Welcome to the RECON MTB Newsletter, which summarizes everything important going on in MTB every Friday.

On Today’s Ride:

• 🇳🇿 Crankworx Kicks Off With A Bang

• 🔌 Transition’s New EMTB’s

• 🍎 Riding School: How To Stoppie

Remember, there is just 4 days until RECON makes a game changing announcement on 3/18/2025–look our for a special edition newsletter on Tuesday 🤙

EVENTS

🧢 Recap: Crankworx Rotorua’s Flagship Event

The first of the three most prestigious slopestyle MTB competitions kicked off last weekend at the Maxxis Slopestyle event at Crankworx Rotorua last weekend.

With many of the sport’s biggest stars sidelined by injury, it was a major opportunity for hungry young riders looking to prove themselves.

But instead of a changing of the guard, Rotorua showed us something even better – a full-blown style battle that could shape the future of slopestyle. 

What You Should Know

Thanks to the sketchy weather forecast, event organizers threw in a last-minute curveball with an improvised eliminator format.

Instead of the usual two-run format, riders had to send it under pressure, as their first run determined if they’d qualify for finals.

8 of 15 male riders could do a second run and 5 of 8 of the female starters. The twist? Lower-ranked riders got eliminated early, making every attempt do-or-die.

This format forced all-out aggression, leaving no room for conservative play. Riders had to throw down their biggest tricks straight away, knowing a second run wasn’t confirmed. Some thrived under the pressure, while others saw their shot at the podium slip away with a single mistake. Bringer, Ingersoll, and Thompson handled the chaos very well, proving they could stay ice-cold even when the format turned savage.

Fans were disappointed that popular studs like Nicholi Rogatkin, Tom Isted and others crashed out in the first run and could not get up to the starting tower again.

Tim Bringer Dropped the Hammer

At the end of the day, a rider without a bike sponsor secured a major win. The French Tim “Hulk” Bringer walked away with the gold, throwing down one of the heaviest runs we’ve ever seen in Rotorua. The committed shredder focused on sheer amplitude and banger tricks, landing moves that had the crowd and judges going wild.

His winning run included:
- 360 Double Tailwhip to Bar Spin
- Double Backflip Tuck No Hander
- Double Backflip Step-Down
- Cashroll X-Up

American Kaidan Ingersoll was breathing down Bringer’s neck however. His tricks were clean, precise, and stylish–keeping combos fresh and rotations tight. With a final score of 90.87 he wasn’t far off.

Final Men’s Results

1. Tim Bringer – 93.25
2. Kaidan Ingersoll – 90.87
3. Ben Thompson – 82.92
4. Paul Couderc – 82.06
5. Chance Moore – 81.25

Patricia Druwen Dominates

The women’s slopestyle scene is on fire, and Patricia Druwen just made it even better. Her run had the perfect balance of big tricks and clean execution, finally fullfilling the prophecy about her rise to the top of women’s Crankworx slopestyle.

Her winning run included:
- Various Barspins
- Backflip Nohander
- Double Barspin Opposite
- Smooth Suicide No-Hander

With an 87.75, the german rider was untouchable. The women’s slopestyle game has officially entered a new era and the other women are so motivated to keep up with Patricia.

Final Women’s Results

1. Patricia Druwen – 87.75
2. Natasha Miller – 80.50
3. Robin Goomes – 75.25

What’s Next? The Return of the Big Guns

Rotorua gave us a taste of the future, but the real battle is still to come. Why? Because three of the sport’s biggest legends – Emil Johansson, David Godziek, and Erik Fedko – weren’t even in the mix.

Once they return, everything changes.

• Emil Johansson is the king of technical slopestyle, and if anyone can match Ingersoll’s style and push it even further, it’s him.

• David Godziek brings a unique mix of BMX-style tech and huge air tricks, his triple crown win in 2024 showed that he is now the one to hunt.

• Erik Fedko? The dude is all about style and flow, and if he gets back in top form, he’s a serious podium threat, because he’s practiced many new tricks.

Will the young guns keep up the pressure?

HEARD ON THE TRAIL

🤕 World Champ Injured During Practice

Bad news for DH world champ Loris Vergier: he broke his shoulder blade during a team camp crash in Loudenvielle, just months before the season starts. His teammate at Commencal Muc-Off, Dylan Maples, also suffered a broken radius. Both are sidelined for now, but the doctors are optimistic that both are going to heal up quickly.

