We are already into 2014 and the real biking season is just around the corner, here is our look back at an amazing year that was 2013. Hopefully 2014 will be even more awesome.
For 2013 the girls were back as a team of four. While Steffi was guiding and working at La Palma, Spain, Katja, Michèle and Kathi escaped the winter for a long weekend to the South of Switzerland, Ticcino.
The northern alps still covered in snow, but the southern part of Switzerland just delivered some awesome spring riding.
You can check the complete story and more pics from Marco Toniolo here at
Pinkbike.
Katja sending it at Monte Tamaro Bike Park, Switzerland
Katja RupfBesides working full time Katja managed to coach at the Dakine Freeride Camps in Switzerland and enjoy as much time as possible in the mountains. Once again the highlight of the year was her summer vacation spent in Whistler and beautiful British Columbia ripping the park and exploring the backcountry in the Chilcotins.
Katja enjoying the Whistler Bike Park during her summer vacation
Katja in the Chilcotins, epic adventure
Steffi Marth"
Last year was something like a long-term orientation stage for me. After the Fourcross WorldCup was indefinitely cancelled and the standing of this discipline in Mountain biking got worse, I decided to try out what else the World of Bike Racing could offer me.
But before the Race Season really started I went on a sweet little adventure to the Hawaiian Island Oahu. Although one week is definitely not enough to experience such a colorful island I had a mega time over there. Hawaii is so much more than Hula skirts and surfing for sure."
"
My racing in 2013 was as diversified as the forests in Hawaii. The first competitive adventure was the Enduro Race in Riva del Garda, Italy. With about 1600 vertical meters to climb and proper rough Downhill sections, it was kind of a challenge for a one-day race."
Endurospirit at Lago di Garda, Hannah Barnes, Ines Thoma, Steffi Marth and more girls on the climb up the mountain during the Enduro Race at Bike Festival Riva del Garda.
"
Alongside my start at the Enduro World Series in Whistler, which was a very tough venue too, this sums up my Enduro Season. When looking back the Enduro races were one of my best racing experiences last year because I was able to see so many trails at places I have been so many times before and never had the chance to ride so much in the area beside Downhill, Dual and 4X race tracks."
"Although I aimed to quit Fourcross Racing I couldn't resist entering some of the Fourcross Pro Tour Events and the World Champs in Leogang. I finally ended up with a satisfying 6th place - my best Worlds Result ever in 15 years of racing BMX and Fourcross. After Five German Champion Titles I set this as a turning point to defintately try something new properly for the future.""Downhill turned out to be the racing I definitely like the most regarding the scene, the bikes, the technical aspect of the tracks. I did have some good results in 2013 which motivate me to concentrate properly on DH Racing in 2014. Nevertheless my respect and admiration for the Downhill Ladies of this planet is massive, I want to try to compete with them this year."Steffi shooting and filming with Sterling Lorence for Trek at Whistler during Crankworx for the new Slash 650b.
Steffi at Pumptrack Zürich, which was built brand new last year by the city of Zürich.
"
2013 was crowned by a really special trip, my most exciting adventure ever - China. Thanks again to Pinkbike and Trek for making this possible. It extended my view on a lot of things and brought me some memories I am really thankful for. Riding on the Great Wall of China was something unique which I will never forget. I can´t wait to check out what the 2014 season holds in line for me.""
Great Wall riding, a once in a lifetime experience.
If you missed Steffi`s China adventure with Pinkbike, check it out here:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3Kahti Kuypers"
When taking a look back on 2013, I can honestly say that it’s been great season with many ups and downs. This year’s highlight for me was when I opened my very own, private indoor riding facility. Shhh… it’s a secret! Indoor spots are especially hard to come by and very rare in Germany, so it’s been surreal to have my own riding spot. The whole thing took about 2 months to build; starting with organizing the location, finding recycled foam and acquiring donated building materials to build wood features. Now the hall includes a huge foampit, 12m wide by 2m high, (which I’m now afraid to jump out of! Just kidding!). We also have a start tower, a resi pit to dirt, that I learn how to do tricks on and some street obstacles. The worst day in 2013 by far was when I destroyed my knee while learning bar spins! As a result, I tore my ACL, the medial collateral ligament, broke my tibia and destroyed both meniscuses. I had to have surgery, but thankfully it went well. Because of the extent of the injury, it took quite a long time to heal and as a result I couldn’t participate in any races. As frustrating as it was, I took the time to fully heal until both of my legs were back to full power. Finally in October, after 3 months of physiotherapy and working out, I got back on my dirt jump bike. It brought me back to that very first moment I learned how to do tricks and I’ve been hooked ever since! I take my hat off to every single dirt jumper out there – you're all doing such a great job! Nevertheless, I’m going to keep having fun and practice hard to improve my skills."
Kathi enjoying the dirt jumps in Barcelona in December, after a hard recovery from ACL surgery.
Michèle QuintCornering at Monte Tamoro Bike Park, Switzerland
Michèle having fun at Terre Rouge, Little Utah Luxemburg
These were some of the team's 2013 video projects.
Beautiful South Tyrol - In July, Steffi, Kathi and Michèle were filming in South Tyrol, Italy for Bikehotels South Tyrol. The perfect place for riding and enjoying the Dolce Vita.
Steffi leading Michèle and Kahti down the trail
Saalbach Hinterglemm - Z-Line powered by Trek is a brand new line in the Bikepark at Saalbach-Hinterglemm. So the girls where one of the first to ride it on the opening day last year.
For 2014 the team will have different focuses for each rider; Steffi - DH, Birgit - Enduro Series, Kathi - Dirt and Katja - Camps and Workshops.
Last but not least a big THANK YOU to our amazing team sponsors for making it possible - Trek Bicycle, IXS Sports Division, Bontrager and adidas eyewear
Thanks for the pics and videos to Trek Bicycle, Marco Toniolo, Sterling Lorence, Pinkbike/Nathan Hughes, Chris Roberts/nakedracing, Sebastian Doerk/infintetrails.de ,Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Bikehotels Südtirol, Steffi Marth, Katja Rupf, Kathi Kuypers, ilovegirlriders.com and Ben Heim.