Hello Vital MTB Visitor,
We’re conducting a survey and would appreciate your input. Your answers will help Vital and the MTB industry better understand what riders like you want. Survey results will be used to recognize top brands. Make your voice heard!
Five lucky people will be selected at random to win a Vital MTB t-shirt.
Thanks in advance,
The Vital MTB Crew
@sspomer Are you coming to WindRock? I may drive over & heckle. Someone get me a bullhorn. My voice carries, so I don't need one. But still...for clarity.
GOPRO ANNOUNCED AS OFFICIAL WEARABLE CAMERA SUPPLIER OF WHOOP UCI MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD SERIES
GoPro continues as the Official Wearable Camera Supplier of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series for a fourth year.
18 March 2026 – Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports Europe and GoPro are proud to confirm a new two-year partnership for the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series.
The American technology company continues as Official Supplier of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, with the role of Official Wearable Camera Supplier across all UCI Downhill World Cup rounds. Cutting edge helmet-mounted GoPro cameras will deliver immersive live rider perspectives from the world’s most demanding mountain bike courses. Top downhill riders, including reigning Men Elite UCI Downhill World Cup overall champion Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate), will provide fans with in depth course previews and exclusive content shared throughout the season on WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series and GoPro’s social channels, including @GoProBike Instagram and YouTube. GoPro integrations will also feature across Cross country and Enduro, where Carlson on Course will continue to offer expert course reviews alongside guest riders. As part of the partnership, GoPro will also receive dedicated on course branding visibility and a dedicated expo area on-site.
GoPro makes the world’s best POV cameras for mountain biking, whether riders want the ultimate creative flexibility of the MAX2 360 camera or the unmatched, immersive perspective of HERO13 Black paired with the Ultra Wide Lens. GoPro’s Emmy® Award-winning HyperSmooth video stabilization, combined with a durable, waterproof design, helps capture unforgettable rider moments and perspectives regardless of conditions. Learn more about GoPro’s mountain bike cameras and accessories at www.GoPro.com.
Rick Loughery, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing and Digital Commerce at GoPro, said: “Continuing our partnership with the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series is easy decision. GoPro is deeply committed to the mountain bike community, and we’re excited to empower riders and athletes to capture the speed, skill, and intensity of UCI Downhill World Cup racing with perspectives only GoPro can provide.”
Chris Ball, Vice President of Cycling Events at WBD Sports, said: “We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with GoPro for the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series. This relationship is built on long standing trust and a shared vision, developed over many years of close collaboration. Our ambition is always to put fans right at the heart of the action, and no one does that better than GoPro. Their innovative camera technology delivers truly immersive perspectives, bringing the intensity, speed and emotion of racing to our broadcasts and digital platforms.”
The 2026 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series season kicks off on May 1 in MONA YongPyong, South Korea, marking the return of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup to the Asian continent for the first time in 25 years.
For more information on the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, please visit www.ucimtbworldseries.com.
Aletha will be hard to beat now that Windrock is her home mountain. But I wouldn't count out Frida Ronning, Kailey Skelton, and Anna Newkirk. Of those three Kailey can be on another level of speed if conditions get dry and slick, same with Frida if it's wet and technical. Anna might not be motivated to go all out for a non-World Cup race but all things equal I think she is still faster than Aletha at this stage of their careers.
On the mens side, some may say this year's field isn't as strong as previous years, but I think that sentiment only exists due to the (slightly) smaller list of international names. The difference in 2026 is the US field is orders of magnitude deeper than it was in past years when riders like Danny Hart and Greg Minnar headlined the field. I tend to think a younger rider will be more motivated to win this one as opposed to the USDH world cup veterans. I'm going with Ryan Pinkerton as my pick on the mens side!
I have one bazillion dollars on Gwinny making a statement at home 😁
A Gwinning run would really set this season up right!
Can anyone use their pov now from race runs and qualys? Didn’t it used need approval or something, and the vloggers weren’t thrilled.
Nah...Dunne cares not for conservative thought & the future. That dude'll either win or find out why everyone gets injured off track at the Rock.🙃
Luca Cometti track walk interviews at TN National. #UncChats
Full vid
0:22 - Frida Ronning
1:02 - Dakotah Norton
2:43 - Aaron Gwin
4:57 - Gavin Tomlinson
5:59 - Bode Burke
7:04 - Kai Burleson
8:27 - Alden Pate
9:54 - Jordan Bouldin
11:03 - Ryder Lawrence
12:00 - Mack from Pemby
13:06 - Tyler Ervin
14:07 - Maylei Leaneagh
15:01 - Cole Suetos
15:37 - Jack Zenoni
16:49 - Dante Silva
18:46 - Nik Nestoroff
21:07 - Kailey Skelton
22:38 - Tegan Cruz
23:18 - Fiona
24:03 - Ronan Dunne
25:05 - Ryan Pinkerton
26:02 - Outro
Audio only version
Insta heckling
WC South Korea could be cancelled - but nothing clear even for riders / managers.
Any info ?
Source outside of the Queenstown_npc parity instagram page?
In the age of memes, and AI slop, you really need to be sharper my friend! It was a joke
Are you sure ? Usually they are pretty relevant .................... wanted to check where it could come from.
Mack from Pemby is Mack Manietta. He’s on the Gen-S team
pit bits from tennessee national - https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/pit-bits-tennessee-national-2026
Course POV w/ Luca and Ervin
Tennessee National seeding start times below (PDF file)
Live updates of the Australian National Championships HERE
practice action from TN National today
Winner winner chicken dinner 🥑 😉!!!
Brosnan must have had a hugey?
Nearly 3 mins off the pace!
Puncture unfortunately
Gwin and Aletha fastest in seeding at windrock - full results for all classes here - https://www.vitalmtb.com/news/news/results-seeding-tennessee-national
LMS race run is up for anyone interested.
luke is on a tear this year!
Cheers sspomer 👊🤙!
I own 2 Giant bikes. They used to be everywhere and every second bike was a Giant. Nowadays I hardly see any. What happened to the Giant of cycling.
Still lots of Trances, Stances, Revolts, and Propels wherever you go. Not as many Reigns and Glories nowdays, but the more you look, the more you'll find. I always find my own limits way before the bike I'm riding, so Giant is A.O.K. in my book! Braaap!
Still a lot around in Wellington?
EVO are as per usual flogging them almost constantly at sale prices.
Geometry of 29” took off. Giant put everything behind 27.5” wheels and missed the boat on developing the reign to 29”. When they came in with the 29” reign and trance it was behind the other bikes in the categories and they have been scratching to get back.
Post a reply to: 2026 Race Talk