World Cup riders speak out and drop hints about the new 32-inch bikes we’ll soon see

The 32-inch wheels have been making their way into XCO for months, but it is clear that we are only at the beginning. After the prototypes that have already competed in the World Cup, the real arrival could take place starting this winter and, above all, with the start of the 2027 season.

The responses from the riders point to more 32" MTB for 2027

In Soldier Hollow, we already saw that Trek and SCOTT put their new bikes directly into the race, while Thömus has been competing with its R32 for some time and CUBE also has a functional prototype. Here we review all the 32" bikes that arrived at the Soldier Hollow World Cup.

But there are quite a few more projects that still remain hidden. And in Lake Placid, the last stop of the World Cup, a very simple question was posed to some of the best XCO riders: Will there be 32-inch wheels next year? The answers, although very brief, leave a few clues.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A shared post from WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series (@uci_mtbworldseries)

RECOMENDADO

Short Track today and elite XCO on Saturday: the final World Cup of the year arrives with different days and times than usual

Ion Izagirre misses out on the farewell he had chosen to end his career

McNulty debuts in the rainbow jersey as Nairo bids farewell to cycling at the Giro dell’Emilia

Luca Martin surprises with his choice between XCO and XCC: “I want to win the Short Track”

Europe needs 105,000 bicycle mechanics

The Super Worlds force some date changes: UCI confirms the 2027 WorldTour calendar

Evie Richards has no doubts and Trek is no longer hiding its project

Evie Richards simply responds “yes” when asked if she will race with 32-inch wheels next year. In her case, there is little to interpret. Trek has been one of the brands that has most openly shown its project, and Richards has already competed with it. The British rider, along with Gwendalyn Gibson and Riley Amos, has been one of the ones to put the new platform into competition.

Gwendalyn Gibson is practically just as clear: “I think that’s the plan. Yes. I would say yes.” The American already took the 32" Trek to second place in the XCO of Soldier Hollow, so it seems likely that she will continue using this platform.

Cole Punchard still has several topics to reveal

The situation of Cole Punchard is quite different. When asked the same question, he responds: “I guess we’ll find out”. But the thing is that the Canadian will not continue with Cannondale in 2027, so first we will have to find out which brand he will compete with next season.

Savilia Blunk points directly to a 32" Rockrider

Another of the clearest responses comes from Savilia Blunk. The Decathlon rider also responds with a simple “yes”.

Here the reading is inevitable. Rockrider has not publicly shown a 32-inch XCO bike, but Blunk's response suggests that there could already be a project in development for next season.

Samuel Gaze continues to defend the 29"

Samuel Gaze offers the most extensive response and also seems the least eager to anticipate an immediate change:

“It’s hard to say. I think that’s where the industry is heading, but my 29” had a pretty good year last week, so I like it.”

The New Zealander acknowledges where the market seems to be heading, but avoids confirming that Canyon has a 32-inch bike ready. His response even makes it clear that, at least personally, he does not seem to be in a hurry to abandon the 29".

Martina Berta cannot speak yet

The Italian champion Martina Berta avoids answering and states that she cannot talk about it. But in her case, we already know that Origine will not continue in the structure next season, and there are also rumors about a possible team change for Berta in 2027.

Therefore, it is impossible to link her response to a specific bike or manufacturer.

Simone Avondetto claims he still doesn't know and could be the most honest

Simone Avondetto responds much more directly: “I still don’t know”.

And in his case, that could be exactly it. With the movements that are taking place for 2027 and the rumors circulating, it is perfectly possible that the Italian still does not have defined which bike he will race with next season.

Giant and Liv leave the door open

Also interesting is the reaction of Dario Lillo. The Swiss champion, currently with Giant, simply responds “maybe”, accompanied by a smile that keeps any possibility open, but confirms none.

A similar response is offered by Ronja Blöchlinger, a Liv rider. Her “we’ll see” also reveals nothing, although it becomes interesting precisely because Giant and Liv have not yet publicly shown a project of this nature.

For now, they are only clues.

What we do know is that the 32" have ceased to be an experimental rarity. Trek, SCOTT, Thömus, and CUBE have already brought projects to competition, and the responses heard in Lake Placid suggest that the list could grow considerably when 2027 begins.

The grid for the next World Cup will be what ultimately shows how far this change has really come.