Aaron Gwin Seen on Concealed Bike at Southridge Winter Series Round 4 & Race Report

Feb 26, 2018
by Philip Beckman  
Reigning World Cup Champion Aaron Gwin YT Mob Red Bull turned heads during Saturday s downhill practice taking numerous runs on a cloaked test bike. He did not race on Sunday.
Reigning World Cup Champion Aaron Gwin (YT Mob/Red Bull) turned heads during Saturday's downhill practice, taking numerous runs on a cloaked test bike. He did not race on Sunday.

Mountain bike competitors from around SoCal and the world gathered once again at the scrappy little bullring known as Southridge to take on the fourth round of the 2018 KMC Winter Training Series. Perhaps no other chunk of land has been the site of so many laps and so much history in this sport. Jammed into the suburban sprawl of the greater Los Angeles metro area—specifically Fontana, CA—Southridge has been a part of the knobby tire training and racing scene for several decades. Numerous National-level events have taken place on these punchy, scratchy, granite-laden hills, subjecting riders to soul sucking climbs, white knuckle descents and just about everything a meteorologist could throw at them. Wind in particular has frequently been a factor, and while Saturday's Cross Country and Enduro events enjoyed coolish and calm conditions, Sunday's Downhill was once again affected by moderate, gusty breezes.

There s been a lot of action and drama jammed into this small space over the last few decades. Southridge carries a unique heritage within the sport of mountain biking. Google Maps image.
There's been a lot of action and drama jammed into this small space over the last few decades. Southridge carries a unique heritage within the sport of mountain biking. (Google Maps image.)

Bruce Klein, a 21-year-old from nearby Pasadena who rides for Commencal/100%, is the reigning USA Cycling Pro GRT champ once again using Southridge as a tuneup for another title run in the U.S. as well as another shot at the international calendar. He was the Pro Men's DH winner.

Local hero and reigning Pro GRT champ Bruce Klein Commencal 100 once again turned in the quickest DH time of the weekend winning Pro Men with a 1 56.13.
Local hero and reigning Pro GRT champ Bruce Klein (Commencal/100%) once again turned in the quickest DH time of the weekend, winning Pro Men with a 1:56.13.

bigquotesPractice yesterday went smooth on a beautiful day, then today the wind just turned on. It was really gnarly. You have to ride a little cautious while at the same time trying to go fast. My run was a little messy, but I wanted to get some good progression from the last race, which I did, so that's good. Hopefully, I can clean it up a little bit more for the next one.—Bruce Klein

Anneke Beerten Alchemy was literally in a class of her own on Saturday winning Pro Women while training suffering and having fun.
Anneke Beerten (Alchemy) was literally in a class of her own on Saturday, winning Pro Women while training, suffering and having fun.

Hailing from Netherlands, 35-year-old Anneke Beerten is a multi-time BMX and Four-Cross World Champion now focusing on the Enduro World Series. Beerten accomplished a rare double at Fontana, winning the Pro Women's Cross Country as well as the Downhill the following day.

bigquotesThe Enduro World Series races are hard and intense all weekend long, so that's what I try to simulate here in Fontana. Have a little bit of fun and suffer in the Cross Country on Saturday and then go all out on Sunday in the Downhill. It's good preparation, going into the downhill with a little bit of fatigue. Riding technical trails like this on my trail bike is really good because it sets me up for the difficult tracks that are coming up this season. I always enjoy coming out to Fontana. It's a great vibe and I love seeing all the kids racing.—Anneke Beerten

Frenchman Julien Bourdevaire Moment Bicycles once again had his way with the Pro Men s Cross Country. He clocked three laps in 1 14 05.14 to win ahead of Mexican Gustavo Pedroza and his brother Jean-Louis Bourdevaire.
Frenchman Julien Bourdevaire (Moment Bicycles) once again had his way with the Pro Men's Cross Country. He clocked three laps in 1:14:05.14 to win ahead of Mexican Gustavo Pedroza and his brother Jean-Louis Bourdevaire.

