Foto Story

SR SUNTOUR is honored to welcome Paul Basagoitia to our Werx Athlete Team! Paul will be focusing on eMTB, helping to promote the evolving world of electric assist bikes.

Paul is known for creatively pushing the progression of whatís possible on a mountain bike, setting a high bar for difficulty and style. A life-changing crash in competition at the 2015 Red Bull Rampage, left Paul with broken vertebrae in his spine and paralysis from the waist down. His progress over the last four years, has been simply incredible, a long road that began with the immense task just getting back on his feet, something that was far from guaranteed. 

That long road is forever a part of Paulís daily life, with continuous dedication to his training, physical therapy, and now, due to the advent of e-Bike technology, once again riding bikes. 

E-MTBs have become a major aspect of Paulís recovery and physical therapy, giving Paul an entirely new lease on riding. The physical nature of movement and exercise are massively beneficial, though the pure joy of riding with friends may possibly be the most significant benefit. As Paul put it, ìIím more comfortable now on an e-Bike, than I am walking.

We visited Paul, at his home in Reno during the early summer of 2019 to explore his home turf around Reno and Lake Tahoe.
With Paul on his Scott Genius eRide and fellow SR SUNTOUR athlete Kyle Warner joining the party on his Rossignol E-Track, we had these two athletes and two photographers with giant packs, all shredding single-track uphill together. A series of unique first experiences for us all occurred on this trip. Be on the lookout later this year for the completed project.

As the world of e-Bikes grows and evolves, we are excited to be expanding the benefits and enjoyment of riding to more people, in more places. Many new adventures and possibilities await, with Paul as an SR SUNTOUR athlete and ambassador, we're stoked to continue the journey.