Check out this free, full-length, German MTB vid from Lukas Tielke.

Commencal Grassroots Program

Commencal is now accepting resumes for 2010 sponsorship.  We are looking for top talent for our 2010 Grassroots program.  If you think that you have what it takes send your resume or video to sponsorship@bti-usa.com or mail it to:

Commencal Grassroots
1216 Mercantile Road
Santa Fe, NM 87507

Commencal is proud to build the best race bikes in the world, and is looking for the best riders to spread that vibe in the US.  In your resume please include:
•    What discipline you race, and what Commencal model would best suit you.
•    What level are you racing? Past race results?
•    Goals for the future?
•    Age?
•    Hometown?
•    How will you represent Commencal in 2010?
•    What do you do in your area to help the sport grow?

Please make sure to provide a return address and email. Deadline 12/31/09

Sunn now have three models to choose from in their Radical line, with the top of the range Radical Finest weighing in at only 35.7lbs. Check them out at www.SunnBicycle.com

Radical Finest

Radical Exo

Radical Evo

Jpeg previews below are only to provide a quick overview of the article.

For best viewing quality use the PDF format >>>>>>>>> MickHannah

Chris Heath and Blake Carney join KHS for 2010.

Chris Heath

Blake Carney

For more details visit: http://quintonspaulding.wordpress.com/2009/11/10/khs-factory-racing-signs-2009-pro-grt-tour-winner-chris-heath-and-2009-junior-us-worlds-rider-blake-carney/

Not sure how many people need a tutorial on gate starts but if you do, there’s no better teacher than Jared Graves.

Check out Geax’s new website to satisfy your latex fetish: www.GEAX.com

Let Blinky show you the way

South Africa’s Greg Minnaar (Santa Cruz Syndicate) is recovering in hospital after a crash at the weekend saw him break his collarbone, and have surgery on his left leg for the treatment of blood clots that had formed after the accident. The medical term for this injury to his leg is ‘compartment syndrome’.

The multiple World Cup Champion was competing in a regional Hare Scramble enduro event, about 45 minutes from his home town of Pietermaritzburg, as part of his preparation for the Roof Of Africa Enduro scheduled for later this month.

Greg started the event in 70th place and had moved up to 4th by the end of the 3rd lap. On time, and given his handicap of passing people from 70th, he was actually 2nd fastest and was set to start the last of 4 laps in the 3 hour event, when he rounded a right hand corner and hit a concealed rock that threw him over the bars and immediately onto his right shoulder, breaking his collarbone.

Greg spoke today from hospital: “I knew it was broken straight away, as soon as I landed. I was about 20km from the main start finish area when it happened and I struggled to ride further round the lap until I came to a marshal point. I left the bike there and got a lift to the hospital. I didn’t feel too bad and actually walked into the hospital. That’s when the doctors noticed my left thigh had swollen up to be 10cm thicker than my right thigh. They rushed me into surgery and pulled out 3 massive blood clots, one was the size of the doctor’s fist!”

The doctors decided to leave the incision open overnight and drain further fluid. More than 500ml was drained and the doctors opted to operate again on Monday night to stitch up the muscle and its casing. Presently Greg has a small drainage tube in his left leg, and the doctors are keeping him under observation. The collarbone break is on the right side, and fortunately his left shoulder which had reconstructive surgery at the end of 2007 was not affected by the crash.

“It’s so weird, I was able to walk into the hospital and I have no recollection of hitting my leg in the fall. Strangely, it’s exactly the same place where I had deep bruising following my crash at Mont-Sainte-Anne this year, so there may be some connection. The cut in my leg at the moment is about 25cm and I am completely unable to move or walk right now.”

The doctors are very happy with Greg’s muscles in his thigh and they’re keeping him in observation for at least another 24 hours. There are no immediate plans for Greg to leave the hospital. Needless to say any plans to repeat his efforts at the Roof Of Africa Enduro have been set aside. Once Greg is released from hospital he expects to be on crutches for some time before getting back onto a bike.

Follow Greg’s tweets: www.gregminnaar.com

From Jeff Steber: Something I have wanted to do for some time & topic of many debates.
With a little help from Manitou / Sun & WTB we have the “2951″
This first proto is in the medium range 23.5 effective tt.
G3 dropout & Head tube
14″ bb in middle, w 64.5 ha @ 0
CS 18.25″
WB 48″
Where do you start with this, so I went with tried & true and we have a bit of adjustability to play with.
Travel is at 7.5 or 8″ with adjustable link.
fork is reduced to 7″
So everyone who has thrown a leg over it is blown away in one aspect or another.
This is just a test project at this point & hope to get some team riders on real tracks in near future. Tires are the biggest issue at this point but if it pans out I am sure Intense Tires will step up for some racing rubber choices.
The 951 frame works well for this as there is alot of room for seatube tire clearance.