Feature

The most interesting bikes of the UCI XC-Worldcup in Albstadt

25.05.2016
by Manne Schmitt, Valentin Rühl

Nail-biting sprint finishes, gruelling head to heads at the sharp end of the races and spectacular scenery: the fourth UCI Mountain Bike World Cup had all of the ingredients for a seriously great race – and more. With riders taking on some of the season’s most awesome bikes and countless prototypes, we went hunting for the most interesting ones in Albstadt.

More than 15,000 spectators soaked up the sunshine and reveled in the hotly-contested racing at the fourth round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano in Albstadt. After essentially a two-horse duel, reigning World Champion Nino Schurter (SCOTT-ODLO) clinched victory. Flanked by crowds, it came down to a sprint finish against his fiercest rival Julien Absalon (BMC), with the pair split by just half a bike’s length. In the women’s field, Denmark’s Annika Langvad (Specialized) took first spot on the podium ahead of the day’s breakthrough rider Jenny Rissveds (SCOTT-ODLO) from Sweden.

The victorious bike: Nino Schurter’s SCOTT Scale-Prototype

In the typical camo paintwork of a prototype, it was easy to spot that Nino Schurter was out riding on a SCOTT Scale 2017 model with 27.5
In the typical camo paintwork of a prototype, it was easy to spot that Nino Schurter was out riding on a SCOTT Scale 2017 model with 27.5″ wheels, DT Swiss forks OPM O.D.L 100 as well as the new SRAM XX1 Eagle 1×12 drivetrain.
Der SCOTT Scale-Prototyp mit Nino-Schurter-Branding.
The SCOTT Scale prototype with its Nino Schurter branding.
The most drastic change on this SCOTT Scale prototype has to be the super skinny seatstays. But in other news, the hand-made tires from Andre Dugast are mounted on DT Swiss carbon rims.
The most drastic change on this SCOTT Scale prototype has to be the super skinny seatstays. But in other news, the hand-made tubular tires from Andre Dugast are glued on DT Swiss carbon rims.
The massive gear ratio on the SRAM Eagle meant that Nino could race with a 38er(!) chainring.
The massive gear ratio on the SRAM Eagle meant that Nino could race with a 38er(!) chainring.
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The victorious bike: Annika Langvad’s Specialized S-Works Era 29

Annika Langvad was in the minority of female riders opting for a fully at the race in Albstadt. She rode SRAM’s 1x11 drivetrain with a 30-tooth chainring.
Annika Langvad was in the minority of female riders opting for a fully at the race in Albstadt. She rode SRAM’s 1×11 drivetrain with a 30-tooth chainring.
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Depending on the terrain the Brain suspension system essentially engages to either lock out and unlock the FOX rear shock with 95 mm of travel and auto sag.
Depending on the terrain the Brain suspension system essentially engages to either lock out and unlock the FOX rear shock with 95 mm of travel and auto sag.
At the front there was a RockShox RS-1 doing its duty with Specialized’s own Brain system.
At the front there was a RockShox RS-1 doing its duty with Specialized’s own Brain system.
The S-WORKS Power saddle on Annika’s bike is short and wide, enlarging pressure and relief points, even when riding aggressively.
The S-WORKS Power saddle on Annika’s bike is short and wide, enlarging pressure and relief points, even when riding aggressively.

Alessandra Keller’s bike: Stöckli Trail2Rio

In the absence of her partner, the current XC World Champion Jolanda Neff, the 20-year-old Alessandra bagged herself a solid 6th place at Albstadt.
In the absence of her partner, the current XC World Champion Jolanda Neff, the 20-year-old Alessandra bagged herself a solid 6th place at Albstadt.
Alessandra had a Shimano XTR Di2 2×11 drivetrain on the bike in Albstadt.
Alessandra had a Shimano XTR Di2 2×11 drivetrain on the bike in Albstadt.
Written in stone: #Trail2Rio!
Written in stone: #Trail2Rio!
Shimano XTR brakes and ICE-TECH-FREEZA 160 mm discs at the front and rear take control of braking.
Shimano XTR brakes and ICE-TECH-FREEZA 160 mm discs at the front and rear take control of braking.
The electronic Di2 cables all run together on the bars.
The electronic Di2 cables all run together on the bars.