The Vet Pro Cross Country class was won by Bear Valley Bikes Stuart Gonzalez.
The Vet Pro Cross Country class was won by Bear Valley Bikes' Stuart Gonzalez.

Best elapsed time after the two Enduro runs was turned in by Expert 34 amp Under class rider Cody Hull Southridge USA Leatt . He clocked in with a 5 44.15.
Best elapsed time after the two Enduro runs was turned in by Expert 34 & Under class rider Cody Hull (Southridge USA/Leatt). He clocked in with a 5:44.15.

The Enduro Pro Men s class fell to Cody Masson Empire Bikes Giant with an accumulative time of 5 57.95.
The Enduro Pro Men's class fell to Cody Masson (Empire Bikes/Giant) with an accumulative time of 5:57.95.

Max Sedlak Troy Lee Designs Felt was just five seconds off the Enduro win in Pro Men.
Max Sedlak (Troy Lee Designs/Felt) was just five seconds off the Enduro win in Pro Men.

Maranda Maliska claimed the Women s Open Enduro victory.
Maranda Maliska claimed the Women's Open Enduro victory.

The downhillers put on a great show all the while being informed and entertained by Greg Luna with the bullhorn .
The downhillers put on a great show, all the while being informed and entertained by Greg Luna (with the bullhorn).

Nik Nestoroff KHS Factory Racing was less than two seconds off the Pro Men s DH win.
Nik Nestoroff (KHS Factory Racing) was less than two seconds off the Pro Men's DH win.

Alchemy Bicycles Cody Kelley made a rare appearance in Fontana and grabbed a stellar third place in Pro Men.
Alchemy Bicycles' Cody Kelley made a rare appearance in Fontana and grabbed a stellar third place in Pro Men.

Anneke Beerten Alchemy is no stranger to Southridge regularly training here in the offseason to prepare for the Enduro World Series. She won the Pro Women s XC on Saturday and then doubled up with the Downhill victory on Sunday.
Anneke Beerten (Alchemy) is no stranger to Southridge, regularly training here in the offseason to prepare for the Enduro World Series. She won the Pro Women's XC on Saturday and then doubled up with the Downhill victory on Sunday.

Italian World Cup competitor Veronika Widmann FS Funn was runner-up in Pro Women.
Italian World Cup competitor Veronika Widmann (FS Funn) was runner-up in Pro Women.

The largest class at the downhill was Expert Men 15-18 once again snapped up by Incycle s Cole Suetos with a 2 07.45. Seventeen riders filled the ranks.
The largest class at the downhill was Expert Men 15-18, once again snapped up by Incycle's Cole Suetos with a 2:07.45. Seventeen riders filled the ranks.

Austin Dooley 100 Fox Monster and Cole Suetos are nearly inseparable on race weekends on and off the track. He finished a close second to Dooley in the highly competitive Expert Men 15-18 class.
Austin Dooley (100%/Fox/Monster) and Cole Suetos are nearly inseparable on race weekends, on and off the track. He finished a close second to Dooley in the highly competitive Expert Men 15-18 class.

At 47 multi-time BMX and MTB champ Eric Carter 100 Hyper Carter Brothers can still haul the mail. He captured the Vet Pro class at round four with a 2 12.86.
At 47, multi-time BMX and MTB champ Eric Carter (100%/Hyper/Carter Brothers) can still haul the mail. He captured the Vet Pro class at round four with a 2:12.86.

Some races go better than others.
Some races go better than others.

photo

Fontana enjoys a thriving youth scene the grom classes often being the largest. Ryan Pinkerton Rock n Road Cycling Maxxis topped the Expert Men 14 amp Under division.
Fontana enjoys a thriving youth scene, the grom classes often being the largest. Ryan Pinkerton (Rock n Road Cycling/Maxxis) topped the Expert Men 14 & Under division.

Southridge uses separate downhill courses for the Pro Experts and Sport Beginners. The top time for the day on the latter went to Devon Hauser with a 2 39.57 on his way to winning the Sport Men 30-39 class.
Southridge uses separate downhill courses for the Pro/Experts and Sport/Beginners. The top time for the day on the latter went to Devon Hauser with a 2:39.57, on his way to winning the Sport Men 30-39 class.

