It appears Quinn Simmons is hoping to put his Tour de France fitness to good use this August.Less than three weeks after wrapping up his fourth Tour de France appearance, the reigning U.S. national road champion will swap his road bike for a mountain bike as he lines up at the Leadville Trail 100 in his home state of Colorado on Saturday, 15 August.Known as the "Race Across the Sky", the Leadville Trail 100 is an iconic 100-mile mountain bike race and is one of the toughest endurance events in the United States. Its punishing course starts at more than 10,000 feet (3048 metres) above sea level and traditionally climbs well beyond 12,000 feet (3658 metres).It is also the third round of the Life Time Grand Prix series, meaning Simmons will join a stacked field featuring some of the best gravel and mountain bike racers in the world. Chief among them is Keegan Swenson, the reigning UCI Marathon MTB world champion, three-time Life Time Grand Prix overall champion and five-time defending Leadville winner. Swenson also holds the Leadville course record of 5:43:31.Simmons, though, is no stranger to off-road racing, nor to the altitude.The Colorado native took on this very race in 2019, when he was just 18 years old, and produced a breakout ride that saw him finish in second place despite suffering several tyre punctures. In the finale, he outsprinted Lachlan Morton and Peter Stetina to take the runner-up spot behind Howard Grotts. Simmons turned professional with Trek-Segafredo, now Lidl-Trek, the following season.Seven years later, Simmons returns to Leadville in formidable form, having just finished 18th overall at this years Tour de France and claimed his third U.S. national road race title in June.This years Leadville course has been modified because of the Willow Fire, but will still cover 102.1 miles with 9,916 feet of climbing. The bikes will look a little more traditional, too, after Life Time banned drop handlebars on mountain bikes for the 2026 race. Drop-bar set-ups had become increasingly prominent at Leadville in recent years, with Swenson using one to win both the 2024 and 2025 editions.Swenson is far from Simmons only competitor, however. The Life Time Grand Prix field also includes the likes of Alexey Vermeulen, Brendan Johnston, Simon Pellaud, US. .marathon national champion Cole Paton and multi-time Leadville podium finisher John Gaston.For Simmons, Saturday will mark his first return to Leadville since that runner-up finish in 2019. The 2026 Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB race will stream live for free on YouTube through the Life Time Grand Prix YouTube Channel, with coverage starting at 5:15 a.m. MT on August 15.

The 28th edition of the Downieville Classic mountain bike race took place over the weekend. As always, the towering Sierra Buttes provided a dramatic backdrop for this legendary 2-day mountain bike race. It was hot and dusty, and a stacked field of pro and amateur competitors showed up to push their limits on the XC and DH courses, while vying for the coveted All-Mountain World Championship title.A racer crossing the finish line in Downieville at the end of the 15-mile DH. (photo/Jeremy Benson)What is the Downieville Classic?The Downieville Classic is one of the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardships biggest fundraising events and a mountain bike race like no other. The two-day event consists of a point-to-point cross-country race on Saturday, followed by a downhill race on Sunday. Riders can opt to race the XC only, or can enter the All-Mountain and race on both days (you must race the XC to race the DH). Winners are crowned separately for both races, but the All-Mountain title goes to the rider who performs most consistently both days based on a points system.The catch? Riders must ride the same bike both days, with no modifications. Bikes are weighed each day to ensure that riders havent made any component changes in search of an advantage on either day. This leaves many puzzling over the perfect setup thats light and fast enough for an XC race, and durable enough for a long and fast downhill run.Weighing in a bike on Sunday morning before the DH. (photo/Jeremy Benson)The CoursesThe Downieville XC course is far from a typical cross-country race. The point-to-point course is 26.5 miles with ~4,500 feet of climbing, and it starts in Sierra City with a 2,500-foot climb straight off the starting line. It ascends to the crest behind the Sierra Buttes, before dropping into some of the areas iconic trails, including Sunrise, Pauley