Tennessee National DH and XC Course previews. DH has some fresh sections and Gwin gives lots of insight into line options.
Tennessee National DH and XC Course previews. DH has some fresh sections and Gwin gives lots of insight into line options.
Gwin and Co. are doing great work there. Moving the MTB center to a separate area from the Off-road area showed serious vision. Windrock was a ton of fun this last weekend, and I imagine this coming week and weekend is going to be even better. Stoked to see what’s to come there. We did the whirlwind trip, driving through the night on Wednesday to get ride Thursday morning then preride for enduro Friday and Saturday. Rough weekend on the tools for my son, but he demonstrated pace with the one stage without bike issues. Drove back home after race and got in around 1am. Just me and the boy on this round, and it was an awesome trip. Good luck to everyone out for the upcoming DH and XC.
Seems to me as if Bernard/pivot want to hide this crash. Neither him nor Ed masters posted on YouTube, you'd understand Bernard not posting but Eddie...
Seems to me as if Bernard/pivot want to hide this crash. Neither him nor Ed masters posted on YouTube, you'd understand Bernard not posting but Eddie been filming all week. Only bit of news about it if from Jenna's ig where she sent love to Bernard otherwise blank from anyone surrounding pivot about it. Just seems as if everyone been told not to speak about it/post about the aftermath. Perhaps Bernard went up knowing the bike wasn't feeling great?
@pressurepolice put a parody skit up already, I'd bet my left nut it's Ed behind that page. The use of the skit can only be Aussie/Kiwi...
@pressurepolice put a parody skit up already, I'd bet my left nut it's Ed behind that page. The use of the skit can only be Aussie/Kiwi and an older one at that to get the reference used.
To be fair "the front fell off" is a pretty popular meme across the internet these days. It's great to see John Clarke (and Brian Dawe) getting so much reach.
I will reserve all judgement until we get WC level riders on the track cutting it up and digging up roots and rocks. This looks like it has some nice natural sections, steeps, off camber, and will cut up to be an interesting track. People wanted to talk down about Loudonville last year but I think it turned into a pretty good race track that racers were happy with.
One would thought there will be a team at UCI that would work with local venues to provide direction on track design with all the experience they have from running WC… but hey, we talking about UCI.
I'm holding judgement until it's actually finished. Some of the shaping out in the open needs refining but the stuff in the woods looks pretty good to me. Loudenvielle was quality despite very similar criticism.
Gwin and Co. are doing great work there. Moving the MTB center to a separate area from the Off-road area showed serious vision. Windrock was a...
Gwin and Co. are doing great work there. Moving the MTB center to a separate area from the Off-road area showed serious vision. Windrock was a ton of fun this last weekend, and I imagine this coming week and weekend is going to be even better. Stoked to see what’s to come there. We did the whirlwind trip, driving through the night on Wednesday to get ride Thursday morning then preride for enduro Friday and Saturday. Rough weekend on the tools for my son, but he demonstrated pace with the one stage without bike issues. Drove back home after race and got in around 1am. Just me and the boy on this round, and it was an awesome trip. Good luck to everyone out for the upcoming DH and XC.
Sean Leader definitely put so many things in motion at WR that would have been impossible otherwise.
It's gonna be real hard for AG to out-work that dude, but I wish him all the best of luck. Tough act to follow.
#RottenOaks
Trek Factory Racing shows their practice kits with team intro text below. These are the kits used in practice and qualifying with race day kits launching closer to the start of the season.
photos by @maddogboris
The TFR Downhill and Enduro remain the best-looking teams on the World Cup circuit
New year, new kit. The Trek Factory Racing gravity riders — Loris Vergier, Reece Wilson, Bodhi Kuhn and Sacha Earnest on the Downhill squad, and Hattie Harnden on Enduro — will once again be sending into the season with a brand-new look, courtesy of their friends at 100%.
Eagle-eyed observers may have noticed the new training kit out in the wild, taking podiums in New Zealand and Portugal. The black-and-white design will eventually become the riders’ adornment for practice and quali runs, with the official race day kit to be revealed at a tantalizingly later date.
The design matches the riders’ “Argent Drizzle” paint scheme, which returns after being introduced at World Championships last season. You’ll be seeing it throughout the year, including during racing leading up to the start of World Cup racing on May 3 in Fort William for downhill, and May 10 in Finale for enduro.
