MTB News & Racing Round-up, Monday, February 20, 2012

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Date published:

February 20, 13:00

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.

• Lakata hopes for better luck in his fifth Cape Epic

  

  Article published:

  February 16, 15:45

  By:

  Cycling News

  Former world champion gets a new partner: Mennen

  Five-time Austrian marathon national champion Alban Lakata will participate in this year's Absa Cape Epic with Robert Mennen of Germany as team Topeak Ergon Racing. Lakata was unlucky at the 2010 Cape Epic, when he had to carry his bike for the last two kilometers of stage 3 of the race. This year's event takes place from March 25 to April 1 and will once again take 1200 riders through 781km of some of the Western Cape's terrain.

  Lakata, who will participate in his fifth edition of the race this year, is thrilled to have Mennen as his racing partner."We've been teammates since 2009 and have a very good relationship," said Lakata, 32.

  Mennen, who is doing his first Cape Epic this year, considers Lakata an experienced rider who knows the race. "Our advantage is that we know each other really well and get along wonderfully. In this kind of stage race, it's very important to know how your teammate feels, without him or her having to say it. It's also important to complement one another," said Mennen, 26.

  "After I finished ninth at the marathon Worlds and second at the Kitzalp Bike Marathon, many of my opponents asked why Alban and I don't compete as a team in the Cape Epic - I had no answer to that question," said Mennen. "I'm very excited to participate with a former world champion and hope to learn a lot about the race."

  In the 2010 Cape Epic, Lakata participated with one of South Africa's favourites, Kevin Evans. They were in the lead when they started having problems around halfway. They had about four punctures and started running out of tubes and patches. Lakata had to run with his bike on his back for the last two kilometers of the race as his rim exploded. "When I hit the tar, I could feel that it wasn't going to make it - it was already that bad."

  Nevertheless, Lakata feels that a podium finish for the 2012 race is possible."Because it's our first stage race together, our goal is to finish in the top five and get a stage win." He thinks Mennen is an intelligent guy who can handle multi-day stage races.

  Mennen, on the other hand, is not so confident about a podium finish. "I'm not sure about our abilities of getting stage wins or finishing on the podium overall. It's a very long race where many things can happen. The race is also very early in the season, and last year's season didn't start well for me. Furthermore, the Cape Epic will be my first stage race that is longer than four stages. I have a lot to learn about the race and my body."

  As they live in different countries, Lakata and Mennen almost never train together, but feel that it is not really a problem. They know each other really well. "Usually we only see each other at race weekends. I don't think this is a handicap though. Alban is six years older than me, so he needs harder and longer training sessions to get adequate stimulus. In preparation for the Cape Epic, we participate in some of the same races and in March we're doing the World Cup in Pietermaritzburg to get uses to the climate," said Mennen.

  Lakata has been doing a lot of strength and cross training during the winter, and currently eats a lot of protein. Mennen does a lot of running and spinning during winter. "As the season starts getting closer, I increase my riding times and the intensity of my training," said Mennen. "I also try to follow a balanced diet. At the end of the day, I need to follow my own training regime as I know my body better."

  When asked what the most important ingredient is to complete the Cape Epic successfully, Mennen said, "I believe it's important to know your personal, as well as your teammate's limits. You need a partner that you feel comfortable with and with whom you can communicate well."

  Lakata thinks that mental power is the most important factor. "In terms of advice for other participants, I would say don't start out too fast and keep some energy left for the 'king' stage."

  Mennen, who spends his free time with his girlfriend, family and friends and who enjoys watching motor sports, gave some advice. "Respect nature, respect other people, enjoy your ride and always have fun." Lakata, who enjoys cooking and reading, suggested that others set high goals and work hard to get them. "Never quit a race," he advised.

  In addition to his Cape Epic aspirations, Lakata is hoping to qualify for the Austrian Olympic team and medal at the marathon Worlds. Mennen is focusing on finishing his studies in business administration while also racing a full season.

• US mountain bike season kicks off at 24 Hours of Old Pueblo

  

  Article published:

  February 16, 17:10

  By:

  Dave McElwaine

  Pro racers past and present plan to compete in Arizona desert

  Mountain bikers from around the world are arriving in Tucson, Arizona, to participate in the 13th annual Kona Bikes 24 Hours of Old Pueblo being held at Willow Springs Ranch. The organizer claims it is the largest 24-hour mountain biking event in the United States. Todd Sadow, president of Epic Rides, describes it as the "mountain bikers' Burning Man".

