Casey South Conquers Girona: Manitou Suspension Powers Torpado Kenda FSA to World Cup Victory

The final stop of the HERO UCI Marathon World Cup in Girona delivered one of the most dramatic races of the season—and once again, Manitou suspension was at the heart of victory.

Amidst mud, rain, and relentless technical terrain, Casey South rose above the competition to claim a historic win at Sea Otter Europe’s XCM race, powering his Torpado Renero X to the top step of the podium.

A World Cup Dream Realized

On the brutal “La Tramun” course—widely considered the most technical track in the series—riders faced slippery rock gardens, punishing climbs, and treacherous descents. For Casey, these conditions were a chance to shine. The Swiss champion used every ounce of skill and determination to claw back over a minute and a half on his rivals, attacking with precision on the most technical sections before launching a decisive move on the final climbs.

Crossing the line solo, covered in mud, Casey fulfilled the dream of every XCM athlete: winning a World Cup round outright.

Manitou R8: Light, Stiff, and Relentlessly Capable

At the heart of his victory was the Manitou R8 XC racing fork. With its 34mm Hyperlite chassis and VTT Pro-X damper, the R8 is built for extreme cross country and marathon MTB racing—offering unmatched stiffness for control on descents, featherlight efficiency on climbs, and tunability that allows athletes like Casey to adapt mid-race to rapidly changing conditions.

Even on Girona’s punishing terrain, the R8 delivered predictable handling and precise front-end stability, key advantages that helped Casey outpace some of the best marathon riders in the world.

Mara Pro IL XC + Ace/Deuce Remote: Seamless Control

Paired with the R8, Casey relied on the Mara Pro IL XC shock and the Ace/Deuce remote system, which gave him instant, intuitive control of both suspension and dropper post. On long climbs, the lockout system maximized power transfer, while on slick descents, the system opened instantly to deliver the plush, composed suspension needed to attack the rocks and roots with full confidence.

This seamless integration is exactly why Manitou’s suspension package is trusted at the highest level of cross country and marathon racing.

Team Success Across the Board

While Casey celebrated his career-defining victory, teammates Gioele De Cosmo and Jakob Dorigoni also put in strong performances, finishing 19th and 20th respectively, contributing to Torpado Kenda FSA’s overall success. The team wrapped up the World Cup season with:

4 total podiums

1 World Cup victory

12 Top-10 finishes

2nd place in the overall team classification

Physics, Not Fashion—Results That Speak

The win in Girona is more than just a victory—it’s proof of Manitou’s engineering-first approach. Where others chase flashy “innovations,” Manitou delivers real performance gains through physics-driven design, unparalleled tunability, and proven reliability.

When the conditions are at their worst, the R8, Mara Pro IL XC, and Ace/Deuce remote deliver their best—and Casey South’s win at Sea Otter Europe is the latest testament to that truth.