MTB News & Racing Round-up, March 17, 2010

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Date published:

March 17, 2010, 17:28

Edited by Sue George, Mountain Bike Editor

Welcome to our regular roundup of what's happening in mountain biking. Feel free to send feedback, news, & releases to mtb@cyclingnews.com and results, reports & photos to cyclingnews@cyclingnews.com.

• Record number of UCI-registered mountain bike teams for 2010

  

  Article published:

  March 17, 2010, 17:19

  By:

  Sue George, Mountain Bike Editor

  Teams and rosters posted on Cyclingnews

  For the 2010 season, the UCI has registered a record of 107 mountain bike teams from 19 different nations. In contrast, in 2009, there were just 90 registered squads.

  Both Hungary, with its Podilatis - Bianchi team, and Greece, with its Euro One-Cube Team, are nations which have registered UCI teams for the first time. Six other countries have seen an increase in the number of their teams: Norway, Czech Republic, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Holland.

  The nations that continue to have the most UCI mountain bike teams are Germany with 11, the United States with 12, Italy with 14 and France with 15.

  The number of teams specializing in Olympic distance cross country has increased by 12. Also on the rise are the number of teams specializing in junior cross country racing and elite downhill and four cross racing. Teams with mixed disciplines are also increasing.

  View the complete list of 2010 UCI Mountain Bike Teams and their riders on Cyclingnews.

• Amateurs dared to ride Dalby World Cup course

  

  Article published:

  March 17, 2010, 13:02

  By:

  Sue George, Mountain Bike Editor

  Dalby Dare gives riders a chance to try the course and more on eve of British World Cup

  Mountain bikers looking for an opportunity to ride the new Dalby World Cup and compare their times to those of the elite racers will have a chance to do so at the Dalby Dare event on Saturday, April 24.

  Held the afternoon before the opening 2010 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup cross country, the 30km event will feature challenging sections of the new World Cup course including Medusa's Drop, Worry Gill and Dixon's Hollow before breaking away from the World Cup course and continuing onto other red and black Dalby trails with a series of testing zigzags up Addersback climb. A long, fast and rocky descent down Dargate Slack will continue to test riders before a steepening technical climb up Tom Milners Grain. The riders will then have to carefully negotiate their way round Peat Head Rigg and rejoin the World Cup course.

  "The combination of the various trails has really come together to make a great course for Dalby Dare," said Martin O. Vastar, course designer for the Forestry Commission at Dalby Forest. "The concept for Dalby Dare was to include a number of singletrack climbs, fast rocky descents and technical climbs, before returning to cross the official World Cup finish line. It offers the perfect Dalby World Cup experience for the rider."

  Former British national cross country champion Nick Craig is supportive of the Dalby Dare challenge. "It is an amazing opportunity to ride the trails and test your skills on the World Cup course. Once you have ridden it yourself, you will realise just how good the pro riders are when you watch them smash it round the next day making it look so easy!"

  Participants will also receive a Dalby t-shirt and goody bag and will be timed individually on both their World Cup lap and the entire Dalby Dare challenge.

  With the mix of amateur and World Cup competition in the same weekend, amateurs will have the chance to not only race, but also be close to the elite action. "The World Cup weekend gives you three days to get incredibly close to the World Cup action from Pickering on Friday and into Dalby Forest over the weekend. Whether you choose to attend or tune in on TV, the weekend promises to be truly inspirational and a great platform for encouraging people into the sport and into events like the Dalby Dare in fantastic facilities like Dalby Forest," said Jonny Clay, British Cycling’s Cycle Sport and Membership Director.
  
  British Cycling is working in close partnership with UK Sport, Welcome to Yorkshire, Yorkshire Forward and the Forestry Commission, with the support of a number of local partners including Ryedale Council and North Yorkshire County Council, to deliver the UCI Mountain Bike Cross Country World Cup.

  As preparation for this year's World Cup, a British Cross Country National Series round was held as a test event last May. Oli Beckingsale (Giant) and Katherine O'Shea (Torq) won the men's and women's contests.

  For more information or to register for the Dalby Dare, visit www.yorkshiremtbworld.cup.

• Southerndownhill team ready for British gravity racing

  

  Article published:

  March 17, 2010, 10:00

  By:

  Sue George, Mountain Bike Editor

  Five-man squad takes on national and regional events

  After a couple of years away, Southerndownhill is back on track with its 2010 race team. Southerndownhill's foundation is downhill racing in the United Kingdom, and for 2010, the team's five gravity riders will be out and about again with full effect to rip up the trails and race to the finish with a big grin.

