MOVING THE NEEDLE : The Andrew Neethling Podcast: Recent Episodes
movingtheneedle
In this show, Andrew sets out to pick apart the minds and strategies that Top Athletes and Industry leaders use to reach the pinnacle of their Sport. Including their early beginnings, bouncing back from adversity, and candid untold stories from life on the road. As a professional international downhill mountain biker, and now commentator, Andrew “ Needles “ Neethling brings 18 years of experience in all aspects of the Cycling Industry.
Vero Sandler has become one of the most influential riders in women's freeride mountain biking, but her journey started on the World Cup downhill circuit.
In this episode, Vero joins Andrew Neethling to talk about walking away from racing, discovering a passion for freeride, helping pioneer opportunities for women at events like DarkFest and Rampage, and why finding balance has been the key to a long and fulfilling career.
The conversation also dives into fear, burnout, concussions, meditation, progression, and what the future holds for the next generation of female freeriders.
Whether you're a racer, a freerider, or simply love mountain biking, this is an honest conversation about following your own path and redefining success.
Blake Samson has lived a life most riders have never heard about.
Before becoming one of mountain biking's most recognisable presenters and content creators, Blake grew up on a farm in Zimbabwe before his family fled the country and started again in England with almost nothing.
In this episode we dive into that incredible journey, his rise through professional freeriding, life behind the scenes at GMBN, content creation, burnout, and what it really takes to build a career in the bike industry.
Clemens "C-Dog" Kaudela joins the show to share the story behind DarkFest's biggest jumps, his engineering approach to building world-class freeride features, lessons from Rampage, and why big air mountain biking continues to evolve. It's an inside look at one of freeride's most creative minds.
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Supported by Kenda Tires EU
Episode Presented by Monster Energy
Jordan Williams continued his incredible form, the level of racing reached new heights, and qualifying proved once again that simply making the finals is becoming one of the toughest challenges in mountain biking.
On the women's side, Vali Höll strengthened her grip on the overall, Gracey Hemstreet bounced back with another podium, and Sasha Earnest continued her impressive rise with back-to-back podium finishes.
Sven Martin joins Andrew Neethling to break down everything from Andorra, including Jordan's incredible pace, the evolution of World Cup downhill, Specialized's dominance, the brutal qualifying format, the biggest storylines from the women's race, and the behind-the-scenes insights the TV cameras never capture.
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The La Thuile World Cup delivered one of the most demanding downhill races of the season.
Jordan Williams finally claimed his first Elite World Cup victory, Vali Höll returned to the top step, and the depth of the field continues to redefine what it takes just to qualify for a final.
This week I'm joined once again by Alan Milway, fresh from the mountain, to break down everything that happened in Italy.
British downhill racer Ethan Craik joins the podcast to share his journey from Junior World Cup Champion to one of the sport's most exciting rising talents. We dive into the injuries that threatened to derail his career, the mindset behind his comeback, life with the SCOTT Downhill Factory Team, and why he believes his best racing is still ahead. A fascinating conversation with a rider who's quickly becoming one to watch on the World Cup circuit.
The 2026 World Cup Downhill season rolled into Lenzerheide, and once again the Swiss classic delivered some of the tightest racing of the year.
Wyn Masters joins me for another edition of Bench Racing as we break down Finn Iles' second consecutive World Cup victory, Anna Newkirk's incredible journey from privateer racer to World Cup winner, and a race where the smallest mistakes carried massive consequences.
We dive into the growing debate around the qualifying format, Jackson Goldstone's return to form, the riders who thrived under pressure, and why Lenzerheide remains one of the most demanding tracks to race on the entire circuit.
Bench Racing is your go-to source for technical analysis, insider perspectives and post-race debriefs after every World Cup round. Tune in for one of the deepest dives into downhill racing anywhere in the sport.
Leogang delivered exactly what Leogang always seems to deliver: mud, mayhem and unforgettable racing.
Ed Masters joins me on Bench Racing to unpack Finn Iles' emotional return to World Cup victory, the wild conditions that caught out some of the sport's biggest names, and the performances that could shape the rest of the 2026 season.
From championship implications to race-winning mindset, we break down all the biggest talking points from Round 3 of the UCI Downhill World Cup.
The 2026 World Cup Downhill season rolled into France for Round 2, and Loudenvielle delivered one of the most unpredictable races we've seen in years.
Photographer and World Cup insider Sven Martin joins me for another edition of Bench Racing as we break down a weekend defined by blown-out conditions, huge crashes, surprise results, and a long-awaited first World Cup victory for Lucas Shaw.
