The Pinkbike Podcast

Three time Olympian and six time Dutch National XCO Champion, Anne Terpstra, shares her insights on racing in challenging conditions, her transition to a new team, and her thoughts on future bike technology and courses.

Kazimer was getting over jet lag, and Dario has a cold, so this one is a little shorter than usual. We'll be back next week with a longer episode and a deeper dive into the reader question inbox.

Hattie shares her journey through injury rehab, her bike setup changes, and her recent success in downhill racing, offering insights into adaptation, training, and mental resilience.

This week on the Pinkbike podcast, we dive into the season's first World Cup in South Korea, where loose, sandy soil and questionable track builds created a "recipe for disaster." The drama peaked when a dangerous feature was closed mid-race after Lou Ferguson’s crash, leading to confusion from off-site commentators. We also witnessed the bizarre saga of "Hardtail Man," a Polish rider on a dual-crown-equipped hardtail rig whose retro vibes turned into a safety hazard when elite riders nearly caught him during his run.

The racing itself confirmed a massive "changing of the guard" as the new generation officially took over. Asa Vermette lived up to the hype with a clinical win, while Amaury Pierron proved he’s back in "Terminator" mode by crashing yet still clawing his way to an incredible third-place finish. Between the Alran twins’ calm "aura" and the Junior Women posting elite-level times, the depth of the field is reaching a fever pitch.

Technically, the pits were buzzing over radical "trophy truck" bike setups and the legitimate podium success of belt-drive bikes. Looking ahead to Loudenvielle, it’s clear the veterans are under heavy fire. Whether it's the raw speed of the Juniors or the return of a healthy Pierron, the "old guard" will have to find another gear to stay on the podium this season.

Are bigger wheels actually faster, or just scarier? Matt Beer decided to find out.