Australian Mountain Bike Issue 190

RIDER: TROY BROSNAN The mountain bike world had a long wait for the World Cup to return with a full season, after a shortened series in 2020. What better way to start things off than with Troy Brosnan lighting it up in qualifying, and then delivering a huge win at the first round of the World Cup in Leogang, Austria? The World Cup is back. RIDER: ANTON COOPER The Cross-Country World Cup is changing, with courses getting more technical and punchy, all while Nino Schurter’s rule is diminishing. Anton Cooper has been racing towards the top step of the podium for a few seasons, and at Round 3 of the XCO World Cup in Leogang, Austria, Cooper took the bull by the horns from the start, fading a little to finish 3rd. As we went to…

I pinched the cover line from this 190th issue of Australian Mountain Bike as I think it’s a really apt attitude to take right now. When I contacted our new contributor Georgina von Marburg about interviewing Zoe Cuthbert, we spoke about how it was refreshing that Zoe just wanted to ride everything. While she is a leading cross-country racer, she isn’t typecast as such. While the mountain bike media (us included!) are keen to shoehorn bikes, trails, riders and the rest into one segment or another, it is worth stepping back and remembering that every one of us is a mountain biker. You might have an enduro bike, ride cross-country trails and wear trail clothing – but you’re still a mountain biker. Maybe you can’t get enough of long, arduous rides…

In early June news hit the airwaves that not only was the Enduro World Series (EWS) returning to Australia in 2022, but that there would be two races in Tasmania! Even better for local riders wanting to test their mettle with true enduro big wigs, there will also be a round in New Zealand. With most of us unlikely to get travel exemptions beyond the Australian/New Zealand bubble based on current restrictions, this is an excellent result for those who yearn for international caliber racing. And it’s a boon for fans, spectators and the mountain bike industry in our region as well. The 2022 series has 11 rounds, including five EWS-E races and a return of the Trophy of Nations The opening round of the 2022 EWS lands at Maydena Bike…

In 2020, Rocky Trail Entertainment successfully navigated mountain bike event delivery up and down the east coast, and even the AMB 100 managed to run with unique timing and in a new location across Sparrow Hill and Kowen Forest. Now in 2021, the AMB 100 returns home to Mt Stromlo, Canberra, as the event celebrates its 10th year of racing and fun in the nation’s capital. Like in previous editions, the AMB 100 is based on a circuit that gets set out at Stromlo Forest Park in the days preceding the event. A mix of popular trails are linked with sections of fireroad, to create a lap that is typically between 25-30km, taking in some of the best trails in the forest. Where your challenge lies is up to you. Whether…

Mad keen to show the enduro world that you can race on the big stage? Well, you better qualify first. There are a few EWS qualifiers around Australia but the Phoenix Enduro at Christchurch Adventure Park on 23 October might be just the perfect reason to tie in a riding trip to New Zealand’s South Island. Based in the Port Hills, Christchurch Adventure Park suffered a horrific fire a few years back but it has been rebuilt. The cafe and facility hub is nestled in the pines, with a network of hand-built and machine built trails on the slopes above. There are over 30 trails to ride at the park, with about half of them Black rated, so you can expect a varied and testing bunch of trails for the race…

VOLCANIC EPIC Running from 24-27 March, this mountain bike stage race will take Rotorua, Taupo and Tokoroa by storm! There are two and four day options, and you can race the four day event in pairs. The courses are designed by mountain bikers, for mountain bikers, so expect some of the best trails in the region, and great off-bike entertainment and amenities. volcanicepic.co.nz WHAKA 100 New Zealand’s great marathon didn’t miss a beat in 2020, but no Australians could go and be crushed. Put 22-24 October in your calendar so you don’t miss out on one of the best mountain bike events in the southern hemisphere. Race the full distance or something shorter, either way you’ll find a challenge in the Redwoods. whaka100.co.nz MCKAYOS One of the most unique bike races in Australia is back…