In the inaugural round of the 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup held in Mona Yongpyong, South Korea, the spotlight was on the performance of belt-drive, gearbox-equipped downhill bikes. Notably, Gloria Scarsi of MS Racing secured a commendable second place, finishing just 0.573 seconds behind the reigning World Champion, Valentina Höll. (ski-nordique.net)
This achievement brings Scarsi and her team closer to claiming the coveted €100,000 “Belted Purse” prize offered by Gates, a reward for the first rider to win a World Cup event using a belt-drive system. The performance of Scarsi and her MS Racing teammate, Valentina Roa Sánchez, who also qualified in the top three, underscores the growing competitiveness of belt-drive technology in elite downhill racing. (mtbdata.com)
The MS Racing team utilizes the Zerode G3, a high single-pivot aluminum bike equipped with a Gates belt-drive system and a Smart.Shift Pinion gearbox. This setup offers a maintenance-friendly alternative to traditional chain systems, providing consistent performance and reliability. The bike’s design features a narrow 12x142mm rear end, contributing to a stronger, symmetrically-dished rear wheel, and is complemented by SR Suntour Rux 38 and Voro Coil suspension, Hope brakes, and Michelin tires.
Similarly, AON Racing’s Harriet Harnden showcased the potential of belt-drive technology by finishing fourth in the elite women’s final. Harnden’s bike, the Gamux Sego, combines Swiss CNC-machined aluminum with boxy carbon tubes, offering a unique blend of stiffness and weight savings. The bike is equipped with a Gates belt-drive system and a Smart.Shift Pinion gearbox, along with Manitou Dorado inverted forks and Hayes Dominion brakes. (pinkbike.com)
The success of these riders highlights a significant shift in downhill racing, with belt-drive systems gaining traction among elite competitors. As the season progresses, the pursuit of the “Belted Purse” remains a compelling storyline, with riders like Scarsi and Harnden leading the charge toward this innovative milestone in mountain biking.