Bruce Klein Commencal 100 stands tall on the Pro Men s DH podium flanked by Nik Nestoroff KHS Factory Racing Cody Kelley Alchemy Steven Walton Commencal and Logan Binggeli KHS Factory Racing .
Bruce Klein (Commencal/100%) stands tall on the Pro Men's DH podium, flanked by Nik Nestoroff (KHS Factory Racing), Cody Kelley (Alchemy), Steven Walton (Commencal) and Logan Binggeli (KHS Factory Racing).

The Pro Women s Downhill podium featuring Anneke Beerten Alchemy Veronika Widmann FS Funn and Alexis Fite.
The Pro Women's Downhill podium, featuring Anneke Beerten (Alchemy), Veronika Widmann (FS Funn) and Alexis Fite.

It s a scene that s been repeated hundreds of times over the last 25 years another awards presentation at storied Southridge Park. This is what winter looks like in SoCal.
It's a scene that's been repeated hundreds of times over the last 25+ years: another awards presentation at storied Southridge Park. This is what winter looks like in SoCal.

Two more events remain on the Southridge USA KMC Chain Winter Training Series (March 10-11 and March 24-25), leading in to the Fontana City National April 7-8. For more information and complete results, visit http://southridgeusa.com.

Posted In:
Racing and Events Race Reports Aaron Gwin


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150 Comments
  • 640 2
 I bet it's hiding a water bottle mount
  • 115 0
 Now you're talking.
  • 20 3
 No doubt it'll be a radical departure from the previous bike as with the Capra...
  • 12 0
 Any shots of the proto derailleur it has?
  • 31 43
flag endurocat (Feb 26, 2018 at 17:38) (Below Threshold)
 At least is not a 29er.
  • 62 4
 YT's first e-bike. Frown
  • 7 5
 Looks like a Huffy! Sike.
  • 29 1
 Wonder if it pedals up like an XC bike and descends like a DH bike. Truth be told my comment here will pale in comparison to this.
  • 5 25
flag jclnv (Feb 26, 2018 at 19:17) (Below Threshold)
 @enrico650: YT hasn't got enough R&D $ to get into that yet.
  • 21 59
flag MJ4LIFERIDER (Feb 26, 2018 at 19:19) (Below Threshold)
 USA !! AARON GWIN! Overall UCI Champion!
  • 1 2
 Hahahahahha
  • 13 7
 @jclnv: do you ever talk about things you actually know about or do you just run your mouth till mommy buys you another s works?
  • 21 1
 @stealthpenguin: The latter.
  • 67 1
 It is just a load of duct tape to hold the tubes together while they test different geometries. They'll weld it together once the geometry is defined.
  • 5 3
 Looks like a Goat.
  • 7 0
 @dro-cfr: Thanks. The only sane comment so far... Wink
  • 6 1
 It's a stubbie cooler.
  • 2 3
 The linkage looks like a Commencal Furious
  • 12 0
 @paulhaysom: but will it be a METRIC water bottle??????
  • 5 0
 Aero?
  • 3 5
 @zidaen: I doubt there will be a way to get the bottle out this way. This bike is definitely in need of some udders. Are these metric? I've never taken the measurements but considering even a 200x50mm rear shock didn't make it to the exclusive "metric" club, my guess is a 50.8mm udder diameter would still be considered metric. It doesn't take a Sherlock Holmes to realize it won't be 28.99mm. After all, Gwin is not a SRAM sponsored rider. Sherlock says it is more likely to be 29.01mm. Because it is stiffer. Sherlock could be wrong though. I don't quite see why udders need to be stiff when rushing down the hill. So yeah, my guess is it will be 28.98mm. Pretty definitely my guess.