Big-time racing is almost here. While you wait, feel free to ogle the new threads to your heart’s delight, and read on to catch up on what the riders have been up to since the end of the 2023 season.
Loris Vergier, Reece Wilson and Bodhi Kuhn all return, though Wilson wasn’t able to do much with the squad in ’23 due to injuries. If you follow him on Instagram, you know that he is absolutely flying on his Session again. He has his sights set on a return to World Cup podiums, but whatever happens, he’s going to enjoy the process of getting back up to full speed. Wilson’s time off the bike gave him a fresh perspective on what it means to be able to race for a living.
“After fighting injuries for two years straight I’m beyond excited to go racing in ’24,” Wilson said. “For me, the goal has never been more straightforward: Get to the races and build on what I have. In a situation like mine, expectations could be the biggest killer of joy so I’m here to simply enjoy racing my bike with the team again. The rest will come with time.”
Vergier and Kuhn, meanwhile, will be looking to continue their podium ways. Vergier was the most consistent rider in downhill racing last season, finishing in the top 10 in 19 of his 21 World Cup race runs. A win eluded him, but if he maintains his form, it may not be far away. Kuhn, meanwhile, is stepping up to the elite level after winning in Val di Sole and taking second at World Championships as a junior last season. Transitioning to higher-caliber racing is never easy, but Kuhn has the focus and physicality to handle the pressure.
Earnest is officially joining the squad after swapping over to a Session and racing out of the TFR pits in the midst of the 2023 season. She handled the change with aplomb, taking third at World Championships to complete an all-Kiwi podium, and recording her second-ever World Cup win in Loudenvielle. The 17-year-old will be racing another year of juniors and is excited for the opportunity to develop with the help of world-class support.
“Transitioning over to Trek was such a great opportunity, much bigger than I ever thought,” Earnest said. “I was really aiming just for a small team [last year], because that’s really all that I thought I could get. But to be on Trek is insane. Like one of my biggest dreams.”
Hattie Harnden needs little introduction. She’s been one of the dominant forces in enduro racing ever since joining TFR in 2020. The last two seasons, she’s finished third in the Enduro World Series/World Cup overall standings while racking up two race wins. As always, the multi-disciplinary star is aiming ever higher, while likely trying to expand her vast repertoire with some downhill racing whenever possible. In 2023, Harnden won the British downhill national title, and finished fifth at Mont-Sainte-Anne.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to racing,” Harnden said. “I feel like it’s been a while. And I’m looking forward to going to a couple of new venues in Poland and Switzerland. It’s going to be a compact, short season, so I’m looking forward to just getting underway and giving everything I got all year.”
a stack of rider vlogs and vidz from the last few dayz. Chris Cumming bike build, Danny Hart at his home track (Lawlor filming a RAW with him this week!), Troy Brosnan POV and Loic Bruni POV.
a stack of rider vlogs and vidz from the last few dayz. Chris Cumming bike build, Danny Hart at his home track (Lawlor filming a RAW...
a stack of rider vlogs and vidz from the last few dayz. Chris Cumming bike build, Danny Hart at his home track (Lawlor filming a RAW with him this week!), Troy Brosnan POV and Loic Bruni POV.
