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
Nice examples of Conditionals (If I were a betting man, it's because they thought that dropping something like that just before a race would leverage WBD/UCI into giving in. If you air a grievance too early they could have used it against the teams in selection of wildcard teams. If they waited until after those teams were announced but did it any earlier than now they'd have basically given the WBD/UCI folks enough time to just not make a statement and make the athletes sweat about what the response would be.) Will show as examples of modern language 😉
Saw a post on his IG where he said he's been off the bike for 8 weeks. My guess is concussion at hardline.
But, still great to see him back.
Dante followiing Asa on the Sea Otter track
Engage ludicrous speed!
I'll post this here as well, this weekend a "This is a test" event took place in Lousa for invited DH teams, here are the results: THIS IS A TEST 2025 - Results
Some of the results
Of
"bUt I hEaRd OrBeA dOeSn'T eVeN hAvE a Dh BiKe."
Congrats! Hope Ryan smashes this year!
Thank you, he is working hard and riding well. Looking forward to a good year.
Mondraker solid contenders for a 1 2 3 when everyone is healthy.
DIRTBAG Factory Racing is a step back to our roots, when grassroots racing helped garner and build the mountain bike community we know and love. With world cup level racing in its current state, we are taking this moment to dive back into what we think racing is all about, riding and competing at venues that foster friendly competition for the shared love of riding bikes. These athletes are all passionate individuals that will be competing around North America and providing a rad experience out of the Transition tent and carrying the TR torch. Whether they are pushing for the top step, or just cooking hotdogs and giving out high fives, these folks will provide a welcoming environment and shelter from the sun or rain. We're stoked to have them representing us throughout the year. If they're at an event, be sure to swing by the tent for a good time.

DFR EVENTS SCHEDULE
Ella Erickson
• NWCup Series
• Cascadia Dirt Cup Series
• NAEC
• Crankworx Whistler
Alex Anderson
• Lake Superior Gravity Series (Owner)
• Tennessee National
• Monster Energy Pro DH Round 1
• Marquette Trails Fest (LSGS)
• Copper Harbor Trails Fest (LSGS)
Cory Sullivan
• TDS Enduro
• Cascadia Dirt Cup
• NAEC
• Downieville
• High Cascade 100
Trevor McCutcheon
• Revolution Enduro Series
• BME Series
• National Championships
• NAEC
Tucker Shearer
• BME Series
• Eastern Cup Enduro Series
Dean Tenant
• Island Cup Enduro Series
• Crankworx Whistler
• Island Cup XC Series
• NWCup
Tor Weiland
• NWCup Series
• Cascadia Dirt Cup Series
• Alaska Divide Route
• Hot Laps
Aaron Dobie
• Pemberton Enduro
• Trans Cascadia
• Dark Matter DH
• Crankworx Canadian Open DH
Wells Tanner
• Cascadia Dirt Cup Series
• Trans BC
• BC Bike Race
• Trans Cascadia
Isaac Allaire
• Eastern States Cup Enduro Series
• Eastern States Cup DH - Select Events
• US OPEN MTB
Learn More about Transition DFR
What bike was Gwin on at sea otter? From what I saw it did not look like a Crestline.
SB140
Fire up the rumour furnace folks. 🔥
2026 is the last year for BC Bike Race. PR for registration/info below
Say Farewell to the Legendary 7-Day BC Bike Race
2026 marks 20 years of The Ultimate Singletrack Experience — and the last chance to ride the iconic 7-day format
The BC Bike Race is turning 20, and we’re marking the moment with a celebration for the ages. The 2026 edition of The Ultimate Singletrack Experience will be part farewell tour, part family reunion — and the final chance to take on the legendary 7-day format that helped define mountain bike stage racing in North America.
Since 2007, BCBR has led the way in stage racing innovation. While other events chased mileage, we built something different: a celebration of singletrack. World-class trails, a vibrant community, and a rider-first experience brought mountain bikers from around the world to British Columbia. More than a race, BCBR became a rite of passage — a journey that tests your body, fuels your soul, and earns you a belt buckle that says: I did it!
“This is more than a milestone — it’s a moment,” says Andreas Hestler, BCBR Co-Founder and former pro mountain biker. “Twenty years of dirt, sweat, and memories. We’ve watched friendships form, families grow, and racers return again and again. For us and for many of our racers, those seven days in the summer feel like a family gathering.”