We dive into the incredible crash rate that caught out many of the sport's biggest names, the costly mistakes from Asa Vermette and Jackson Goldstone, Loïc Bruni's injury concerns, and why the overall championship picture has suddenly been blown wide open. We also discuss Vali Höll's growing dominance, the rise of the sport's next generation, and which riders left France with momentum heading into Leogang.
Bench Racing is your go-to source for technical analysis, insider perspectives, and post-race debriefs after every single World Cup round this season. Tune in for one of the deepest dives into Downhill racing anywhere in the sport.
South African freerider, racer and all-round character Theo Erlangsen joins the podcast for one of the most honest MTB conversations yet.
We dive into how Darkfest changed the direction of his career, the reality of World Cup racing, the rise of the new generation led by Jackson Goldstone, and Theo’s insights into the 2026 downhill season.
From South Korea track previews to racing politics, freeride culture and plenty chaos along the way — this one covers it all.
XC racing has evolved fast.
Technical tracks, aggressive riding styles, modern bikes and a new generation bringing personality back into the sport.
Cannondale Factory riders Luca Martin and Charlie Aldridge join the podcast to talk racing, training, gravity riding and life behind the scenes of World Cup XC.
Their fun, aggressive approach to racing has even caught the attention of Monster Energy, with both riders becoming new signings for the iconic brand as XC continues to evolve into one of the most exciting disciplines in mountain biking.
From flat pedals and e-bikes to nearly missing race starts and accidentally brushing teeth with denture glue… this one goes everywhere.
The 2026 World Cup Downhill season has arrived, and we are kicking things off with a massive review of the historic first round in South Korea. Alan Milway joins me for the first 'Bench Racing' episode of the year to deconstruct a weekend that defied the script.
We dive deep into Asa Vermette’s incredible elite debut, the 'Aaron Gwin factor' as his team mate, and how a brand-new, hand-cut track changed the game for the world’s best riders. From the technical challenges to the mental hurdles of racing a venue with no test event, we break down who mastered the chaos and what it means for the rest of the season.
Bench Racing will be your go-to source for technical analysis and post-race debriefs after every single World Cup round this year. Tune in for the most in-depth look at Downhill racing on the circuit
Milway Performance Products - equipment designed and built using Alan’s 20years of coaching experience. Precision engineered products for stability, durability and performance. The weights bench is built to last and made in the UK http://www.milwayperformance.com/
The 2026 Downhill World Cup season is ON! Join legendary photographer Sven Martin as we dive deep into the upcoming year of thrilling races on this episode of Bench Racing. Get the inside line on the riders to watch in 2026, New Tracks, New Teams, New Era: 2026 MTB World Cup Preview show is here with some juicy behind-the-scenes info and gossip!
We'll be your go-to source for Downhill World Cup action all season long, bringing you review episodes after every race.
After more than two decades at the top of cross-country mountain biking, Nino Schurter reflects on life after stepping away from full-time racing.
In one of his first in-depth conversations since retiring, Nino shares what it’s really like to stay #1 for so long — from the mindset required on race day to adapting through every evolution of the sport.
We talk about longevity, pressure, training, and why success didn’t feel like sacrifice, as well as what comes next beyond the World Cup circuit.
Luke Meier-Smith went from growing up on a small avocado farm in Australia to standing on top of a World Cup podium — but the path there was anything but smooth.
In this episode, Luke opens up about injuries that nearly ended his career, the mental battles of racing at the highest level, and the breakthrough moment where everything finally clicked. He dives deep into his first World Cup win, the unexpected changes that made the difference, and what it really feels like when years of work pay off in one run.
We also get into Hardline, the evolving World Cup format, and the reality of chasing consistency in one of the most competitive eras downhill has ever seen.
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From backyard jumps to one of the biggest freeride events on the planet.
Sam Reynolds dives into Darkfest’s 10-year legacy, the progression of big air, and what the future holds.
He opens up on how it all started, what it really took to build it into a cornerstone of the freeride calendar, and just how tough it is to curate the invite list.
Tom Van Steenbergen has built a career pushing the limits of Freeride mountain biking. From landing world-record front flips at Red Bull Rampage to surviving some of the most devastating crashes the sport has seen, Tom’s journey is one of risk, resilience and relentless progression.
Tom talks about the mindset behind Rampage, the brutal injuries that nearly ended his career, and what it really takes to keep coming back.
Tom opens up about fear, recovery, fatherhood, and why he still chooses to push the limits on a mountain bike.
If you love freeride MTB, Rampage stories and the psychology behind extreme sports, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.
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Randy Lawrence has lived multiple lifetimes in two-wheel sport.From wrenching in the golden era of 90’s motocross — working alongside icons like Jeremy McGrath — to racing downhill during its wild west rockstar phase… to training elite motocross champions like Ryan Villopoto… Randy has seen it all.