📼 Race Tapes S3 To Drop With Fresh Faces

It’s like if “Drive to Survive” meets MTB. Race Tapes is back with Season 3 dropping on March 19! Get ready for fresh faces like Asa Vermette, the 18-year-old downhill prodigy from the USA. Known for his blazing speed and jaw-dropping skills, Asa's been making waves, especially after his fastest seeding run at Red Bull Hardline Tasmania last month and narrow loss to Goldstone.

BIKES

🔋 Transition Drops Two New E-Bikes

Transition just dropped the Regulator CX & SX, adding two new electrified shredders to their lineup. If you’re a fan of the Sentinel, get ready—because these bikes take similar geometry and give it a Bosch-powered boost. The CX is the full-power beast, while the SX brings a lightweight approach that blends natural pedaling feel with just the right amount of assist.

Two Models, Two Personalities

🔋 Regulator CX – Bosch’s 85Nm Performance CX motor, 600Wh battery (range extender compatible), and a burly build for full-power laps.
⚡ Regulator SX – The new Performance SX motor, 400Wh battery, and a 43lb build that rides like a regular bike when the juice runs out.

What’s Got Us Stoked?

• Essentially an E-Bike Sentinel – The Regulator borrows heavily from the Sentinel’s proven geometry, with mixed wheels, 150mm of rear travel, and a well-balanced feel. If you’re already a fan of Transition’s all-mountain platform, this should feel familiar—just with an added boost.

• Adjustable Geometry – The Regulator CX includes a flip chip that allows riders to fine-tune the head angle and bottom bracket height, letting you adjust for stability at speed or a more playful ride feel.

• Shimano 12-Speed Drivetrain – Transition opted for mechanical shifting rather than wireless electronic drivetrains, keeping things affordable and dependable with Deore or XT options.

• Shorter Cranks for Technical Climbs – Both models come with compact crank arms—150mm on the CX and 160mm on the SX—helping to reduce pedal strokes and optimize efficiency, especially on steep, technical terrain.

• Bosch Flow App Integration – Riders can customize motor response, track ride data, and troubleshoot system diagnostics through Bosch’s Flow App, adding an extra layer of adjustability and ease of use.

With two distinct takes on eMTB power—the CX’s “full-throttle” approach versus the SX’s lightweight, natural ride feel—Transition is covering both ends of the spectrum. It'll be interesting to see which version resonates more with riders.

ATHLETE FEATURE

🥇 Flat Pedals Win Medals

Some riders race. Some riders inspire. And then there’s Sam Hill—a flat-pedal legend who changed the game of downhill racing forever. Given his incredible accomplishments it only makes sense Hill is the subject of this week’s athlete feature.

From BMX to World Cup Dreams

Born on July 21, 1985, in Viveash, Sam grew up riding BMX and motocross, ripping through bush around his home with his brothers. But it wasn’t until his older brother and his mates got into MTB that young Sam caught the bug.

While skeptical at first, the Hill family went all in, supporting Sam as he went from racing Dual Slalom on a BMX to scraping together enough money for his first real MTB.

Rise of a Downhill Phenom

As a young teen, Hill studied World Cup races, idolizing legends like Steve Peat and Cedric Garcia. But it wasn’t long before he became the next big thing.

By 16, his talent was undeniable, and in 2001, he took on his first overseas World Cups—despite there being no junior category at the time, meaning young riders had to battle their way into the big leagues. The world took notice in 2001 when he landed a junior podium spot (bronze) at the World Championships. He then secured back-to-back junior rainbow jerseys in 2002 and 2003. But his 2003 win was extra special—his race time would’ve placed him third in the Elite category, even with a crash.

Hill’s style was revolutionary. His aggressive “inside line” approach and fearless confidence made him a standout. While the French dominated gravity racing in the early 2000s, Sam Hill showed up and proved that he was nearly unbeatable. At age 17 he also won the Red Bull Ride 2003 in Jindabyne / AUS, where he showed he could beat the whole freeride elite from Canada and Europe!

The Ironhorse Era & DH Glory

Most fans remember Hill tearing up the DH scene on his legendary Ironhorse Sunday.

