Difference between roadies and MTB Riders

Not much except there are no sprinters in elite XC cause it rarely comes down to a bunch finish.

The base fitness is essentially the same its just the MTB skills that are different.

For example Cadel Evans made the transition from elite XC to road and if he could just stay upright he might do OK

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by the brother
What are the main differences between Elite road riders and Elite Cross Country riders? Mainly thinking in terms of physical differences and training methods rather than style and fashion🙂!

pretty sure there's a research paper on this looking at elite US roadies and MTBers. I can't recall the differences off the top of my head. i'll locate the paper later

one of the differences is the way that they pedal. elite roadies push down more and pull up less than less elite roadies. on the other hand, MTBers tend to use a more 'even' pedalling style as the typical road style of mashing down can cause a loss of traction in slippery off-road conditions.

ric