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 in 2026 - Riders leaving teams and joining other brands

•  ⚡️ Attention - MTB scammer tried to steal Bikes and got caught!

• 🚵‍♀️ Winter Skill Drills - Do this at home and improve your riding

👇 Quick Picks

🚨 The Propain Rookies Cup is back for the 2026 season 

The youth downhill series will stop in five locations across four countries, including Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic and newly Slovenia. This makes the series more international while staying true to its roots as a key platform for young downhill talent. Since 2008 big names like world champion Vali Höll, vice world champion Henri Kiefer and junior world champion Rosa Zierl all took their first racing steps here.

🚲 Monster Energy Pro DH Series presented by Continental

2026 has arrived: The official US National Championship Series will feature five races, starting March 25–29 at Ride Rock Creek in North Carolina and moving on to Mountain Creek Bike Park in New Jersey from May 6–10. Mid-summer brings back the Utah stop, with racing at Solitude Mountain Resort from July 15–19 after a standout debut last season. Just one week later, from July 22–26, the series heads to Big Bear Lake, California. The season wraps up in September with the Fox US OPEN of Mountain Biking (more TBA).

🫡 World Record Challenge at a Drive-Thru

While most riders chase epic trails, New Zealand enduro rider Matthew Fairbrother chose a very different challenge. Instead of mountains, he rode more than 2,700 laps around his local McDonald’s, purely by choice. He spent over 20 hours circling the closed drive-thru in Rolleston near Christchurch, covering 503.6 kilometers and logging 2,270 meters of elevation on Strava. It might be the wildest way ever to burn off holiday calories. No burgers were involved after the ride, maybe the message could be “eat healthy, if you wanna do big rides!”

RACING

🔥 Fresh MTB Team News Heading Into 2026

The rider market is already heating up for 2026 and there is plenty going on across downhill, enduro and freeride. From big reunions to emotional goodbyes, here is everything you need to know.

Jono Jones Is Back With Saracen

Saracen has officially welcomed back one of its most loved riders. Jono Jones has re signed with the UK brand from 2026 onwards, marking a proper homecoming. Jono is about as Saracen as it gets. He grew up riding in the UK and became one of the most recognizable faces in British mountain biking. From downhill to enduro, he has built a reputation as a fast and stylish rider who always brings good vibes to the paddock.

His first chapter with Saracen started back in 2014, when he raced World Cups, national events and featured in some iconic video projects. Since then, both Jono and the brand have evolved massively, making this reunion feel perfectly timed. Jono says it feels less like a new contract and more like coming home. He is excited about the bike development Saracen has been pushing and is ready to race hard again in the UK and internationally.

For 2026, his calendar is stacked. Expect to see him at IXS Euro Downhill races, Mega Avalanche and Red Bull Hardline. He will also be back at Trans Madeira, Ard Rock and the Malverns Classic. On top of racing, Jono will join Saracen Shred Sessions so fans can ride with him and test the bikes. As part of the deal, Jono will also represent brands under the Madison and Sportline group, including Maxxis, Shimano, Lazer, ODI, DT Swiss and PRO components.

Dakotah Norton Leaves Mondraker Factory Racing

Dakotah Norton and Mondraker Factory Racing are going separate ways. After two seasons with the Spanish brand, the 33 year old American is moving on once again. The past season was not easy for Norton. His biggest injury ever delayed his 2025 start, but once healthy he delivered an unbelievable comeback. This sparked plenty of talk about his future and now we have the answer.

Norton is known for one of the most exciting riding styles in downhill. He picks creative lines, makes brutal sections look smooth and when fully fit, he is always a win threat. Mondraker shared a heartfelt farewell, thanking Dakotah for pushing limits and leaving a lasting mark on the team and the sport.

Beyond results, Norton has played a major role in race bike development over the last few years. His love for experimentation makes him a perfect fit for teams working on new projects. Rumors suggest Scott Factory Racing could be an option, especially with their highly adjustable and still evolving downhill bike. Nothing is confirmed yet, but expect Norton to land somewhere interesting.