Elisabeth Brandau’s bike: a Radon prototype

Alongside fourth-placed Sabine Spitz, Germany’s Elisabeth Brandau was another surprise of the day in Albstadt. With start number 33, she rode to a storming 7th-place finish, picking off her rivals and ending the race as the fourth German to meet the Olympic qualifying standards.
On board her Radon prototype, Elisabeth Brandau met the Olympic standard. Having receiving the frame just a few days before the race, she cobbled together components from three other bikes to create this race-ready whip.
Alongside fourth-placed Sabine Spitz, Germany’s Elisabeth Brandau was another surprise of the day in Albstadt. With start number 33, she rode to a storming 7th-place finish, picking off her rivals and ending the race as the fourth German to meet the Olympic qualifying standards.
Elisabeth kitted her Radon prototype out with a ton of Tune components.
Elisabeth kitted her Radon prototype out with a ton of Tune components.
Pretty eye-catching prototype colourway that makes us curious!
Pretty eye-catching prototype colourway that makes us curious!
Braking comes courtesy of the MAGURA MT8, weighing around 200 g.
Braking comes courtesy of the MAGURA MT8, weighing around 200 g.
Lightweight Tune wheels save weight and the SRAM 1x11 drivetrain with the overall 30-tooth AbsoluteBLACK chainring gives the speed.
Lightweight Tune wheels save weight and the SRAM 1×11 drivetrain with the overall 30-tooth AbsoluteBLACK chainring gives the speed.

Kathrin Stirnemann’s bike: Haibike Greed 29

2015’s Swiss XC Champion Kathrin Stirnemann rode her team bike, the Haibike Green 29 (Haibike Öztal Pro Team), which normally features a 30-tooth chainring. However, Albstadt’s long and steep climbs meant she was happy to ride with a 28-tooth chainring.
2015’s Swiss XC Champion Kathrin Stirnemann rode her team bike, the Haibike Green 29 (Haibike Öztal Pro Team), which normally features a 30-tooth chainring. However, Albstadt’s long and steep climbs meant she was happy to ride with a 28-tooth chainring.
In the team’s distinctive paintjob: the Haibike Greed 29 ridden by the Haibike Ötztal Pro Team.
In the team’s distinctive paintjob: the Haibike Greed 29 ridden by the Haibike Ötztal Pro Team.
Katrin describes the eye-catching carbon wheels from Bike Ahead as super stiff and quick rolling.
Katrin describes the eye-catching carbon wheels from Bike Ahead as super stiff and quick rolling.
SRAM’s XX1 1x11 still features on many of the bikes ridden by top pros.
SRAM’s XX1 1×11 still features on many of the bikes ridden by top pros.

Lisi Osl’s bike: GHOST LECTOR

All the team riders on the GHOST Factory Racing Team have a different colour when it comes to the Tune components. For Elisabeth ‘Lisi’ Osl, the hubs, stem and seat clamp come in a bold metallic green.
All the team riders on the GHOST Factory Racing Team have a different colour when it comes to the Tune components. For Elisabeth ‘Lisi’ Osl, the hubs, stem and seat clamp come in a bold metallic green.
In Albstadt she rode with a 30er chainring, but she usually opts for a 32er.
In Albstadt she rode with a 30er chainring, but she usually opts for a 32er.
The SIGMA ROX 10.0 provides Lisi with all the crucial ride stats.
The SIGMA ROX 10.0 provides Lisi with all the crucial ride stats.
The green Tune-Prince/Princess hubs complement the rest of the parts on the bike.
The green Tune-Prince/Princess hubs complement the rest of the parts on the bike.

Nathalie Schneitter’s bike: ROSE PSYCHO PATH

Usually found on the Enduro World Series, Nathalie Schneitter will also be racing in Whistler later this year. She claims her 30er chainring can do the job on the majority of trails.
Usually found on the Enduro World Series, Nathalie Schneitter will also be racing in Whistler later this year. She claims her 30er chainring can do the job on the majority of trails.
Her preference: riding the DT Swiss forks in the mid-setting.
Her preference: riding the DT Swiss forks in the mid-setting.
Like the majority of pros, Nathalie also rides with a negative stem on the ROSE to get the low 29er even lower.
Like the majority of pros, Nathalie also rides with a negative stem on the ROSE to get the high 29er cockpit slightly lower.

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Words: Manne Schmitt, Valentin Rühl Photos: Valentin Rühl

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