“It’s easy to look at the bike from afar and assume this is just another down-country rig... It wasn’t until I’d fired it over some jumps, nosed it down the odd steep chute and slung it through my test loops’ berms that I realised the Top Fuel is, simply put, a bloody brilliant trail bike.”

"The Top Fuel 9.9 XX1 AXS earned top honours in Enduro’s round-up of best off-road rippers, thanks to the bike’s clean look, practical details and progressive suspension."

"The Top Fuel is a very capable descender, but its well-proportioned geometry is just half the story. It manages to strike a great balance between grip, tracking and precision. The whole bike seems to just will you on to hit things faster and with more precision."

"The new Top Fuel is also much more composed on rough and fast descents. Thanks to the longer reach and slacker head angle, the overall wheelbase length has grown by almost 40 mm. That’s huge, and it offers a vastly more planted feel at speed. Along with the big tyres and active suspension, this really is a solid little trail bike."

When it comes to being a better trail rider, practice makes perfect. Get seven tips from Pinkbike’s Christina Chappetta that will have you setting PRs and riding with more confidence in no time.

Everything you need (and nothing you don’t).