And who could forget that World Champs heartbreak in Val di Sole 2008? Hill was on track for the win—the dominant rider of the race—until a late crash cost him the gold. Rob Warner’s voice still echoes through DH history: “SAM HILL’S DOWN! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!” Even after the fall, he still walked away with bronze, a testament to his unreal speed.

Then there was Champery 2007—arguably the most iconic run in DH history. In biblical rain, Hill rode faster in the wet than most riders did in the dry. That moment cemented him as the greatest raw talent the sport had ever seen.

His major wins include 3 UCI Elite DH World Championships (2006, 2007, 2010) and 2 UCI DH World Cup Overall titles (2007, 2009). His last big DH victories came in 2014 at Mont-Sainte-Anne and Meribel.

From DH Icon to Enduro King

But Sam Hill’s story didn’t end with Downhill. After struggling with injuries, homesickness, and a loss of passion for racing, he found new life in the rise of Enduro. Under CRC/Nukeproof team manager Nigel Page, he transitioned to the Enduro World Series (EWS)—and, of course, he dominated there too. Three back-to-back EWS overall titles (2017, 2018, 2019) proved that Hill wasn’t just a DH specialist; he was an all-around legend.

The Man Behind the Legend

Beyond the races, Sam Hill is a family man, becoming a dad at 27. He now has three kids and encourages them to ride and enjoy life the same way he did. These days, he’s still shredding—recently showing up at Hardline Tasmania 2025, much to the joy of fans who grew up idolizing him. He’s also ventured into business with F1RST, an elite training program and is focused on trail design and consulting.

Even after two decades at the top, Sam Hill always has shaped the sport - while other riders clipped in for extra power, Hill stuck to flat pedals and raw skill. And that’s what makes him legendary—not just his wins, but the way he won. Whether it was DH, EWS, or simply inspiring the next generation, Sam Hill is, and always will be, one of the greatest to ever do it.

RIDING SCHOOL

✋ How to Stoppie

This section of our newsletter is written by MTB education app Mastery, founded by Justin Rausch (@OneMTB) where we bring you the advice of pro riders to sharpen your skills out there.

A stoppie, or endo, is a fun parking lot trick that involves lifting your rear wheel while balancing on the front. While it may seem intimidating at first, with proper technique and control, you can master it safely. Let’s break it down step by step.

Lifting the Back Wheel

• Start rolling at a moderate speed with your weight centered over the bike.

• Use a smooth and controlled pull on the front brake—don't slam it, or you'll risk going over the bars.

• As you slow down, shift your weight slightly forward to help lift the rear wheel.

• Keep your front wheel locked and let your back wheel rise naturally.

• If the rise feels too fast, lean back slightly to counterbalance.

Controlling the Stoppie

• As your balance improves, you'll reach the sweet spot where you can hold the stoppie for longer.

• Be cautious of going too high—if you pass the balance point, you’ll risk going over the bars.

• Two ways to prevent this:

  • Counterbalance by shifting your weight backward.

  • Brake Release—slowly and smoothly release the front brake to bring the rear wheel back down.

• Avoid slamming the back wheel down by releasing the brake gradually while shifting your weight.

Taking It to the Next Level

Once you have stoppies dialed in, you can start experimenting with different variations:

• Stoppie Turns – Initiate a stoppie and shift your weight to one side to swing the back wheel around, helping with tight switchbacks.

• No-Footer Stoppie – Ride the stoppie until your seat touches your butt, then kick your feet off the pedals before bringing them back down.

Rolling Stoppie – Instead of stopping completely, try maintaining your momentum while holding the stoppie (this one's tough!).

With Mastery, you can learn MTB skills fast. Several incredible courses are launching in April from top pros so If you haven’t yet, be sure to join the app’s waitlist.

🎥 Video Of The Week

Hardline star Dan Booker shreds Tasmania:

🎧 Podcast Of The Week

Danny MacAskill on the Gypsy Tales podcast:

🌊 Wipeout Of The Week

This fail got over 14K likes on our IG - Crankworx Rotorua: Mason Parr insane wipeout 

🙊 Debate

👇 More Sick MTB Content

This guy sued Red Bull and won $13M for not giving him wings

Why do mountain bikers drink champagne out of their shoes?

This 15 yr old is faster than you

This guy jumped 40 ft to flat just to prove a point

This newsletter is written with ❤️ every week by Nic Bean, Michael Sikand, Justin Rausch, and Marc Brodesser