Welcome back to the #1 MTB newsletter brought to you by ReconMTB.com - the fastest-growing online bike shop.

14 days.

That’s how long we have until the first UCI DH World Cup kicks off in Bielsko-Biala, Poland…

In Today’s Newsletter:

• 🎰 Red Bull Releases Hardline Wales Roster

• ✨ The MTB world records you need to know

• 🇬🇧 Athlete Profile: The One and Only Steve Peat

👇 Quick Picks

🛖 Still Got It: Neko Mulally Wins

The third stop of the Downhill Southeast series went off at the rocky and rowdy Massanutten Bike Park in Virginia. With big names prepping for World Cups, it was the perfect moment to shine. DH legend Neko Mulally proved he’s still got it, edging out Christopher Grice and Colin McElyea.

🚨 Star Rider’s Bike Stolen

Swiss MTB star Jolanda Neff has reported the theft of her custom Cannondale Scalpel, which was stolen in Switzerland. The bike, featuring a distinctive lefty fork and unique design elements, is a one-of-a-kind model. Neff is urging anyone with information to come forward.

🌊 New Wave Pedals by OneUp

OneUp Components has just dropped their latest innovation: the Wave Pedals. These flat pedals boast a unique wave-shaped platform designed to enhance grip and foot stability on the trails. Crafted with a slim profile and durable materials, they aim to provide riders with a responsive and secure connection to their bikes.

RACING

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Red Bull Drops Hardline Wales Rider List

Mark your calendars: July 26–27.

Red Bull Hardline is back in Dyfi Valley, Wales — and it’s bringing 32 of the boldest riders on Earth to one of the wildest tracks in the game.

We’re talking massive jumps, brutal drops, blind senders, and tech lines that leave zero room for error. Built by Dan Atherton, the course is mostly unchanged from last year — and that’s saying something.

Here’s who’s throwing down in the men’s field:

🏁 Full Men’s Start List
Rónán Dunne (defending champ)
Bernard Kerr
Gee Atherton
Jackson Goldstone
Kade Edwards
Laurie Greenland
Kaos Seagrave
Matteo Iniguez
Brook Macdonald
Matt Jones
Dan Booker
Sebastian Holguin
Joe Smith
Charlie Hatton
Roger Viera
Juanfer Velez
Felipe Agurto
Brendan Fairclough
Josh Bryceland
George Brannigan
Jim Monroe
Theo Erlangsen
Adam Brayton
Tuhoto-Ariki Pene
Jono Jones
Asa Vermette

South America’s coming in hot this year — especially Juanfer Velez and Felipe Agurto. Can they hang with the Asas and Jacksons of the world? We’re watching.

We’ve also got YouTube sensations Matt and Jono Jones - who shred gnar when they’re not developing the next big MTB video game.

But that’s not all.

The women’s field is stepping up big time this year, with more elite riders tackling the full Hardline course than ever before:

👑 Women’s Lineup
Tahnée Seagrave
Louise Ferguson
Vaea Verbeeck
Gracey Hemstreet
Hannah Bergemann
Cami Nogueira

After Gracey’s historic full-course run in Tasmania, the momentum is real. And Tahnée? She’s out to make a statement this time to take a chance at making a finals run.

👀 And what about the infamous Canyon Gap?

It was yanked from the course last year after Jim Monro’s testing crash and a missing crash net. But organizers are hinting at its return — if safety measures are met. No confirmation yet, but the buzz is building.

RACING

🥇 The MTB Records You NEED To Know

It feels like a new mountain biking record is set every week these days.

But we decided to make a list of all the world’s firsts that will truly blow your mind.

Rich Flanagan – The Ultimate Wheelie King (2019)

Back in 2019, Rich Flanagan (USA) set the Wheelie World Record and basically rewrote the book on balance and control. He pulled off the longest wheelie on an MTB, riding 50,5 miles with his front wheel in the air like it was nothing. It wasn’t just a trick—it was a test of endurance, precision, and pure focus. Legend!

