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
there are great trails in Santa Monica, Simi Valley, Agoura Hills, Pasadena, Laguna Beach, Silverado Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, etc. In other words, SoCal has tons of great trails. Simi/Agoura have some of the best trails in the country, IMO. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiEdtGlcUP4&t=4s
BTW, Mark in this video is Mark Clemons, one of the guys who founded Crestline bike and an absolute unit on a bike.
Definitely in the Top 500 in the country.
If you're in town and want to ride, hit me up. I live near Santa Monica (in the Palms neighborhood of LA). Having said that, most of the trails closest to your office in Santa Monica burned in the recent fires, so it will require driving and potentially being stuck in the worst traffic this side of Jakarta. The best stuff is farther, but as Spomer pointed out Rocky Peak in Simi Valley is sick and benefits from a very real, very modern bike, and isn't that far. The other thing I'll warn is that riding here without a local is super duper confusing as there is no signage anywhere, all the trail beginnings look the same, and seasonal changes due to overgrowth or poison oak can make it hard to find "the good stuff" without a helping hand. Two and a half years into living here and I'm only now sort of getting my sea legs.
Talk about a thread derail 😂
Imagine signing up in the Masters Category and seeing Steve Peat on the start list! How rad!
You are right it sucks. Don’t go there.
Sorry
Do we know when the official list of DH teams that made the cut will be released? Sure seems like teams need to be planning and booking travel already. Or maybe it's already out and I've just been napping under a rock.
downhill southeast 1 results (full results) https://downhillsoutheast.com/round-1-at-rock-creek
top 10 pro men
pro women
All I could find was this, which has DH and XCO and no way to filter to just DH that I can see: https://www.uci.org/riders/mountain-bike-riders-teams/1V5hGPnEvXzbIqkjU…
Downhill Southeast Race Replay video
Fontana #4 results
https://www.southridgeusa.com/dhresults_2-23-25/
pro men and women
winning run by jaden barker, 14 and under expert class with a 2:21
Pretty good coverage. Be great to see this series grow.
Yeah but where did Elliot finish??!!?! Give us the real news!!!🤣
Wow...that crash at the end of the DHSE race recap was GNARLY!!!
I was pretty excited for this weekend. Rode practice Friday and Saturday only to get sick late in the day and miss Sunday.. Pretty bummed because the track got good toward the end of the day each day as things thawed and dried.
Startlist for AusCycling MTB National Series Rd 3 - DH (UCI Continental Series Rd 3) this weekend can be found HERE
Wow. Dooley dominated
If it includes the wall that just means he is fit as fuck to sprint like a mad man down the wall.
They're using the old world champs four cross track (which also doesn't look like it's been maintained since then) for the short track XC, which should be entertaining. Disclaimer: For all I know, they might well have done this every year since then.
Four cross isn't dead! It's just XC now...
2025 uci teams list press release
THE 2025 WHOOP UCI MOUNTAIN BIKE
WORLD SERIES TEAMS
With just over a month remaining until the start of the 2025 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) are proud to announce the official list of 2025 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series Teams.
A total of 40 teams, spanning both Endurance and Gravity formats, have secured premier division status.
This guarantees their participation in every round of the series within their respective formats, positioning them at the forefront of the sport’s elite competition.
After two seasons under the WBD Sports umbrella, the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series is set to undergo some of the most significant changes in the sport’s history since the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup was first introduced in 1991.
These major developments aim to enhance the competitiveness of each UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, making the races more thrilling for both fans and riders while establishing a clear development pathway to the highest level of mountain biking.
For the 2025 season, new entry requirements were introduced. All teams were required to register with the UCI to be classified as either a UCI Mountain Bike Team or a WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series Team (previously known as UCI MTB Elite teams).
A total of 101 teams from 22 countries across four continents registered for the upcoming season. Of those, 40 teams across both Endurance and Gravity have secured WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series Team status, ensuring their participation in every round of their respective formats:
How else can teams take part in the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series?
For teams that haven't secured WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series Team status, there are eight Wildcard spots available per format at each UCI Mountain Bike World Cup. These Wildcard teams will be chosen at the discretion of the UCI and WBD Sports, considering factors such as UCI team rankings and the profiles of their individual athletes. More details on the eligibility criteria can be found in the UCI Regulations.
How about privateers and individuals?
Individual riders are still eligible to enter a WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series round based on the following criteria:
Champions: Any current Olympic Champion, UCI World Champion, Continental Champion or National Champion.
