Canyon Lux World Cup prototype: Cape Epic success on a new Canyon fully - without 32 inches

Stellenbosch, South Africa - Luca Schwarzbauer (Canyon MTB Racing) and Sam Gaze (Alpecin-Premier Tech) have claimed three stage wins at the Cape Epic 2026 on an as yet unreleased prototype of the Canyon Lux World Cup. The German-New Zealand duo won stages 2, 4 and 7 and secured third place in the overall standings after eight days of racing. The two Canyon athletes were not travelling on their sponsor's production bikes.

At the prestigious stage race in South Africa, Schwarzbauer and Gaze completed 707 kilometres with over 15,000 metres of climbing in a total time of 26:59:25 hours. Jenny Rissveds (Canyon XC Racing) also successfully used the Lux World Cup prototype: Together with her husband Simon Andreassen (Orbea Fox Factory Team), she dominated the mixed category with eight stage wins.

29 vs. 32 inch

Exciting: The prototype probably rolls on 29er wheels. Other teams were already riding 32-inch bikes in the Cross Country World Cup last season. The new wheel size is currently becoming the defining trend for bikes with less suspension travel, especially in cross-country racing. Also We have already tested 32 inch in direct comparison with 29 inch (here in the link!). But the next stage of the Lux World Cup seems to be rolling on 29ers.

Innovation: Anti-squat flip chip

A striking detail on the new race bike: the new model has an anti-squat flip chip, which was - purely by chance - conspicuously marked on the race bike. It is not uncommon for bike manufacturers to advertise and promote their new products in this way at competitions. Apart from that, it is quite exciting to see what is behind the new technology. The flipchip is designed to enable riders to adjust the suspension precisely to the course, drive and personal preferences. The main pivot point of the rear suspension is changed.

Canyon explained to the American MTB platform Pinkbike: "The idea was first presented to Canyon athletes Sam Gaze and Luca Schwarzbauer and resulted in this innovative new flip-chip system that specifically targets anti-squat while creating no other discernible differences in geometry or suspension behaviour. This is especially interesting for racers who want to get the last per cent when every pedal stroke counts."

Canyon confirmed that the development of the new Lux World Cup has benefited greatly from knowledge gained from XCO and XCC World Cup races as well as the Cape Epic. The public launch of the new Lux World Cup is expected to take place later this year.