  The team includes Chris Astle, Neil Cousins, Rob Lewis, Ryan Telling and Tom Whant. The latter is coming off a season during which he broke his wrist twice. Lewis is serving as the team's manager.

  "I have wanted to launch a team for quite some time now to help support Southerndownhill at the races that we continue to report from," said Lewis, referring to the southerndownhill.com website.

  The team will compete in the full British Downhill Series, Juice Lubes Welsh Series, MIJ events, UK Bike Park, Pearce and more.

  Riders will race on the new Astrix Havoc R, with its eight inches of travel using their full PCA and Motolink system, plus the RockShox Boxxer Team up front. They'll run Funn Drop In brakes, Decent-Gear tires, Cycle Jersey and Axo kits, and use Shimano Saint drivetrain components with E13 chains.

  Southerndownhill team for 2010
  Chris Astle
  Neil Cousins
  Rob Lewis
  Ryan Telling
  Tom Whant

• Thomas tries new strategy for successive marathon titles

  

  Article published:

  March 17, 2010, 06:30

  By:

  Cycling News

  New training plan and base help Thomas in quest to build form

  Tory Thomas won the Bike Buller Mountain Bike Festival overall classification after winning all three of the weekend's stages convincingly against tough competition and challenging trails. Just over a month out from her attempt to win the Australian National Marathon Mountain Bike Championships again, her form is continuing to improve and so is her confidence.

  Plagued by illness and fatigue over the last year, Thomas decided to change her training and racing strategy and opted not to contest the Australian Mountain Bike National Series in favour of selecting races that will help her peak in April.

  Not backed as the favourite prior to the Mt. Buller event, Thomas not only beat all the women but finished seventh overall, demonstrating her versatility, speed, superior skills and endurance throughout the weekend.

  She had a big weekend of riding during which she completed a 25km cross country race; a super D on Mt Buller which featured 13km dropping nearly 1,100 vertical meters from top to bottom; and a 50km cross country race to Mt Stirling and back.

  The Otway Odyssey Mountain Bike Marathon in February was one of the other races she's done this year. There, she was unable to take the top spot she had earned in the inaugural edition of that race in 2007 and instead came a credible seventh among a talented field. With an extra month of training behind her, she has been gaining momentum.

  Thomas said she wasn't at Mt. Buller to win. "Basically, I went to get fit, and I definitely got more than a good workout!" she said. "The trails are spectacular, and the first stage was one of the best courses I've ever ridden. Everything was right, it was a positive ride, and the views were amazing."

  Thomas travelled to the event with friends, and they made a weekend of it while staying at a lodge. Good weather and a festival-like atmosphere only helped the experience.

  Thomas hasn't just changed her training regimen; she also recently changed her vocation and moved to a new location, Mt Beauty. An accident with a car whilst riding in the inner city of Melbourne encouraged the shift along with partner Tim. The two now have a physio practice in which Thomas is a masseuse, a far cry from her previous occupation as a Council Planner.

  With a more relaxed lifestyle and outlook, Thomas's modifications seem to be treating her well. Look for her to defend her Australian national marathon title.

• Team Jamis kicks off the 2010 season

  

  Article published:

  March 16, 2010, 19:20

  By:

  Sue George, Mountain Bike Editor

  Racers open the year in California and Israel

  Team Jamis presented its factory racing team in Israel and Utah. Kicking off the season on a positive note, its riders Rotem Ishay, Jason Sager and new addition Robbie Squire logged some top ten finishes during the past two weekends of competition.

  "We're excited to welcome to the team American Robbie Squire, 19, who joins returning member Rotem Ishay, 23, of Israel," said Sal Crochiola of Jamis. "These guys will be anchoring the team in UCI and World Cup cross country events in Europe and North America as they prepare for their respective national championship races and ultimately, the World Championship mountain bike events in Canada later this summer."

  New Englander Adam Snyder, 25, is also returning to Team Jamis again. He'll join former road pro, Omer Kem, 28, of Salem, Oregon, and returning members Blake Harlan, 23, of Boulder, Colorado, and Jason Sager in all mountain, cross country and endurance mountain bike races.

