 EDC Maribor - © Rick Schubert Last weekend the long off-season finally came to an end as hundreds of riders celebrated the opening of the iXS downhill season 2019 in Maribor! At the end of an exciting day, Matt Walker and Tracey Hannah took home the first title of the season. It’s that time of the year again! The iXS downhill season 2019 finally started with one of the most anticipated races of the year! This weekend, the iXS European Downhill Cup has been opened in Maribor. And since it was scheduled only one week before the first race of this year’s World Cup which also takes place on the very same track, many riders of the world’s downhill elite made their way to Maribor a week early, creating one hell of a start list this weekend! All in all, 440 athletes from 36 nations registered for the race leaving another 50 riders on the waiting list, hoping for a last-minute chance.  Track walk - EDC Maribor - © Rick Schubert Maribor’s track had been modified during the off-season creating a course that matches our understanding of the perfect track for an EDC race! After all, Maribor has always been and probably will remain one of the favorite venues for many riders for a reason! As always the opening race of the season first and foremost serves one purpose: checking out the competition to evaluate your own status for the upcoming season. In general, no one knows if the training sessions and preparations will pay off when the season starts and everyone is looking forward to finding out. In addition to the riders’ levels of fitness, another important variable always is, of course, the right equipment. Many riders changed teams, got new bikes or both during winter and especially the new UCI regulations concerning different tire sizes left some room for speculation. Friday started with the track walk during which most of the riders seemed to be rather pleased with the track and the changes made, judging from their grinning faces, so the stage was set for two interesting weekends of downhill racing in Maribor!  Mick Hannah - EDC Maribor - © Rick Schubert  Alexandre Fayolle - EDC Maribor - © Rick Schubert The first official 6-hour training session started rather slow, but shortly after noon the track was as crowded as it gets and the lift was working at full speed. While some riders already chose their lines, others still struggled with their setup and after what did not seem to be 6 hours at all, the first day of the EDC season 2019 had already come to an end. Saturday morning greeted the riders with sunshine and mild temperatures – the perfect conditions for both the track and the race and the air seemed to be sizzling with anticipation. And, of course, Friday’s relaxed atmosphere slowly but surely turned into a more focused one, while the athletes started to concentrate on their upcoming qualifying runs in the afternoon. During the last training session everybody was working on improving their runs, choosing their lines and getting up their speed (– everything while constantly updating their numerous social media accounts, because – as you all know – if you don’t serve your followers with enough content you basically do not exist…well, whatever…). The top riders of the Elite Men category then had a rather long break before their runs. After all, the last run of the day was scheduled not until half past six for Danny Hart (GBR - Madison Saracen Factory).  Danny Hart - EDC Maribor - © Rick Schubert But in the meantime, there was still a lot going on in the qualifications: Vali Höll (AUT - SRAM-TLD Racing), who provided us with an impressive course preview together with Tahnée Seagrave (GBR - Transition Muc-Off Factory) on Friday, set the best time in her category with 3.58,368 minutes. Among the Juniors Thibaut Daprela (FRA - Commencial Vallnord) was fastest, setting a time of 3.18,326 minutes. Tracey Hannah (AUS - Polygon UR) showed everyone that she used her time well during the off-season, when she set a 3.44,840-minute best time in the Elite Women category. And at the end of the day, the fastest rider was Troy Brosnan (AUS - Canyon Factory Racing) with his best time of 3.14,470 minutes among the Elite Men.  