  • 8 0
 @vinay: Actually they just switch from the "test" duct tape to the "production" duct tape.
  • 6 0
 Looks like M1.
  • 2 1
 Showing up with that kind of camouflage is all "LOOK AT ME!" - like when celebrities walk around with caps and huge sunglasses.
  • 2 0
 @TheRaven: Production duct tape? Like it is not going to be welded? That's a whole new take on adaptable geometry!
  • 3 0
 Probably a lunchbox a la canyon style for the emergency sandwich and redbull
  • 8 3
 It's actually going to have a bible and NRA membership card holder.
  • 1 0
 @jclnv: haha hell yeah
  • 1 0
 Big Grin dude you made my day haaaa
  • 221 0
 Quit whining about bikes you losers and give props to Anneke Beerten for winning XC and DH!!! What a feat! It's like 90s style.
  • 27 0
 She’s the new age Johnny T
  • 7 0
 BEAST MODE: ACTIVATE;
  • 33 0
 Also, her last name starts with Beer. That’s 3 for 3
  • 11 0
 Winning a dh race using an enduro bike.
  • 5 0
 Been a fan ever since she was riding for B1. Stoked she's still right up there.
  • 4 3
 Only pro woman in the XC...
  • 4 0
 @BenPea: Yeah but then again she isn't an XC pro. Actually, she did beat WC DH pros in the DH race mentioned. Obviously this is how here mtb career started but soon enough her focus shifted.
  • 5 1
 @vinay: This is true... Depth of field is a problem that ain't going away though. Correct me if I'm wrong...
  • 3 0
 Yep ! Good to see her top shape again !
  • 2 0
 She's been training fairly hard. Her instagram is constantly feeding out stories. Also ripped as buggery at the moment.
  • 129 0
 “With hundreds of dollars on the line and dozens of spectators, the stakes were medium.”
  • 4 0
 Hahahaha yes!
  • 14 1
 I like my stakes medium rare.
  • 96 1
 Surprise bitches, it's an e-bike.
  • 23 0
 I would die laughing if that were true , youlotoverthepond would all implode , it would be apocalyptic !
  • 3 0
 Well played. That was the first thing I thought of when I saw the photo.
  • 13 1
 Haha snorted milk out of my nostrils.. I think a cheerio may have gotten lodged, that's not good.
  • 20 1
 @weebleswobbles: as long as you can still breathe through the little hole
  • 1 2
 Well yt does have them coming..
  • 60 2
 The Marketing Dept trying hard to create hype.
  • 23 0
 In typical Yt fashion I expect a cryptic video series here soon
  • 14 5
 Exactly, why show up at a race course, practice with a vary obvious prototype in front of everyone, then not race on Sunday? Wouldn't it have been easier to just show up the weekend after when no one is around?
  • 20 0
 @mtnrush666: He regularly shows up for just practice
  • 1 0
 @mtnrush666: My thoughts as well!
  • 12 0
 @mtnrush666: It is common to see him out on Sat and then not race on Sun. At least a couple times a year. As far as the next weekend goes, there would not be a course set up and that is a different hill. I have been there when there was no tape set up and there are so many routes that cross each other. It is not fun at all.