Bienvenido Aguado – The Frontflip of Doom (Dark Fest)

Dark Fest is known for being wild, but Bienvenido Aguado took it to insanity levels with the biggest MTB frontflip ever. Picture this: a monster jump, pure airtime, and Bienve sending a massive 100FT frontflip like gravity just took the day off. The risk? Sky-high. The result? Straight-up historic.

Tom Isted – Giant Backflip, Giant Bike (Dark Fest)

Tom Isted didn’t just throw a backflip—he threw a record-breaking 110FT backflip on an old Giant DH bike! Most riders would retire a bike like that, but Tom sent it like it was built yesterday. Huge airtime, perfect rotation, and clean landing. That flip was not just huge—it was iconic.

Bobby Root – Speed Demon on One Wheel

Manuals and wheelies at speed? Yeah, Bobby Root made riding on his rear wheel at 138,56 km/h look easy. He set the record for the fastest manual and wheelie on an MTB, ripping at wild speeds while keeping either the front or rear wheel floating. Try that on your local trail and you’ll probably meet a tree. Bobby built his freeride pro athlete career on his speed manuals, which were featured in New World Disorder 1 and inspired generations of riders.

RECON

🔎 RECON Unveils Advanced Search

While many of you know us as a fresh new voice for MTB media…

Did you know ReconMTB.com is the most exciting way to buy your bike products online if you live in the United States?

We’ve got 10K+ top of the line MTB parts, gear, and accessories and now we have a powerful search tool with filters to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

Just type in what you need and the odds are high we’ve got you covered.

The fun part?

For every $1 you spend on our store, you get 1 entry to winning a brand new $10K bike, this month being this 2025 Scott Ransom 900 RC.

You also get 3% cashback as store credit, so you can build up more credit for future orders.

Last month we gave away a custom-built Transition Sentinel V3 which was won by Riley M. from San Diego who spent just $33 on tire sealant!

Gear up now and take 15% off your first order using code WELCOME15 at checkout.

ATHLETE PROFILE

🌈 Steve Peat’s Road To The Rainbow

For years, UK hero Steve Peat was the guy who always came so close.

With 17 World Cup wins and 3 overall titles, Peaty is one of the greatest to ride a mountain bike.

But the one thing that kept slipping through his fingers?

The elusive rainbow jersey of World Champion.

Fast, fearless, and a total beast on the bike, Peaty had the speed and the skill. What he didn’t have was luck. He podiumed multiple times at the World Champs—second in 2000, 2001, and 2002—but the top step? Always just out of reach. The dude was basically cursed.

But in 2009, everything changed.

The World Championships that year went down in Canberra, Australia. Peaty, already 35 years old, was up against a new generation of shredders. People whispered he might be past his prime. He didn’t care. He showed up with fire in his eyes and decades of grit in his legs.

His run was textbook Peat—fast, aggressive, and dialed. He didn’t ride to survive; he rode to destroy. When he crossed the finish line and saw green lights, it was pure magic.

Steve Peat was finally World Champion.

After 17 years of chasing that dream, he’d done it. The rainbow stripes were his. The scene was emotional—tears, cheers, and full-blown chaos. His teammates mobbed him, fans went nuts, and the biking world finally got what it had been waiting for. Peaty on top. Peaty in the jersey. A career crowned in glory.

That win wasn’t just about speed. It was about perseverance, heart, and never giving up—even when the world thinks your moment’s passed.

Steve Peat proved legends don’t fade—they just take a little longer to finish their story. And when they do, it’s epic.

🎥 Video Of The Week

RECON creators Justin Rausch and Hayden Cavanah interview Gee Atherton, dare young groms to jump over their friends, and show you Fox’s new inverted fork prototype.

🎧 Podcast Of The Week

This 3 hour plus watch is worth every second. Rob Warner on Gypsy Tales!

🚲 $10K Bike Giveaway

U.S. mountain bikers - just shop for for your MTB components or gear on our store and every $1 you spend is 1 entry to winning this $10K Scott Ransom 900 RC.

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