  With 1,800 participants and up to 3,000 supporters and spectators, Old Pueblo will turn into a living 24-hour town, a makeshift city filled with tents, campers, and RVs. The city will be buzzing with activity including round-the-clock barbecue, music, and spectators watching the race perched on top of the giant rock formations and in the comfort of their lounge chairs. There is a festival atmosphere as everyone seems to be celebrating the end of winter and the beginning of another season of riding.

  Riders will enjoy a fast 16.1-mile Sonoran Desert course with spectacular views of Mount Lemmon and the Catalina Mountains. The terrain is rolling with a combination of hard pack, sand, and rock surfaces. The weather forecast is optimal, complete with a big full moon to aid with night-time visibility. The course has a few technical sections that should give the more experienced riders a chance for some thrills. But of course there are usually longer go-around options for the less adventurous.

  This year's race is being dedicated to Susan DeMattei, Mountain Bike Hall of Fame inductee, Olympic bronze medalist, and UCI World Championship silver medalist. She will be honored at a dinner Friday evening and then will be coming out of retirement to race at Old Pueblo.

  "I'm looking forward to getting back on a bike after a Gunnison (Colorado) winter, meeting lots of nice people, and riding some new terrain," said DeMattei. "I have heard lots of great things about the event, the area, and the laid-back appeal of the group, so it sounds perfect. I'm honored to be a part of it!"

  One of the highlights of the weekend is the quarter-mile Le Mans start. It is quite a sight to see hundreds of runners sprinting down a dirt road and then trying to find their bike. Many of the top pros find themselves heading out onto the course behind amateurs who happen to be fast on foot. It generally takes a lap or two for the faster riders to find their natural place on the track.

  Racers will have the opportunity to either race solo or in two- or four-person teams. Some teams will be mixed gender, while others allow riders to combine ages to stay under a total number of years such as 150 or 200.

  The weather has played a major role in past 24 Hours of Old Pueblo races. There is has been snow, mud, freezing temperatures, and high heat. During last year's event, severe dust storms blew through the desert and the riders faced sub-freezing temperatures all through the night. Wind gusts hit 40 miles per hour. The forecast for this year's event is for daytime temperatures in the high 60s and lows down to 37 degrees (Fahrenheit) at night.

  While the race is competed seriously by many, the majority of those participating claim they are just there to soak up the atmosphere and do some riding. Sponsoring companies such as Stan's NoTubes and Kenda are sending their factory teams and using the event to showcase their products.

  Kona is flying in 15 international media representatives to introduce its carbon King Kahuna mountain bike. They will be treated to a week of riding the bike on sweet Arizona singletrack.

  Kona Team Manager and veteran racer Barry Wicks is bringing a four-man team that includes himself and World Cup racers Spencer Paxson and Kris Sneddon. While on paper it may appear that they should sail to victory, a few years ago they were pushed to the limit by a previously unknown team from Mexico. In order to secure victory that year, Wicks (who had been turning the fastest lap times) had to go out and ride two consecutive laps for a come-from-behind win.

  Wicks commented on this year's event, "We are really looking forward to this race. 24-hour races, especially the team format, offer up new challenges that we don't face during the course of a two-hour, cross country race. From running into huge cactus, to having your lights or body fail at 3:00 am, we really have to be prepared for anything. 24-hour racing hearkens back to the original ethos of mountain bike racing, which is to be self sufficient, self reliant, and ready for whatever happens out on the trail."

  "The team aspect is also very cool. Normally having a teammate in a race is nice, but not necessarily the deciding factor," said Wicks. "Depending on your teammates to put in consistently fast laps and keep their bikes together creates a great bonding experience and collective sense of trust that is life long. 24hr racing kinda of sucks, but it is through the suffering and pain that you gain the most."

  The NoTubes Elite Women's team made their debut here last year and won by an enormous margin. Team leader and newly crowned masters world champion Shannon Gibson will be joined by Kaila Hart, Jenny Smith, Vicki Barclay, Sarah Kaufmann, and Susan Haywood.

  "Stan's NoTubes is proud to return this year as a sponsor of EpicRides events, including this weekend's 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo, The Whiskey Off Road and The Tour of the White Mountains," said Gibson. "The Stan's NoTubes Women's Elite Team will be on hand to defend the ladies' four-person relay title, have some fun, hang out by the fire, and stretch the legs out in the warm Arizona sun."

  The NoTubes team is dedicating their race to Chris "Pepe" Sherwin, husband of team member Kathy Sherwin. Chris is battling kidney cancer after having surgery to remove one of his kidneys. While he has made a remarkable recovery from the surgery, they know the battle is not over. Kathy Sherwin will miss this year's race but is in the hearts and prayers of her teammates.