The Evolution Continues
After 2026, BCBR will evolve into a new format — but the spirit of the race remains the same: rider-focused, community-driven, and unapologetically singletrack-obsessed.
“Bikes have evolved. Trails have evolved. Riders have evolved — and so have we,” says Dean Payne, BCBR Co-Founder and President. “We’re proud to lead the next evolution of stage racing. But before we turn the page, we’re inviting everyone to help us close this chapter in style.”
Final Chance to Ride the Classic
The 2025 and 2026 editions will be your last chance to ride the full 7-day BCBR format. If you’ve ever dreamed of crossing that Day 7 finish line, now is the time.
Registration for the 2025 race—June 30-July 6 on Vancouver Island—is open, and you still have time to organize your logistics and train your body. Start putting those miles in now, and then drop into our free 6-week training program led by Mad Endurance starting on May 12. Designed to prepare you for 7 days on a bike, this program will set you up for success right before the race starts. Register now.
An important change for the 2026 race is the dates. Next year the race will run from May 23-29, offering prime trail conditions and ideal race temperatures (around 18°C/60°F).
Riders can expect all the classic BCBR ingredients: world-class singletrack, stunning West Coast scenery, an unmatched race community, and a week of adventure that riders will remember for a lifetime. They can also expect some serious celebrations to mark the race’s 20-year milestone, including one heck of a party at the end.
Alumni & Early Access Registration
BCBR alumni will have the first opportunity to secure their spot for 2026 during our exclusive: - - Alumni VIP Pricing opens on May 1
- Early Access opens May 7
- General Registration opens 15.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the final moments of this BCBR chapter. Join the Early Access list at bcbikerace.com.
Contact
• Email: info@bcbikerace.com
• Website: www.bcbikerace.com
About BC Bike Race
Founded in 2007, the BC Bike Race is a world-renowned mountain bike stage race that traverses some of the best singletrack in British Columbia. Known as "The Ultimate Singletrack Experience", the BCBR team has built a passionate global community of riders who return again and again for the trails, the adventure, and the people.
Cheers
Dre and the BC Bike Race Team
whiteface world cup info email from whoop/UCI
WHITEFACE MOUNTAIN TO HOST UCI DOWNHILL WORLD CUP IN LAKE PLACID
The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series returns to Lake Placid (USA) for a second year running.
Three-Day Event Includes UCI Cross-Country World Cup Races at Mt Van Hoevenberg and UCI Downhill World Cup at Whiteface Mountain
16th April 2025 – The New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority), Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) are pleased to announce the return of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series to Lake Placid from 3 to 5 October, this time featuring men’s and women’s UCI World Cup races in both endurance and gravity formats.
The Cross-country Short Track (XCC) and Cross-country Olympic (XCO) events head back to Mt Van Hoevenberg, while the Downhill (DHI) competition will be held at the iconic Whiteface Mountain.
Whiteface Mountain, located in Wilmington, New York in the majestic Adirondack Mountains, is a premier ski destination. With over 3,400 feet of vertical drop—one of the largest in the eastern United States—Whiteface delivers a rare and demanding downhill experience that will challenge riders.
The Whiteface region of Northern New York boasts over 20 miles of trails, including the renowned Flume and Hardy Road networks, that offer a mix of flowy singletrack, aggressive climbs, and thrilling descents.
Whiteface Mountain is making a highly-anticipated return as it hosts the UCI Downhill World Cup. Combining stunning scenery with high-octane riding, Whiteface has all the makings of a truly unforgettable UCI World Cup venue.
The weekend will feature the world’s best Elite, Under 23, and Junior riders battling for podium finishes and valuable points in the overall standings. Cross-country races return to an updated version of the demanding course introduced in 2024 at Mt Van Hoevenberg, while Whiteface Mountain unveils its new Downhill course — traversing roughly two kilometres of steep, technical terrain designed for high-speed descents that require both precision and fearless determination.
Darcy Rowe Norfolk, Olympic Authority Spokesperson, said: “We’re thrilled to build on the success of last year with the addition of downhill racing at Whiteface Mountain. Our goal is to deliver an exceptional experience for both athletes and fans, while showcasing the world’s best mountain bikers across two formats. Events like this not only elevate the profile of the Olympic Region and its thriving cycling community but also generate meaningful economic impact for our region.”
