For most riders, e-bikes are a great fitness and skill leveler, allowing even the physically challenged to go on rides or ride with faster groups that would be impossible without assistance. Increasingly, however, the sport's elite riders are using e-bikes as a way to enhance their training. For mountain bikers, it allows them to do as many downhills as possible and hone their downhill skills faster without having to rely on chairlifts and drivers.

The same is true for two-time British Hill Climb Champion Dan Evans, who supplements his hill climb and time trial training with Cannondale's Habit Neo e-MTB The mountain biking skills that Habit cultivates may not directly help his hill climb and TT needs. We spoke to Evans about how riding an e-MTB has benefited his training.

We all love to ride our bikes, but the monotony of a particular training plan or goal-oriented effort can be draining and even negatively affect motivation and performance. In the case of outdoor training, this can be exacerbated by the combination of tired legs and weather conditions, especially at the end of a hard block.

Based in Wales, Evans is often exposed to wet weather riding. e-MTBs and motorized assistance provide motivation when the weather is inclement. No matter how rough the winds are or how much rain is pouring down, Neo keeps going, boosts morale, and keeps me riding outdoors," Evans said.

And while there is an MTB playground, Snowdonia National Park, with a Cannondale Scalpel at its disposal, it is not always possible to ride quality MTB when you should be resting. On recovery days, e-MTBs allow for a gentle ride with leg rotation without sacrificing ride quality. This type of riding is a great reset for the brain as well as the muscles.

Since Evan is sponsored by Cannondale, he uses the American brand's Habit Neo 2, which uses a Bosch Performance CX drive unit and PowerTube batteries. The motor provides 85Nm of assist, and the high capacity 625wh battery means no need to save boost mode for steep climbs. The bike has 140mm of travel up front and 130mm of travel back and uses RockShox suspension, while 29er Stans Flow wheels are fitted with fast-rolling Maxxis Rekon 2.6" tires. The drivetrain is by SRAM, this time a 12-speed mix of GX and NX Eagle. Brakes are Magura 4-piston MT5 Trail HC hydrodiscs with 220/203mm rotors. The bars, stem, and dropper post are also Cannondale parts, and a Bosch Kiox head unit is on the screen as Dan monitors the bike's metrics.

Evans will no doubt be hungry for a top finish and another title at the 2021 British National Hill Climb Championships in Winnats Pass at the end of October.