Video: Ibis Re-signs Wallner, Buchanan & Baraona for 2019 EWS Team

PRESS RELEASE: Ibis Cycles

Ibis is beyond stoked to announce the 2019 Ibis Enduro Team.

Robin Wallner joined Ibis four years ago, when he first made the leap from racing World Cup Downhill to Enduro. He’s become an invaluable resource in testing and development, as well as a Team Dad (both literally and figuratively). We look forward to working with him for many years to come.


After winning the EWS Team Championship in 2017, 2018 was a rebuilding year with new faces, Bex Baraona, Julie Duvert and Lewis Buchanan. The team was rounded out with leader Robin Wallner.


The team instantly meshed, with Robin Wallner and Bex Baraona kicking off the season with their best career results ever - on the yet unreleased Ripmo.

As the season progressed, Robin earned another podium finish, and was consistently finishing in the top 10. He was ranked number two until he skipped La Thuile to be present at the birth of his son, Ted Wallner (your future 2040 EWS Champion).


After a previous season riddled by injury, Lew was ready to prove himself. He made an early switch from wagon wheels to 650B and would go on to clinch the British Enduro Championship and earn a top ten finish at Round 3 of the EWS.


2018 was Bex’s first year on a team, with access to a race mechanic, data analytics, and the support from everyone at Ibis. As a privateer, paying her way around the world, she finished a wildly impressive 8th. This year, she clinched the British Enduro Championship alongside Lew, finished in 4th at Round 1 in Chile, and consistently finished in the top 5.

Despite a handful of injuries (and the birth of a child), the team strung together a solid defense of their Team Championship crown, but were ultimately forced to settle for second. With a full year together and with more time on the various bikes, the team is ready to reclaim their crown.

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The Team

Bex Baraona
Age: 25
Country: United Kingdom
Career Highlights

- 2018 British Enduro Champion
- 2018 EWS Round 1, 4th

“Team Ibis is one big happy family! They have been so accommodating during my first year settling in, and I’m buzzing to have had the opportunity to join the team in the first place. This next season is going to be great fun, the bikes are all dialed in and I’ve got 100% confidence in my training.

I’ll be on the HD4 in New Zealand and Tasmania, absolutely love the plushness of the bike and how calm it feels when the trail gets wild! Very confidence inspiring!”

Lewis Buchanan
Age: 25
Country: Scotland
Career Highlights:

- 2018 British Enduro Champion,
- 2016 EWS Round 2, 7th
- 2018 EWS Round 3, 10th

“2018 was a solid season for me on the team. Coming into 2019 and having a season already under my belt with the bike and crew around me, I’m confident that this year be even better. Everyone at Ibis is really awesome and it’s great to feel like I’m part of the family.

This season I’ll be riding the Mojo HD4. I’ve really grown to like 650B wheels over this part year. For my riding style and how I handle the bike, I like the quickness of how it corners and how agile if feels and the little bit longer travel in the rear is what I’m after. For me, it’s just what I prefer and I feel great on it!

Robin Wallner
Age: 30
Country: Sweden
Career highlights:

- 2010 European downhill champion
- 2012 European downhill series Overall Win
- 2018 EWS Round 1, 3rd
- 2018 EWS Round 4, 3rd
- 10 Swedish National titles

“I’ve been racing for Ibis since 2016 and I feel like every year the team gets better, the brand grows, and so far I have been able to grow my EWS racing along with it. Couldn’t be more excited to give it another go at the Series together with such a motivated and fun crew.

I mostly race on my Ripmo as it is just such a good all around bike but apart from that I love riding my Ripley LS for the small missions around the house. Most of the time, my Ripmo gets the full kit of DH casing tires, etc… so whenever I can get out on my Ripley, I feel strong again! No, but seriously, it’s amazing what that little bike can do and it amazes me every time I get on it.”

The Ibis Cycles Enduro Team is supported by: POC, Maxxis, KS, Shimano, Fox, Fabric, OneUp, LizardSkins, Honey Stinger, Fláer, Wearcolour, K-Edge and Feedback Sports.

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MENTIONS: @ibiscycles

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