 All mountain bike rookies have their idols. They look up to the greats such as Greg Minnaar, Aaron Gwin, Rachel Atherton or Myriam Nicole. However, in order to improve, reach personal goals and inch closer to the riding level of their idols, having fun plays a vital role in the developmental process. Training off the bike and learning other techniques is a key part to becoming successful, and it’s an integral part of the game.  This is the foundation of the annual “Rookie Camp”, in which the participating kids are prepared to drop into the Downhill track during the „iXS International Rookies Championships“ – the unofficial youth World Championships. “Encouraging and supporting the young riders is extremely important to us. They are the future of our sport. We want to help them improve on the bike, but more importantly have fun mountain biking. Therefore we work as a team of experienced coaches and MTB pros, such as Matt Walker, who was with us this year,” explains Bikepark Manager Christian Zangerl. The MTB-Festival Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis puts the kids in the spotlight every year. The preparation during the “Rookie Camp” is tailored specifically to their needs, so that they are well prepared for the weekend of racing. Additionally, they have the chance to gain insight into the life of a pro and to learn and acquire a whole range of skills that are beneficial to becoming a better rider. “It’s really good to pass on knowledge that I have learned over the last few years, instead of them having to learn the hard way themselves. Having the whole week with them really lets us dig deep and go in- depth when learning about each aspect of riding. So it’s not just a quick brush over the skills,” says New Zealand’s World Cup Pro Matt Walker.    Apart from training on the bike, riding the trails and track walks, all aspects of being a good rider, both physically and mentally, are emphasized. “The level of concentration tends to decrease if you are constantly riding. It’s important to learn to take a break to be able to get back on the bike fully focused. This is why the schedule consists of other activities as well,” Zangerl stresses. A yoga seminar highlights the benefits of flexibility, agility and breathing techniques when it comes to preventing injury. The effects mindset has on the body, and therefore also on riding, are explained, and simple exercises are taught so that the young rookies can pick up techniques and work on finding the perfect balance they need to send the run they are looking for. Mental coaching sharpens the senses for the race environment; visualization and mental strength are key components for successful track walks, race run preparation and also processing and dealing with negative results or experiences.    “It’s great to see how the kids take the information on board. Suddenly you see kids actually starting to use visualization and concentration techniques before and while they head up to the start gate. A day earlier some of them would just go up the mountain and send it down the track without a second thought or preparation,” Christian Zangerl recognizes as he already looks forward to the next “Rookie Camp” that will take place from July 29 to August 4, 2019. “It’s super exciting to see how the rookies develop over the course of a year. Me and my team are looking forward to doing our part again next year; helping the kids to grow their passion for the sport and take the next step in their development.”    #mtbfestival #bikeparksfl #bikesfl #bikeschulesfl #rookiecamp #wearefamily #serfausfissladis #ixs #specialized #kona #redbull
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Thursday - Photo Recap - Downhill Training Elite Men - Mountainbike Worldchampionship Lenzerheide9/7/2018                   Thursday - Photo Recap - XCO Juniors Girls - Mountainbike Worldchampionship Lenzerheide 20189/7/2018      RIDER: Nino Schurter PHOTO: Sven Martin The 2018 Mountain Bike World Cup might already be history, but the battle for glory in Downhill and Cross Country is about to reach another level! The world’s best mountain bike athletes and the rising stars of the future generation will be competing for gold medals and rainbow stripes during the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships presented by Mercedes-Benz from September 5-9 in Lenzerheide. 10 athletes and one national team will be crowned as World Champions in front of tens of thousands of supporters. First though athletes in both disciplines will have to overcome the demanding tracks. Tickets for the whole week or single days are available at www.lenzerheide2018.com  RIDER: Thanee Seagrave PHOTO: Sven Martin The STRAIGHTline leads to gold – new wood section Lenzerheide’s STRAIGHTline will be mostly recognizable to the athletes, as it already presented a number of changes last year looking towards the World Championships in 2018. However one additional modification has been made to the track this year, adding another wood section. After the Road Gap in the bottom third riders will first face a series of corners before heading back into the woods earlier than in the past. The freshly prepared wood section precedes the natural