Julien Absalon

Three-time cross-country world champion joins a new team with a renewed focus on the Olympics.

Catch up on what's happening in the worlds of gravel, mountain biking, and all things rough and dirty.

Julien Absalon and Manon Carpenter each won their respective world titles in 2014 after devastatingly consistent seasons of racing

It was Absalon's first world title since 2007, which had been the fourth consecutive title for the French rider, who also took Olympic gold in 2004 and 2008

Nino Schurter (Scott) won the elite men's XC race at the UCI World Cup in Windham, New York, six seconds ahead of World Cup leader Julien Absalon (BMC)

World champion drills it from the start and takes the win in World Cup no. 2

From the defending champion's DNF to high-profile mechanicals, here's to acknowledge the low moments from London 2012

Zomegnan: doping is everywhere, not just cycling; Absalon flats out of Olympic defense; Brailsford builds on success

BMC Mountainbike Racing Team announces the signing of the two-time Olympic champion on the eve of the Olympic race

Absalon says a medal would be 'just a bonus,' Bresset looks to Pendrel as 'the big favorite'

Absalon says a medal would be 'just a bonus,' Bresset looks to Pendrel as 'the big favorite'

IOC to strip Hamilton of gold medal; Julien Absalon ready for Olympic defense after Val d'Isère crash; bad news concealed from Olympic athletes

Photographer Frank Bodenmüller has a laser-like lens wielded by an artful eye. Now his MTB work can find a home on your coffee table in is his book

Who tests Mavic's MTB hoops? XC-God Julien Absalon, of course

Julien Absalon is the torch-bearer for a generation of racers. Is he ready to pass the flame to Nino Schurter?

Nino Schurter not only beat Julien Absalon at the line in the 2010 World Cup cross-country opener, he topped the Frenchman one more time by winning the World Cup overall title, which Absalon had won the last four years. And what about last year's MTB worlds?

VIDEO: Two-time Olympian Julien Absalon had some bad luck at the Windham World Cup race, which meant he was out of contention for the overall series title for 2010.

Replay of 2009 Worlds sees Nino Schurter take Julien Absalon in sprint finish at World Cup #1 in England. Best North American is Todd Wells at 19^th.

An elite crop of European racers lined up Sunday at the second XC race in the XX Maremma Cup, where Marco Aurelio Fontana held off the Swiss duo of Nino Schurter and Florian Vogel.

Series stops at Houffalize, Belgium and Windham Mountain in New York are on as scheduled for 2010 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.

The best of the best: Take a look at who went off off-road in 2009.

For the most part, mountain bike racing is a singular sport. But 2009 proves that a strong team can produce results.

2009 World Cup champ Julien Absalon has extended his contract with mountain bike manufacturer Orbea with an eye on London Olympics.

Julien Absalon has won just about everything there is in the cross-country discipline and he's done it all on a 26-inch-wheeled Orbea Alma. Now you can ride like Julien. Well, actually you probably can't ride like him, but you can ride his bike.

In the men's cross-country in Austria, it was Jose Antonio Hermida Ramos who won the day, but it was Julien Absalon who won the overall World Cup title. Homegirl 'Lisi' Osl took the day and the 2009 title. Hill wins on Sunday and takes overall crown.

Sam Hill and Gregg Minnaar will duke it out for the men's downhill crown in Schladming, Austria. American Jill Kintner is fighting for second overall in 4-cross.

Victory follows his U-23 World Championship win in Australia. Austria's Osl takes top spot in women's cross-country.

After a break of six weeks, action resumes this weekend at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Champéry, Switzerland. On the start line will be newly crowned World Champions Nino Schurter and Irina Kalentieva.

Nino Schurter and Swiss teammate Florian Vogel work together to keep Julien Absalon in second place at the mountain bike World Championships in Canberra, Australia. Canada's Geoff Kabush and the USA's Todd Wells finish in top 10. Complete Results

Rain and mud can't keep Geoff Kabush and Lene Byberg from admiring their first World Cup wins. Julien Absalon retains overall series lead.

Julien Absalon (Orbea) seized the lead of the cross-country Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup on Sunday after winning round two of the series in Offenburg, Germany.