Creek, 3rd Divide, and 1st Divide, ultimately finishing in downtown Downieville.The DH follows a route that has become known, not surprisingly, as the Classic DH. Riders start on the Sierra crest at Packer Saddle and drop down Sunrise, Butcher Ranch, 3rd and 1st Divides, finishing in downtown Downieville 15 miles and ~5,000 feet of descending later. While the course is mostly downhill, theres ~600 feet of climbing mixed in, along with some flat sections requiring some serious fitness for the fastest times.Sean Estes near the top of the Downieville DH course. (photo/Jeremy Benson)All-Mountain ScoringIf you are competing in the All-Mountain, points are based on your placement within your category. The points from both days are combined, and the lowest score wins. For example, 1st place gets one point, 2nd place gets 2 points, and so on. In the case of a tie, which happens more often than youd think, the DH score always gets priority.Downieville XC ResultsHaley Smith (1st), Ruth Holcomb (2nd), and Michelle McGee (3rd).(Photo 2026 Taylor Chase @chaseincolor)In the womens XC race, multi-time Canadian National Champion and Olympian Haley Smith rode away from the field to a decisive victory in her first Downieville Classic with a 10-minute margin. Also racing in Downieville for the first time was former Life Time Grand Prix U23 Champion Ruth Holcomb, taking the second step on the podium, and Michelle McGee holding it down in 3rd.Andrew LEsperance (1st), Tobin Ortenblad (2nd), and Justin Peck (3rd). (Photo 2026 Taylor Chase @chaseincolor)In the mens race, Andrew LEsperance made his first Downieville Classic cross-country one to remember. The Canadian rider dominated on the XC course and managed to take the win by nearly a minute with a stop to plug a flat tire. Rolling in in 2nd place was Tobin Ortenblad, matching his performance from 2025 and making it three Downieville XC podiums in a row. Just 5 seconds later, Justin Peck took the third step on the podium and showed that hell definitely be one to watch in the coming years.Downieville DH ResultsRuth Holcomb (1st), Hannah Simms (2nd), and Haley Smith (3rd). (Photo 2026 Taylor Chase @chaseincolor)I chatted with Haley Hunter Smith briefly after her XC win, and she said something along the lines of, well see how it goes in the DH; Ruth is super fast downhill. Well, turns out she was right. Ruth Holcomb laid down a blistering DH run, taking the win with a 50:26, two full minutes ahead of 2nd place. She was followed by Canadian mountain/gravel racer Hannah Simms, with Haley Smith just 2 seconds behind in 3rd.Marco Osborne (1st), Tobin Ortenblad (2nd), and Andrew LEsperance (3rd). (Photo 2026 Taylor Chase @chaseincolor)In the mens DH race, EWS racer Marco Osborne put together a clean and incredibly fast run, making his mark and putting the XC riders on notice. Osborne had an average speed of 20.3 mph and a time of 44:11 the fastest since 2023 taking the win by 21 seconds. Tobin Ortenblad kept it consistent with an absolute heater to stand on the 2nd step both days. Rounding out the podium, Andrew LEsperance grabbed the 3rd spot, just 11 seconds back.Downieville All-Mountain ResultsRuth Holcomb (1st), Haley Smith (2nd), and Hannah Simms (3rd). (Photo 2026 Taylor Chase @chaseincolor)With a 2nd place in the XC and 1st in the DH, Ruth Holcomb earned herself the title of All-Mountain World Champion. That put Haley Smith in 2nd place, with Hannah Simms in 3rd. Tobin Ortenblad (1st), Andrew LEsperance (2nd), and Justin Peck (3rd). (Photo 2026 Taylor Chase @chaseincolor)With 2nd place both days and the DH score breaking the tie, Tobin Ortenblad earned himself his first All-Mountain World Champion title. Ortenblad has raced Downieville many times, finishing next to and on the Pro All-Mountain podium before, but the top step has eluded him until this weekend. Andrew LEsperance capped off his successful race weekend in 2nd place, with Justin Peck taking 3rd.Interestingly, both of the 2026 Downieville All-Mountain World Champions were riding the brand-new Santa Cruz Blur 5. In fact, Tobin Ortenblad and Ruth Holcomb were the Santa Cruz athletes featured in launch photos, which also happened to be shot in the area. Regardless, it was certainly a successful weekend for Santa Cruz racers and seems like a strong endorsement for the new bike. View this post on Instagram You can find full results from the Downieville Classic here. You can learn more about the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, its mission, past, present, and future projects, and events here.