  • 1 0
 @mtnrush666: Yeah except there would be another race next weekend, and the one after, and the one after that...
  • 3 0
 I'ma wrap my main frame in fabric from now on...So I can tell people I'm doing secret testing for "The Man".....lol
  • 53 0
 Maybe he just wanted it to look like an intense m-1 for nostalgia sake?
  • 1 0
 Or a 2stage. I recall seeing a picture of Nathan Rankin on the cover of New Zealand Mountainbike Rider racing with a frame wrapped in neoprene.
  • 1 0
 Bike skin suit Wink
  • 34 0
 maybe its just holding telemetry?
  • 9 0
 It might be. I can also see few design updates tho :
- Down tube bend is closer to the BB.
- Seat stays hold a very obvious protection pad which isn't visible on the current model.
- Linkage is straight and no longer features a bend near the upper pivot.
  • 13 0
 @qreative-bicycle: Also his knees are pointed in the same direction as his eyes. Which means he's going forward, and to the right. Opposite of JFK.
  • 3 1
 @qreative-bicycle: In the top comment replies, @dro-cfr claims that he was there and got a peak at it; he says its the new Fox live valve stuff with associated telemetry.
  • 1 0
 @Boardlife69: "Coup... Coup..."
  • 1 0
 @hamncheez: except that he later said it was not true.
  • 1 0
 @Slabrung: really? Dang.
  • 27 0
 I'm guessing he has a proto version of the Fox Live-valve system.
  • 17 0
 All the hype about Gwins shifter and you don’t even get a derailleur shot ?
  • 14 2
 "Subjecting riders to....just about everything a meteorologist could throw at them." Like sunny and 85 degrees literally every single day? That's SoCal. I lived in LA for a lot of years and you welcome and cherish the cold and rainy days just to feel like you're not living in a video game
  • 13 0
 That’s what you get for wearing a skin suit bro.
  • 4 0
 Am i really seeing dh pants and skin suit?
  • 2 0
 @jrocksdh: dunno, what are you looking at? This troubled me too though.
  • 1 0
 @BenPea: m.pinkbike.com/photo/15644555
  • 1 0
 @jrocksdh: Sickening. Ban him.
  • 9 0
 Klien is a ripper to watch out for. He destroyed Mammoth last Sept, and Anneke is just awesone.
  • 10 1
 Thanks for this, lots of great racing but everybody just wants to talk about the bike wearing a dress
  • 1 0
 @endlessblockades: When you going to bring your old Stormtrooper down here and join in on the fun? Enduro races on Saturday - Downhill on Sunday.
  • 1 0
 @kwapik: I've always meant to but I'm anchored down with kids and whatnot. Little League just started up, I can barely ride 1 day a weekend. Nice (GI) avatar BTW RIP Darby
  • 1 0
 @endlessblockades: Thanks and I hear you about being busy. Sometimes not enough hours in the day.
  • 9 0
 Is every other dude in SoCal a Cody?
  • 2 0
 Codys are so hot right now in SoCal. The Aidans will be taking over the podium in 2 years. The women will be Rileys..
  • 8 1
 I know from a good source that Gwin is bringing back Shimano AirLines shifting, that's why the frame is covered up. Everything old is new again.
  • 9 4
 seems very unnecessary, Norco and GT are letting the public see their radical redesigns but YT can't let anybody see a slight alteration (based on what we CAN see)?

