The race, held in Les Gets, Haute-Savoie, France, brought together elite riders from across the globe to push the limits of performance on the world's toughest terrain, with 20 riders equipped with the high-performance Gates Belt Drive system. "This milestone validates what we have long championed: belt drives not only meet but exceed the punishing demands of elite downhill racing," says Chris Sugai, general manager at Gates. "It signals a broader shift in performance cycling, one in which clean, low-maintenance, and ultra-durable belt drives are poised to become the future of drivetrain technology."
Winning on a belt-driven bike
"Downhill racing can be brutal on riders and equipment, so to be the first rider to win on a belt-driven bike is honestly pretty exciting," says Hattie Harnden, winner of the €100,000 Gates Belted Purse. "The Gates Belt Drive delivered smooth consistency without dropped chains or skipped gears, letting me focus completely on the run. In a sport where every second matters, that can make all the difference. This win reflects the hard work and belief of the entire team, and it's a moment we're all proud of at AON. Hopefully, it's just the start of what we can do with this bike."
Race day challenge
Les Gets was the perfect stage for this historic moment, with the iconic venue hosting one of the biggest events of the UCI MTB World Series season. After rain reshaped the track overnight, conditions dried quickly, bringing back speed and creating a completely different challenge for race day. Harnden was locked in from the start. Confident through warm-ups and relaxed right up until the final moments, she delivered when it mattered most. Then came two incredible final splits. Harnden charged down the mountain and secured the Elite Women’s World Cup victory — becoming the first elite athlete to win a Downhill World Cup on a Gates belt-drive bike.
Collaborative effort
Sugai explains: "Victories like this don't happen in isolation. This achievement is the result of a collaborative effort across the industry. We want to recognise the mechanics, engineers, and support crew who worked relentlessly to ensure this bike performed at its peak. Special thanks to Gamux for developing a frame that harnesses the power of Gates Belt Drive, proving that engineering innovation leads to game-changing results."
More than just a win
“This win reaches beyond the podium; it signals the ongoing commitment we have to innovate across the mobility landscape,” emphasises Sugai. “As global demand for more resilient drivetrain systems rises, we are delivering scalable solutions that address sport, commuter, and micromobility platforms. Insights from this race-winning platform are already influencing new product development with advancements in durability, power transfer and responsiveness enhancing the entire product line. As urbanisation, electrification, and rider demand accelerate, Gates is not just redefining racing performance but also setting the pace for global high-performance bicycle innovation.”
This article is sponsored by Gates.