  "Our goal is to make an impact on the events we attend - be it a UCI cross country event, a leading regional event, or an endurance downhill race stage race. Our goals are race podiums and to ride the most shredable trails in the areas we're racing in along the way; however, the highest goals for the team are the championship events," said manager Jason Sager of his team's ambitions.

  "We want athletes racing in their respective national championship jerseys and riding their Jamis bikes at the World Championships this summer."

  The team has a fleet of bikes at its disposal. "We have one of the most comprehensive selection of bikes I've ever had access to - from nine-kilogram carbon 29'er hardtails (Jamis d29 Team) with tubular Edge Composites wheels and GEAX tires, to the new Dakar SixFifty B2 platform trail bikes," said Sager." Other sponsors include Geax, Edge Composites, Chris King, FSA, SRAM, Rock Shox, Hayes, WTB, Crank Brothers, GoreTex, Mt Borah, Specialized, Clif Bar and Louis Garneau.

  Following back-to-back weekends of racing in Israel, Jamis racers will be attending early season events such as the Pan Am Continental Championships in Guatemala and Sea Otter Classic in April.

  Team Jamis for 2010
  Blake Harlan
  Rotem Ishay
  Omer Kem
  Jason Sager (manager)
  Adam Snyder
  Robbie Squire

• New epic mountain bike race to happen in Wisconsin

  

  Article published:

  March 16, 2010, 14:25

  By:

  Sue George, Mountain Bike Editor

  Race's name to be revealed after inaugural running

  The world's top off-road racers were deprived of their chance to tackle the terrain of Wisconsin's driftless region when Chicago lost its bid for the 2016 Olympics but this summer that opportunity returns. On Saturday, August 28, any fit cyclist can take on the challenging slopes in a 75-mile race called the Unnamed Epic - at least for now.
  
  Racers will start in the historic town of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, ride through Governor Dodge State Park and Brigham County Park, and finish at southern Wisconsin's highest point in Blue Mound State Park. More than a full mile of elevation will be gained as racers navigate across multiple trails, snowmobile trail easements, paved road segments and the Military Ridge State Trail.

  Advance registration for the Unnamed Epic is strongly encouraged as entries will be capped at 600 solo riders and 100 two-person teams. The Founders Club, reserved for the first 50 Unnamed Epic registrants, sold out within hours of online registration opening. The first wave of Early Registration ends May 31, with entry fees increasing on June 1 and then again on August 1. Early registration is encouraged.

  The Unnamed Epic is being organized by Team Sports Inc, the Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, event and team management company whose owner, Tom Schuler, is co-founder of the Tour of America's Dairyland, an omnium road/criterium race set for June 17-27, 2010. Also comprising Team Sports Inc. is Tour of America's Dairyland Executive Director Jack Hirt and designer of the popular Chequamegon 40 mountain bike race course, Phil Van Valkenberg

  Unable to settle on a name worthy of the challenging epic envisioned, Team Sports will let the riders decide. At the Awards Ceremony, organizers will announce the official name for the future chosen from among names submitted by the racers.
  
  Riders can take the challenge solo (individual) or as a team (two-person). Solo riders race all 75 miles. Those entering in the two-person team category can partner with one other rider, male or female, with each taking on approximately half of the course. Solo riders or teams will have 10 hours to complete the route to be ranked and qualify for awards.
  
  The Mineral Point start will be epic. Riders will line up on Shake Rag Street in front of the State Historical Society's miners' cottage restoration of Pendarvis. The controlled roll-out will open up as riders hit the 14 percent slope on High Street.

  Pre-race festivities will kick off on Friday, August 27, in Mineral Point. Post-race food and fun will be atop Blue Mound State Park.

  For more information, including registration, visit www.unnamedepic.com.

• Felt re-ups with Mafia Racing for 2010

  

  Article published:

  March 16, 2010, 11:49

  By:

  Bike Radar

  Felt Bicycles continues support of American team for 2010

  Mafia Racing and Felt are continuing their partnership backing the Mafia team for 2010. The Colorado-based Mafia Racing programme started in 2007 and has grown each year to extend its reach to the national level while remaining focused on its grassroots community-based mission.

  New Mafia team members include former American under 23 crossc ountry national champion Sam Jurekovic of Colorado and three-time Utah state cross country champion Kathy Sherwin. Tristan Schouten, a versatile road and cross country rider and cyclo-cross racer, rounds out the new signings. He won the 2010 Wisconsin state 'cross championship and placed top-10 at the US Grand Prix of Cyclo-cross Planet Bike Cup.