Valentina Höll - EDC Maribor - © Rick Schubert  Tracey Hannah - EDC Maribor - © Rick Schubert  Troy Brosnan - EDC Maribor - © Rick Schubert Sunday started with another 4-hour training session. Once more the overall conditions were on point and the track was soon crowded with visitors and fans. At half past noon the Masters category officially opened the race. Benny Strasser (GER - Magura Santa Cruz) was not only the youngest, but also the fastest rider in his category, followed by Jelle Hemelsoen (BEL - Loose Riders), in second and Frank Hedwig (GER - RAD-ART) in third place.  Gee Atherton - EDC Maribor - © Rick Schubert After the Masters it was time for the youngest riders to show their skills. Izabela Yankova (BUL - Riders United) dominated the female U17 category with Siel van der Velden (BEL - BMX Pernes) and Anastasia Thile (GER - BBS Youth Syndicate) completing the podium. In the male U17 Nuno Reis (POR - Commencal) set a time of 3.31,998 minutes which brought him the first place, while Davide Cappello (ITA - Team Scoutbike) finished in second and Alexandros Topkaroglou (GRE - A.P.O. Koropiou) in third. In the U19 female category Valentina Höll has once more proven to be exceptionally talented setting the best time of 3.43,176 minutes which even would have brought her the second place among the Elite Women. But also Anna Newkirk (USA - Sram Young Guns) and Mille Johnset (NOR - Atherton Bikes) delivered impressive runs and completed the podium in second and third.  Mark Wallace - EDC Maribor - © Rick Schubert  Noel Niederberger - EDC Maribor - © Rick Schubert Next up was the Elite Women category, which only consisted of 30 riders this weekend, sadly missing some of its odds-on favorites. Last year’s winner Myriam Nicole (FRA - Commencal Vallnord) could not even make it to Maribor due to an injury, Tahnée Seagrave decided to sit this one out in preparation of the Worldcup and only attended the training and Emilie Siegenthaler (SUI - Pivot) crashed during a training session and reached the same decision. But, of course, there were lots of other high-ranking athletes left in this category! At the end of the day, Tracey Hannah succeeded again with a best time of 3.41,094 minutes and a 4-second gap towards Nina Hoffmann (GER - Juliana Bicycles) who finished in second place. Even though Hoffmann’s downhill career only started not that long ago, she already made quite the career and we are looking forward to what is next. Monika Hrastnik (SLO - Dorval AM Pro Racing Team), who is now supported by a professional team finished in third place and a successful season seems to lay ahead.  Podium Elite Women (Farina, Hoffmann, Hannah, Hrastnik, Widmann) - EDC Maribor - © Rick Schubert  Podium Pro U17 female - EDC Maribor - © Rick Schubert The U19 category included 70 athletes and they delivered quite a show with times that would turn out to be close to those of the Elite Men’s podium. Again Thibaut Daprela set the best time with 3.14,500 minutes, which was close to Brosnan’s time during qualifications. Ethan Shandro (CAN - Trek Factory Racing) and Kye A’hern (AUS - Canyon Factory Racing) completed the podium. Then it was finally time for the long awaited Super Final of the Elite Men category in which the fastest 30 fought for the title. And they were in for one hell of a competition. At the end of the day places one to three all finished within one second, but Matt Walker (GBR - Madison Saracen Factory Team) succeeded by setting the best time of 3.10,017 minutes – only split seconds faster than his team mate Danny Hart.  Matt Walker - EDC Maribor - © Rick Schubert  Podium Elite Men (Norton, Hart, Walker, Harrison, Atwill) - EDC Maribor - © Rick Schubert This is already the second title for the 19-year old after the opening race of the British Downhill Series last week. Charlie Harrison (USA - Trek Factory Racing) finished in third place, followed by Dakotah Norton (USA - Unior/Devinci Factory Racing) in fourth and Philip Atwill (GBR - Cube Global Squad) in fifth place.  Podium Pro U17 - EDC Maribor - © Rick Schubert  Awards Ceremony Elite Men - EDC Maribor - © Rick Schubert Maribor once more was the perfect host for the opening race of the iXS EDC season with its mix of perfect weather conditions, a demanding but fun track and a great overall atmosphere. Now the stage is set for a long and exciting downhill season. It is safe to say that his weekend once more has proven that downhill is the greatest discipline in the world. The next stop of the EDC will take the riders back to Slovenia in only two weeks’ time with EDC #2 in Kranjska Gora. See you there! 
