Torpado Kenda FSA Dominates with Championship-Caliber Control, Powered by Manitou R8 and Mara Pro IL

Jul 14, 2025

From national titles to World Cup podiums, the Torpado Kenda FSA Factory Team continues to make its presence known on the global stage—and their most recent weekend was one for the history books.

Competing simultaneously at the Swiss National Marathon Championship and Round 4 of the UCI Marathon World Cup, the team delivered a performance that exemplifies strength, strategy, and trust in the most advanced race equipment available.
And at the heart of that equipment? The Manitou R8 Pro, Mara Pro IL Gen 2, and the ACE/DEUCE remote system—a purpose-built cross-country suspension ecosystem engineered for domination.

Casey South Crowned Swiss National Champion
In Château-d’Oex, Casey South powered to a commanding solo win, securing the Swiss Marathon National Champion title with a three-minute lead. The win was not only a breakthrough moment for the Swiss rider—it was a validation of the team’s program and the performance-oriented build beneath him.
“We went away in two, and I attacked on the longest climb—three times,” said South. “When I got away, it was all about control. The last hour was just managing the lead. I’m over the moon.”
South’s race rig was built around the Manitou R8 Pro—the lightest, stiffest, and most tunable XC fork Manitou has ever produced—paired with the Mara Pro IL XC shock and ACE/DEUCE dual remote system for seamless control of fork, shock, and dropper post. On the punishing alpine terrain of the Swiss Alps, this setup offered the efficiency, stiffness, and adjustability required to ride away from the competition.

Double Podium in Germany: De Cosmo and Rabensteiner in the Top 5
While South was claiming gold in Switzerland, teammates Gioele De Cosmo and Fabian Rabensteiner were executing a tactical masterclass in Germany at World Cup Marathon Round 4.
De Cosmo took the race to his rivals with repeated attacks on the climbs, finally sealing a well-earned 2nd-place finish in a sprint—his second podium of the season. The result also elevated him to 3rd in the overall World Cup standings.
“We came in aggressive with the Torpado Renero and Manitou R8,” said Gioele. “I kept the pressure high and went all-in for the finish. I’m happy with the result and how the setup performed.”
Rabensteiner, meanwhile, played the perfect teammate—controlling the chase, then launching his own move late in the race to finish 5th.

Manitou R8 Pro: The XC Fork That Kills Compromise
The Manitou R8 isn’t just a new XC fork—it’s a redefinition of what’s possible in elite-level cross-country racing.

34mm Hyperlite chassis for class-leading stiffness

Dorado Air XC spring for buttery compliance and predictable support

VTT Pro-X triple-piston damper for unmatched adjustability and lockout control

1480g total weight, including Hexlock SL-R axle

TSR bleed screws and sealed cartridge for maximum reliability

Born from two full seasons of World Cup testing, the R8 has already claimed multiple podiums while still in prototype camo. Now officially released, it’s proving itself as the ultimate XC fork—as fast as it is confidence-inspiring.

Mara Pro IL Gen 2: Full Race Control at the Rear
Pairing perfectly with the R8, the Mara Pro IL Gen 2 shock completes the XC race package:

XC-specific damper tuning and Lite can for reduced weight and strong lockout

Rebound detents for precise tuning

ACE/DEUCE remote compatibility for effortless lock/unlock transitions

Designed for strokes from 37.5–45mm, optimized for high-efficiency rear suspension platforms

Together with the R8, it offers a unified platform that responds instantly to terrain changes—whether climbing, sprinting, or descending.

ACE/DEUCE Remote: Total Control at Your Fingertips
Designed to complement Manitou’s suspension philosophy, the ACE/DEUCE remote system provides:

Integrated control over fork, shock, and dropper post

Customizable lever stacking for ergonomic setup

Lightweight cable routing optimized for racing

Seamless lockout engagement and release—no lag, no hesitation

When races are won and lost by seconds, total control isn’t optional. It’s essential.

Built to Win. Proven on Podiums.
Whether it was Casey South soloing to a national title, Gioele De Cosmo fighting to second in Germany, or Rabensteiner grinding back into the top 5, the Torpado Kenda FSA Factory Team showed that elite fitness demands elite equipment.
Manitou’s XC system—R8 fork, Mara Pro IL, and ACE/DEUCE remote—isn’t just performing. It’s leading.

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