SWATCH NINES MTB 2023: A catalogue of new tricks unfolds during a week-long session at Green Hill Bikepark, Germany.

Global mountain biking talents converged at Swatch Nines 2023 mountain bike event from August 14th to 19th. Riders showcased unprecedented skills on the Swatch Nines course. This unique event has once again created the space to elevate the sport to new heights.

WORLD'S FIRST TRICKS SET NEW STANDARDS

Eight inspiring "never been done before" tricks have been claimed to rewrite the record book in just a few days. The German Youngblood, 2021 Become a Nine winner, Patricia Druwen (GER), has emerged as a trailblazer, unlocking the next milestone for women's mountain biking with a 540 and a Backflip Triple Barspin.

Tim Bringer (FRA) has captured attention with his mind-boggling Double Tailwhip Flair, and Tom Isted (GBR) added to the excitement by nailing a Flair Downside Tailwhip on the quarter pipe, securing his name among the list of riders claiming a World's First.

On the big bikes, the 'Ruso Bros' Elias and Daniel Ruso (AUT) landed a Double Backflip Tuck-No-Hander and a Double Backflip Can-Can, while Spanish veteran Bienvenido Aguado (ESP) executed a spectacular Frontflip Cliffhanger on the big-air jump in front of a fired-up crowd. Also taking advantage of the atmosphere, Australia's Ex-BMX rider Caroline Buchanan grabbed her big bike to land the first Superman Seat Grab Indian-Air performed by a woman.

"It's amazing to have a completely new venue; the course is really fun; I love it. Seeing the Ruso brothers doing big tricks motivated me to push myself to do this trick and deliver it in front of this fired-up audience." - Bienvenido Aguado

"After transitioning from the BMX to the mountain bike, I really wanted to jump on the big bike, which is completely new. I've never really ridden such a big jump before, and to pull off a Superman Seat Grab Indian-Air in front of a crowd at the Nines felt amazing." - Caroline Buchanan

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE WITH THE NINES SPECIAL AWARDS

During the legendary Nines Gala Night, Swatch Nines participants collectively voted on the week’s best riders in the following categories: MVP, Best Trick, New Nines, Creative Edge and Best Moment (see the full list of winners below).

2023 SWATCH NINES AWARDS:

New Nine: Hayden Zablotny

Creative Edge presented by Rose: Lukas Schäfer

GoPro Best Moment: Tomas Lemoine

Best Trick Slope Bike Men: Kaidan Ingersoll - 360 Barspin Double Downside Whip

Best Trick Slope Bike Women: Patricia Druwen - 540 & Backflip Triple Barspin

Best Trick Big Bike Women: Robin Goomes - Backflip on the Freeride Line

Best Trick Big Bike Men: Bienvenido Aguado - Frontflip Cliffhanger

Female MVP: Patricia Druwen

Male MVP: Peter Kaiser

BYND THE HILL FESTIVAL

Swatch Nines, in cooperation with BYND The Hill Festival welcomed thousands of biking enthusiasts to witness astonishing feats. This collaboration marks an exciting moment as the Swatch Nines shares event an unforgettable experience for all attendees.

The history was made on Sunday!  

The Czech rider crashed during the practice session, getting an ankle injury that almost made him quit the competition. More than 15 thousand people watched how the 15 finalist riders raced in the 19th edition of the most extreme urban downhill in the world.

Tomas Slavík is the new "King of the Port". After an exciting day, where more than 15 thousand people arrived in Valparaíso, the Czech rider, who got injured during the morning practice, achieved his third title on Red Bull Valparaíso Cerro Abajo with a spectacular run and winning with over 1,4 seconds ahead Juan Fer Velez from Colombia! Slavík won his third title in Valparaíso after four years. In 2019 he crashed in the Jessica’s backyard obstacle; in 2020 & 2021 the race was cancelled and in 2022 he took the second place by only 0,04 seconds, against the Chilean Pedro Ferreira.

"Red Bull Valparaiso Cerro Abajo is the biggest urban DH race in the world and it was always a mission for me to get the 3rd win here. Its a mission for everyone. After all the things I went through on sunday I have to say it was one of the biggest days in my entire racing career. Very big day with even bigger story behind my win. I truly digged deep on sunday and felt like its more race against pain and against my body...then against time. It reminded me all big lessons I learned in my career and Im glad that didnt give up. It was sureal feeling flying down the hill in Valpo full speed and hearing the crowd pushing me to the finish line. I needed it and honestly I left everything on that track... and its been pleasure at the same time, for all the fans, for all the organizers and for all of us standing with me on my way! Thank you very much... this day was special and I will never forget!"

The next stops for “Red Bull Cerro Abajo” series will take place in Medellín, Colombia on March 4^th and then, on March 25th, the races will have their last date in Guanuajuato, Mexico. Tomas will have close call with his injury. There are confirmed no fractures now and Tomas is working everyday out to be able to be at start in Colombia in 2 weeks time.

GoPro POV Winning Run

Full Replay Red Bull TV

Winning Run Red Bull TV

At the repositioned EUROBIKE, the ergotec team will present a variety of product innovations with a newly designed and expanded booth concept. The focus is on the III contact points between rider and bike.
In the "Cockpit" product area, the new EG grip series will be on display for the first time. The products around the contact point "Seating" are extended by the new EG saddle series. The product group of the interface "Pedaling" consists of the comprehensive and independent EP pedal series.


