Bans Mendoza: The Next Chapter

If you follow Philippine mountain biking, you already know Parabanne “Bans” Mendoza—the racer, the coach, the person. We’ve written about him before, here. Coach Bans, as we all know him, is everything we love about the sport: top rider, champion, and a strength of character worthy of the word ATHLETE. We call him “Coach” not just out of respect, but out of reverence. He’s that good on an MTB, and he’s an even better guy.

Thing is, just when you think he’s done it all, he takes things even further.

This year, Bans became Yeti Cycles Philippines’ first-ever local MTB ambassador and their first-ever premier athlete, adding another major milestone to his already stacked resume. To mark the occasion, he recently received his 2025 Yeti SB160 ambassador frame from Sabak Sports, completely built up and race-ready. And what better way to put it to the test than Crankworx Rotorua—going up against some of the world’s best in one of the most iconic MTB festivals on the planet?

The man is just a legend.

FROM YETI TO CRANKWORX

Bans has spent over 25 years proving that Filipinos can compete on the global stage, and his latest move is another step in that direction. Yeti Cycles Philippines officially brought him on board as their first premier athlete, recognizing his impact on the sport both in racing and in coaching the next generation.

With that partnership came something special—the 2025 Yeti SB160, a bike built for full-send enduro. Straight from Sabak Sports, this frame wasn’t just for show. It was meant to race. And there was no better proving ground than Crankworx Rotorua 2025.

CRANKWORK ROTORUA

Crankworx Rotorua isn’t just any race weekend. It’s where some of the fastest riders from around the world like Ritchie Rude and Camille Balanche come to throw down in their respective categories. With his fresh Yeti SB160, Bans lined up against the best in his bracket and held his own–delivering mightily, placing:

• 4th place in the Crankworx Air DH race, clocking in at 2:15.436.
• 5th place in the Rockshox Karearea DH race, finishing with a time of 4:06.591, on the Yeti SB160 on a DH Track.

Those numbers don’t just look good on paper—they’re testament to the fact that Bans is still out there competing at the highest level, going bar-to-bar with world-class riders on one of the biggest stages in the sport. And he did it while representing the Philippines, Yeti Cycles, and the growing MTB scene back home.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

Beyond his own success, he’s spent years building up the next generation of Filipino riders. As head coach and Riders Program Director of Fly Racing Philippines, Bans leads one of the most structured grassroots racing programs in the country. He personally trains young athletes not just in skills and fitness, but also in mindset and race preparation. He’s helped bring up podium contenders, including the country’s top female enduro rider and one of the best racers PERIOD, Nammi Gardoce. He’s also a PMBIA Certified Coach, a UCI MTB Commissaire, and a board member of Bikes for the Philippines, proving that his influence extends far beyond the race tape.

With the Yeti SB160 now dialed in and a Crankworx Rotorua podium just out of reach, you can bet Bans isn’t slowing down anytime soon. More races, more coaching, and more pushing Philippine MTB to new heights—it’s all in the plan.

One thing’s for sure: whether he’s lining up against the world’s best or training the next generation of shredders, Bans Mendoza isn’t just part of the Philippine MTB scene—he’s shaping its future.