Elite Men's and Women's Entry list for the TN National. Track walk is tomorrow and we'll have Jack Rice bringing in pics and interviews this week. #USDH
Elite Men
Alden Pate - Snohomish, WA - Commencal North America
Angel Suarez Alonso - Vigo, ESP - Frameworks Racing
Asa Vermette - Durango, CO - Frameworks Racing
Austin Dooley - Yucaipa, CA - Commencal Schwalbe, Monster Army, Ryno Power, Better Bo,
Austin San Souci - Bryson, NC -
Blake Cherubini - Newark, OH -
Bodie Heflin - Frisco, CO - Rooted MTB
Cole Suetos - Lenoir City, TN - Defiant Racing
Colin McElyea - Scottsdale, AZ - Evolve Racing
Colin Mulally - Sinking Spring, PA - Frameworks / Camp Three
Connor Casler - Cottleville, MO - Trail Labs, Bike Center
Dakotah Norton - Clinton, TN - Mondraker Factory Racing
Dante Silva - Chula Vista, CA - Canyon CLLCTV Pirelli / Monster Army
David Kahn - Etowah, NC - Ride Rock Creek / Ride Kanuga / Good Hike Realty / Hand
Dawson Church - Peoria, AZ - Kore Bicycles, CMU cycling, Pelli Bike Care,100%, Fox
Dominic Mudry - North Royalton, OH -
Dylan Conte - Killington, VT - Gt Bikes / Sram / Industry Nine / Schwalbe / Deity
Dylan Maples - Orangevale, CA - COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by RA
Eric Willetts - Knoxville, TN -
Ethan Braaten - Duluth, MN - North Shore Racing, FXR
Ethan Wright - Birmingham, AL - 100% | PNG Livin
Evan Medcalf - Albuquerque, NM - Evolve Racing
Freddy Tolar - Reliance, TN -
Henry Symanski - Marshall, VA - Sledgehammer Racing
Jack Brown - Bishop, GA - Dirt Camp Racing
Jack Pederson - Breckenridge, CO - Southern Gravity
Jonah Freedman - ADAMSTOWN, MD - 100%/Maxxis/Fox Factory/RaceFace/BikeDoctorFrederick/Cr
Justin Fierro - Fallbrook, CA - Ari Factory Racing
Lantz Harrington - Steamboat Springs, CO - SAVAGE FACTORY CONNECTIONS; FSA, Schwalbe, Ohlins, TRP
Luca Shaw - Pisgah Forest, NC - Canyon
Marco Osborne - Verdi, NV - Transition Bikes/FOX/SMITH
Matias Molinaro - Columbia, KY - Lindsey Wilson College
Matt Nelson - Asheville, NC - Tri-Cities Gravity
Michael Kane - Greenville, SC - SRAM/weevile wx project
Nathan Kitchen - Bakersfield, CA - Gravity Collective/ Monster Army/ SRAM Rockshox/100%
Nathan Sterckx - Prevost, QC - RST Racing Team
Neko Mulally - Pisgah Forest, NC - Frameworks Racing
Nikolas Nestoroff - San Marcos, CA - Ari Factory Racing
Ronnie Vance - Esmont, VA - Take Aim Cycling / Bryce Bike Park
Ryan Pinkerton - Aliso Viejo, CA - Mondraker Factory Racing
Sam Kahn - Putnam Valley, NY - Danny's Cycles Racing
Stephen Estabrook - S Burlington, VT -
Titus Nicholson - West Milford, NJ - Defiant Racing
Tyler Ervin - Alpine, CA - Commencal,100percent, RevGrips, Crankbrothers, Maxxis
Walker Shaw - Brevard, NC - Michelin, Frameworks
Zach Mehuron - Covington, KY -
Elite Women
Abby Ronca - Bethlehem, PA - Evolve Racing
Caitlyn Farmer - Columbia, KY - Lindsey Wilson College
Emily Harris - Rocklin,CA - Fly Racing/Deity/Maxxis/100%
Frida Helena Rønning - Clinton, TN - UNION
Kailey Skelton - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA - Ari Factory Racing
Maylei Leaneagh - Frederick, CO
McKenna Merten - Tempe, AZ - KHS
Rachel Pageau - Chicoutimi, QC
Taylor Ostgaard - Selah, WA - Transition Factory Racing
Valentina Roa Sanchez - Bethlehem, PA - Transition Factory Racing
Some of the photos make it look like a roughed in semi-legal skidder lol. Something only the locals would know about. I bet it's gonna be...
Some of the photos make it look like a roughed in semi-legal skidder lol. Something only the locals would know about. I bet it's gonna be sweet.
I agree. Looks like a cool start. May end up being similar to Maribor and some French tracks.
helluva lot better landscape and terrain than Leogang. Sure there will be changes. Some of those sections will get bomb holed, rooty, and rocky as the top layer wears off. Good start, I say.
Elite Men's and Women's Entry list for the TN National. Track walk is tomorrow and we'll have Jack Rice bringing in pics and interviews this week...
