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Brad Copeland – The Magic Hands Behind Kate Courtney’s Bikes

Monterey, California, USA. One of the few stars in the business when taking a look into the pits at world class MTB races around the globe, is Brad Copeland. The new addition to SCOTT-SRAM and the World Champion’s head “tool guy”, is obviously someone you want to have around, and not only on world class racing circuits.

Joining SCOTT-SRAM from January 2019 onwards as World Champion Kate Courtney’s mechanical backbone, Brad Copeland obviously joins as someone who knows what he’s talking about. Several years of experience in working with world class athletes, an eye for detail and the know-how for what it takes to make a bike a winner make him the perfect fit for SCOTT-SRAM in order to meet the highest demands in world-class MTB racing.

The connection is there to aim high for the future – Brad Copeland, Kate Courtney and the SCOTT-SRAM team.
Photo: Jordan Haggard

Seeing Brad`s skills behind the handlebars, you can judge that MTB racing has always been a crucial part of his professional development. Direction was set early at the age of 11, when he started gaining his first spores in XC racing. At the very young age he further started working at bike shops, learning the basics and apparently falling for the mechanical part of MTB racing.

Apart from a proven skill level on and off the bike, Brad adds a precious spirit to the established team structure being someone you want to hang out with after busy days in the pits. His professional yet entertaining talent made him one of the most known faces in XC racing and off-track in social media, entertaining his followers with unique content and exclusive insights into professional MTB racing.

“This team’s legacy of success speaks for itself – who wouldn’t jump at the chance to get in on some of that action? Kate and I both have goals, together and independently, of achieving the best possible performance and results that we can.”

Read what Brad has to say about the team, Kate, his counterpart Yanick-the-Mechanic, tacos and Yanick’s taste in music when it comes to choosing ringtones.

Most exciting thing joining the SCOTT family?
This team’s legacy of success speaks for itself— who wouldn’t jump at the chance to get in on some of that action? Kate and I both have goals, together and independently, of achieving the best possible performance and results that we can. We both feel this team gives us every opportunity to do that, and are especially pleased to continue on our adventure together.

Most eye-opening thing witnessing the first team camp with all new members?
As entrenched Anglophiles, we are used to not knowing what’s going on half the time when hanging out with the Euros. But we nevertheless find this team super fun and positive, everyone seems to enjoy being a part of it and that makes it much more fun to hang out with this squad. Everyone just constantly makes fun of each other the whole time.

Something I have already learnt from Yanick…
There’s no one better to learn the ins and outs of Scott MTBs from, and no matter what brand of bike there are always little tricks and techniques—workarounds, even— that take a few bike builds to figure out first-hand. But Yanick’s hands were here first and he’s a sharp one, so I’ve been fast-tracked to success and I thank him for sharing his expertise with me!

 This is what I will teach him this season:
The nuances of colloquial English. So far we have perfected the use of the suffix “-ish.” He’s a fast-ish learner.

By the way long curley hair are…
…dangerous if you get too close to the chain. But convenient if you forgot to bring dental floss.

“Swiss preciseness” anyways is …
A state of mind.

Surrounded by swiss cheesers all year round will shake Kate through…
..knowing she’s being made fun of for something, but not knowing specifically what for (when they’re speaking Swiss-German).

 …nevertheless Kate will succeed because…
She is extra sharp and well-cultured. I guess you could consider her an American Cheddar.

Tacos over Cheese fondue?
How about tacos dipped in cheese fondue? You can thank me later.

 

Test riding the newest built – You can judge Brad has some skills on and off the bike for sure.

Spacers on road bike handle bars are overrated…
I’m still in trouble for this so let’s not go there right now.

Kate and Brad, that’s like…
Red wine and dark chocolate— they tell you it’s healthy but it probably isn’t. Tacos and beer might be more accurate. It’s how things are meant to be, and perhaps better than you’d expect. Frischi calls us Ding and Dong. Not sure who’s who…?

Kate and sharks, that’s because…
I don’t think you are supposed to choose your own spirit animal, but I pick my battles with Kate. They say sharks never sleep, and Kate sleeps 14 hours a day… she’s more of a housecat in my opinion.

Kate and sparkles. Thoughts?
Kate is the human embodiment of a sparkle. I’ve let my inhibitions go and fully embrace the sparkle game now. You’ll see what I mean.

Best sound while servicing bikes in the pits definitely is:
Yanick’s phone ringtone when Frischi calls. It could be played in a EDM nightclub and no one would question it. The new SRAM AXS derailleurs are a close second. The cacophony of trumpet beetles is in last place, despite being the most frequently heard sound.

Finally we’ll have the best team in 2019 because…
I think that’s because it’s what we want to be. Each individual is supremely talented and we have the best support, both of each other within the team, and from our sponsors and other external support (as well as from the fans of the sport). Success begets success and no other team has had more, so I am very excited to see where all this leads.

 

Kate Courtney’s SCOTT Spark RC World Cup

E-Dropper, SRAM’s brand new wireless shifting AXS technology and TwinLoc. Just some of the trick bits you’ll find on Kate Courtney’s SCOTT Spark!

Check out the World Champion’s rig including full Spec lists here.

The SCOTT Contessa Spark RC 900 World Cup truly ticks all the boxes.
Photography: Margus Riga

“My Spark 900 plays a quite an important role in this. In particular on the rough terrain at the Pan American games in Mexico I felt like one with my bike and I took all the advantage of this well working race machine.”
Kate Courtney, World Champion
SCOTT-Sram MTB Racing

 

Kate Courtney’s SCOTT Spark RC World Cup

Kate Courtney has not only dominated all races she competed at in 2019, she can also call herself the Pan American Champion after winning the Championships in Mexico this past weekend: “It has been an incredible start to the season for me. The Pan American Championships in Mexico were a particular focus for me as an early season goal. With a strong ride there, I was able to take the win on a tough, technical course. This win is particularly special as it means I now hold the current US, Pan American and World Championship titles – a very meaningful reflection of the hard work I have put in this past season and the consistency with which I have raced..

“At the Pan American Championships, bike choice was critical as the course was very rough and physically demanding, but also included a very long steep climb. The Spark was a huge advantage for me. On the climbs, I had a light bike with a full lockout to make sure no precious energy was wasted. On the descents, the active suspension and responsive handling helped me gain valuable time and minimize fatigue in the later half of the race. Overall, I am feeling stronger and more confident than ever on this bike set up and feel lucky I get to pilot this rocket ship for the season”, says Kate.

 

 

Looking ahead, Kate has her eyes on the Sea Otter Classics in Monterey, the biggest bike event in North America, which starts Thursday: “Sea Otter is a very exciting event for me. It is my home race – one that I have competed in since my very early days racing as a Junior. This year, I will be racing here in the rainbow jersey in front of my home crowd which will be a special and memorable experience. Sea Otter is also unique as it draws cyclists and brands from across disciplines and around the country. I am particularly looking forward to connecting with up and coming racers at this event as it wasn’t long ago I was in their shoes racing in the NICA league.” 

Pan American Championships Results:

Elite Women
1 Kate Courtney (USA)    1:22:30
2 Erin Huck (USA)    at 1:16
3 Daniela Campuzano C. (Mexico)    3:00
4 Catharine Pendrel (Canada)    3:09
5 Chloe Woodruff (USA)    5:42
6 Emily Batty (Canada)    7:55