one-meter drop „Mitas Wall“ and will most certainly get gnarlier as the week goes on due to underlying roots, that will become visible through the carved up dirt. The 2.2 kilometer-/ 1.4 mile-long track belongs to the fastest tracks in mountain biking and will challenge all riders with iconic features such as the impressive “Cornèrcard Rock Garden”, the high-speed “X-Class Full Gas Step Up”, “Graubünden Road Gap”, the “Lenzerheide Edge” and the “Red Bull Drop of Fame”. “I also expect the “Ochsner Sport Cabin Hit” to be a key section,” explains Head Course Builder Rafael Tschäff Rhyner. „Riders need to take care to gauge their speed to not overshoot before the 90° corner. Should it be wet during the finals, which wasn’t the case in the past years, I think things will get really interesting in the rock garden up top and in the new wood section.“  PHOTO: Sven Martin  RIDER: Danny Hart PHOTO: Sven Martin  RIDER: Troy Brosnan PHOTO: Sven Martin Cross Country Track: unchanged, but hellish The Cross Country course hasn’t been modified since the changes that were made last year and will once again put the legs and lungs of every athlete to the test. Things could get difficult right from the get- go. „One of the keys to being successful is the start. After the first climb the track will take the riders to “Heidi’s Hell”. If you’re not in the first group, this downhill can literally be hellish,” Rhyner thinks. “If you are hanging back, things are going to get tight.” “Heidi’s Hell” is a steep and highly technical descent that runs from the highest point of the track into a gnarly root section that will be very slippery in the wet. Athletes have to overcome an altitude difference of 188m / 616ft and a number features such as the “Lenzerheide Cliff”, the “Ochsner Sport Dual Slalom” or “Mitas Muddy Climb” on every round of the 4.2 kilometer-/ 2.6 mile-long track before they finally hit the “Cornèrcard Ramp” and the finishing straight in front of thousands of ecstatic supporters.  RIDER: Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa PHOTO: Sven Martin  RIDER: Jolanda Neff PHOTO: Sven Martin  PHOTO: Sven Martin Tight Racing expected – Who is in the running? The World Cup season was full of surprises this year, which hints at exciting races to come. World Cup Overall winner Amaury Pierron (FRA) came more or less out of nowhere this year and will certainly be able to give reigning World Champion and fellow countryman Loïc Bruni a run for his money. The list of potential World Champions certainly doesn’t end there though and seems to be longer than ever. Recovered veterans Aaron Gwin (USA) and Greg Minnaar (RSA) and other top guns such as Danny Hart (GBR), Laurie Greenland (GBR), Troy Brosnan (AUS), Loris Vergier (FRA) or Luca Shaw (USA), to name a few, will all have a shot at winning the gold medal. The women’s Downhill will be no less exciting! Rachel Atherton (GBR) was able to snatch the World Cup Title away from Tahnée Seagrave (GBR) last weekend, but expect more names in contention for the World Championship Title in Lenzerheide. Rachel Atherton, Tahnée Seagrave, Myriam Nicole (FRA) and Tracey Hannah (AUS) all have what it takes to be threatening and take the win. Swiss hopes took a blow when Emilie Siegenthaler dislocated her elbow, but the local hero has her eyes firmly set on her return to the start gate for the World Championships in her home country. Cross Country will be an absolute highlight for the home crowd in Switzerland. With both World Cup winners Jolanda Neff and Nino Schurter rolling up to the start line to defend their World Championship Titles, the atmosphere will be at its boiling point. However, it will not be a given. Schurter had his work cut out for him during the World Cup season this year. Admittedly, he had mechanicals, which made life difficult, but still it seems as if the opposition has been able to close the gap somewhat. Schurter wasn’t a show of pure domination as he has been in the past. Mathieu Van der Poel (NED), Gerhard Kerschbaumer (ITA), Anton Cooper (NZL) and Henrique Avancini (BRA) were all prepared to challenge the Swiss winning machine and will most certainly do so in the spotlight of a World Championship as well. Sam Gaze (NZL), who was able to shock the Cross Country world with his win ahead of Nino Schurter in Stellenbosch (RSA) to kick off the season, on the other hand, will not be able to compete due to a broken wrist sustained in Mont-Sainte-Anne. The battle for the coveted rainbow stripes in the Women Elite will also be hard fought. Apart from Neff and Annika Langvad (DEN), whose duel has kept the spectators in suspense during the whole World Cup season, there is an array of athletes wanting to have a say. Maja Wloszczowska (POL), Emily Batty (CAN), Anne Tauber (NED), Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (FRA), Kate Courtney (USA) and Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (NOR) will all be in contention of snatching a medal, if not even creating an upset in the fight for gold. Numerous side events and parties round off the show Apart from all the race action, spectators can look forward to numerous side events, parties and the 7,500m2 / 80,729ft2 big Expo-Area, where many exhibitors