Spotted: Scott-SRAM is on a new Spark RC

The Scott-SRAM mountain bike team was observed fielding a revised Spark RC model during the initial practice session of the 2026 Mountain Bike World Cup. The prototype, noted by *Escape Collective*, featured a distinctly altered rear suspension platform, suggesting a significant design overhaul for the team's primary cross-country race machine. This early sighting indicates Scott-SRAM is already testing next-generation equipment on the competitive circuit.

This development is particularly noteworthy given Scott's history of pushing boundaries in cross-country full-suspension design, most famously with the integrated shock of the current Spark RC. With the 2026 season still a distant prospect, introducing such a radical prototype now underscores the relentless R&D cycle in elite mountain biking, where marginal gains often dictate success. It also highlights the pressure on manufacturers to innovate continually, especially with rival brands consistently unveiling lighter, more efficient platforms.

Evidently, the arms race for the fastest cross-country machine continues unabated. One can only assume the current Spark RC, still a formidable contender, will soon be deemed obsolete by the relentless pursuit of speed.