Also, looks like a new derailleur, no?
  • 13 0
 Seems like good marketing to me
  • 3 20
flag wanleggedwinston (Feb 26, 2018 at 16:26) (Below Threshold)
 Rumor has it he is on box components for 2018. Nothing official yet.
  • 2 0
 @webby01: it has worked for a couple of their ad campaigns to build up hype
  • 6 0
 Let me get this straight... a big bike event + world famous pro downhiller + camoflauged bike = only one photo?
  • 4 1
 Every picture of him this season will be e.thirteen! Cranks!! e.thirteen! Carbon wheel rims!! e.thirteen! ...our tires can be seen in Vendor Row. Strange Marriage, Racing is.
  • 6 0
 Bikes gotta stay warm too!
  • 7 1
 Gwin is hiding electric suspension
  • 5 1
 I would be keen to live on that housing estate. Just roll out of your back door and get straight into it. Great satellite view of the area.
  • 4 0
 PB pushing the journalistic envelope again with "moderate, gusty breezes."

Thanks for that. You guys are on a roll.
  • 6 4
 So it's got a similar but slightly different shaped linkage and shock mount plus it's visibly skinnier than the current Tues. Begs the question why YT feel the need to cover it up, unless it's secretly a Canyon or something.
  • 3 1
 If you zoom in realllly closely you can see a faint outline of something that would connect the top and bottom tube, kinda like a Ibis mojo, and the shock leads to that point....
  • 1 0
 Actually if you look at the downtube it looks as though it’s slightly different than the current iteration of the tues. there is a less significant degree in the placement of the rocker. Telemetry maybe.... possible intigration into the frame. Or whole new geometry of leverage ratio. It’s anybodys guess at this point.
  • 7 1
 YT Weds
  • 1 0
 Yea yea yea, of course, everybody thinks its a concealed bike, nobody seems to be open minded enough to see that this is really just because the front end was a bit chilly and needed a bit of a blanket...
  • 2 0
 I bet it's got a similar shape to specialized's x-wing design, look at where the rear shock is heading there's no way it's mounted to the downtube
  • 7 2
 "Ban the Burka"
  • 5 0
 An old Norco VPs
  • 4 0
 He's got a new bike bag sponcer and this is the only way to advertise it.
  • 4 0
 A YT Tues, but mostly free marketing and industry buzz.
  • 3 0
 lol I thought it was an old m6 or something
  • 2 0
 Looks kind of like a Commencal Furious-ish.
  • 1 0
 @whattheheel: I bet if you ask your amigo Juan Hall real nice about Aaron's YT, he'll tell you what's under that dress. Especially if you bribe him with some water - ahem I mean Bud Light : )
  • 1 0
 John knows better than to tell me anything. My mouth is wayy too big. I hear they are testing a new data acquisition system on shock.
  • 3 2
 Instead than the frame, they should cover the shifter... so ugly. There are some close ups on instagram.
  • 2 1
 They're hiding an E-motor... First Sam Pilgram and now Gwin, what's the riding community coming to... Wink
  • 2 0
 Looks like an old school Intense M1
  • 2 0
 I feel like I'll be too poor to buy it either way lol
  • 2 0
 Enduro bikes winning DH races, not sure whether to laugh or cry.
  • 2 0
 No ebike race coverage??? Bad form pinkbike
  • 1 0
 Gwin might find it a bit tough to keep the racing line or hit a big jump when there's a cross wind!
  • 2 0
 It's actually just a stash spot for your dope
  • 2 0
 Chill, Gwin's just trying out bike packing after the race.
  • 1 0
 So very jealous of Cody Kelley's flowing mane. Adds 5mph of drama to every pic!
  • 1 0
 if I was Gwinn, I would cover my frame like this just to fuck with people!!!!
  • 2 0
 For aerodynamics.
  • 1 0
 Looks like a shapeshifter Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Definitely a Pedelec, old Aaron's getting on s bit you know!
  • 1 0
 Literally keeping it "underwraps" Wink
  • 2 2
 I'm sure he was seen just for a short time and I'm sure his new bike has no chain.
  • 2 0
 Secret E-Drive?!?
  • 1 0
 looks like a carbon linkage
  • 1 0
 Why you being so secretive Gwin Razz
  • 1 0
 Now that's my kind of winter. One where you wear shorts.
  • 1 0
 Ryan (and dad) from STR? Way to go kid!
  • 1 0
 Never mind...didn't look closely enough.
  • 5 3
 "Wow" -Owen Wilson
  • 1 0
 @jrocksdh: How about that men's podium? Plenty of steeze for ya
  • 2 0
 Poor Wes Peebles
  • 1 0
 Drivetrain isn't sram or shimano anymore. it's clear
  • 2 0
 whip air brake
  • 1 0
 Cool a sealed frame, try putting that over the chain to keep it clean
  • 1 0
 Stealthie, stealthie, stealth, stealth...
  • 1 1
 Its got a motor.... E-tues? But seriously, they aren't going to sell many looking like that.
  • 1 0
 It's hiding a lil two stroke chainsaw motor I heard
  • 1 0
 Kelly getting it done on an enduro bike!!
  • 1 0
 It's an intense M1 being used for comparison testing.
  • 1 0
 Does your name have to be Cody to do well?
  • 1 0
 This whole bikepacking thing is getting out of hand...
  • 2 1
 i owe max lunch
  • 1 0
 Or at all...
  • 1 0
 Anneke \m/
  • 1 0
 New aero package..
  • 1 0
 BB motor.
  • 1 0
 Looks like a session
  • 2 4
 Idler pulley, maybe?
  • 6 1
 On the front end of the bike??







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