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World Cup | Fort William – Saturday

Published Jun 7, 2009 at 2:15
Round-up from day two of the fourth World Cup round in Fort William. Inside are results from the downhill qualifying and 4x finals.

Saturday and the day that the carnival starts for real. Famed for being the event with the best spectators and the best atmosphere, Fort William always manage to pull the tricks out year after year. Learning from last year’s mistake of running the 4x finals on the Friday, the ever popular event returned this year to where it belongs; Saturday night.
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Fort William World Cup Day 1

Published Jun 6, 2009 at 4:05
In its eighth year on the World Cup DH calendar, Fort William is this year host to the fourth round of the Circus after a long haul trip to the opening round in South Africa and two back to back races in the mainland European venues of La Bresse and Vallnord. As always, things will build up steadily over the weekend here, culminating in the downhill finals on Sunday but between now and then, plenty will be going on to keep you busy.
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MSC Bikes/Descent-Gear NPS 2009, Round 2: Llangollen

Published Jun 3, 2009 at 14:32
Was Llangollen the shape of things to come or a one off? Did it push the boundaries too far or just show up those who shouldn't be racing at National level? Whatever the answer to those questions, what came about was a superb weekend of racing on the back of the news that Steve and Si of SPS events will still be running the series in 2010, with another planned trip on the cards to this already infamous venue.

But we're getting ahead of ourselves so why don't we have a rundown of what happened on the steep welsh hillside this weekend?
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Empire Group Test: Part 2

Published May 28, 2009 at 16:32
A few weeks ago we introduced you to the plan for this three way shoot out, now it’s time for part two of the three parter, even if it is a little later than intended!

Of the three bikes, the Sunday and V10 of course require no introduction but, to those of you who perhaps haven’t been paying attention over the last couple of years, the Empire does. As a bare minimum, it’s unique and evolutionary in both the downhill and wider mountain bike market by being made of cast aluminium. Looking at it further, it could even be revolutionary. Why? Well, for starters it’s been designed from day one as a dedicated downhill frame with no carry through of technology from other designs just for the sake of fitting in with previous marketing; many downhill bikes spring to mind there. This meant that when it came to the design, the designers own experiences from many years on the race circuit could easily be incorporated into the end product.
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NoLimits - Bike Stand

Published May 26, 2009 at 16:07
Simple & effective, we have here a bike stand from NoLimits, a UK based company offering products aimed at the racers among us.

Sometimes someone brings a product to your attention which makes you take a second look. I for one frequently want to stand the bike up after a run to do some basic work without dropping it on the ground or having to carry a full work stand around. Something small and simple would be ideal, so when I was offered a stand from NoLimits to use, I immediately grabbed it. The NoLimits stand is very similar to that which you will find in use by most of your local bike stores to display their bikes but this has a few subtle differences.
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SDA Round 2: Fort William

Published May 20, 2009 at 4:44
Over the years the track known to the world as Fort William has seen its fair share of drama. Snaking down Aonach Mhor at the base of Ben Nevis it is famed for brutality and taking no prisoners and has been host to all manner of races from rounds of the Scottish series, to Nationals and, since 2001, a round each year of the World Cup.
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MSC Bikes/Descent-Gear NPS 2009, Round 1: Ae Forest

Published Apr 27, 2009 at 18:02
After some last minute re-adjustments to the schedule necessitated by Forestry Commission rules, Rheola was dropped from hosting the first round of this year’s NPS series and in its place slotted Ae.

Video from MTB Cut inside too!

Read on to find out more...
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SDA Round One

Published Apr 22, 2009 at 16:22
SDA Round 1, Pitfichie.

After a year of absence from the Scottish calendar, Pitfichie, the most northerly of the Scottish race tracks, made a welcome return to the fold for a great weekend of racing.
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Reaction Downhill: Moelfre.

Published Apr 15, 2009 at 17:19
Against a background of news from the first round of the World Cup happening in South Africa, this weekend saw Borderline’s Mike Marsden put on an early season warm up race on the open Welsh hillside of Moelfre. Not normally a venue known for dry races, it was difficult not to draw parallels to the weather in South Africa, with blue skies, dust and a hot sun. Ok, the sun wasn’t hot but our standards are low over here...and there were still a fair few who managed to turn a shade of red normally resplendent on a tomato.

Words: Alasdair MacLennan Pics: Scott Cartwright
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2009 World Cup Round One - Practice and Qualifying

Published Apr 8, 2009 at 16:59
The World Cup has often been likened to a circus with all its fanfare and hype. This year, with eight rounds stretching across three continents; North America, Europe & Africa, a fourth if you include the World Champs in Australia, it is more than ever that circus and it starts this weekend.

*Qualifying Video INSIDE*
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Ruling the Empire? Part 1 of the Empire AP-1 Test

Published Apr 7, 2009 at 16:20
So what makes a bike fast? The rider...? The suspension...? The tyres…?

We embarked on a bit of a test to find out how two of the best bikes currently available matched up against the British designed Empire AP-1.

Read on to find out more...
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Hope Tech 2009 Overview

Published Mar 17, 2009 at 17:30
Hope Technology are one of those companies who have always been at the top of their game with there being very few seasons where they haven’t had their products gracing the World Cup podiums in one way or another. Always innovators, a steady evolution of their products has helped them become the company that they are today. With refined design and finishing, their products are neater, lighter, more reliable and more effective than ever. Below is a little taster of some of what is on offer for 2009 from a team bike which we recently had on test.
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Alpine Bikes Winter Series – Round 2, Innerleithen

Published Mar 3, 2009 at 14:47
After a well received first round, expectations were high for round two. The usual questions were running through riders heads in the run up to the event however; was it going to rain, was it going to snow heavily and send things the way of the canceled Hamsterley events?

Check the results, pics and race story inside:
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Alpine Bikes Winter Series – Round 1, Innerleithen

Published Feb 4, 2009 at 13:00
Innerleithen is one of those venues that puts a smile on virtually every rider's face, regardless of how wet or cold it is or what track is being used. It has been host to many races over the years, none more important than the legendary winter series, an opportunity for riders to see just how much winter training they still have to do before being able to challenge for the win. One of the local shops, Alpine Bikes, have organized the races for the last few years and, whilst this year only two rounds, should still provide some fun and excitement before the season starts proper...
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