Yoann Barelli's A-Line Cyclocross Bike - Crankworx Whistler 2016
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Sometimes winning doesn't mean finishing first, especially if you're using the wrong tool for the job. Giant's Yoann Barelli knows that racing Crankworx's Fox Air DH race in a skin suit, or birthday suit, is about as original as me telling you that a test bike climbs like a scalded cat, so instead he pulled out his TCX cyclocross bike, a rig made for hour-long races in grass fields or to cruise along chill gravel paths.
A-line is neither of those things. Plus, now he has an actual reason to wear a sausage suit.
While you or I probably wouldn't ride a cyclocross bike down A-Line for money if we had to clear all the jumps, this isn't the first time Yoann has used nearly the worst tool for the job - Dirt Merchant and A-line saw some skinny tire action last year. And yes, he's clearing all the jumps, and probably going quicker than a lot of us.
How'd he do on the TCX? Officially, he received a DNS (Did Not Start) on the results sheet due to going around the wooden drop at the top of the track as it surely would have caused a flat or two, but he won the day in a lot of people's minds.
While you or I probably wouldn't ride a cyclocross bike down A-Line for money if we had to clear all the jumps, this isn't the first time Yoann has used nearly the worst tool for the job - Dirt Merchant and A-line saw some skinny tire action last year. And yes, he's clearing all the jumps, and probably going quicker than a lot of us.
How'd he do on the TCX? Officially, he received a DNS (Did Not Start) on the results sheet due to going around the wooden drop at the top of the track as it surely would have caused a flat or two, but he won the day in a lot of people's minds.
These pint-sized Rocket Ron tires never knew what was coming.
A-Line doesn't require a ton of stopping power, so the cable-operated Avid brakes and small rotors are sufficient. |
MENTIONS: @giantbicycles / @SramMedia / @yoannbarelli
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Yes, that’s right, he is 98% better than the rest of us...
It's like an XC race on a road bike with knobbies, all on a course with a shit ton of corners (off-cambered, mud infested, maybe snow too), mandatory dismounts, sand pits and some barriers to hop (if you can make it). All wrapped up in a 30-45 min sprint fest. They're pretty fun but a flat or mechanical shits the bed for you finishing. Sorta Enduro-ish from that perspective. Some think the courses look boring but then you ride it on a fully rigid bike with skinny pinner tires, parts of it can be brutal on the wrists/hands.
The dude has got the skills to pay the bills!
DH trails IMO are the best ones. But trails like that are really cool too, and it is possible to have as much fun in a trail like that as in a DH trail. It just takes more lungs, and a different technique. Here in Brazil there are almost no trails like A River Runs Trough It, and it was quite a fun surprise to ride something like that.
Him riding dirt merchant last year.