as well as all Downhill and Cross-Country teams will present themselves. Highlight are the Steinböckli Balance Bike World Championships, the Movie Night with «Free Riding Iran – The Gehrig Twins in the Land of the Mullahs» and «North of Nightfall», the #fullgasMTB Whip Off Contest, the «Flyer Uproc Dual Slalom» and countless live concerts. For more information on all side events: lenzerheide2018.ch/en/time-schedule-side-events  RIDER: Nino Schurter PHOTO: Sven Martin 5 action-packed days, 11 golden decisions, 45 medals Wednesday, September 5, 2018 4.15 pm Opening Ceremony 5.30 pm Cross Country Team Relay 6.45 pm Award Ceremony Cross Country Team Relay Thursday, September 6, 2018 2.00 pm Women Juniors Cross Country 3.30 pm Award Ceremony Women Juniors Cross Country 4.30 pm Men Juniors Cross Country 6.00 pm Award Ceremony Men Juniors Cross Country Friday, September 7, 2018 10.15 am Qualification Juniors Downhill 11.30 am Qualification Elite Downhill 02.30 pm Women U23 Cross Country 03.45 pm Award Ceremony Women U23 Cross Country 04.30 pm Men U23 Cross Country 05.45 pm Award Ceremony Men U23 Cross Country Saturday, September 8, 2018 12.30 pm Women Elite Cross Country 02.00 pm Award Ceremony Women Elite Cross Country 03.30 pm Men Elite Cross Country 05.00 pm Award Ceremony Men Elite Cross Country Sunday, September 9, 2018 09.30 am Women Juniors Downhill 10.15 am Men Juniors Downhill 11.15 am Award Ceremony Women and Men Juniors Downhill 01.00 pm Women Elite Downhill 02.30 pm Men Elite Downhill 04.45 pm Award Ceremony Women and Men Elite Downhill    Being a professional mountain biker isn't what most kids at the age of 17 dream of in India. But for Rishabh Gowda, riding bicycles started at a really young age when his mom got him a bike for his birthday. He wasn't a competitive kid then, unlike today. But as he started losing interest in studies, he knew he had to look for elsewhere to find his calling. And thus began his obsession with mountain biking. Till date he has competed in many races in the country and has accomplished a lot in the sport. Podium finish after podium finish, he's truly been chasing the summit in the race to be number one. He's also travelled to Germany to race in the IXS DH, one of the biggest competitions in the discipline. He now hopes to take on a bigger challenge, the world cup and plans to walk away with the trophy! He is a force to be reckoned with in the mountain biking scene. Check out an exclusive look of Rishabh Gowda in action #TheTrailBeyond ! Enjoy Collebrative project with #1947SportsClothing and #MankutimmaStudios. Directed & Edited By : Vasuki SN Cinematography by : Vasuki SN & Sumanth Shetty Sound Design : Gagan Baderiya Music Production Studio : AudioKraft studios Post Production : LIghtBucket Production Stills and BTS : Vinay Hoskere, Spandan, Basith #rishabhgowda #thetrailbeyond #mtb #downhill #bangalore #india #mtbindia iXS International Rookies Championships & Specialized Rookies Cup #5 Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis 20188/17/2018 
RIDER: Jackson Goldstone PHOTO: Rick Schubert
One week before the pros take to the dirt during the Downhill World Cup in Canada, it was the time for the young guns of the sport to shine during the "Kona Rookies Games" at the MTB-Festival Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis.
The first weekend in August annually takes young talented riders to the Kona Rookie Festival in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis and over the last five years the event has already become a beloved tradition. By focusing solely on younger riders and rookies in general, the Rookie Festival especially addresses families and what venue could better suit this purpose than the family-friendly village in Tyrol that not only offers a variety of activities for families, but also has its own bike park! Therefore, more than 270 riders from 25 different countries made their way to the Rookie Games in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis this past weekend together with their families.
RIDER: Felix Schumann PHOTO: Rick Schubert
After introducing the Rookies Championships five years ago, the event now has become an established and fixed part of the annual iXS agenda. Similar to the proceedings of the international UCI championships, the iXS International Rookies Championships open the international stage to the younger categories U13, U15 and U17. And as this is the only event of its kind, it annually lures young riders from all over Europe and even from other continents to Austria.
RIDER: Mike Huter PHOTO: Rick Schubert
RIDER: Johann Schumacher PHOTO: Rick Schubert
Unlike the traditional races that usually start on Friday, the Rookies Festival already starts a week early with the Rookies Camp. With only 30 seats the camp was fully booked in nearly no time and the 30 riders who made it into the camp were provided with the full downhill rookie package, including different courses and workshops.
On Friday a first training session and the seeding run of the Specialized Rookies Cup officially have opened the race weekend. After that, the day was finished by the Family Challenge, which crowned the fastest team of young riders and their parents. 
