Specialized XC World Champs 2011

Specialized's JAROSLAV KULHAVY rode to his first elite men's cross country world championship title on Saturday afternoon in Champery, Switzerland. Winning the rainbow striped jersey capped off a perfect season for the Czech rider, who also won the 2011 World Cup overall two weeks ago.

"I'm so happy for this jersey and for this season," said Kulhavy after his most recent win.
Kulhavy raced his 2012 Specialized Epic 29er full suspension bike to the win at the end of the seven-lap contest - he was on the bike he had just received a few weeks ago for the World Cup in his home nation of Czech.

"The Epic 29er is the best bike in the world, and I think it is the future of mountain biking. The 29er full suspension is the best for all conditions."

What made the race especially tricky was that it started to rain about halfway through. The downpour made the technical, rooty just over 4.0km course even more slippery.

"The race was very hard because it rained and was so slippery on the wet roots," said Kulhavy. "Fortunately, my tires were still ok when it started to rain. They were good in both dry and wet conditions."

Category:

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• world
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• jaroslov
• kulhavy
• todd
• wells
• burry
• stander
• christoph
• sauser
• epic
• 29er
• s-works
• bike
• mountain
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• cycling

[gweflj]

Second and third were 26".... Don't believe the hype.

[icudoc11]

I've owned eight Specialized bikes over the past 16 years. I've broken two S-works MTB frames (my fault) and both of them have been replaced, no questions asked. I currently have an S-works hard tail, a Stump jumper FSR, an S-works Epic full suspension (2005) and an S-works carbon cyclocross bike. I'm happy with all of them and have only had problems with the early version of the Brain rear shock, which they also covered under warranty. How's that for warranty support?

[kontaktseistrup]

that looks like one of the most shittiest and boring tracks in the world..Not a single jump WTF it's a mountainbike not a tricycle !

[Sworksepic12]

Funny how people are so crazy about 29ers these days, before buying my 2012 S-Works epic 26er I rode a 2009 rockhopper hard tail and would out ride guys on full suspension 29ers. Btw I love my S-Works epic 26er! Great job specialized.

[chunky1x]

Truth is, it is more on the skill and ability of the rider to ride his/her bike than the size of the wheels. Base on this video alone you can see 26er are equal to 29er. Each tire size have pros and cons but if your not comfortable with your bike you'll least likely to win.

[BRADISANTONY1]

@icudoc11 but why you own so many bikes ????? :O

[durianrider]

Whats up with the seat angles from 4:20 onwards.

[Gargynek]

Congralutations to Jarda and the all team Specialized. Well done. This year was great. Good luck in next season.