Cross-country: any Elite athlete ranked in the top 100 or any U23 athlete ranked in the top 200 based on the last UCI Cross-country Olympic (XCO) Individual Ranking dated before the event entry closing date of the round.
Downhill: any Elite athlete ranked in the top 50 or any Junior athlete ranked in the top 100 based on the last UCI Downhill (DHI) Individual Ranking dated before event entry closing date of the round.
There are also five ‘Golden Tickets’ up for grabs for the top-five riders in any Elite or U23 race (Cross-country) or Elite or Junior race (Downhill) at any round of a Continental Series (although the rider can’t be registered with a WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series Team). The Golden Ticket enables the rider to enter one round of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series during the same season.
Starting in 2026, the top five riders from each category’s final standings in any of the previous season’s Continental Series will also qualify to compete in all rounds of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, provided they are not already registered with a WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series Team.
The Union's farewell video. It's been an honor to be a part of their team the last few years, and I feel they're the last great World Cup DH team.
North American Enduro Cup and USAC Enduro National Champs at Silver Mtn Kellogg, Idaho June 21-22 - Full PR
The North American Enduro Cup to Host 2025 USA Cycling Enduro National Championships
The Schwalbe North American Enduro Cup (NAEC) and USA Cycling (USAC) are excited to announce that the Schwalbe NAEC will host the 2025 USA Cycling Enduro National Championships and the E-Enduro National Championships at Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg, Idaho on June 21-22, 2025. This collaboration marks a significant step forward for enduro racing in the United States, and competitors will have a chance to earn a coveted sleeve for their jersey at one of the best enduro races in North America.
The Schwalbe NAEC has distinguished itself as a showcase of enduro racing, combining competition on raw tracks and incredible terrain at Silver Mountain Resort. This year, Schwalbe NAEC will continue to deliver the exceptional racing experience it’s known for. We’re keeping our rulebook and our trusted race timing partner, Race Cascadia, will be at our side ensuring precise timing for all competitors.
“The NAEC will be the NAEC you know and love,” said Tony Zammit, Race Director and Co-Owner of the race. “We’re not willing to compromise on anything that would take away from our racers or the event. We’ve worked hard to build this race, and we’re excited to help build a framework in place for our competitors to compete at the international level.”
Yeah, we know: USAC means licenses. But USAC has stepped up big time here. Although annual licenses will be required for all competitors, USAC is offering a deep discount to make it happen. All competitors will be able to get or renew a USAC annual license for $20. These annual licenses come with a bunch of perks, including medical insurance for racers while practicing and competing during the race weekend.
USAC is committed to rebuilding trust within the enduro discipline, both with riders and race organizers. Clay Harper (Monster Energy Pro DH) with #USDH connected the NAEC with USAC, and helped pave the way for this partnership
As part of this commitment, USAC is working to enhance its enduro points system and increase investment in the enduro discipline. Partnering with the Schwalbe NAEC—an event deeply rooted in the enduro community—highlights their dedication to the growth and integrity of enduro racing in the United States. "USA Cycling is thrilled to partner with the North American Enduro Cup to host the Enduro National Championships," said Kyle Knott, Director of National Events at USA Cycling. "As one of the premier enduro events in North America, NAEC brings a well-established and highly respected platform that aligns with our mission to elevate the sport. This partnership not only enhances the championship experience but also reflects the continued growth of enduro racing in the United States.”
Registration will open on March 5, 2025. Check out www.naenduro.com for more information.
Seems like the best case for USA Enduro Champs. Seems like USAC wont be doing the event production?
I know, it’s a miracle! Pretty much every enduro nats USAC staff ran was a burning garbage fire due to their lack of knowledge, verging on contempt for the discipline. The worst was hearing bigwig USAC officials tell junior racers that “they hate enduro”!
$20 licenses, also? 😜
windrock stacking up with commencal muc-off in attendance along w/ Trek, jewett's and others. can't wait!
Hmmm....so what suspension company is having their Team Camp testing sessions at WindRock the week prior?
It's been over a decade plus since guys like Brian Lopes & E.C. would line up on an XC or Short Track race just to boost a hot lap out front on their hardtails. Out sprint the world class XC guys to the first turn and then pull off after a loop.
And that after racing DS or 4X & DH.
TIL team robot lives in LA!
You're correct, USAC will not be doing the event production. We're keeping all of that in house. We are working with them to make the US Nattys happen for Enduro and E-Enduro, but the NAEC is keeping full production responsibility for the event. - Tony
Post a reply to: 2025 Race Talk