RIDER: Melina Bast PHOTO: Rick Schubert
On Saturday the weather was at its best again and greeted the riders with warm temperatures and a bright sun shining from a blue sky, so it was finally time for some downhill action. In the morning the riders tried to adjust to the rather dry conditions during their training session. Then, all eyes were on the youngest riders of the U13 and U15 categories that included 75 riders who are not yet allowed to participate in other international races. At the end of the day Mike Huter (SUI - DMBikecorner /U13) and Jackson Goldstone (CAN - Fox /U15) succeeded.
RIDER: Jackson Goldstone PHOTO: Rick Schubert
RIDER: Chloe Tschumi PHOTO: Rick Schubert
After another training session the iXS International Rookies Championships were opened by the U13 category on Sunday. Mike Huter (SUI - DMBikecorneronce) more succeeded. Johannes Hörl (AUT - HPC Leogang) and Luis Kelch (GER - BPA Racing) completed the podium.
RIDER: Nuno Zuzarte Reis PHOTO: Rick Schubert
RIDER: Leona Pierrini PHOTO: Rick Schubert
In the U15 category a field of 60 starters fought for the title, but in the end Jackson Goldstone celebrated another victory with a time of 3:01.312 minutes that even would have landed him among the top 5 in the U17 category this weekend. Loic Martin (FRA - Commencal) finished in second place wit a gap of only 2 seconds, followed by Léo Abella (FRA - Commencal Réunion) in third place.
RIDER: Robert Johanson PHOTO: Rick Schubert
Spactators PHOTO: Rick Schubert
Leona Pierrini (FRA - Cycle Omega FRC) once more dominated the U17 female category. But the competition was hard. With a small gap of only 4 seconds Beani Thies (RSA - Greg Minnaar Racing) finished in second place, followed by Anastasia Thiele (GER - Propain Gravity Kids).
In the U17 category it was once more a neck-on-neck race. At the end of the day Nuno Zuzarte Reis (POR - Commençal) dominated the extremely exciting race with the day’s best time of 2:55.866 minutes and celebrated his second international title of his career. With a 0.9-second gap Robert Johanson (EST - Fun Times Crew)took the silver medal, while it was bronze for Marko Niemiz (SLO - Sinter Brakes Team) this time.
Podium U17 Boys PHOTO: Rick Schubert
RIDER: Nuno Zuzarte Reis PHOTO: Rick Schubert
Podium U17 Girls PHOTO: Rick Schubert
Podium U15 Boys PHOTO: Rick Schubert
Podium U15 Boys - Jackson Goldstone - Interview PHOTO: Rick Schubert
Podium U15 Girls PHOTO: Rick Schubert
Podium U13 Boys PHOTO: Rick Schubert
Podium U13 Girls - RIDER: Chloe Tschumi PHOTO: Rick Schubert
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis has once more proven its worth for the downhill discipline and especially for the young riders and their families. An event like this definitely qualifies as the highlight of the season and we can’t wait to return next season!
                   指导单位： 广东省自行车运动协会 主办单位： 广州自行车速降运动协会 广州市广播电视台竞赛频道 联合主办单位： 深圳市自行车速降运动协会 独家运营及执行机构： 广州聚能体育发展有限公司 战略合作专业媒体： 美骑网Biketo、REnextop、MTBmagasia 战略合作电视媒体： 广州广播电视台 媒体运营单位： 聚能传媒 MegaV 协办单位： RST苏州达韦工业 广州恒泰电力工程有限公司 FIFTY-FIFTY 专业自行车配件 广州拓狩射箭俱乐部 广州宏扬体育用品有限公司 技术支持单位： 燃情单车网 赛事服务： 广州宏扬体育用品有限公司 媒体支持： 野途网、轮火竞赛、CBChinabike、酷玩户外、骑行家、OKBIKE 救助支持单位： 广州红十字会山地救援队     
MAD ENDURO - MALAYSIA
iXS EUROPEAN DOWNHILL CUP - SPICAK TAHA GHABELI - INTERVIEW - IRAN
#mtbmagasia #issue #51 #madenduro #malaysia #ixsedc #ixs #european #downhill #cup #spicak #interview #tahaghabeli #iran
Indian - Road Trip Europe
Xinjiang - The Wild Switzerland - World Championships
#mtbmagasia #india #roadtrip #europe #downhill #ixscup #xinjiang #urumji #china #enduro #thewild #worlds #worldchampionships #lenzerheide #switzerland
 Photo: Sven Martin Family outing!! Dan, Gee, Rach and Kade hit up Crankworx in style! Bike park shreds, cows, crashes, Downhill Racing (Athy's first international DH race in about six years!) Dual Slalom, Dual Speed and Style, Whip-offs...this one has it all! Rach does the double on the Downhill and Dual and Kade secures second to the legendary R-dog at Whip off. |