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When Van Rysel launched the RCR Pro, it garnered plenty of attention as the most affordable bike in the professional peloton. And now it has some fresh competition. Cubes 2027 collection features the redesigned Litening Aero C:68X, which was ridden by the TotalEnergies team in this years Tour de France. With the range starting at under 5,000, and a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2-equipped model retailing at 7,499, it makes a strong bid for the most affordable ride in the pro ranks. Joris Delbove of Team TotalEnergies aboard the Litening Aero C:68X (Image credit: Getty Images / Tim de Waele)The collection doesnt stop there. The road lineup includes an updated Attain range, with both aluminium and carbon offerings, while the NuRoad gravel series benefits from refreshed designs and brand new models, which again feature prices that should turn plenty of heads. But first, the Litening Aero C:68X.(Image credit: Cube)For those obsessed with weight, the headline is a reduction in the frames weight by a claimed 150g compared to the outgoing model. This allows for complete builds under 7kg. Lighter is joined by the familiar promises of stiffer and more aerodynamic, with Cube stating that the update to its best road bike will save you some 6.2 watts, although greater details on these savings are absent from the press material. (Image credit: Cube)For many prospective buyers, its the promise of greater comfort that might offer the greatest appeal. Pro bikes arent always the most comfortable to ride, and while the appeal of riding something youve spotted during the Tour de France is obvious, the reality can be a little bone-jarring at times - but not here, says Cube. Thanks to a newly designed carbon seatpost, the Litening Aero C:68X is 10% more comfortable; again details are light but presumably the new post does a better job of absorbing road chatter, with the frame still providing the required torsional stiffness to reward your efforts. Clearance for 34mm tyres should also add to the plushness of the ride.(Image credit: Cube)The new seatpost is joined by the IC Aero Max carbon cockpit, which is said to promote a more aerodynamic riding position and likely plays a considerable role in the watt-saving claims. Other noteworthy details include a power meter as standard and a carbon Newman wheelset.The IC Aero Max carbon cockpit (Image credit: Cube)New to the range is the Litening Aero C:68X Orbit, which uses SRAMs 13-speed Red XPLR AXS groupset. Eschewing a front mech makes this the lightest build available at just 6.9kg. The range-topping SLT weighs 200 grams more and features a Shimano Dura-Ace FC-R9200 groupset, a pair of Newmen Aero/Sprint 60/66 Vonoa hoops and a price tag of 7,499. This makes it cheaper than a comparably specced RCR-F.The Litening Aero C:68X Orbit employs a 1x set-up for improved aerodynamics and reduced weight (Image credit: Cube)The Attain range sees the entire C:62 line receive updated specifications and a lower entry point, with the C:62 Race starting at 1,999. The C:62 SLX speaks of the value for money that appears to run across the 2027 range. Here you get a carbon frameset, an integrated carbon cockpit, a set of carbon Newmen Advanced C.38 J wheels and the ever-reliable Shimano 105 Di2 drivetrain, all for 2,499. Tipping the scales at 7.6kg shouldnt hurt its saleability either. Cube Attain C:62 SLX (Image credit: Cube)Cubes Nuroad gravel range vows to cover all the bases from adventure to race and everything in between. Again, frames are offered in both aluminium and the German brands C:62 carbon, with models ranging from the versatile, complete with mudguards and a carrier, to the more stripped-back gravel race offerings. Cube Nuroad Pro FE gravel bike (Image credit: Cube)The Nuroad C:62 SLT is the signature model and, like the Litening Aero C:68X Orbit, uses SRAMs Red XPLR AXS drivetrain for greater simplicity and improved aerodynamics; it pairs a 42T chainring with a 10-46T 13-speed cassette. Its claimed weight of 8kg is aided by a set of Newmen Streem G.62 Vonoa wheels that tip the scales at just over 1,500g despite the 62mm rim depth; these are the hoops that Lukas Pstlberger used while winning this years Traka 200 race. At 6,499, value for money is again a clear selling point, certainly when viewed against rival models with a comparable spec. For comparison, the latest Specialized Crux S-Works with the same SRAM Red AXS groupset will set you back almost 12,000. Seemingly only the direct-to-consumer Canyon Grail CFR can compete from a price perspective. Cube Nuroad C:62 SLT (Image credit: Cube)For 2027, Cube has also introduced updates to its City and Trekking hybrid bike lineups. These include belt-driven e-bikes, such as the Editor Hybrid 360 FE series (1,899), folding bikes like the battery-powered Fold Hybrid Deluxe 540 (2,999), and touring-specific models like the Kathmandu Hybrid, which boasts automatic shifting and an integrated frame lock.A range of clothing and accessories completes the new additions for 2007, including Mips-equipped road and gravel helmets and an expanded eyewear range.

Flagship race bike gets more aero too, while new range also brings fresh Attain, Nuroad, and electric options at tempting prices