The new EG grip series - Made in Germany
As a world first, the completely newly developed EG grip series will be presented for the first time at the Eurobike. The new EG grip series combines ergonomics with dynamic design. Initially, three different models will be offered, each available in long/long and long/short sizes. In detail, these are the EG PERFORMANCE with a round shape, the EG AMBITION with a small ergonomic hand rest and the EG ACTIVE FLEX with an ergonomically shaped hand rest as well as adjustable damping properties. The EG grip series was developed in Germany and is also produced in Germany. At the heart of the EG grip series is the patent-pending "EG ACTIVE FLEX", which is also the winner in the Cycling Magazine "radfahren" issue 2/2023. This grip has a large ergonomically shaped hand rest, which offers the possibility to adjust the hardness of the hand rest by exchanging the damping wedge (flex stick) due to the ergotec flex adjustment, which is unique at times. Initially, two Flex-Sticks are offered in green (more damping) as well as red (less damping). The inner material of the "EG PERFORMANCE" grips is a TP material composite made of recycled, glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic. The grip surface made of TPE thermoplastic elastomer material has a long service life and always gives the rider a secure, ergonomic grip that is easy on the joints. Since no classic Kraton is used, the "sticking" of the hands to the handle, belongs to the past.

The new ES saddle series
The new series consists of a total of 10 models, which are available in different sizes and hardnesses. In detail there are the models ES PERFORMANCE, ES ACTIVE, ES COMFORT and ES COMFORT PLUS. The strength of the saddles is divided into soft and medium or medium and strong. The saddles are characterized by a large scaled adjustment range of the saddle frame. Furthermore, the saddles have a relief level as well as an ergotec Flex T-zone, which adapts to the contour of the buttocks and helps prevent pressure points. The Cutout Plus, which are located under the ischial bones, are closed by an elastic membrane and reduce the pressure on the sensitive structures again, but without giving too much.
An open, unclosed elongated Comfort Cutout is located in the center of the saddle to provide additional relief for the perineal and pubic areas.
The ES saddle series was developed in collaboration with the German research center bicycle.

TOGETHER AGAINST BACK PAIN! HELP AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE BACK AND A BACK-FRIENDLY LIFE 

Informing, educating, preventing – these are the goals that Aktion Gesunder Rücken e. V. has been pursuing since its foundation in 1995. The central concern of the association is to create awareness of the importance of back-friendly conditions and thus to avoid back pain. "In the prevention and therapy of back problems, everyday products that optimally support the musculoskeletal system and the spine play an essential role," says Detlef Detjen, Managing Director of AGR.

Everyday objects that meet these criteria are awarded with the AGR quality label "Tested & Recommended" by independent medical committees. In recent years, the quality label has been awarded to products from over 100 subject areas such as office furniture, seating and children's furniture, bed systems, shoes, car/truck seats, various sports equipment for therapy and prevention and many more.

"With its two consulting tools, Ergotec has convinced the interdisciplinary AGR examination board of doctors, therapists and sports scientists. While cyclingright.com advises consumers online, the Ergotec scanner supports the certified consultant in the bicycle retail trade.

Both Ergotec tools contribute to the prevention of back pain and have consequently been awarded with the AGR quality label."

Detlef Detjen, Managing Director of Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.

Certificate cyclingright.com and ergotec scanner.

PERFORMANCE MEETS SECURITY

Tomas Slavik, world champion, world cup winner and multiple national winner was able to win the world championship title in 2021 in 4x in the Italian Val de Sole.

Tomas rode the ergotec Riser Bar 50, the Team Series stem and the Skalar seat post. His trust in ergotec MTB components that meet his requirements confirms our ambition to always develop high-quality products. His successes speak for themselves and for ergotec.

Congratulations Tomas!

Click here for the video: Tomas Slavik is world champion 2021!

For Sporty MTBS and E-MTBS (25 km/h)

The rapid developments in the E-MTB sector make it necessary to constantly optimize and adapt components. The Safety Level 6+ is the safe choice for sporty E-MTBS. For steering systems to max. 160 kg total weight (bike+rider+load) and seat posts to max. 160 kg rider weight (rider + backpack) for Mountain Bike and E-MTB 25 km/h range.

The 6+ series currently consists of three handlebars Flat Bar, Low Riser Bar and Riser Bar 30, as well as a stem Bass and a seatpost Ray 6+.

Suitable for all standard smartphones

The new ergotec smartphone holders are available in two different versions. For handlebar and stem mounting. The smartphone can simply be attached or removed at the touch of a button. The supplied silicone strap ensures that the smartphone is always held securely, even during bumpy off-road rides. The special ball joint allows 360° rotation of the phone, and the viewing angle can be freely adjusted as required.

Ergotec M-99 – easy attachable E-Bike rear view Mirror

Just like when driving a car a rear view mirror should also been used when cycling. A comprehensive road safety is only achieved when the cyclist is able to also have a good rear view on the traffic happen behind him.

The M-99 rear-view mirror  by ergotec is the test winner of a comparison test done by  vergleich.org. In this test the M-99 rear view mirror was awarded with a very good ranking (1.4) and took first place. Please find more infos and all details of the test at https://www.vergleich.org/fahrradspiegel/

The stylish housing is made of forged aluminum and gives the rear-view mirror an exclusive look. The ergotec M-99 with its dimension of 12,2 x 7,8 x 2 cm (WxHxD) and aspherical mirror surface gives an extra-large viewing which reduces blind spots. The mounting is possible left- or right-hand side and also suitable for bended handlebars. A 360 degree rotation made possible an individual positioning of the mirror head. Due to approved E-Test number the mirror can also be applied on E-Bikes 45 km/h and motor bikes. An adapter for clamping to the handlebars is available as an optional extra.

Check out our entire range of rear view mirrors here.