Elite Men's and Women's Entry list for the TN National. Track walk is tomorrow and we'll have Jack Rice bringing in pics and interviews this week. #USDH
Elite Men
Alden Pate - Snohomish, WA - Commencal North America
Angel Suarez Alonso - Vigo, ESP - Frameworks Racing
Asa Vermette - Durango, CO - Frameworks Racing
Austin Dooley - Yucaipa, CA - Commencal Schwalbe, Monster Army, Ryno Power, Better Bo,
Austin San Souci - Bryson, NC -
Blake Cherubini - Newark, OH -
Bodie Heflin - Frisco, CO - Rooted MTB
Cole Suetos - Lenoir City, TN - Defiant Racing
Colin McElyea - Scottsdale, AZ - Evolve Racing
Colin Mulally - Sinking Spring, PA - Frameworks / Camp Three
Connor Casler - Cottleville, MO - Trail Labs, Bike Center
Dakotah Norton - Clinton, TN - Mondraker Factory Racing
Dante Silva - Chula Vista, CA - Canyon CLLCTV Pirelli / Monster Army
David Kahn - Etowah, NC - Ride Rock Creek / Ride Kanuga / Good Hike Realty / Hand
Dawson Church - Peoria, AZ - Kore Bicycles, CMU cycling, Pelli Bike Care,100%, Fox
Dominic Mudry - North Royalton, OH -
Dylan Conte - Killington, VT - Gt Bikes / Sram / Industry Nine / Schwalbe / Deity
Dylan Maples - Orangevale, CA - COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by RA
Eric Willetts - Knoxville, TN -
Ethan Braaten - Duluth, MN - North Shore Racing, FXR
Ethan Wright - Birmingham, AL - 100% | PNG Livin
Evan Medcalf - Albuquerque, NM - Evolve Racing
Freddy Tolar - Reliance, TN -
Henry Symanski - Marshall, VA - Sledgehammer Racing
Jack Brown - Bishop, GA - Dirt Camp Racing
Jack Pederson - Breckenridge, CO - Southern Gravity
Jonah Freedman - ADAMSTOWN, MD - 100%/Maxxis/Fox Factory/RaceFace/BikeDoctorFrederick/Cr
Justin Fierro - Fallbrook, CA - Ari Factory Racing
Lantz Harrington - Steamboat Springs, CO - SAVAGE FACTORY CONNECTIONS; FSA, Schwalbe, Ohlins, TRP
Luca Shaw - Pisgah Forest, NC - Canyon
Marco Osborne - Verdi, NV - Transition Bikes/FOX/SMITH
Matias Molinaro - Columbia, KY - Lindsey Wilson College
Matt Nelson - Asheville, NC - Tri-Cities Gravity
Michael Kane - Greenville, SC - SRAM/weevile wx project
Nathan Kitchen - Bakersfield, CA - Gravity Collective/ Monster Army/ SRAM Rockshox/100%
Nathan Sterckx - Prevost, QC - RST Racing Team
Neko Mulally - Pisgah Forest, NC - Frameworks Racing
Nikolas Nestoroff - San Marcos, CA - Ari Factory Racing
Ronnie Vance - Esmont, VA - Take Aim Cycling / Bryce Bike Park
Ryan Pinkerton - Aliso Viejo, CA - Mondraker Factory Racing
Sam Kahn - Putnam Valley, NY - Danny's Cycles Racing
Stephen Estabrook - S Burlington, VT -
Titus Nicholson - West Milford, NJ - Defiant Racing
Tyler Ervin - Alpine, CA - Commencal,100percent, RevGrips, Crankbrothers, Maxxis
Walker Shaw - Brevard, NC - Michelin, Frameworks
Zach Mehuron - Covington, KY -
Elite Women
Abby Ronca - Bethlehem, PA - Evolve Racing
Caitlyn Farmer - Columbia, KY - Lindsey Wilson College
Emily Harris - Rocklin,CA - Fly Racing/Deity/Maxxis/100%
Frida Helena Rønning - Clinton, TN - UNION
Kailey Skelton - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA - Ari Factory Racing
Maylei Leaneagh - Frederick, CO
McKenna Merten - Tempe, AZ - KHS
Rachel Pageau - Chicoutimi, QC
Taylor Ostgaard - Selah, WA - Transition Factory Racing
Valentina Roa Sanchez - Bethlehem, PA - Transition Factory Racing
Elite Men's and Women's Entry list for the TN National. Track walk is tomorrow and we'll have Jack Rice bringing in pics and interviews this week...
