix
6 Anneke Beerten (Ned) Milka-Superior MTB Racing Team
7 Maaris Meier (Est)

Semi-Final

8 Tracy Moseley (GBr)

1/4 Finals

9 Anne Terpstra (Ned)
10 Chloe Woodruff (USA)
11 Eva Lechner (Ita) Colnago Sudtirol
12 Sabrina Maurer (Swi) Bskgraf Rollmat-Koba MTB Team
13 Ramona Forchini (Swi) MTB Kader Zentralschweiz
14 Pavla Havlikova (Cze)
15 Ana Zupan (Slo) Energijateam.com
16 Joanna Petterson (USA)

Rapha Country jersey review

Russell Burton, What Mountain Bike — Sun, 20 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

We know the price will make a lot of you ﬂinch, but if you’re a devotee of merino wool you’ll already know that it doesn’t come cheap. Plus, the Rapha Country is actually a more complicated version known as Sportwool.

It’s a mix of merino and polyester, with merino inside and a smooth polyester outside. The idea is you get all the natural comfort beneﬁts of merino wool against your skin, but once sweat is wicked through to the manmade surface it disperses and dries more quickly than it would in an all-wool jersey.

We like the way merino gets warm to a point and then suddenly your temperature seems to regulate, and we weren’t disappointed by this version of it. It’s especially good when a ride starts in the morning chill then warms up.

The cut, we cannot lie, is slim to roadie-skinny. It’s also very short. We’d like to say go up a size if you prefer the relaxed look, but suspect the immaculate styling wouldn’t work, so you’re just going to have to suck it in...

The ﬁnish is exceptionally high quality. Details such as a hem gripper and hidden drawcord add value, and we love the practicality of the inner pump sleeve and oversized zip pull on the valuables pocket.

This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.

Video: Best $1,000 mountain bike shootout

Ben Delaney — Sat, 19 May 2012 14:14:00 GMT

As technology advances, the cost of many mountain bikes has gone through the roof. Is it even possible to get a good mountain bike for $1,000 or less? Yes!

For riders just getting started — or those looking to get a new mountain bike without breaking the break — there are a few good options. We recently trail-tested 10 mountain bikes that cost $1,000 or less, and came away with some surprising finds.

If it's been five years or more since you last bought a mountain bike, you probably have a bike with 26-inch wheels. The trend these days is 'bigger is better' — and nearly all the models tested have 29-inch wheels. For those of you new to mountain biking — welcome! The benefits of 29-inch wheels are plentiful: you can roll over obstacles more easily, you have more suspension in your tires with the larger volume of air, and you can get better traction than with a 26-inch wheel.

BikeRadar sent out a five-man test crew over the course of a few days to test ride 10 bikes over and over on a 3-mile loop. Special attention was given to each bike's elements of control — the brakes, the suspension and the tires.

At this pricepoint, bike companies are limited in what types of parts, suspension forks and wheels they can use. But, as BikeRadar technical editor James Huang likes to point out, geometry is free. Geometry means the angles of the bike's tubes, which have a huge impact on how the bike handles.

We tested the following 10 bikes:

Trek Mamba, $959
Diamondback Overdrive Comp 29dr
Specialized Rockhopper 29
Redline D610
Jamis Exile Sport
GT Karakoram 2.0
Giant Talon 29er 1
Cannondale Trail SL3
Scott Scale 29 Comp
Felt Nine Sport

Check BikeRadar next week for the complete results of the test.

Sportful Total Comfort bib shorts review

Cycling Plus — Sat, 19 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Sportful’s ultra-thin Total Comfort bibs need a little care to put on, and are less elastic than most, but once in place they evenly spread the load across the body. Wide and slim leg grippers are gently elasticated with minimal silicone patches, but are very comfortable.

The pad is made up of five variable foam densities, putting extra cushioning where it’s needed. A tough, abrasion-resistant textured centre section limits saddle slip, and lighter Lycra ceramic fabric sides keep muscles cool.

With an innovative bib, a wonderfully upholstered pad and feather-edged leg grippers, these race worthy lightweight shorts offer everything you could ask for and will satisfy the most demanding wearer. They really couldn't have been given a better name. The only thing we're not sure about are the orange and white bib straps.

This article was originally published in Cycling Plus magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.

Cube AMS 100 Super HPC Pro review

Mike Davis, Mountain Biking UK — Sat, 19 May 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Cube’s extravagantly-named AMS 100 Super HPC Pro sits towards the cheaper end of the German company's short-travel line-up, with only the aluminium AMS 100 below it. £2,199 is an impressive price for a full-carbon fibre frame with decent equipment.

Ride & handling: Aggressive riding position lets you put the power down

The Cube is very much in the European head-down cross-country tradition, with steep angles and forward weight distribution. With geometry generally getting ever-slacker, it’s easy to forget that bikes like this work very well in singletrack – you can stay in the middle of the bike, pedal and flick it through corners.

The downside is a nervousness on faster, rougher trails, although the AMS’s stiff frame and decent fork keep things going in the right direction. The rear suspension is best run stiff to avoid blowing through the travel, which keeps the bike feeling taut and lively at the expense of small-bump sensitivity. It's a convincing off-the-peg race with upgrade potential.

Frame: Full-carbon chassis at a great price

Traditionalists will love the look of the AMS 100. Of all the available full-suspension layouts, a four-bar back end with the shock under the top tube looks most like how you expect a bike to look. There’s another advantage for racers, with room for two sets of bottle bosses inside the main triangle. Despite the almost old-school appearance though, the Cube packs in plenty of construction tech.

A key advantage of carbon fibre is that it’s of sufficiently low density as to allow designers to use lots of it without much of a weight penalty. Cube have taken full advantage of the press-fit bottom bracket shell to push the triangular-section down tube out to the maximum possible width. The gear cables are routed inside the down tube, while the rear brake hose is routed down the outside to save having to detach one end to fit or remove the brake. A stainless steel plate protects the carbon chainstay from any potential chainsuck damage.

Equipment: Decent spec but there's scope to go lighter with future upgrades

Cube have gone to town with colour co-ordination on the AMS 100, with the yellow and blue frame graphics mirrored on the DT Swiss wheelset and Selle Italia saddle. It’s an eye-catching combination. Look past the colours and you’ll find a well-rounded parts spec based around a 3x10 Shimano SLX/Deore XT transmission mix – XT for the bits you’ll notice (cranks and rear mech), SLX for the rest. You can’t really go wrong with SLX and XT.

A RockShox Reba RL fork graces the front end, complete with remote lockout lever. DT Swiss wheels are shod with voluminous 2.25in Schwalbe Rocket Ron tyres. They’re the high-spec Evo tubeless-ready versions too, which is good to see. Formula RX brakes do the stopping while the finishing kit features a Syntace cockpit (plus rather bulky foam lock-on grips) and Cube’s own RFR seatpost.

This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.