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 YT makes traveling with your bike even more fun by adding a bike bag called Body Bag to their portfolio. It's a water resistant bike box cover and a secure, practical and stylish solution for taking your bike with you while discovering new places. The Body Bag is now available in the EU and US via the web shop www.yt-industries.com. Enjoy your next bike trip even more with YTs new bike bag. The YT Body Bag easily converts your bike box into a bike bag that not only provides the best protection for your ride and makes traveling with a bike more comfortable for you, but also looks darn good.  With built-in replaceable wheels, ergonomic carry handles and only 4.5 kg weight, the Body Bag makes transporting your bike so much easier! It's made of water-repellent material and fits over all YT Bike boxes – including the brand new YT DECOY. Inside, two fixing straps hold the bike box in place and the supplied TSA lock closes the two-way zipper securely. Folded up, the bag takes only little space and can be stored in it's storage bag.     Features
 ཅི་ཏོང་ཤིག་སྒྲུབ་བིན་ཡོད་ something is cooking!! #diskovalley #bikepark #mtbmagasia
 March 17th it was the first stop of the Guangzhou Downhill League held at Yanging Lake Resort. The track is relativly short with 1000 meters but with a descent of 178 meters it's steep enough that riders not must pedal hard.    In recent years this race was called "the muddy slippery race". It was always raining, and then it was hard to stay on the bike, as the soil is turning into soap if is coming in touch with water. This year, no rain before, no rain at the race! What a change, and the riders where really happy, to ride for once the trail without crashing and change cloth afterwards.  Open Group (U29) Champion: Xu Shenglin, runner-up: Xu Wentao, third place: Liu Jiahao Open Group (U39) Champion: Liang Junshuo, runner-up: Nong Youchao, third place: Wei Jianping Master Group (40+) Champion: Zhao Yi, runner-up: Meng Mengqian, third place: Xiao Hui Youth Group (U18) Champion: Xu Haoxuan, runner-up: Liang Yefu, third place: Chen Junhua Women's Team: Champion: Dai Yun, runner-up: Chen Yingxi, third place: Jiang Jinyu 
NYD ANHUI - CHINA
ENDURO - THAILAND RACE RECAP HIBP - BPBP CHINA
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 The SDG RADAR Platform With many innovations including the industry's first Kevlar saddle cover, the Bel-Air, and the winning-est World Cup DH combo – the I-Beam Technology saddle and post, SDG has been at the forefront of the MTB saddle game for over 25 years. The new RADAR platform is the culmination of all of those years of saddle technology. We understand that everyone has different needs, different riding styles, and different shape and material preferences when it comes to saddles, but we did our best to cater to all when developing this new base platform - starting off with RADAR Mountain model.        SDG unveils the new RADAR Saddle Platform and their first model in the line, the RADAR Mountain. The SDG RADAR Mountain Saddle Built on rider feedback and blending key technology features from the Duster P Mtn, Circuit Mtn and Fly Mtn, the RADAR Mountain has an optimized shape to fit the majority of aggressive trail riders, with performance and all day comfort in mind.  • Free Float Comfort Flex – Adjusted position of the rails inserts to increase wing flex and rider comfort, while enhancing pedaling efficiency. • Flat Forward Design – Allows for free movement on the saddle in aggressive riding positions. • Rear Buzz Cutout – Extra tire clearance for modern 29’ers at full compression. • Nose Platform – Provides extra support while shifting to front of saddle when climbing. • Hidden Undercut Relief – Cutout in base of saddle to provide extra perineum comfort. • Nylon Glass Base Bridge – Provides extra support for optimal power transfer. • Peri Canal Groove – Pronounced center channel from tip to tail to ensure additional pressure relief. • Optimal Pressure Distribution – Platform designed to minimize pressure on perineum and sit bones. • Kevlar and Cordura Protective Sides – Helps eliminate saddle damage with protective sides. • Available in Ti-Alloy, Cro-Mo and Steel Railed Options: 270mm x 138mm. • Price Points that actual riders can afford: $49.99, $69.99 and $99.99  The new SDG RADAR Mountain Saddle is available in a range of colors: including turquoise, gold, and olive green to match any setup.   Paired with new Tellis Dropper, the RADAR Mountain is the ultimate combo for any trail rider.  The SDG RADAR Mountain is currently being used by top Enduro riders, including the Unior Devinci Racing Team. The RADAR Mountain is available now, worldwide. If you're buying a new bike, keep your eyes peeled for the RADAR on bikes from: Canyon, Cube, Devinci, Guerrilla Gravity, Mondraker, Norco, Orange, Radon, YT and other selective leading brands.
