What Training Are The Pros REALLY Doing In 2026?

Cross-country mountain biking has changed massively over the last 20 years, but what does that mean for the riders? James sits down with MTB legends and modern pros like Oli Beckinsale, Thomas Frischknecht, and Charlie Aldridge to compare Olympic training plans, bikes, and racing strategies from the 90s and 2000s to today! ⏱ Timestamps ⏱ 00:00 - Intro 02:23 - Meeting Olympian Oli Beckinsale 04:16 - Thomas Frischknecht on 90s XC Racing 06:00 - The Evolution of Technical Skills 07:37 - 2004 Olympic Training Plans 09:18 - Did Pro MTB Racers Go to the Gym? 11:35 - Nutrition & Hydration 20 Years Ago 13:30 - The Evolution of XC Mountain Bikes 15:03 - Coaching: Then vs. Now 16:48 - Cannondale Factory Racing's Modern Approach 19:20 - Analyzing Charlie Aldridge's 2024 Olympic Plan 21:29 - Conclusion: Has XC Training Really Changed? Useful Links: Join this channel to get access to perks: https://gmbn.eu/YouTubeMembership 🛍 Explore The GMBN Shop 👉 https://gmbn.eu/SpringTees Subscribe to the channel for more! 👉 https://gmbn.eu/Subscribe Submit your Photo and Video to us 👉 https://www.gmbn.com/uploader Won a prize on the Dirt Shed Show 👉 https://gmbn.eu/DSSPrizeWinner Looking for MTB Insurance? Check here 👉 https://gmbn.eu/insurance Sign-up to our newsletter 👉 https://gmbn.eu/newsletter What do you think is the craziest difference between XC racing 20 years ago compared to today? Let’s hear your thoughts below! 👇 Watch more on GMBN... 📹 youtu.be/yO73nf6oGc0 📹 Watch our Editor’s Choice Playlist 👉 https://gmbn.eu/EditorsChoice 📹 Watch our weekly show, The Dirt Shed Show 👉 https://gmbn.eu/dirtshedplaylist 🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵 All I Know (Instrumental Version) - Loving Caliber Brighter than Tomorrow - Beautiful Minds Falconeer - Lovren Grapefruit - Timothy Infinite hounds - dreem Soundbed - Blue Saga Unfinished Stories - Lennon Hutton Rabbid - Tigerblood Jewel Struggles of a Microbe - William Claeson #gmbn #globalmountainbikenetwork #mtb #mountainbiking 📸 Photos - © UCI Mountain Bike World Series / © Getty Images / © Sprint Cycling Agency The Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) is the world’s largest and fastest-growing online mountain bike channel and community – and your destination for the best mountain bike content in the world. GMBN is dedicated to inspiring and unlocking your riding potential. Our videos cater to fans of every mountain bike discipline: from mile-munching cross-country (XC) riders, through adrenaline-fuelled dirt jumpers, gravity-hungry downhillers or aspiring enduro racers, and beyond. Our ex-pro presenting team are on hand to entertain and inspire you while also providing a uniquely qualified insight into the world of mountain biking. Every week we deliver original daily videos that include: Adventurous and entertaining features Mountain bike skills coaching Technical advice and guidance Mechanical know-how to keep you rolling A place for the riding community with our weekly Dirt Shed Show Thanks to our sponsors: Canyon Bikes: http://gmbn.eu/Canyon Orbea Bikes: https://gmbn.eu/Orbea Propain Bikes: https://gmbn.eu/Propain Park Tool: http://gmbn.eu/ParkTool Crankbrothers Pedals: http://gmbn.eu/crankbros Shimano Footwear: https://gmbn.eu/ShimanoShoes Ergon: http://gmbn.eu/ergon Vittoria Tires: https://gmbn.eu/Vittoria Reynolds wheels: https://gmbn.eu/Reynolds FSA: http://gmbn.eu/fsa Topeak: http://gmbn.eu/topeak Garmin: https://gmbn.eu/Garmin CamelBak: https://gmbn.eu/CamelBak Met Helmets: https://gmbn.eu/Met-Helmets Bluegrass Protection: https://gmbn.eu/Bluegrass Watch our sister channels: GMBN Tech - https://gmbn.tech/YouTube Electric Mountain Bike Network - https://embn.me/YouTube Global Cycling Network - https://gcn.eu/YouTube GCN Tech - https://gcntech.co/YouTube Global Triathlon Network - https://gtn.io/YouTube GCN Italia - https://gcn.eu/ItaliaYouTube GCN en Espanol - https://gcn.eu/EspanolYouTube GCN auf Deutsch - https://gcn.eu/DeutschYouTube GCN en Francais - https://gcn.eu/FrancaisYouTube GCN Training - https://gcn.eu/TrainingYouTube GCN Racing - https://gcn.eu/RacingYouTube