Watch: Elements of victory at the 2016 BC Bike Race
At the 10th edition of the BC Bike Race, the Rocky Mountain Element was put to the test over the 7 stage race
The 10th edition of the BC Bike Race, the seven-stage mountain bike race held in July, proved to be the perfect opportunity to get the Rocky Mountain Element out for a thorough test on the challenging single track. With challenging weather, explosive racing over the marathon cross-country race push riders and their machines to the limit.
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The updated Element features 120 mm travel suspension in the front and 100 mm of travel in the rear with 29″ wheels. With room for two water bottle cages, an updated aggressive marathon geometry and a carbon frame the bike is dialed in for speed over the long haul.
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“The new frame was a very big deal for me,” explained Squamish, B.C. racer Quinn Moberg. “I was immediately more confident technically, but also felt more efficiency from the suspension. On this new frame I choose not to run a shock remote, simply because I don’t think it’s necessary. Along with the new bike I was using the new Shimano XT Di2 for the first time. I found the electric shifting to be intuitive and lightning-fast, which was especially helpful when riding unfamiliar trails.”
Stage 6 was in Squamish and is consistently a highlight of the race. With one stage win already in the bucket, Moberg eyed thestage which featured exposed trail, steep and technical singletrack, and smooth flowy jump trails.
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Moberg executed the plan and won the 55-km stage several minutes ahead of his nearest competitor. “Racing at home is a bit different than racing anywhere else for me. I feel a strong sense of community here and there are so many people that support me and allow me to do what I do,” said Moberg. “I put a lot of pressure on myself to win races at home because I treat it as my end of the deal. People in town support me, cheer for me, guide me, and motivate me. This is my way of giving back to all those people.”