Elite Men's and Women's Entry list for the TN National. Track walk is tomorrow and we'll have Jack Rice bringing in pics and interviews this week. #USDH
Elite Men
Alden Pate - Snohomish, WA - Commencal North America
Angel Suarez Alonso - Vigo, ESP - Frameworks Racing
Asa Vermette - Durango, CO - Frameworks Racing
Austin Dooley - Yucaipa, CA - Commencal Schwalbe, Monster Army, Ryno Power, Better Bo,
Austin San Souci - Bryson, NC -
Blake Cherubini - Newark, OH -
Bodie Heflin - Frisco, CO - Rooted MTB
Cole Suetos - Lenoir City, TN - Defiant Racing
Colin McElyea - Scottsdale, AZ - Evolve Racing
Colin Mulally - Sinking Spring, PA - Frameworks / Camp Three
Connor Casler - Cottleville, MO - Trail Labs, Bike Center
Dakotah Norton - Clinton, TN - Mondraker Factory Racing
Dante Silva - Chula Vista, CA - Canyon CLLCTV Pirelli / Monster Army
David Kahn - Etowah, NC - Ride Rock Creek / Ride Kanuga / Good Hike Realty / Hand
Dawson Church - Peoria, AZ - Kore Bicycles, CMU cycling, Pelli Bike Care,100%, Fox
Dominic Mudry - North Royalton, OH -
Dylan Conte - Killington, VT - Gt Bikes / Sram / Industry Nine / Schwalbe / Deity
Dylan Maples - Orangevale, CA - COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by RA
Eric Willetts - Knoxville, TN -
Ethan Braaten - Duluth, MN - North Shore Racing, FXR
Ethan Wright - Birmingham, AL - 100% | PNG Livin
Evan Medcalf - Albuquerque, NM - Evolve Racing
Freddy Tolar - Reliance, TN -
Henry Symanski - Marshall, VA - Sledgehammer Racing
Jack Brown - Bishop, GA - Dirt Camp Racing
Jack Pederson - Breckenridge, CO - Southern Gravity
Jonah Freedman - ADAMSTOWN, MD - 100%/Maxxis/Fox Factory/RaceFace/BikeDoctorFrederick/Cr
Justin Fierro - Fallbrook, CA - Ari Factory Racing
Lantz Harrington - Steamboat Springs, CO - SAVAGE FACTORY CONNECTIONS; FSA, Schwalbe, Ohlins, TRP
Luca Shaw - Pisgah Forest, NC - Canyon
Marco Osborne - Verdi, NV - Transition Bikes/FOX/SMITH
Matias Molinaro - Columbia, KY - Lindsey Wilson College
Matt Nelson - Asheville, NC - Tri-Cities Gravity
Michael Kane - Greenville, SC - SRAM/weevile wx project
Nathan Kitchen - Bakersfield, CA - Gravity Collective/ Monster Army/ SRAM Rockshox/100%
Nathan Sterckx - Prevost, QC - RST Racing Team
Neko Mulally - Pisgah Forest, NC - Frameworks Racing
Nikolas Nestoroff - San Marcos, CA - Ari Factory Racing
Ronnie Vance - Esmont, VA - Take Aim Cycling / Bryce Bike Park
Ryan Pinkerton - Aliso Viejo, CA - Mondraker Factory Racing
Sam Kahn - Putnam Valley, NY - Danny's Cycles Racing
Stephen Estabrook - S Burlington, VT -
Titus Nicholson - West Milford, NJ - Defiant Racing
Tyler Ervin - Alpine, CA - Commencal,100percent, RevGrips, Crankbrothers, Maxxis
Walker Shaw - Brevard, NC - Michelin, Frameworks
Zach Mehuron - Covington, KY -
Elite Women
Abby Ronca - Bethlehem, PA - Evolve Racing
Caitlyn Farmer - Columbia, KY - Lindsey Wilson College
Emily Harris - Rocklin,CA - Fly Racing/Deity/Maxxis/100%
Frida Helena Rønning - Clinton, TN - UNION
Kailey Skelton - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA - Ari Factory Racing
Maylei Leaneagh - Frederick, CO
McKenna Merten - Tempe, AZ - KHS
Rachel Pageau - Chicoutimi, QC
Taylor Ostgaard - Selah, WA - Transition Factory Racing
Valentina Roa Sanchez - Bethlehem, PA - Transition Factory Racing
Gwin going to be managing the event and not racing? Otherwise looks like an awesome list. course marshalled last year at the off camber rocks and day 1 was wild
Lots of features up top, but some decent woods sections scattered towards the bottom. Definitely more natural than the old Leogang track in the past. Riders loved Loudenville last year and this could turn out well too. Fresh tracks and natural sections make for some cool racing. I think it has potential. And at least has a chairlift compared to Lourdes
Looks like it has big potential to be a sick track. Oceans of fresh dirt in those woods. You'd think though that bigger jumps in exposed sections would be given more thought after Balances crash in Andorra?