Also stay tuned for future RADAR developments, as we're working on models with our friends at Deity, along with Cam Zink and Sensus. And later this summer, a Rear Rise platform model and a minimalist RADAR will be rolling out. sdgcomponents.com IG: @sdgcomponent  The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) expands its mountain bike offer in 2019 with the integration of the Enduro World Series into its Mountain Bike International Calendar. Comprising eight rounds in as many countries, the 2019 Enduro World Series (EWS) will get underway on March 24 in Rotorua (New Zealand) and stop off in Zermatt (Switzerland) for the final round on September 21. One week after Zermatt, the spectacular Trophy of Nations will crown the fastest teams of three riders, who will complete an Enduro event together. The Trophy of Nations will take place in Finale Ligure (Italy). Enduro racing requires athletes to use a combination of endurance, speed and technical skills. Each event comprises between four and six predominately downhill stages – known as Special Stages – and a series of Liaison Stages. On each Special Stage, riders start individually at regular intervals, with the General Classification established by adding up all their recorded times. To reach the start of each of the Special Stages, riders cover Liaison Stages either by bike or with mechanical assistance (chair lifts, trucks etc). Liaison Stages are not timed. The Trophy of Nations is held along the same principles but raced by teams of three who must ride together. Each team’s result is calculated by combining the times of all three riders. The winners in each category – Men Elite, Women Elite, Men Under 21 and Women Under 21 - will be awarded with a special UCI jersey. “I am delighted to welcome the Enduro World Series to the UCI Mountain Bike International Calendar,” said UCI President David Lappartient. “The series, launched in 2013 by EWS Managing Director Chris Ball, has grown in professionalism and popularity over the last six years. By being integrated into the UCI, this spectacular mountain bike format will benefit from a broader international reach and the possibility to develop through our 190 National Federations.” The UCI President added that the Trophy of Nations – a stand-alone event independent of the series but managed by the EWS – would contribute even further to the development of the MTB Enduro format. 2019 Enduro World Series March 24 Rotorua, New Zealand March 31 Derby, Tasmania May 11-12 Madeira, Portugal June 29 Canazei, Italy July 5-6 Les Orres, France August 11 Whistler, Canada August 24-25 Northstar, USA September 21 Zermatt, Switzerland Trophy of Nations September 29 Finale Ligure, Italy INFO from: UCI #enduro #goes #uci
 We are glad to announce our Enduro Championship of 2019 AES warm up race. This time we are going to arrange the competition on the largest enduro race-friendly trail found in Bangladesh. Like the previous seasons, we are introducing 4 stages but bigger than before. Each track is approximately more than 1.5 kilometers, consists of 95% descend and 5% climb. So get ready for the biggest MTB hit of the year. This championship is a 3 round series. Champion will be declared after the 3rd and final round which will be held at the end of the year 2019. The champion will be chosen by the points earned and the champion will get prize money of $300, 1st runner up will get $200 and 2nd runner up will get $150. Category: Men Elite (age 20-35) Women Elite (age 20-35) Junior (age under 20) Race details: Venue - Hajarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary 28th February 2019 Reporting Place: Booking office, Hajarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary Distance from Chittagong GEC Circle: 66 km Total Stage: 4 📉Stage 1 : 1.5km 📉Stage 2 : 1.08km 📉Stage 3 : 1.2km 📉Stage 4 : 1.7km Total Distance: 5 kilometers Race Type: Individual Time Trial (ITT) 30 seconds gap Bike Recommendation: Full Suspension All mountain (It's not a must but we strongly suggest it. You can use any mountain bike but that has to be in proper functioning condition with 120 mm minimum fork travel 2.25 minimum tire condition .no e-bike allowed no downhill bike allowed) Online registration - https://goo.gl/forms/BQuDIXyLb0peNuNp2 REGISTRATION Deadline: 20th February 2019 Prizes:
- Medal - Certificate - Crest Female participant - Medal - Certificate - Crest  Check out the video what Jacob has to say about the downhill race in China he attended last year, in December 2018. #agdr #downhill #race #jacobdicksondh #mtbmagasia #mesumverma #interview #zhongshan #china #asia #december #2018
AGDR RECAP - CHINA
ENDURO RACE 2019 - BANGLADESH MATEJ CHARVAT - MOROCCO ENDURO CHIANG MAI RECAP - THAILAND
#mtbmagasia #issue #54 #agdr #downhill #race #jacobdickson #sickmickhannah #danshengshan #asia #japan #taiwan #hongkong #china #malaysia #singapore #philippines #switzerland #usa #australia #ireland #enduro #bangladesh #trip #morocco #matejcharvat #aes #chiangmai #internationalchiangmaienduro #philattwil #codykelley #thailand #unitedkingdom #france
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