Just one week away from the next stop on the World Cup DH race circuit, next weekend, the worlds fastest will meet in Loudenvielle, France. And there will be another unique prototype bike on the pro downhill circuit, this time from Antidote Solutions with their AS05 automatic gearbox DH bike.And, yeah, the bike is a little funky. Dare we say, weird. Antidote Solutions team rider, Gatan Vig, had this to say about the AS05:When I first saw the AS05, I was impressed. Its so different from anything were used to. It really gives you the feeling that youre on a proper race machine. And once out on track for the first tests, I was honestly blown away. I was immediately able to ride fast while still feeling in control and confident. It almost feels like the bike is doing part of the job for us, its incredible.Antidote Solutions prototype AS05 DH race bikeThe team at Antidote Solutions says the entire development and design process was in-house, except for some industrial manufacturing support.Dialing the AS05 to the riders preference was one of the teams top priorities. The chassis and suspension adjust independently of one another within five minutes. Riders can easily adapt the AS05 to their preferences, with Antidote Solutions providing more than 1,000 setup combinations.The AS05 consists of a bonded carbon and aluminum front triangle and a 7075-T6 aluminum rear. The bonded front triangle allows Antidote Solutions to quickly make changes to the riders preferences while modulating stiffness. The AS05 accommodates both a 29 or 27.5 rear wheel, and an interchangeable bridge system at the rear triangle offers six different stiffness options.Under all that pizzazz is an automatic gearbox fully developed by the team at Antidote Solutions. The team designed the gearbox to deliver significant gains at the start and during pedaling phases of the race. The concept of an intuitive gearbox that can choose the correct gear and shift automatically seems like an obvious advantage in a DH race, when the racers attention is intensely focused on picking lines and maintaining control.To be clear, Antidote Solutions says that the gearbox is still very much under development.The initial tests have completely met our expectations. The bike is already incredibly fast and performing brilliantly, even though development is only beginning.So, what is the AS05, really?Well, obviously, it is a prototype DH bike. And we can see that theres some form of high-pivot suspension design with an idler pulley going on. And Antidote calls it a gearbox bike. But clearly theres also still a rear derailleur, and what appears to be a tightly-spaced DH cassette, right? Well, for sure, its not a belt-drive gearbox bike that would make it eligible for the Gates 100K Purse.As far as the nitty-gritty details, it seems that Antidote Solutions is keeping its cards close. We know that the team consists of 18 experts, with nearly all development done in-house.But what about things like component choice and some how questions? I guess well need to just pore over these photos we could rustle up from the team. No geo chart, no leverage charts. The claim that front- and rear-triangle stiffness is adjustable trackside? Thats likely via the six interchangeable bridges on the rear triangle, but what about the front? Your guess is as good as ours on that front.Or does that have something to do with those presumably carbon body panels / fairings we see on the front? Color us intrigued.Weight? Who knows?Components? Well, I see some Mavic wheels and Schwalbe tires (although not the latest Pro models), so it is unclear if those brands partnered with Antidote Solutions. Suspension? The body panels of the race-ready bikes hide the rear shock well. We can see that the inverted fork looks like EXTs Vaia. But there arent any logos on the race bikes, so maybe theres some prototype action or in-house team modification, too? However, in other pictures without the body panels, we see an EXT Arma V4 coil shock and that Vaia fork.Again, it isnt clear what brands, if any, partnered with Antidote Solutions. We also dont know what components will be on the bike at the next World Cups. But well be keeping our eyes open especially on May 28th!Antidote-Solutions.comThe post Antidote AS05 Brings Unique High-Pivot, Auto Gearbox Prototype DH Bike to the World Cup appeared first on Bikerumor.

