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"Being part of bringing belt drives into professional downhill racing has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Working with Gates has been fantastic—together, we’ve learned so much throughout the 2023 and 2024 race seasons, and we’re thrilled to continue this partnership into 2025. Everyone on the team has poured so much effort into this over the past few years, and it’s exciting to see how belt drive system technology and downhill racing continue to grow." said Dominic Tinner, co-founder of Gamux.

The partnerships will push the limits of research and development, with these top teams rigorously testing Gates Belt Drive systems in some of the world’s toughest downhill racing conditions.

"We at Atherton Bicycles are thrilled to announce that we’ll be racing the 2025 UCI season powered by Gates Belts,” said Dan Brown, founder and owner of Atherton Bicycles. “Our manufacturing methods allow us to prototype and reiterate designs very quickly, ensuring we take learnings from the test track straight to the product. This technology has allowed us to develop a first prototype in just two months. Huge thanks to the design team, including Dave Weagle, for pulling this one together so quick! Gates has a long-standing reputation for innovation and excellence in product development, giving us the confidence to make this pivotal switch. We’re eagerly looking forward to an exciting race season with Gates as our trusted partner."

Denver, CO January 15, 2025

Gates Belt Drive has announced official partnerships with four elite race teams—Aon on Gamux frames, Atherton Racing, MS-Racing on Zerode Frames, and Intense Factory Racing for the 2025 Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Downhill Mountain Bike season. These partnerships mark a pivotal moment in the sport, showcasing the game-changing advantages of the Gates belt drive systems in high-performance racing.

The Gates Belted Purse Prize Continues for 2025

Gates is also continuing its trailblazing €100,000 Belted Purse contest for the 2025 race season. This incentive rewards the first elite racer, male or female, to win a UCI Mountain Bike Downhill event on a Gates belt-driven bike. Designed to spotlight the unique performance advantages of a belted downhill bike, the challenge aims to inspire teams and athletes to embrace this revolutionary technology.

"We look forward to seeing how belt drive mountain bikes compete in the UCI series this season," said Chris Sugai, General Manager of Mobility at Gates Corporation. "With the changes in the competition structure, the playing field is smaller, and the competition is tougher. Working with these great race teams will help us improve our belt drive systems."

This season, the adventure continues with the Gates €100K Belted Purse Challenge, highlighted by an exclusive video series that captures the durability, performance, and behind-the-scenes stories of belt drive technology in action.

Belt Drive Technology Leading the Charge in Micromobility

Gates Belt Drive technology is transforming personal and micromobility solutions worldwide. From bicycles and electric bikes to scooters and motorcycles, Gates’ innovative belt drive systems offer grease-free, rust-free, and low maintenance solutions tailored for high performance and durability. The Gates Carbon Drive system stands out as the market's best high-mileage bicycle drive, delivering exceptional reliability for urban commuters, mountain bikers, eBike riders, and casual cruisers alike.

By partnering with top downhill teams, Gates brings its materials science and engineering expertise to the forefront of the sport, challenging traditional chain-driven systems and inspiring a new era of innovation in competitive cycling. For more information about Gates Belt Drive technology or for official €100K Belted Purse contest rules, visit www.gatesbeltdrive.com. #GatesMTB100K #GatesBeltDrive

Watch 100k Belted Purse Episodes here:

Ep. 1 - Industry Outsider Wants To Change DH

Jun 24, 2024

Ep. 1 - When Gates Carbon Drive announced their €100,000 bounty for being the first to win an elite downhill World Cup aboard a bike with one of their belt drives, it certainly garnered attention. In this series, we're looking at different racers currently on bikes equipped with their belts and who are eligible for the prize.

Taylor Vernon is the first rider in focus. Vernon's career has seen some high moments, such as a successful junior career, national wins, and a podium at Redbull Hardline, but it's also seen some low moments, such as a horror crash that threatened to derail it entirely.

Ep. 2 - Attempting To Develop The Ultimate Race Winning DH Bike

Jul 21, 2024

Ep. 2 - To build a World Cup winning bike, the Gamux team is doing things differently. While they do make and sell their own bikes, they also see the World Cups as an opportunity to showcase their expertise and work as design and consultancy experts for other brands. Their downhill bike is the fruit of years of labour and understanding and represents a brand trying to make its best bike possible, free from the constraints of mass production.

Ep. 3 - Are We About To See More Belt Driven Bikes In DH Racing?

Oct 20, 2024

In this episode of The Belted Purse, we follow Sam Blenkinsop, who joined the Zerode DH team in early 2024. After testing Zerode's belt-driven DH bike late last season, Sam instantly felt faster compared to his previous setup. Can the Zerode be the key to getting Blenky back on the podium?

Ep. 4 - Why More Downhill Race Teams Are Switching to Belt Drives in 2025

Jan 15, 2025

With the lure of not only a superior sprung-to-unsprung mass ratio but also the chance of winning the €100K bounty, more teams and riders than ever before will be using a belt drive in 2025. With fewer teams and racers overall in a reduced field size, the chance of somebody claiming the prize is only getting higher.

This year, Gates will partner with Aon on Gamux frames, Atherton Racing, MS-Racing & Intense Factory Racing.

Follow Gates Bicycle on Social Media for News and Updates about the Gates 100K Belted Purse and More:

Section 3 Point 1

Section 3 Point 2

Section 3 Point 3

Gates 100K Belted Purse

Denver, CO January 15, 2025

The Gates Belted Purse Prize Continues for 2025

Belt Drive Technology Leading the Charge in Micromobility

Section 7 Video Title

Watch 100k Belted Purse Episodes here:

Follow Gates Bicycle on Social Media for News and Updates about the Gates 100K Belted Purse and More:

	Ep. 1 - Industry Outsider Wants To Change DH Jun 24, 2024 Ep. 1 - When Gates Carbon Drive announced their €100,000 bounty for being the first to win an elite downhill World Cup aboard a bike with one of their belt drives, it certainly garnered attention. In this series, we're looking at different racers currently on bikes equipped with their belts and who are eligible for the prize. Taylor Vernon is the first rider in focus. Vernon's career has seen some high moments, such as a successful junior career, national wins, and a podium at Redbull Hardline, but it's also seen some low moments, such as a horror crash that threatened to derail it entirely.
	Ep. 2 - Attempting To Develop The Ultimate Race Winning DH Bike Jul 21, 2024 Ep. 2 - To build a World Cup winning bike, the Gamux team is doing things differently. While they do make and sell their own bikes, they also see the World Cups as an opportunity to showcase their expertise and work as design and consultancy experts for other brands. Their downhill bike is the fruit of years of labour and understanding and represents a brand trying to make its best bike possible, free from the constraints of mass production.
	Ep. 3 - Are We About To See More Belt Driven Bikes In DH Racing? Oct 20, 2024 In this episode of The Belted Purse, we follow Sam Blenkinsop, who joined the Zerode DH team in early 2024. After testing Zerode's belt-driven DH bike late last season, Sam instantly felt faster compared to his previous setup. Can the Zerode be the key to getting Blenky back on the podium?
	Ep. 4 - Why More Downhill Race Teams Are Switching to Belt Drives in 2025 Jan 15, 2025 With the lure of not only a superior sprung-to-unsprung mass ratio but also the chance of winning the €100K bounty, more teams and riders than ever before will be using a belt drive in 2025. With fewer teams and racers overall in a reduced field size, the chance of somebody claiming the prize is only getting higher. This year, Gates will partner with Aon on Gamux frames, Atherton Racing, MS-Racing & Intense Factory Racing.