Brand new track and venue. Can't complain too much
From the pictures it gives more Hardline vibes (ofc the jumps are way smaller) than a WC Dh track. The fresh sections look sick but there are so many jumps. Hope we see Kate do some sick stuff on them
Gwin going to be managing the event and not racing? Otherwise looks like an awesome list. course marshalled last year at the off camber rocks and...
Gwin going to be managing the event and not racing? Otherwise looks like an awesome list. course marshalled last year at the off camber rocks and day 1 was wild
I don’t think Gwin is well enough to race yet going off what he has said in recent podcasts.
BK Put up an insta post saying hes all good - his right hand looks a bit swollen though.
Stories • Instagram
I saw that, crazy if he is fine.. hope he is.
Tennessee National DH and XC Course previews. DH has some fresh sections and Gwin gives lots of insight into line options.
Gwin and Co. are doing great work there. Moving the MTB center to a separate area from the Off-road area showed serious vision. Windrock was a ton of fun this last weekend, and I imagine this coming week and weekend is going to be even better. Stoked to see what’s to come there. We did the whirlwind trip, driving through the night on Wednesday to get ride Thursday morning then preride for enduro Friday and Saturday. Rough weekend on the tools for my son, but he demonstrated pace with the one stage without bike issues. Drove back home after race and got in around 1am. Just me and the boy on this round, and it was an awesome trip. Good luck to everyone out for the upcoming DH and XC.
Mr Ed dropped his finals video.
Mentions Crankworx is now a UCI sanctioned event, or at least the DH race is.
Unsurprisingly nothing about BK's incident.
To be fair "the front fell off" is a pretty popular meme across the internet these days. It's great to see John Clarke (and Brian Dawe) getting so much reach.
Crankworx has been a Uci event for a couple season. At the very least it was last year
Crankworx DH have always been Uci sanctioned. As are all Hardlines.
First pictures of WC DH track in Poland
SMB - Dzień dobry Rowerowe Świry, oto długo oczekiwany raport ze... | Facebook
Not received well by Polish riders... thoughts?
It honnestly looks tame... no rocks, lots of jumps and perfectly sculpted berms, and some very janky gaps.
Can't really blame the Polish riders for not being sold on the track.
I will reserve all judgement until we get WC level riders on the track cutting it up and digging up roots and rocks. This looks like it has some nice natural sections, steeps, off camber, and will cut up to be an interesting track. People wanted to talk down about Loudonville last year but I think it turned into a pretty good race track that racers were happy with.
This sounds whiney but can we get these pics on a normal webpage somehow ??
We lost Snowshoe for that??
WTF ever…
It's a world cup man, if there were tracks outside of Europe it would stop being a world cup haha
One would thought there will be a team at UCI that would work with local venues to provide direction on track design with all the experience they have from running WC… but hey, we talking about UCI.
I'm holding judgement until it's actually finished. Some of the shaping out in the open needs refining but the stuff in the woods looks pretty good to me. Loudenvielle was quality despite very similar criticism.
Sean Leader definitely put so many things in motion at WR that would have been impossible otherwise.
It's gonna be real hard for AG to out-work that dude, but I wish him all the best of luck. Tough act to follow.
#RottenOaks
Trek Factory Racing shows their practice kits with team intro text below. These are the kits used in practice and qualifying with race day kits launching closer to the start of the season.
photos by @maddogboris
The TFR Downhill and Enduro remain the best-looking teams on the World Cup circuit
New year, new kit. The Trek Factory Racing gravity riders — Loris Vergier, Reece Wilson, Bodhi Kuhn and Sacha Earnest on the Downhill squad, and Hattie Harnden on Enduro — will once again be sending into the season with a brand-new look, courtesy of their friends at 100%.
Eagle-eyed observers may have noticed the new training kit out in the wild, taking podiums in New Zealand and Portugal. The black-and-white design will eventually become the riders’ adornment for practice and quali runs, with the official race day kit to be revealed at a tantalizingly later date.
The design matches the riders’ “Argent Drizzle” paint scheme, which returns after being introduced at World Championships last season. You’ll be seeing it throughout the year, including during racing leading up to the start of World Cup racing on May 3 in Fort William for downhill, and May 10 in Finale for enduro.
