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EWS Tipping Game winner Mika Kangas receives his Focus SAM

05.11.2014
by

Nearly 6000 of you participated in the Tipping game for the Enduro World series this year, awesome! From over 100 countries, Mika Kangas from Finland took home the top prize, The Focus SAM 1.0. You can read our review of the bike here. We met up with Mika in Stuttgart where he had checked out the Mercedes and Porsche museum the previous day. He has been traveling quite a bit lately as he has been racing in the EWS himself in the Masters class! More on that in our interview below.

Focus has their R&D department in Stuttgart where we picked up the bike. The modern, open concept office is located at street level downtown. The whole team of engineer’s designers, and marketers can easily collaborate and jam to some tunes while working away! Apparently some mistake it for an internet cafe, hence the funny decal on the window. After we set up the bikes and got changed, the trails were surprisingly a short ride from the office.

EWS Tipping Game Winner 2015 focus sam_
First glimpse of the prize.
First glimpse of the prize.
The handoff!
The handoff!
Proud new owner.
Proud new owner.

After our ride we sat down with Mika for a beer and a few quick questions:

What do you ride currently?

A banshee Rune, 26″ wheels which was rare this year at races.

So with that bike, You raced in the EWS this year?

Yes, I originally wanted to just race try one race for the experience. After I did well, I raced two more including Finale.

How is it being a non-sponsored rider there?

It’s damn expensive! travelling to New Zealand, USA and Canada with a bike cost a lot.

So, you were a really good rider in the EWS but also the best tipper, what was your strategy?

I analyzed the terrain , the pedalling and downhill and compared it with the rider’s styles. I chose mainly the same riders.

Is most of your riding at home in Finland?

Yes, most of my riding is in Finland, we have very little vertical at home so I try to travel to the alps or to races as much as possible.

Other than the EWS, what do you race?

I race and help run the Finnish Trek Enduro series and race the European Enduro Series.

Do you do anything else for training?

Because of the climate, I cross-country ski to stay in shape.

How did you get into mountain biking?

I lived near a motocross track but I never had a motorbike so I practiced there on a mountain bike.I got into racing downhill for a few years but I have been mainly racing enduro in recent years.

The guys at Focus customized his set-up in more ways than one.
The guys at Focus customized his set-up in more ways than one.
Fabian making sure the air pressure was spot on in preparation of our ride.
Fabian making sure the air pressure was spot on in preparation of our ride.
This thing is top notch, Rockshox Pike RC Dual Position Air fork, SRAM XX1, and Reynolds MTN AM Carbon wheels.
This thing is top notch, Rockshox Pike RC Dual Position Air fork, Monarch Plus RC3 shock, SRAM XX1 with Guide brakes, and Reynolds MTN AM Carbon wheels.
An army of SAMs ascending the hills of Stuttgart.
An army of SAMs ascending the hills of Stuttgart.
The steep seattube angle and quick suspension adjustments certainly made the smooth, switchbacks easier.
The steep seattube angle and quick suspension adjustments certainly made the switchback climbs easier.
It didn't take long for Mika to get accustomed to the modern geometry of the SAM.
It didn’t take long for Mika to get accustomed to the modern geometry of the SAM.
The local trails (even washed out sections) were nowhere near pushing the limits of the ultra-confident Focus SAM.
The local trails (even washed out sections) were nowhere near pushing the limits of the ultra-confident Focus SAM and its expert rider.
A big thanks to Fabian for showing us around the office and taking us for a ride!
A big thanks to Fabian for showing us around the office and taking us for a ride!
I have a feeling Mika will be a force to be reckoned with next racing season.
I have a feeling Mika will be a force to be reckoned with next racing season.
Cheers!
Cheers!

Good luck next season and have fun with your new bike Mika!

Words: Tyler Malcomson Photos: Robin Schmitt

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