Van Rysel Takes On Mountain Biking

Van Rysel, the high-performance road and gravel brand owned by French retail giant Decathlon, has officially stepped into the mountain bike arena with the unveiling of its debut off-road machine, the RCR-XC. Designed specifically for elite cross-country racing, the full-suspension bike signals a bold shift in strategy for the Flemish-born brand. Starting with the 2027 World Cup season, Van Rysel will replace sister brand Rockrider as the official bike and equipment sponsor for the Decathlon Ford Racing Team, bringing road-inspired engineering directly to world-class off-road circuits.

Rather than relying on traditional mountain bike design conventions, Van Rysel developed the RCR-XC using a heavily data-driven approach that leverages its road racing expertise. Extensive race analysis gathered since the Paris 2024 Olympic Games led engineers to prioritize aerodynamic efficiency and weight reduction. Tested in wind tunnels, the carbon frame paired with an integrated cockpit saves a claimed 15.5 watts at 35 km/h compared to the team's previous 2026 race bike, while trimming approximately 230 grams off the frame weight.

The standout feature of the RCR-XC is its adoption of oversized 32-inch wheels, paired with a 130mm front fork and custom deep-section Zipp carbon rims. Van Rysel claims the larger wheel standard delivers superior rollover capability and enhanced stability on technical descents, allowing racers to conserve energy for flat sections and climbs. The full-suspension chassis utilizes a sleek horizontal rear shock placement and flex-stay architecture to keep the rear triangle lightweight and efficient under hard pedaling efforts.

Initially, the RCR-XC will remain an exclusive race platform for the Decathlon Ford professional squad, undergoing real-world refinement across the demanding UCI World Cup circuit throughout 2027. Following its professional debut and final race testing, Van Rysel plans to release the model alongside an accompanying line of dedicated MTB technical apparel to consumer markets, maintaining its broader commitment to providing top-tier competitive gear at accessible price points.