Last year’s course kept it on the fireroads for longer at the start which allowed the field to spread out before the singletrack sections, so there wasn’t the same bottleneck as in previous years (or if there was, I was ahead of it!). I saw one rider on a gravel bike last year, and they seemed to be struggling on one of the singletrack descents, I’m sure they were quicker everywhere else,but personally I’d rather be on a bike that is more capable on roots and rocks even if it’s slower on the road. You’ve got to keep in mind that the WBC is not a race, so you might as well enjoy the short fun sections between the mile-munching. I’ll be on a XC hardtail with fast rolling tyres. Will be treating it as a training ride this year, so say “hi” when you’re steaming past.