Welcome back to the #1 MTB newsletter brought to you by RECON, mountain biking’s fastest growing media brand and online store.

On today's ride:

•  🏁 New life: Adolf Silva and his journey after Rampage 2025

•  ⚡️ Hard MTB League has started!

• 🚵‍♀️ Brendan Fairclough launches the Airborne Division

👇 Quick Picks

🚨 New Deadline for the World Cup Teams - Rumours are on!

The registration deadline for UCI World Series teams has been bumped way earlier this time, instead of January 15, teams now have to lock in their full rosters by November 15. That means both Downhill and XC squads need to get everything sorted way sooner than usual. And since the silly season of team rumors is already heating up, it is exciting to see which teams are leading the charge for that all-important World Series status for 2026 and 2027. Stay tuned, because things are about to get spicy!

🚲 Must-Watch: “Grit & Glory” is on fire with Episode 3!

The UCI Enduro World Cup 2026 just dropped another epic episode, and Warner Brothers’ video series is keeping the stoke levels high. In Ep. 3, the crew heads to Bielsko-Biała, Poland, where local hero Sławomir Łukasik is out for redemption after last year’s heartbreak. With the home crowd going wild, Winnifred Goldsbury faces her own challenges, pushing hard to prove she belongs with the best. Pure pressure, passion, and pursuit, be sure this episode hits different.

🚵‍♂️ The Youth is fast: iXS International Rookies Champs 2025

Perfect weather, a legendary track, and 300 riders from 32 countries – the iXS International Rookies Championships had it all! This event has become the place for young downhill talents to show what they’ve got. For ten years, the IRC has been like an unofficial world champs for the next generation, giving U11 to U17 racers a real shot at the spotlight. It’s not just about racing – it’s about earning titles that can kickstart a future pro career. Please more of this in 2026!

FREERIDE

🚵‍♀️ LOCO: Adolf Silva’s Fight After Rampage

Tough News, Strong Spirit: Adolf Silva Faces His Biggest Challenge Yet

There’s both good and tough news coming from the world of freeride legend Adolf Silva. The insanely talented and high-energy Spaniard, known for his fearless style and endless determination, is now facing a whole new kind of challenge. After his massive crash at Red Bull Rampage 2025, where he went down hard attempting a double backflip drop, Adolf suffered a serious spinal injury that’s left him paralyzed from the chest down.

He’s already undergone a long and successful surgery, and now begins the hardest ride of his life! The recovery after this life changing accident. Recent clips from friends and family show him smiling in the hospital, staying positive, and already talking about his next steps forward. Doctors say it’s still too early to know how much feeling or movement might return, but if there’s one thing everyone agrees on, it’s that Adolf won’t stop fighting. He’s always been one of the most driven riders out there, and that same mindset is now fueling his rehab.

To keep fans updated and motivated, Adolf just announced a weekly vlog, which means every Friday he’ll drop a BTS (behind-the-scenes) video showing his daily life, progress, and mindset. He wants to inspire others going through tough times and share his recovery journey with the world.

Other riders like Brook MacDonald and Paul Basagoitia have fought their way back from spinal injuries, while legends like Martyn Ashton and Tarek Rasouli found new meaning and success after paralysis. Adolf’s story now joins theirs: One of strength, passion, and resilience.

To support his recovery, Road2Recovery, a nonprofit helping injured athletes, has launched a fundraiser for Adolf and his family - SUPPORT ADOLF HERE. The donations will go toward his ongoing medical care, rehab, travel to Barcelona, and adapting his home and vehicles for accessibility, everything he needs to rebuild his independence and quality of life.

Those who know Adolf know his unstoppable smile, wild energy, and kindness off the bike. Now it’s our turn to send some of that energy back his way.

Red Bull has confirmed that they’re in direct contact with Adolf and his family, offering private support. Meanwhile, the community’s fundraiser aims to make sure every part of his care is covered.

Adolf Silva has always pushed the limits of what’s possible on a bike and now he’s pushing the limits of what’s possible in recovery. His next chapter won’t be written on dirt, but it’s bound to inspire just as much.

RACING

🚵‍♂️ Full Show from Hard MTB League 2025 – the Future of Racing

22 of the world’s best mountain bikers dropped in for the Hard MTB League Pro Invitational, a fresh new format that’s shaking up what MTB competitions can be. This wasn’t just another race! It was a full-on test of skill, style, and mental toughness across every kind of terrain.

From Downhill Gnar to Tech Climbing, Raw Slalom, and Tech Rhythm, the event brought together the four core disciplines of mountain biking into one action-packed, crowd-friendly show. Riders had to prove they could handle everything, not just one specialty.

Big names like Mitch Ropelato shredded the Raw Slalom course with insane precision, while Luca Cometti powered up the Tech Climb to lock in 3rd overall in the men’s field. Jordy Scott charged through the Downhill section to take 2nd in the women’s category, just behind the unstoppable Kailey Skelton, who took the overall win. Asa Vermette, flying through the Tech Rhythm course, impressed everyone with his speed and flow. The fast US riders earned his 2nd overall in the men’s class.

