Tales of The Mob - Episode 2, Fort William

Fort William often produces great drama for both the fans that pack into the venue and for the hundreds of thousands watching at home; with this year’s edition being no exception. Most of the top ranked riders from 2016 arrived into Scotland without protected status thanks to the rained out end of round 1 in Lourdes (FRA). Other riders had higher than expected rankings that they wanted to hang on to, so the stage was set for a many changes in the overall ranking, and many possible surprises.

For the 15th time in a row, the legendary World Cup track in Fort William offered everything what makes downhill racing so exciting: a demanding track, changing conditions, and of course a crowd that knows how to cheer and celebrate the best riders in the world.

Last week the YT Mob went to Fort William to compete in the second round of the Downhill World Cup 2017. Unfortunately, the third rider, Angel Suarez, couldn’t join the team as he is still recovering from his wrist injury. So, his team mates Aaron Gwin and Neko Mulally had to challenge throughout the weekend without the lively Spaniard.

The qualifying on Saturday went quite well on the 3.07 km long track: Neko came in 21st and Aaron 5th. Their results indicated an exciting race and provided good starting positions for the guys. The wood section in the middle part of the track caused considerable havoc – the rinsed-out root section and loads of mud even caused the top riders to fall.

Race day started with sunny weather which actually means nothing in the Scottish Highlands as it can turn into the complete opposite within minutes. Neko showed an incredible run which resulted in his best ever performance in Fort Bill. As one of the first riders he managed to get through the wood section smoothly and with a total time of 4:46.099 he joined Troy Brosnan in the hot seat area. In the end, Neko went home with 7th place.

"This track has been a challenge for me over the years so to leave here with a solid result gives me confidence and keeps the momentum rolling.” (Neko Mulally)

His team mate Aaron started amongst the last five riders just when rain and heavy winds set in. In the upper part, it had no influence on his performance but his front wheel washed out in a lower section of the track while he was trying to set up for a left hander. This cost him two seconds of his lead. Finally, only two riders were faster than Aaron (4:44.143): Jack Moir and Greg Minnaar. “Great weekend here in Scotland. The fans were awesome and the track was tough as always. I really wanted that win today and I felt like the speed was there until that little crash towards the bottom of my run. I’m encouraged by my progress though and a 3rd place with a crash is a result that I will build on. Already looking forward to going to Leogang next week, I love that place!”

Aaron’s result pushed him 60 positions upwards in the overall ranking, now sitting in 8th position just behind his team mate Neko Mulally sitting in 7th. With two riders amongst the Top Ten Overall the YT Mob can look on a very good base to head towards Austria. From Thursday onwards the next round will take place in Leogang, a track which both Aaron and Neko love.

Andrew Neethling Leaving Polygon UR Team

Looks like Needles is leaving Polygon UR for 2017. Any guess as to where he will go?

Giant Announces Their 2017 Off Road Team

"Following an ambitious year that saw its riders compete at international off-road events of all disciplines, all around the globe, the Giant Factory Off-Road Team looks back at a successful 2016 season while also preparing for the year ahead.

The core of the team, including six-time Colombian downhill champion Marcelo Gutierrez and Australian enduro specialist Josh Carlson, will return for 2017, and at least three new riders will be added to the roster.

Highlights from the 2016 season included race wins and podium finishes at Crankworx World Tour events and Enduro World Series races around the world. Gutierrez won his sixth Colombian DH national championship, and Carlson continued his progression at the top level of enduro racing with a podium finish at the Whistler, British Columbia round of the EWS and a top-10 overall series ranking.

“It was another wild year on the enduro tour,” said Carlson. “I was especially stoked to come back from a crash and score that podium finish at Whistler with my friends and family there watching. We did a lot of development with our bikes and gear throughout the season, and I think it showed with some of our results.”

Carlson’s teammate Yoann Barelli also showed moments of brilliance in 2016, scoring two top-10 finishes in the Enduro World Series before he was slowed by injury in the second half of the season. And the surprise enduro racer for Giant last year was 20-year-old Canadian Mckay Vezina, a member of the North American Giant Co-Factory Team who broke onto the EWS circuit as a rookie and immediately became a consistent top-20 finisher.

The team’s U.S. riders Adam Craig and Carl Decker also chalked up some big results in North American racing. The versatile Craig scored wins in a variety of off-road events, from enduro to cyclocross, and Decker found success at races ranging from gravel grinders to XC and cyclocross competition.

Decker will return for 2017, targeting a mix of off-road races, events and festivals. Craig will also continue, but in a new capacity as an ambassador. The longtime Giant racer will evolve his role to help inspire riders of all levels, connect with retailers at events, and provide valuable rider input on new bike and gear development projects.

While the core of the team remains the same for 2017, French riders Yoann Barelli and Guillaume Cauvin, along with Spaniard Alex Marin and American Seamus Powell will depart at the end of the year.

“Each of those athletes brought a lot to our program,” said Giant Factory Off-Road Team manager Joe Staub. “Their energy and commitment has been a constant over the past few years. We wish them each good luck in the future.”

The coming year will also see some new faces for the team, with a focus on up-and-coming young talent. In enduro racing, Vezina will step up to become a full-fledged member of the Giant Factory Off-Road enduro squad. And for downhill racing, Gutierrez will be joined by young talents Jacob Dickson, a four-time junior national champion in Ireland, and Eliot Jackson, a former motocross racer from the U.S. who scored top-10 results at two Crankworx DH events last year.  

More information on the 2017 Giant Factory Off-Road Team, including the final team roster as well as all the details on new bikes, gear and equipment sponsors, will be announced in early 2017. 

 You can follow the Giant Factory Off-Road Team all season long on their Facebook page."