Angel Suarez Parts Ways With Frameworks Racing and 5Dev

Angel Suarez will not be racing with Frameworks Racing and 5Dev in 2026. Joining the team in 2024, Suarez delivered several top ten finishes and helped push bike development forward. Injuries held him back this season, but his influence went well beyond race results. The team highlighted his role in improving the World Cup bike and mentoring younger riders, especially Asa Vermette.

Suarez shared an emotional message, thanking Neko Mulally for giving him a chance when he was left without a team at the end of 2023. He also spoke warmly about racing alongside Asa and the strong bond they built as teammates. After two tough but meaningful seasons, Suarez is ready for the next chapter.

Oli Clark Leaves MS Racing After Breakout Year

Oli Clark and MS Racing are parting ways ahead of the 2026 season. Clark just wrapped up an incredible second year in junior World Cup racing. He claimed his first World Cup win in Leogang and added two more podiums, along with multiple Crankworx medals. His win aboard the gearbox driven Zerode downhill bike made headlines, even if it did not qualify for the big belt prize. After a season like that, interest from other teams exploded.

MS Racing confirmed that another team has already snapped Clark up. While his time with the squad was short, it was hugely successful. Clark thanked the team for their support, the sacrifices they made and the unforgettable memories. He is clearly proud of what they achieved together and teased that big things are coming next.

Jess Blewitt Says Goodbye To Cube Factory Racing DH

Jess Blewitt will not be racing for Cube Factory Racing DH in 2026. After joining the team in 2024, Blewitt bounced back from injuries and delivered consistent top five World Cup results. She also claimed the 2025 Oceania Continental Championship, proving she is fully back on form.

As the 2025 season comes to a close, Blewitt says she is excited for what is next and promises plenty of fun and new challenges ahead. She thanked the Cube Factory team for two solid years of racing and good times. There is no official word yet on where she will race next.

Cam McCaul Ends Legendary Trek Partnership

One of the longest partnerships in mountain biking has come to an end. Cam McCaul is no longer riding for Trek after 22 years together. The relationship began in 2004, right as Cam exploded onto the freeride and slopestyle scene. Since then, Trek and McCaul felt inseparable, almost like a lifetime deal.

While the split comes as a surprise, both sides move on with massive respect. There is no news yet on which brand Cam will ride for in 2026, but knowing his style, he will land on his feet without any trouble.

SCENE

💰 MTB YouTuber Gets His Identity Stolen - Scam with 50K in Bikes

If you spend any time on YouTube watching mountain bike content, chances are high that you have seen Berm Peak pop up in your recommendations. The channel, which used to be called Seth’s Bike Hacks, is run by Seth Alvo and has grown into one of the biggest MTB channels on the platform. With more than 2.5 million subscribers, Berm Peak is known for creative bike builds, trail experiments, and Seth’s positive and curious vibe that the community loves.

But at the end of 2025, something which happened before was back on another level: In early December, Seth and his team found out that someone had been pretending to be him online. The scammer used modern AI tools like ChatGPT to write professional emails, fake YouTube analytics, and convincing brand pitches. These messages were sent to bike companies all over the industry. The goal was simple. Get free bikes by pretending they would be reviewed on the Berm Peak YouTube channel, and SUPRISE: It worked.

Several brands shipped out bikes and gear that added up to more than 50,000 dollars in value. The scammer had them sent to a residential address that had nothing to do with Berm Peak. From the outside, it looked like a normal influencer collaboration. In reality, it was straight up fraud powered by AI generated text and fake data. Luckily, not every brand fell for it. Some companies noticed small details that did not feel right. The tone was slightly off. The requests did not match previous conversations. Instead of shipping products right away, they contacted Berm Peak’s actual communications manager to double check. That decision changed everything.

Once Seth’s team realized what was happening, they acted fast. They tracked the shipping address used by the scammer and passed the information to the Greensboro Police Department. When officers showed up at the house, they found exactly what you would expect from a scam like this. A large number of high end bikes, the main suspect, and several roommates living at the same address.

What made the situation even worse was what came next. According to Seth, the people living in the house were not just involved in fraud. They had prior convictions for serious crimes. In his own words, he described the place as a kind of halfway house for extremely disturbing offenders. This detail shocked a lot of viewers and added another layer of discomfort to the whole story.

