Mitterwallner challenges modern XCO and will race in Leogang on a hardtail

In an era where XCO bikes are increasingly evolving towards platforms with greater capabilities in descents, hardtails continue to find their place even in the most demanding circuits of the World Cup. One of the major protagonists of the weekend in Leogang will undoubtedly be the Austrian Mona Mitterwallner, who is competing at home and will have the support of the local audience. For such a special event, she has opted for one of the lightest bikes in the entire lineup: the Mondraker Podium RR SL.

Here you can see the schedules and where to follow the XCO World Cup in Leogang.

Mitterwallner will face the Leogang World Cup with a Mondraker Podium RR SL hardtail

More and more riders and technicians agree that one of the keys to current XCO is the ability to recover energy during descents to maximize performance in each ascent. Therefore, brands have prioritized the descending capability of their bikes in recent years, even when that means accepting a slight increase in weight.

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The Leogang World Cup is one of the most emblematic events on the international calendar, and although it has traditionally been a circuit highly appreciated by both professionals and amateurs, this year it has been remodeled to adapt to current trends in the discipline. The course incorporates new rock gardens and several technical sections aimed at increasing its difficulty and demands.

Even so, the layout maintains a significant positive elevation compared to other circuits, a factor that seems to have been decisive in Mitterwallner's choice. Facing a lineup almost completely dominated by dual suspension bikes, the Austrian has opted for the lightness, efficiency, and acceleration capability of a hardtail.

 

 

 

 

 

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Everything points to Mitterwallner trusting the responsiveness of this Mondraker Podium, a model that at the time of its launch boasted being one of the lightest frames on the market. Additionally, the bike is equipped with a RockShox Flight Attendant fork, which after the latest update of its system allows the use of this intelligent suspension technology even on bikes without a rear shock.

And for those who think that hardtails have completely disappeared from top-level XCO, it is worth remembering that the last Olympic champion, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, won the previous World Championship and gold at the Paris Olympic Games competing precisely with a hardtail: the Pinarello Dogma XC HT.