  Veteran former national champion Sue Haywood, while retired from World Cup racing, will be returning to Old Pueblo after a brief hiatus. Over the past few years, she has described herself as a "recreational pro" who has participated in many of the country's epic events, especially around her hometown of Harrisonburg, Virginia.

  Haywood told Cyclingnews, "I last did 24 Hours of Old Pueblo in 2005 as a duo with my friend Spring Clegg. Where did seven years go? Old Pueblo is a classic early season party race. It's one of those races that you can take seriously and crank out some fast laps or take it mellow and hang with your buddies. Mine is the later option. The first effort of the year will burn the lungs and legs bad, but I'll be in great company."

  "And of course my buddies are my new teammates at the Stan's No Tubes Women's Elite Team!" said Haywood. " I don't know what the right terminology to use to describe my situation. I am a mountain biker first and foremost, not a racer. I'm still fit, but I don't do the structured training of intervals, threshold training, and I eat butter and bacon. I drink beer."

  Other high profile racers include Rebecca Rusch (Specialized), former world 24-hour champion and Leadville 100 winner. Jenny Smith, X-terra and endurance racer told Cyclingnews, " I'm super excited to get out of Gunnison in February and have my skin see the sunshine, see all my friends both on Stan's NoTubes, Light and Motion, and meet my team!"

  "I raced the 24-hour nationals last year," said Smith, who was part of the winning women's team, "and it was such a blast to get back into the 24-hour team racing. It was one of my most fun races last year."

  Last year, Anthony White won the solo men's race with a remarkable 18 laps completed. He rode laps as fast as one hour and four minutes. Jonathan Davis was second with 16 laps, and Kip Biese was third with 15 laps. Each is expected to be on hand this weekend to resume their battle. Nina Baum (NoTubes) turned in the fastest women's lap last year: one hour 11 minutes. The women's solo field this year includes 40 racers - nearly double any previous year.

  The Kona Bikes 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo is in the first year of partnering with the Tucson Medical Center. They also collect over four tons of canned goods for the Tri-Community Food Bank in Mammoth, Arizona.

  Cyclingnews will be on hand this weekend in Tucson to bring you news and photographs from "24-Hour Town" and the 24 Hours of Old Pueblo race.

• 24-hour solo Worlds favorites visit Canmore

  

  Article published:

  February 16, 20:48

  By:

  Cycling News

  Juarez, Wallace and Poidevin race dogsleds and train with locals

  Some of the favorites for the 2012 24-Hour Solo World Championships travelled north this past weekend to Canmore, Alberta, Canada. Although the race isn't until September 14, Tinker Juarez, Cory Wallace and Leighton Poidevin made the trip to drum up support for the event and to join in on a local winter festival.

  Earlier this winter, organizers of the race had staged a contest to "Train with Tinker, Cory Wallace and Leighton Poidevin". Last Saturday, the four contest winners got to do just that. Given the Canmore climate this time of year, the lucky winners hopped onto their road bikes at a local performance lab for an stationary bike time trial indoors with Juarez.

  The man with the most famous dreadlocks in mountain biking pulled away from the group early on, while Canadian 24-hour veteran Poidevin cruised in for second place. It was a good opportunity for everyone to see where they stand next to Juarez, who is logging 30 hours a week this time of year and routinely does six-hour road rides back home in Whittier, California, to build his fitness.

  The festivities didn't end with a trainer ride. Afterwards, Juarez and Wallace each climbed aboard a dogsled and dueled it out on Main Street as part of the Canmore Winter Carnival festivities. Wallace, the reigning 24-hour solo Canadian champion from Jasper, Alberta, took the win with Juarez finishing close behind.

  Finally, the trio attended a Q & A session that evening with topics including: 29ers versus 26ers, nutrition, pacing, lighting systems, seeing things in the dark and the domination of Australian rider Jason English, who has won the 24-hour solo Worlds twice.

• South Africa announces 2012 marathon national championships

  

  Article published:

  February 17, 15:55

  By:

  Cycling News

  Dates and venues selected

  The 2012 South African marathon national championships will take place in Wellington, in the heart of the Boland, on Saturday, August 25.

  Only 45 minutes' drive from Cape Town, Wellington is situated near the Cape's famous Wine Routes, and the Wellington Tourism & Wine Route of the Western Cape in South Africa is a tourist attraction.