And of course, the future of the sport was on full display with 10-year-old Wes Lukens, the youngest competitor out there, already showing pro-level talent.

On the mic, the unofficial voices of MTB, Mikey Haderer and Cam McCaul, kept the energy high and the vibes alive as the world watched what might just be the next evolution of mountain bike competition unfold.

But the Hard MTB League is more than just an event, it’s a movement. The goal? To evolve mountain bike competition into something more complete, more exciting, and more inspiring. Alongside the racing, the League offers coaching and development camps to help riders of all ages reach their peak performance.

At its core, the Hard MTB League stands for resilience and passion. It isreminding us that winning isn’t everything. It’s about pushing limits, overcoming obstacles, and finding joy in every ride, no matter the result.

🏆 2025 Hard MTB League Pro Invitational Podium Results

Men’s Overall

1. 🥇 Tegan Cruz

2. 🥈 Asa Vermette

3. 🥉 Luca Cometti

Women’s Overall

1. 🥇 Kailey Skelton

2. 🥈 Jordy Scott

3. 🥉 Mayumi Wakefield

And this is just the beginning. Here’s what’s next on the Hard MTB League calendar:

2026

• May 20–23 — Qualifier

• June 3–6 [U18] — Development Camp

• June 10–13 [19+] — Development Camp

• Oct 21–24 — Finals with $100K combined prize purse

2027

• Spring (TBD) — Course Reveal

• Fall (TBD) — Finals with $100K+ prize purse

So, is this the future of mountain bike competition?
Maybe. But one thing’s for sure: The Hard MTB League is setting the pace, and we’re all along for the ride.

SCENE

🚨 Scott Sports Drops the Airborne Division — The Future Starts Here

Scott Sports just launched something seriously exciting: The Airborne Division. It’s not just another mountain bike team; it’s a full-on opportunity for young riders to level up, find their flow, and turn passion into progress.

Every legend starts somewhere, right? Sometimes all you need is the right crew, good vibes, and a bit of guidance to unlock that next level. That’s exactly what this project is about.

Led by Brendan Fairclough and backed by MB Cyclery in Surrey, the Airborne Division brings together a killer lineup of local talent — Haris Meikle, Josh Collins, Mai Woodman, Josh Underwood, and Ellie Burchett. Each rider’s got their own story, style, and drive, but they all share one goal: to push limits and keep the stoke alive.

Who’s Brendan Fairclough?

If you’ve been anywhere near the mountain bike world, you’ve heard the name Brendan Fairclough. He’s one of the UK’s most stylish and influential riders and a guy who’s been shaping the scene for years. From racing World Cups to dropping jaw-dropping edits, Brendan’s done it all.

He kicked off his career as a teenage prodigy, going head-to-head with some of the biggest names in downhill racing. Over the years, he’s stacked up podiums, represented top brands like SCOTT and Red Bull, and become known for his smooth, creative riding style that blends pure speed with freestyle flow.

But Brendan’s not just a racer — he’s a creator. His “Deathgrip” film series with Clay Porter redefined what MTB cinematography could be, inspiring riders everywhere to see the sport as both an art and an adventure. Whether he’s dropping lines at Red Bull Rampage or sending massive jumps at Dyfi, Brendan keeps pushing what’s possible on two wheels.

There’s no strict formula with the Airborne Division! Just freedom to ride and grow. Whether it’s downhill racing, jibbing, jumping, or enduro, this crew embraces it all. No pressure, no ego, but just pure opportunity and good times. The mission? Create a space where young riders can explore every side of the sport, backed by solid gear, real mentorship, and a community that’s all about progression.

Brendan knows how powerful that support can be, because he’s lived it. Back when he was an up-and-comer, legends like Steve Peat took him under their wing, passing on knowledge, motivation, and a bit of healthy rivalry that shaped his journey. Now, Brendan’s paying it forward, giving back to the scene that made him who he is.

Because here’s the thing: heroes don’t rise alone, heroes inspire heroes. And there’s no better place to make that happen than Dyfi Bike Park, the ultimate playground to ride hard, learn fast, and push boundaries together.

🏁 Video Of The Week

We’re always excited to watch Danny MacAskill shred in front of a camera, same here:

🎧 Podcast Of The Week

Still active - MTB legend Gee Atherton teases new edits and a new bike:

🚵‍♀️ Giveaway Period Finished

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Forbidden Dreadnought 3 MX Giveaway. The winner is Kate M. from New Jersey and she has gone for her first shred on it! Stoked is an understatement… More to come, and keep your eyes peeled for the next giveaway bike!

This newsletter is written with ❤️ every week by the Recon Team with a special shoutout to Marc Brodesser!