e*thirteen has been on a bit of a tear in recent weeks. The brand released the Sidekick 2.0 hubs last month, followed by radial tires just a few weeks later.Adding to its announcements of new products, e*thirteen announces new Flux wheels to spin out those Sidekick 2.0 hubs. The wheels, available in both carbon and aluminum, cover a full range of riding styles, from lighter trail riding to downhill.And e*thirteen also wanted to cover a wide range of price points, offering a wheelset for nearly every tier level. So, the result is a Sidekick-equipped anti-kickback wheelset for less than $600. Wow!e*thirteen Flux MTB wheels with anti-kickback Sidekick insideOptimus (left), Sylvan (middle), Grappler (right)e*thirteen moved away from a traditionally-shaped rim profile for the new Flux Wheels. Instead, they opted for a concave-shaped rim, providing extra vertical compliance. e*thirteen also claims that the new shape improves traction, reduces deflection, and better absorbs trail chatter. Testing of the new Flux Wheels shows a 33% increase in angular deflection compliance. Vertical deflection followed suit, with a 19% increase in compliance.Sounds great, right?As is becoming the norm, e*thirteen designed the Flux rims with a 30mm inner width. The wheels are also front- and rear-specific. Front rims feature maximum compliance and traction, while rear rims are designed for durability.e*thirteen achieves rim-specificity with different carbon layouts and rim thickness. And it seems the difference between the alloy rims is a welded or sleeved joint.Whats new?There are four different Flux wheel categories:For lighter-duty trail, e*thirteen designed the Optimus. These wheels feature the Flux 33 (F) and Flux 43 (R) rims laced to Sidekick Pro SP hubs. These Optimus wheels are only offered at the Pro Carbon level.Stepping up to longer trail and all-mountain bikes, e*thirteen has the Sylvan wheels. These feature the Flux 43 and 54 rims (F/R) and a Sidekick hub. All three build levels are offered: Aluminum, Pro Aluminum, and Pro Carbon. Pro-level builds feature the latest Sidekick Pro SP hub.Next are the Grappler wheels, both Enduro EN and DH. The Grappler EN also features all 3 build levels (AluminumPro Carbon), with Sidekick Pro SP hubs and Flux 54 and 55 rims (F/R). Jumping to (or dropping in on?) the Grappler DH, e*thirteen beefs them up a bit with the Flux 66 rims front and rear. Here, they only offer a Pro Aluminum and Pro Carbon build, both featuring the Sidekick Pro SP hub.The complete Flux lineup is also compatible with Class 1 e-bikes.Flux Wheel Details & Affordable PricingSidekick Flux Aluminum Wheelsets: Starting at $600/set (same prices in USD or EUR)Sidekick Flux Pro Aluminum Wheelsets: Starting at $800 per wheelset Sidekick Flux Pro Carbon Wheelsets: Starting at $1,650 per paire*thirteen offers a smaller 27.5-inch rear-wheel option on each set except the 29er-only Optimus. They also offer Super Boost spacing on some of the lineup, so check the website for more details.eThirteen.comThe post e*thirteen Flux MTB Wheelset Families Build On Sidekick 2.0 Anti-Kickback Hubs appeared first on Bikerumor.

Gone are the days when that slight, wide-smiled kid would show up at press conferences or speak to journalists shyly. Afonso Eullio, who remains at the top of the general classification of the 2026 Giro dItalia after 13 days of racing, now speaks with fluency and a natural ease whenever theres a...

Cllr appeals to landowners to engage with greenway project team to help refine the planned route with their concerns in mind.Mayo County Council has confirmed that the planned 6km section of the Westport to Louisburgh Greenway, between Belclare near Westport and Murrisk at the foot of Croagh Patrick, will need to go to An Coimisin Pleanla for planning permission.The need for the planning board to approve the environmental Appropriate Assessment and a Nature Impact Statement means that the project must be submitted to An Coimisin Pleanla. The greenway is to run on the mirror side of Cluw Bay to the Great Western Greenway between Westport and Achill.The project is one of many in which landowners and at least some local representatives have objected to greenways and to the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) for greenways.While farming groups have claimed that CPOs are fundamentally inappropriate for greenways, the High Court and the Supreme Court have backed the use of the land acquisition process for greenways. The courts have referred to acquiring land for greenways as a legitimate use of CPOs, and to a public benefit that does not require some sort of artificially high threshold.An options selection report is due to be finished for the Belclare to Murrisk by Q3 2026.Reacting to the news of the planning process required for the project, Cllr Peter Flynn (Fine Gael), Cathaoirleach of the Westport Belmullet Municipal District, said it was very significant but not altogether surprising news that the preferred route for the Belclare to Murrisk greenway will be sent to the national planning board for their decision to approve or reject the route.This removes Councillors from any input in the final decision, which is disappointing, but given how divisive the debate has been right across the community, it now allows a completely independent body to make the final decision, said Cllr Flynn. ALSO READ: If an inland greenway route from Westport to Murrisk goes ahead, you will never see a war in Ukraine like it, says Mayo councillor (from 2024).In a Facebook post this evening, Cllr Flynn said: The requirement to carry out an Appropriate Assessment and a Nature Impact Statement will add more cost to the project and will take additional time, but at least once An Coimisin Pleanla make their decision, it should be binding.This has been a painful process with poor communication at times, lots of misinformation at times, and things said that shouldnt have been said. There is now a clear route to a final decision and clarity for everyone, be it people for or against the preferred route option, he said. He said he would again appeal to all stakeholders to engage with the project team so they understand peoples thoughts and can include them in the detailed recommended route.Engaging with the project team creates no commitment, but critically it ensures the project team have a full picture and stakeholders know the alternatives available to them, he said. Referring to a Robert Frost quote, he said: Lets all show up and try to find the route less travelled, but eventually will become the one most travelled.IMAGE: A section of the Great Western Greenway on the other side of Cluw Bay.

Ecuadors brightest star Richard Carapaz is back on the bike after a complicated spring. The 32-year-old performed at a high level to finish 18th at Tirreno-Adriatico and 10th overall at Volta a Catalunya with aim on Giro d'Italia, only to be ruled out of the race by a health indisposition requiring...