Chris Ball, Vice President of Cycling Events at WBD Sports, said: “We’re thrilled to return to Lake Placid—this time not only to Mt Van Hoevenberg for Cross-country, but also to Whiteface for Downhill. Recognised as one of the premier ski destinations in the United States, we’re proud to support its revival by bringing world-class downhill racing to this iconic venue. If last season’s experience in Lake Placid is anything to go by, we’re in for another outstanding week of mountain biking that’s sure to excite both fans and riders. Supporting the resurgence of mountain biking at Whiteface and celebrating the sport’s continued growth in the region is something we’re incredibly excited about.”
Lake Placid will serve as the penultimate round on the 2025 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, which kicked off on April 3 in Araxá, Minas Gerais (Brazil) and will wrap up from October 9 to 12 in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec (Canada). The venue made its debut on the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike
World Series calendar in 2024, hosting UCI XCO, XCC, and Mountain Bike Marathon (XCM) World Cup races at Mt Van Hoevenberg. It was a standout weekend for Specialized Factory Racing, with Victor Koretzky taking commanding victories in both the XCO and XCC events, while teammates Laura Stigger and Sina Frei secured an impressive one-two finish in the Women Elite races.
Meanwhile, Christopher Blevins has opened this season in dominant fashion, winning three of the four opening races in Araxá, Brazil. After sweeping round two with victories in both the UCI XCC and XCO World Cups and finishing first (XCC) and second (XCO) in the opening round, the American rider is shaping up to be one of the riders to watch of the season.
The cross-country stars will be joined by the biggest names in downhill, including the likes of Valentina Höll (YT Mob) and Loïc Bruni (Specialized Gravity), who will be aiming to defend their WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series overall titles.
Tickets for the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Lake Placid (Mt Van Hoevenberg / Whiteface) are on sale now and can be purchased HERE. Admission is free for SKI3 season pass holders.
As a two-time Olympic host city, Lake Placid brings a unique sense of sporting heritage to the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series calendar—its rich legacy making it a fitting backdrop for another thrilling chapter in mountain bike history.
I was a regular at snowshoe for the wc. Couldn’t beat being able to combine a riding vacation and viewing without ever getting back in the car. We could backcountry riding during the event, and stay for a day or 2 after to ride the park. Lake placid doesn’t seem to have that same factor for fans. I would love for anyone to tell me I’m wrong as i don’t know the area. But all the venues and riding areas seem spread out. Plus no bike park for the public.
circumstances are different for WF vs snowshoe. WF mountain is on USFS land, and are basically the reason the bike park is no longer in operation.
The rumor come out, Does Gwin Racing is ride Yeti Bikes 2026?
But skiing is good.
edit: sorry not directed at you. Nonsense rules.
Probably a simple case of Crestline not making a trail or enduro bike.
Yeah, for sure. They need to get on it. People would jump on a high pivot VPP enduro
it's a much longer story than that. the skiiing aspect ties back to the '80 winter olympics, and ORDA still pretty much runs the show in that region.
there are facilities in that area still used for olympic training beyond just skiing. The FIS still holds ski races there.
the bike park shut down in 2020 for what was supposed to be only 2 season for winter infrastructure upgrades, and unfortunately 2 seasons turned into indefinitely. IIRC the contract to run the bike park was on a year to year basis.
edit: didn't take your comment personally, just pointing out that there's a lot of behind the scenes politics of the business of sports in Lake Placid. Personally, I think the hosting of the WC is a good sign that they are progressing on infrastructure for summer activities (including mtb) and that this will hopefully lead to the re-opening of the bike park.
or maybe he just didn't take a bike with him while traveling.
I posted a screenshot of a Strava map of the location of the new Whiteface DH course last fall. I recreated it in Caltopo, so here's some more info. Caltopo says it's 1.96 km and the WBD announcement says "almost 2 km", so the map checks out with that.
https://caltopo.com/m/U5NVJVU
gwin had the yeti built up at windrock a few weeks ago. it was a choice to run a purpose-built bike (in a configuration that crestline doesn't offer) for the sea otter track.
For a second I hoped it was the old 303 of my childhood dreams. That would have been a full sea otter flashback
Booked stays already at lake placid for the dhwc. So excited to go and watch in person.
Post a reply to: 2025 Race Talk