The scammer was arrested and is now in custody. He is facing multiple felony fraud charges and is waiting for trial. The bike brands that were affected have been informed, and a large portion of the stolen bikes has already been returned to the companies. Thanks to quick thinking from suspicious brands and fast action by the Berm Peak team, the damage was limited before it got even worse. This case is a harsh reminder of how powerful and dangerous AI tools can be when used the wrong way. Writing convincing emails and creating fake data used to take real effort. Now it can be done in minutes. For creators and brands alike, trust alone is no longer enough. Verification matters more than ever.

For Seth Alvo and Berm Peak, the situation was stressful and unsettling, but it also showed how strong the MTB community can be when people speak up and look out for each other. What started as a scam ended with an arrest, recovered bikes, and a clear warning for the entire influencer world.

HOW TO

🚲 Level up your bike skills at home for 2026

Winter is not always ride time. Days are short. Trails are wet or closed. Motivation drops fast. But this season is perfect for something else. Skill training at home. You do not need long rides to get better. You just need a bike, a small space and the right drills. This works for beginners and advanced riders. And it is fun.

Below you find easy how to sections for key bike skills you can train almost anywhere presented by Marc Brodesser from our Recon MTB crew!

HOW TO PRACTICE TRACKSTAND AND SKINNY LINES

Trackstand is about balance. Skinny lines are about control. Both make you way more confident on the bike. Start on flat ground. Stand tall with the weight on your pedals. Keep your arms relaxed. Look straight ahead. Turn your front wheel slightly to one side. Use small pedal pressure to stay in place. Do not rush it. Even a few seconds is a win.

For skinny lines, find a curb, a line on the ground or a narrow plank. Ride slow. Stay loose. Keep your eyes at the end of the line. If you wobble, slow down even more. Speed is not the goal here. Control is. Train a little every day. Balance comes faster than you think.

HOW TO USE STAIRS FOR SLOW RIDING SKILLS

Stairs are everywhere and they are perfect for training. Start by riding next to the stairs, not on them. Go very slow. Try to match the speed of one step at a time. This improves clutch control and brake feeling.

Next step is riding down the stairs slowly. Stay centered on the bike. Bend your arms and legs. Let the bike move under you. Use both brakes gently. Do not grab them. Once this feels easy, try stopping on a step and riding on again. This builds insane control and confidence.

HOW TO TRAIN DROPS AND GAPS ON STAIRS

Stairs are also great for air skills. Start small. One step is enough. Roll slow. Push the bike forward. Let the front wheel drop first. Stay relaxed and land smooth. When this works, add more steps. Do not jump yet. Just roll and drop. Focus on body position and calm landings.

For gaps, start by hopping over one step while riding parallel to the stairs. Then increase the distance. Always land on both wheels if possible. Only progress when it feels safe and clean.

HOW TO LEARN THE BUNNY HOP STEP BY STEP

Bunny hops are key for trail riding and street skills. Start with the front wheel. Load the Suspension through your feet and push the bike forward to pull the bars up. Practice this until it feels natural. Next is the rear wheel. Shift your weight upwards by jumping with your legs until the bars and hips come close. And then push the bars forward so that you can generate more height.

Now combine both. Front wheel up first. Then rear wheel follows. Think of it as two moves, not one jump. Use a stick or bottle as a marker. Clear it clean before going higher.

HOW TO PRACTICE REAR WHEEL MOVES

Moving the rear wheel helps a lot in tight turns and tech sections. Start with a small endo / stoppie. Turn the bars slightly and rotate with your body. The rear wheel will follow the Front wheel.

Practice this on flat ground first. Then do it in a descent. Do not rush. Clean movement is more important than force.

FINAL TIPS

Winter skills make summer rides better. Short sessions work best. Ten minutes is enough. Stay playful. Stay curious. And when the trails open again, you will feel the difference on the first ride.

🏁 Video Of The Week

What a trail and such an epic documentary on youtube about trailbuilding and more:

🎧 Podcast Of The Week

Chris Kilmurray deep diving into the 2025 DH Worldcup season:

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