Foto Story

The moment their front wheels crossed the finish line at Mont-Sainte-Anne in October 2025, the road to the final race of the 2026 season in Lake Placid had already begun.

A World Cup season might have firmly planned first and last races on the calendar, but the work doesn't fit neatly between them when you live for World Cup MTB racing. Bikes change. Riders change. Teams learn what worked, what didn't and what needs to happen before the leaves and the lights turn green the following spring.

After a year of countless ups and downs, climbs and descents, Lake Placid offered a real insight into just how far SR SUNTOUR riders had journeyed to reach the end of 2026—and start rolling into the beginning of 2027.

TRUE GRIFT

Martina Berta's journey showed her true grit in 2026. After ending last year's season with 13th in XCC and 11th in XCO at Mont-Sainte-Anne, she arrived at this year's season finale following a remarkable run of form. In Friday's wet and muddy XCC, Berta took the lead into the final lap and held off Jenny Rissveds through the slippery final sections and all the way to the line. It was her second consecutive XCC victory and third World Cup win in as many starts.

The XCO was even closer. After fighting her way back into contention on the final lap, Berta reached the finishing straight with World Champion Sina Frei. Frei edged her out in the sprint, but Berta ended her season proudly on the second step of the podium, while securing third overall in both the XCC and XCO World Cup standings.

A STAR IN STRIPES

Naël Rouffiac's journey was also an epic one. He closed the 2025 season with third place in the U23 XCO at Mont-Sainte-Anne. A year later, he returned to North America wearing the rainbow stripes of U23 XCO World Champion and finished off the season with his first World Cup XCO victory. A lot can happen in twelve months.

SUCCESS IS MORE THAN VICTORY

Paul Schehl has travelled a long way as well, and it's a journey he should be extraordinarily proud of. Third overall in the U23 XCC World Cup in 2025, he went on to win five consecutive XCC races in 2026 and ultimately finished the year with the U23 XCC and XCO overall titles. His final XCO in Lake Placid didn't go to plan, but one rough afternoon doesn't take anything away from Paul's unforgettable season.

And a season is just that: a passage of time bookended by crossing two white lines. Victory and defeat are fleeting, but success is earned over the long haul.

For those of us at SR SUNTOUR, race results may be the most quantifiable part of that process, but it's the process itself we are passionate about. Behind the numbers are countless discussions with riders and mechanics, suspension setups, testing sessions, feedback, travel days, WERX camps, and long hours from people whose names never appear on a results sheet. We have the privilege of working alongside the best of the best, through the good weekends and the difficult ones, and everyone's passion, feedback, and expertise contributes to the suspension technology we race and ride today and for the seasons to come.

So, as the 2026 World Cup season comes to an end, we want to say thank you to the riders who trusted our suspension from start lights to the white lines. To the mechanics and team staff who worked with us throughout the year. To our partners, engineers, support crews and creatives behind the scenes. And to everyone who made us laugh, cry, or yell at our screens in excitement: you made 2026 a memorable journey.

The ride to Lake Placid was a long one, and the ride to 2027 has already begun.