  Returning members include Becca Blay, who finishing fourth in the Mountain States Cup series and in the top-20 at the US Mountain Bike Nationals in Granby, Colorado.

  Jake Wells had breakthrough finishes in national level cyclo-cross races during the 2009 season. He finished 12th at CrossVegas, which is arguably the biggest 'cross race in the US, and ended the season with 12th place at the national championships in Bend, Oregon.

  Seth Wealing continues as Mafia's XTERRA off-road triathlon racer. Wealing is a former national champion in the off-road multisport competition series.

  "We're excited to be continuing our support of the Mafia Racing programme in 2010," said Jim Felt, the company namesake of Felt Bicycles. "It's a unique programme that accomplishes a lot with both its racing results and its community outreach efforts. Felt shares those same values, and this continues to be a great partnership."

  Mafia Racing athletes will compete on a variety of Felt mountain and cyclo-cross bikes in 2010: Nine series cross country bikes, Virtue full-suspension bikes and FX 'cross bikes.

  "The goal of the Mafia Racing programme is to inspire individuals to become more active in their communities," said team director David Janowiec. "To reach out to people wherever we go and inspire them to incorporate health, the arts, culture, sustainability and creativity into their lives."

  Other Mafia Racing team partners include Pabst Blue Ribbon, Shimano, DT Swiss, Pearl Izumi, Skull Candy, Silverback Music, Nooka, GoFast, GU Sports, Nuun, Squirt Lube, Rudy Project, The TopShelf Lab and Human Movement Management.

  Mafia Racing Pro Team for 2010
  Andy Rigel (cross country)
  Becca Blay (cross country, cyclo-cross)
  Bradford Perley (cross country, cyclo-cross)
  Dylan Stucki (cross country)
  Jake Wells (cross country, cyclo-cross)
  Jan Koles (road, cross country, cyclo-cross)
  Jared Berg (cross country)
  Kari Studley (cross country, cyclo-cross)
  Kate Scheider (road, cross country, cyclo-cross)
  Kathy Sherwin (cross country)
  Lindsey Bishop (road, cross country, cyclo-cross)
  Meghan Korol (cross country, super D, cyclo-cross)
  Sam Jurekovic (cross country)
  Seth Wealing (Xterra triathlon, cross country)
  Spencer Powlison (cross country, super d, cyclo-cross)
  Stephen Ettinger (cross country)
  Trevor Downing (cross country)
  Tristan Schouten (road, cross country, cyclo-cross)

• Illness, injury derail Felt Ötztal X-Bionic World Cup team's Italian plans

  

  Article published:

  March 16, 2010, 10:45

  By:

  Sue George, Mountain Bike Editor

  Virus knocks out most of the team for Montichiari race

  Following a good showing at the Maremma Cup, the Felt Ötztal X-Bionic World Cup team went into the Internazionali d'Italia round, also known as the Trofeo Giorgio Senini, in Montichiari with high hopes. However, injuries and illness sidelined a majority of the team's riders before and during the race.

  Simon Scheiber and Sabrina Enaux were already out of competition due to a torn ligament and shoulder injury respectively. Both are unlikely to race again before the end of March.

  Then a gastro-intestinal virus made its rounds among the remaining team members over the past week. Karl Markt was knocked out at the beginning of last week and did not start in Montichiari. His colleague Manfred Reis complained about discomfort in his stomach shortly before the race, but started nonetheless. On the first lap after the start loop, Reis had to abandon the race as the pain had become too strong. Reis was already on his way home by the time Marco Aurelio Fontana won the men's event.
  
  Adelheid Morath and Blaza Klemencic had both placed in the top five at the Maremma Cup the week before, but they, too, were struck by the stomach bug in Montichiari. During breakfast, Klemencic noticed she was feeling ill while Morath didn't notice the symptoms until later, after starting the race. Morath chose to fight on, tormenting herself to push through and finish sixth despite the illness setting in.

  "It's a shame, I didn't feel fit at all. I noticed that my body is unable to afford any more effort today," said Morath. Under normal circumstances, Morath would have expected to make the podium. Instead those spots went to winner Nathalie Schneitter and Italian Eva Lechner and Anna Szafraniec from Poland.

  The team is focusing on rebuilding its health going into the Racer Bikes Cup round in Buchs, Swizterland, and the Kamptal-Klassik-Trophy in Langenlois, Austria in two weeks.