  In what is fast becoming an annual attraction at the Diemersfontein Wine and Country Estate, the South African marathon championships will be incorporated into the popular MTN National MTB Series # 5 (Wellington), where thousands of mountain bikers are expected to compete.

  The elite men will race the 105km marathon distance on farm roads and jeep tracks heading away from Diemersfontein, through the vineyards and farms of Wellington, against the scenic backdrop of the Bainskloof Pass road, and towards Groenberg Mountain. The elite women will cover 75km in their championship race.

  The well-balanced and fast course is packed with beautiful views, fynbos, historic farmsteads, stream crossings and vineyard settings, passing many of the local award-winning cellars. The 105km race will finish with some tough riding in the Hawekwa Plantation on the slopes of Du Toitskloof.

  Men can expect to climb 2900m over 105km whereas the women will climb 1850m in 75km.

  Non-elite age groupers will also be entitled to race for South African MTB Marathon Championship status, this time at KwaZulu-Natal's popular mountain biking haven of Hilton, starting at Hilton College, for the fifth annual MTN National MTB Series #7 (Hilton Dirt Festival) on Sunday, September 23.

  Sub veteran men and women (30-39 years), veteran men and women (40-49 years) and master men (50-59 years) will take the challenge in the 70km marathon race that starts and finishes on the grounds of Hilton College, riding through timber plantations and sugar cane farms with spectacular views over the Albert-Falls Dam and the Umgeni Valley. Riders will encounter a total elevation is 341m with 1650m climbing in 75km.

  On the same day, the remaining age categories of youth men and women (15-16 years), junior men and women (17-18 years), master women (50-59 years) and grand master men and women (Age 60+) will tackle the 40km half marathon race, offering "a little bit of everything".

  For more information, visit www.advendurance.com.

• Absalon injured in training crash

  

  Article published:

  February 18, 17:02

  By:

  Cycling News

  Frenchman postpones the start of his season

  Due to injuries from a crash, Julien Absalon (Orbea) will not begin his season at the GP Jean Masse as planned on Sunday in Marseilles.

  While training on his mountain bike, Absalon clipped a tree and crashed. He bruised his knee and fractured his right thumb. The two-time Olympic mountain bike champion will now likely make his first racing appearance on March 11 at the Copa Catalana Internacional in Banyoles. That race is scheduled one week before the first UCI Mountain Bike World Cup of the 2012 season, to be held the next week in South Africa.

  "I hit a tree with the outside of my handlebars," said Absalon according to velovert.com. "I was thrown to the ground. I'm not doing so badly. It could have been more serious."

  "The swelling in my knee is going down quickly and should allow me to resume training on the road soon. It will take a little longer for the thumb fracture to heal."

• BC Bike Race announces 2012 route

  

  Article published:

  February 18, 22:02

  By:

  Cycling News

  More enduro-style timed sections added

  The BC Bike Race (BCBR), which will celebrate its sixth edition in 2012, announced this year's route and the addition of 12 individually chip-timed sections. The 2012 route offers the same smorgasbord of venues as last year, but will include an all new day 7 in Whistler and some additions and tweaks to the other six days.

  "We never rest on our laurels, having our course designers who are core mountain bikers and trail builders means new trails are added every year," said president Dean Payne. In addition to Whistler, participants will experience singletrack in the communities of Cumberland, Campbell River, Powell River, Sechelt, and Squamish.

  Now with the addition of two timed sections for the first six days, BCBR boasts 12 enduro-style sections. Last year, in a continual pursuit to evolve the event, BC Bike Race included two days with two separate timed sections per day. The "Race within the Race" was launched, tried and true to ensure that the expanded timed sections in 2012 would be a success.

  The enduro component to the stage race helped attract racers like Brian Lopes, who competed in 2011. Speaking of his experience, he said, "BC bike race was one of the most fun events I have ever done. Every day we were treated to some of the best trails in the world, trails I would have never experienced if it weren't for the race. The race was really one against myself most of the time, but with a few timed downhill sections thrown in I knew I had a chance of actually getting some results there. Like all top road stage races, there are categories for those with different skills and it was great to see the BC Bike race organizers throw in some contests for those with exceptional downhill skills."

  "People have different styles, so we want to ensure that everyone has a chance to showcase their unique skill sets," said course director Andreas Hestler. "Enduro racing essentially means that riders instead of pinning it all day will be able to ride around the body of the course and really focus in on a few very fast moments."

  The "Challenge" course is also undergoing some changes, and with a growing number of participants, the BCBR team is working hard to make all events as rider friendly as possible. Both courses will see adjustment to ensure less merging of the challenge and epic groups, keeping the riders' experience in mind.