Big-time racing is almost here. While you wait, feel free to ogle the new threads to your heart’s delight, and read on to catch up on what the riders have been up to since the end of the 2023 season.
Loris Vergier, Reece Wilson and Bodhi Kuhn all return, though Wilson wasn’t able to do much with the squad in ’23 due to injuries. If you follow him on Instagram, you know that he is absolutely flying on his Session again. He has his sights set on a return to World Cup podiums, but whatever happens, he’s going to enjoy the process of getting back up to full speed. Wilson’s time off the bike gave him a fresh perspective on what it means to be able to race for a living.
“After fighting injuries for two years straight I’m beyond excited to go racing in ’24,” Wilson said. “For me, the goal has never been more straightforward: Get to the races and build on what I have. In a situation like mine, expectations could be the biggest killer of joy so I’m here to simply enjoy racing my bike with the team again. The rest will come with time.”
Vergier and Kuhn, meanwhile, will be looking to continue their podium ways. Vergier was the most consistent rider in downhill racing last season, finishing in the top 10 in 19 of his 21 World Cup race runs. A win eluded him, but if he maintains his form, it may not be far away. Kuhn, meanwhile, is stepping up to the elite level after winning in Val di Sole and taking second at World Championships as a junior last season. Transitioning to higher-caliber racing is never easy, but Kuhn has the focus and physicality to handle the pressure.
Earnest is officially joining the squad after swapping over to a Session and racing out of the TFR pits in the midst of the 2023 season. She handled the change with aplomb, taking third at World Championships to complete an all-Kiwi podium, and recording her second-ever World Cup win in Loudenvielle. The 17-year-old will be racing another year of juniors and is excited for the opportunity to develop with the help of world-class support.
“Transitioning over to Trek was such a great opportunity, much bigger than I ever thought,” Earnest said. “I was really aiming just for a small team [last year], because that’s really all that I thought I could get. But to be on Trek is insane. Like one of my biggest dreams.”
Hattie Harnden needs little introduction. She’s been one of the dominant forces in enduro racing ever since joining TFR in 2020. The last two seasons, she’s finished third in the Enduro World Series/World Cup overall standings while racking up two race wins. As always, the multi-disciplinary star is aiming ever higher, while likely trying to expand her vast repertoire with some downhill racing whenever possible. In 2023, Harnden won the British downhill national title, and finished fifth at Mont-Sainte-Anne.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to racing,” Harnden said. “I feel like it’s been a while. And I’m looking forward to going to a couple of new venues in Poland and Switzerland. It’s going to be a compact, short season, so I’m looking forward to just getting underway and giving everything I got all year.”
See more at racing.trekbikes.com
Some of the photos make it look like a roughed in semi-legal skidder lol. Something only the locals would know about. I bet it's gonna be sweet.
a stack of rider vlogs and vidz from the last few dayz. Chris Cumming bike build, Danny Hart at his home track (Lawlor filming a RAW with him this week!), Troy Brosnan POV and Loic Bruni POV.
Very excited for the Danny Hart RAW!
