The veil was lifted on Treks next-generation flex-stay cross-country bike last month, although it's only available to sponsored racers, including Evie Richards. A name has yet to be given to Treks new creation, with the brand saying it may never hit store shelves when it was revealed to the public. Why that is hasnt been confirmed, but wed speculate the brand is holding out for a 32in-diameter life preserver and avoiding getting caught out by a possible switch to a larger wheel standard. Despite that, the bike still has some interesting tech in an attempt to bolster Richards' efforts this year after she rode a modified Top Fuel downcountry bike last season. We got to take a look at the unnamed bike in South Korea before the 2026 XC World Cup season commenced, so let's take a deep dive into the tech on the Brits bike. The intangible Trek If Barney the Dinosaur raced XC, this might be the bike he'd choose. Ross Bell / Our Media The new Trek features a flex-stay suspension system, a popular choice for XC bikes, since they require fewer bearings, saving weight while potentially increasing efficiency. Trek hasnt shared details of the bike's weight, but wed imagine it's significantly lighter than the Top Fuel Richards rode last year. It seemed strange seeing Richards ride what wasn't far from a trail bike last year. Nick Clark / Our Media The Trek has standard XC bike architecture, with a top-mounted rear shock leaving space for two water bottles in the front triangle another benefit for Richards, who had to make do with room for only one last year. 115mm seems a little undergunned compared to other bikes, perhaps another reason Trek won't let you have it. Ross Bell / Our Media Elsewhere, the frame has 115mm of travel, just shy of the 120mm weve come to expect on modern XC bikes. Were not sure of the fork travel, but wed imagine this to be 120mm, too. Last year, RockShoxs Flight Attendant system came to the rescue for Trek, bringing a new level of efficiency to the Top Fuel that enabled it to remain competitive despite a weight disadvantage. SRAM's XX SL Eagle AXS Transmission makes sure Richards' power reaches the rear wheel. Ross Bell / Our Media Richards is still running the brand's electronic tech, with the full roster of AXS-labelled parts featuring on the fork, shock, seatpost and drivetrain. Berd's spokes can save up to 200g per wheelset. Ross Bell / Our Media Interestingly, for the wheelset, the Brit is using Bontrager Kovee RSL rims laced together with Berds PolyLight braided Dyneema polyethylene spokes. The wheels are booted in Pirelli Scorpion XC RC tyres front and back, and there are very few knobbles for finding grip. SRAM's Motive brakes have replaced its Level and Guide range. Ross Bell / Our Media SRAMs Motive Ultimate brakes are used and Richards appears to be a fan of 3D-printed saddles. Richards' AXS batteries are nicely labelled to keep track of them in the pits. Ross Bell / Our Media