  For more information: www.bcbikerace.com.

• 2012 American Mountain Bike Challenge calendar announced

  

  Article published:

  February 19, 18:12

  By:

  Cycling News

  23 events double as qualifying for nationals

  USA Cycling announced the dates and venues for its 2012 American Mountain Bike Challenge (AMBC). All AMBC events serve as qualifiers for the USA Cycling Mountain Bike Cross Country National Championships.

  Entering its 16th year in 2012, the 23-race AMBC series will visit 16 states in a six-month span. Racing begins with the US Cup East Southeastern Regional Championship Series (SERC) #1 in Gainesville, Florida, on March 18, and concludes with the Camp Eagle Classic Mountain Bike Festival in Rocksprings, Texas on September 1-2. The complete AMBC calendar is below.

  The AMBC was created in 1996 to provide opportunities for mountain bikers of all ages and abilities. Each stop on the series offers cross country events, and several stops offer short track cross country, downhill, time trials, or super D competitions as well. The top 10 finishers in each respective age group and ability category at an AMBC event will qualify to compete at the USA Cycling Mountain Bike Cross Country National Championships.

  2012 American Mountain Bike Challenge (AMBC) Calendar
  March 18: US Cup East/SERC #1, Gainesville, Florida
  March 25: Chickasaw Trace Classic, Columbia, Tennessee
  April 1: US Cup East/SERC #2, Bryson City, North Carolina
  April 14: Rumble at 18 Road, Fruita, Colorado
  April 22: US Cup East/SERC #3, Conyers, Georgia
  April 22: Stump Jump 2012, Spartanburg, South Carolina
  April 29: US Cup East/SERC #4, Winder, Georgia
  April 29: Greenbrier Challenge, Hagerstown-Frederick, Maryland
  May 5-6: The Idyllwild Spring Challenge, Idyllwild, California
  May 6: US Cup East/SERC #5, Ducktown, Tennessee
  May 6: Iron Hill Challenge, Newark, Delaware
  May 27: Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Durango, Colorado
  June 10: US Cup East/SERC #6, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
  June 24: US Cup East/SERC #7, Clemson, South Carolina
  June 30–July 1: DINO AMBC Challenge, North Vernon, Indiana
  July 7-8: Bays Mountain Challenge, Kingsport, Tennessee
  July 13-15: Eureka Springs Fat Tire Festival, Eureka Springs, Arkansas
  July 15: US Cup East/SERC #8, Knoxville, Tennesee
  July 15: Campmor H2H #4/17th Annual Bulldog Rump, Andover, New Jersey
  July 29: US Cup East/SERC #9, Fort Payne, Alabama
  August 5: US Cup East/SERC #10, Fontana, North Carolina
  August 12: Bear Creek Mountain Bike Challenge, Macungie, Pennsylvania
  September 1-2: Camp Eagle Classic MTB Festival, Rocksprings, Texas

  For more information on the AMBC, visit www.usacycling.org/ambc/.

• 10-speed SRAM Grip Shift available from April

  

  Article published:

  February 20, 12:10

  By:

  Cycling News

  Fitted to Jaroslav Kulhavy’s Specialized S-Works Epic at the 2011 UCI Cross-Country Worlds

  This article originally appeared on Bikeradar.

  SRAM revealed at last summer's Interbike show that they were relaunching their Grip Shift system, and they've now released the first pictures of the production 10-speed shifters, which will be available from April.

  Not much appears to have changed compared to the prototypes we saw in Las Vegas, though SRAM are remaining tight-lipped about details and haven't released any technical specs. All they'll say is that the new shifters are designed to work with 2x10 drivetrains and will be available in XX and X0 form.

  The new Grip Shift was fitted to Jaroslav Kulhavy’s Specialized S-Works Epic when he won the 2011 UCI Cross-Country World Championships. In a video posted on SRAM's website, Jon Cancellier, from SRAM's hush-hush BlackBox product development programme, says: "He really likes the fast shifting. We've taken our time to make it so there's less effort to go from gear to gear, and he was really impressed by that."

  Launched in 1988, Grip Shift was the product that put SRAM on the map. It was originally aimed at road riders and triathletes but a variant was soon developed for mountain bikers. The company went on to develop trigger shifters and Grip Shift fell out of the limelight, although it remained in the SRAM line-up at the behest of cross-country racers, who loved its light weight. This is the first time a version compatible with modern 10-speed cassettes and double cranksets has been produced.