The Giro heads into the Alps with a short but very vertical stage.Stage 14 Review: an early breakaway was joined by a counter-move to put 13 riders in the lead and they had a ticket for the day. There were no big moves on the flat, it was all about the final climbs. Groupama-FDJ had three in the break. They pulled for Josh Kench, shattering the group and when the New Zealdander attacked and only three could follow: Alberto Bettiol, Andreas Leknessund and Michael Valgren. Not bad company for the neo-pro to hang with.Leknessund then went solo but was paying for it, his cadence dropping like a toy with empty batteries. Bettiol was behind, spinning a low gear and taking the sharpest line through every bend, he was locked onto the Norwegian champ.He caught Leknessund and jumped passed him with a sharp attack. Solo, there was no catching him. If plenty wanted local rider Filippo Ganna to shine, Bettiol is an adopted local too as his girlfriend Lisa is from the finish town of Verbania and he knew every metre of the final climb.The Route: just 133km but 4,250m of vertical gain. This is an Aosta city and Aosta valley tribute stage, which owes itself to the fiasco of 2023 when the Giro was supposed to start here on Stage 13 and ride to Switzerland but riders were scared about a descent mid-way. So the compromise solution was to skip the start but do the dodgy descent. This left local politicians fuming and some swearing the Giro would never be back. It returned last year and is back again so the hatchet has been buried, presumably with the Giro offering a cut-price deal.The climbing starts in the neutral zone and then tackles the 16km climb to Saint-Barthlmy, and if it averages 6.5% thats because theres a flat section a quarter of the way up and a descent halfway, the rest is often 8-9% and all on the south-facing slopes where vines grow amid rocky walls so itll be hot from the start too.This is a difficult start as riders go all out to establish the breakaway while the GC contenders have to keep near the front in order not to lose ground and so theres a lot of energy spent by all in the first 30 minutes.Theres a wider road back down to the valley. Theres more climbing and all on the south-facing slopes amid vineyards.The Finish: a 16.5km climb all the way to the line. Cut out the first 2km that lead away from the valley floor and its 14.5km at 7.5% and a tough climb that winds up through plenty of hairpins and where the slope never quite settles down.The Contenders: Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-LAB) is the easy pick. Hes out-climbed everyone and now finds a stage even more suited. Well get a health check, he told Italian TV yesterday evening he was fine but he coughed before a word came out. The final climb is consistently difficult all the way up, there are almost no points where someone who hes not worried about can sneak away and build up a lead. Its also a chance to put the squeeze on others including Thymen Arensman.Felix Gall has been climbing very well but enough to ride away? Weve not seen it.The breakaway has a good chance as Visma wont, or cant control the stage from start to finish. The uphill start is also ideal for the eventual stage winners as strong climbers can go clear rather than opportunists.Enric Mas and Einer Rubio (Movistar) have been riding well and have terrain to suit. Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) has used up a lot of energy in his stage-hunting quest so far. Aleksandr Vlasov is an outside pick, hes been able to go in breakaways so far but maybe he is on team duty today.Jefferson Cepeda (EF) and Rmy Rochas (Groupama-FDJ) are two of the lightest riders in the race but the form and their results make them harder picks. Harold Martn Lpez (XDS-Astana) is another small climber but possibly more likely to win here.VingegaardMas, Rubio, Ciccone, GallH Lopez, Poels, ChristenWeather: sunny and 31C in the valley. Much of the stage is on the south-facing slopes and they are often rocky or have stone walls to radiate heat back. The final climb is cooler with more shade.TV: KM0 is at 13.05pm and the finish is forecast for 5.15pm CEST. Tune in early to watch the fight for the breakaway and then to see the rest of the stage evolve.Postcard from AostaTodays finish is in Pila, a ski resort directly connected to the city of Aosta by cable car. The local rider of the day is, or rather was, Maurice Garin, winner of the inaugural Tour de France in 1903.The Aosta region is bilingual with French but today Italian dominates. But this explains why Garin was named after his father Maurice and not Maurizio when born in Arvier, just up the valley from Aosta. The town of Arvier doesnt make much play of this, the municipal website mentions Garin but one page says he was born in 1871, another 1872. Plus he left the region early to find work in France as a child. After retiring as a cyclist he remained in France and ran a garage in Lens for almost 50 years. He is buried in nearby Sallaumines. Hes not celebrated there either, although a cycle path is named after him.Back in the Aosta valley and Garin is a local name, there are several villages called Garin, theres even a Garin mountain pass too. The city of Aosta has a Via Garin main road but this is not a tribute to the Tour de France winner.However there is the Via Maurice Garin, a back alley on the edge of town. Its not hardly prestigious but it does almost tell a story. Garin began a chimney sweep, became a cyclist and ended up running a garage. The Via Maurice Garin today mirrors this with the Termo Team heating and plumbing business at one end, the road, and at the other end the Gallo tire garage. Hardly veneration, but maybe fitting.The post Giro dItalia Stage 14 Preview first appeared on The Inner Ring.

Giro d'Italia steals the cycling world spotlight in May but in the background, a battle even more thrilling than that for Maglia Rosa takes place. Of course, the talk is about the transfer negotiations as teams use all their tricks to secure the best possible future of their formations, while rider...