2015 Specialized S-Works Demo

“I've been on the bike for about a month now," says Gwin about the completely redesigned World Cup bike he and teammate Troy Brosnan will be debuting at Mont Sainte Anne this weekend. "We got on it right after the National Champs because we wanted to get on it right away for comparison to the old bike on the same track."

"The thing I noticed right away was just how fast it was," says Gwin. "It’s a really playful bike, but it’s a race bike through and through." Gwin believes this bike "reacts quicker than any bike he's ridden before."

"It accelerates fast because of the [lack of] weight and the stiffness." Gwin says. "You can plant it and change directions really quick because of how your feet sit on the bike... there are not a lot of pivots so when you put force into the bike it reacts straight away."

One of the interesting points Gwin makes about the new Demo is how the single-sided seat tube allows for easy in-and-out access to the rear shock.

"The switch was really easy and setting up suspension was easy," says Gwin."It's something non-racers might not have to deal with very often. But anyone who races seriously knows how often you need to service, set up and remove your shocks. The access on the Demo makes it so easy, plus I just think it looks rad."

Specialized Racing: World Cup DH3 - Vallnord

The downhill boys head to Andorra as the 2013 UCI Downhill World Cup season continues. The ski area at Vallnord offers a particularly dynamic and demanding track, with a mix of tight sections that require a of pedaling, technical terrain, and some remarkably steep flat-out runs. Though it's already late July, this is only third round, and the crew is visibly anxious to get back into racing rhythm. All three riders (Mitch Ropelato, Troy Brosnan, and Aaron Gwin) safely found their way down the track, with two of them placing in the top ten. Though satisfied with the progress, each rider is clearly hungry for better results. Check out their Demo 8 downhill bikes at http://www.specialized.com/demo

Follow Specialized Racing at http://www.iamspecialized.com/gravity

Video produced by John Lawlor and Victor Lucas for Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc

OVERHEARD: Specialized Racing Downhill Team in Port Angeles, WA

Go behind the scenes with the Specialized Racing Downhill Team at the Northwest Cup in Port Angeles, Washington, as the guys hit the road for the first time in 2013. Team riders Aaron Gwin, Troy Brosnan, and Mitch Ropelato, used the Northwest Cup terrain to get early season race training aboard their Demo 8s, while veteran World Cup Wrench Jacy Shumilak dialed in their machines for the rigors of the upcoming season.

Specialized would like to thank Scott Tucker and Casey Northern for their help and hospitality while in Port Angeles.

Photography shot on location in Port Angeles, Washington, by Cameron Baird and Ryan Cleek; supplemental photography by Jake Orness and Sebastian Schieck. Produced by Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.

2013 Val Di Sole World Cup 2 Specialized Racing

UCI World Cup DH2 - Val di Sole.
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Specialized Racing: UCI World Cup DH2 - Val di Sole

What a difference a week can make! The Specialized Racing downhill squad rolled out of last week's season opener at Fort William with some valuable knowledge and a lot of hard work to do. Putting both Troy Brosnan and Aaron Gwin back in the top ten at Val di Sole, with Troy on the podium, is proof of tremendous progress.

It's a few weeks until round three, but it won't be a vacation. Riders and crew will continue dialing in bike setup, equipment choices, and further honing skills. The battle for World Cup overall has only begun.

Check out Aaron, Mitch, and Troy's Demo 8 bike at http://www.specialized.com/demo
Learn more about Specialized Racing at http://www.iamspecialized.com

Video shot and edited by Victor Lucas and John Lawlor on location at Val di Sole, Italy. Produced by Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.