Elite Men's and Women's Entry list for the TN National. Track walk is tomorrow and we'll have Jack Rice bringing in pics and interviews this week. #USDH
Elite Men
Alden Pate - Snohomish, WA - Commencal North America
Angel Suarez Alonso - Vigo, ESP - Frameworks Racing
Asa Vermette - Durango, CO - Frameworks Racing
Austin Dooley - Yucaipa, CA - Commencal Schwalbe, Monster Army, Ryno Power, Better Bo,
Austin San Souci - Bryson, NC -
Blake Cherubini - Newark, OH -
Bodie Heflin - Frisco, CO - Rooted MTB
Cole Suetos - Lenoir City, TN - Defiant Racing
Colin McElyea - Scottsdale, AZ - Evolve Racing
Colin Mulally - Sinking Spring, PA - Frameworks / Camp Three
Connor Casler - Cottleville, MO - Trail Labs, Bike Center
Dakotah Norton - Clinton, TN - Mondraker Factory Racing
Dante Silva - Chula Vista, CA - Canyon CLLCTV Pirelli / Monster Army
David Kahn - Etowah, NC - Ride Rock Creek / Ride Kanuga / Good Hike Realty / Hand
Dawson Church - Peoria, AZ - Kore Bicycles, CMU cycling, Pelli Bike Care,100%, Fox
Dominic Mudry - North Royalton, OH -
Dylan Conte - Killington, VT - Gt Bikes / Sram / Industry Nine / Schwalbe / Deity
Dylan Maples - Orangevale, CA - COMMENCAL/MUC-OFF by RA
Eric Willetts - Knoxville, TN -
Ethan Braaten - Duluth, MN - North Shore Racing, FXR
Ethan Wright - Birmingham, AL - 100% | PNG Livin
Evan Medcalf - Albuquerque, NM - Evolve Racing
Freddy Tolar - Reliance, TN -
Henry Symanski - Marshall, VA - Sledgehammer Racing
Jack Brown - Bishop, GA - Dirt Camp Racing
Jack Pederson - Breckenridge, CO - Southern Gravity
Jonah Freedman - ADAMSTOWN, MD - 100%/Maxxis/Fox Factory/RaceFace/BikeDoctorFrederick/Cr
Justin Fierro - Fallbrook, CA - Ari Factory Racing
Lantz Harrington - Steamboat Springs, CO - SAVAGE FACTORY CONNECTIONS; FSA, Schwalbe, Ohlins, TRP
Luca Shaw - Pisgah Forest, NC - Canyon
Marco Osborne - Verdi, NV - Transition Bikes/FOX/SMITH
Matias Molinaro - Columbia, KY - Lindsey Wilson College
Matt Nelson - Asheville, NC - Tri-Cities Gravity
Michael Kane - Greenville, SC - SRAM/weevile wx project
Nathan Kitchen - Bakersfield, CA - Gravity Collective/ Monster Army/ SRAM Rockshox/100%
Nathan Sterckx - Prevost, QC - RST Racing Team
Neko Mulally - Pisgah Forest, NC - Frameworks Racing
Nikolas Nestoroff - San Marcos, CA - Ari Factory Racing
Ronnie Vance - Esmont, VA - Take Aim Cycling / Bryce Bike Park
Ryan Pinkerton - Aliso Viejo, CA - Mondraker Factory Racing
Sam Kahn - Putnam Valley, NY - Danny's Cycles Racing
Stephen Estabrook - S Burlington, VT -
Titus Nicholson - West Milford, NJ - Defiant Racing
Tyler Ervin - Alpine, CA - Commencal,100percent, RevGrips, Crankbrothers, Maxxis
Walker Shaw - Brevard, NC - Michelin, Frameworks
Zach Mehuron - Covington, KY -
Elite Women
Abby Ronca - Bethlehem, PA - Evolve Racing
Caitlyn Farmer - Columbia, KY - Lindsey Wilson College
Emily Harris - Rocklin,CA - Fly Racing/Deity/Maxxis/100%
Frida Helena Rønning - Clinton, TN - UNION
Kailey Skelton - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA - Ari Factory Racing
Maylei Leaneagh - Frederick, CO
McKenna Merten - Tempe, AZ - KHS
Rachel Pageau - Chicoutimi, QC
Taylor Ostgaard - Selah, WA - Transition Factory Racing
Valentina Roa Sanchez - Bethlehem, PA - Transition Factory Racing
Full start lists on bikereg.com
I agree. Looks like a cool start. May end up being similar to Maribor and some French tracks.
helluva lot better landscape and terrain than Leogang. Sure there will be changes. Some of those sections will get bomb holed, rooty, and rocky as the top layer wears off. Good start, I say.
I may drive up and self assist on the interviews.
Gwin going to be managing the event and not racing? Otherwise looks like an awesome list. course marshalled last year at the off camber rocks and day 1 was wild
Lots of features up top, but some decent woods sections scattered towards the bottom. Definitely more natural than the old Leogang track in the past. Riders loved Loudenville last year and this could turn out well too. Fresh tracks and natural sections make for some cool racing. I think it has potential. And at least has a chairlift compared to Lourdes
Looks like it has big potential to be a sick track. Oceans of fresh dirt in those woods. You'd think though that bigger jumps in exposed sections would be given more thought after Balances crash in Andorra?
Brand new track and venue. Can't complain too much
From the pictures it gives more Hardline vibes (ofc the jumps are way smaller) than a WC Dh track. The fresh sections look sick but there are so many jumps. Hope we see Kate do some sick stuff on them
I don’t think Gwin is well enough to race yet going off what he has said in recent podcasts.
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