This is a raw conversation about talent, work ethic, burnout, fatherhood, and what it actually takes to build a champion.
🌎 Get the Exclusive NordVPN deal here ↣ https://nordvpn.com/needle It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! 👍
Randy Lawrence has lived multiple lifetimes in two-wheel sport.
From wrenching in the golden era of 90’s motocross — working alongside icons like Jeremy McGrath — to racing downhill during its wild west rockstar phase… to training elite motocross champions like Ryan Villopoto… Randy has seen it all.
This is a raw conversation about talent, work ethic, burnout, fatherhood, and what it actually takes to build a champion.
🌎 Get the Exclusive NordVPN deal here ↣ https://nordvpn.com/needle It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! 👍
In this episode of Moving the Needle, Andreas Kolb opens up about the hardest season of his career — racing under pressure, dealing with uncertainty behind the scenes, and staying mentally strong when his future felt unclear.
We unpack how riding for himself, trusting the process, and delivering when it mattered ultimately led to a dream opportunity with the Santa Cruz Syndicate for 2026.
A raw conversation about belief, timing, and why tough seasons often set up the biggest breakthroughs.
Dakotah Norton opens up about a career-threatening hip injury, the tough recovery no one saw, and how he found his way back to form during the 2025 season.
He also breaks down his 2026 team move, what changed behind the scenes, and why this next chapter feels different — not just on the bike, but mentally and professionally.
An honest conversation about setbacks, resilience, and choosing the right environment to perform at your best.
Dakotah Norton opens up about his major 2026 team move, what led to the decision, and why this next chapter feels different.
In this short clip, Dak talks mindset, long-term goals, and how timing, support, and direction played a huge role after stepping away from his previous setup.
We also touch on what he’s looking for heading into 2026 — on and off the bike — and why this move feels like the right reset at the right moment.
🎧 Full episode out Jan 13th!! Check back then.
Former World Cup downhiller Dean Lucas opens up about the crash that left him temporarily paralysed, the terrifying minutes where he thought he'd never walk again, and the identity crisis that began long before he retired.
Dean speaks candidly about losing his competitive fire after COVID, the emotional spiral of recovery, rebuilding his life from rock bottom, and discovering purpose beyond racing. Raw, vulnerable, philosophical, and surprisingly funny — this is Dean Lucas unfiltered on the moment that changed everything and the reinvention that followed
How much training do you actually need… and how much is just noise?
Fit4Racing’s Jonny Thompson jumps back on the show to break down the myths and mistakes riders make in the gym, on the trail, and everywhere in between. Whether you’re a weekend warrior juggling a job, a parent battling daylight hours, or a racer trying to squeeze more speed out of your limited time — this episode gives you a roadmap.
Strength and Condition Basic Guide:
https://fit4racing.com/strength-and-conditioning-guide-for-mtb-riders/
Dirk Friel, co-founder of TrainingPeaks, joins Needles to dive into the evolution of data-driven coaching — from the early fax-machine days of training logs to the cutting-edge AI and tech shaping the future of sport. Dirk shares lessons from decades in cycling and coaching, the importance of balancing data with intuition, and why recovery, nutrition, and mindset are the real performance unlocks. They also explore how downhill and gravity athletes can leverage endurance principles, the art versus science of coaching, and how adaptability fuels both athletes and entrepreneurs.
After a decade on the World Cup circuit, Luca Shaw pieced together his best season yet — finishing third overall and riding with more confidence than ever. In this season review, Luca opens up about learning to “trust the feel,” staying composed under the new qualifying pressure, and why experience and instinct beat overthinking. A raw, insightful chat on performance, growth, and finding flow at the top level.
This Episode is brought to you by BOA®. From the bike park to backcountry lines, BOA keeps you dialed in. Learn more about how BOA is changing the game at BOAFit.com.
In this episode of Moving the Needle, Andrew chats with Connor Fearon, the Australian downhill legend who traded podiums for power tools. They dive into his racing journey, the highs and lows of professional life, and his smooth transition into a new career as an electrician.
Connor opens up about finding happiness beyond results, the evolution of downhill racing, and why staying grounded—and having a backup plan—matters. From his carefree attitude on the bike to the friendships that shaped his path, this is a raw and honest look at life after racing and the joy of keeping it simple.
Thanks to our episode sponsor ODI. I have been on these and only these Grips for well over 20 years. How cool is that. They are the original Lock on grip.
Learn more at www.odigrips.com
The 2025 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Sven Martin is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the final round in Mont Ste Anne, Canada. We'll be your go-to source for Downhill World Cup action all season long, bringing you review episodes after every race. This series is powered by Crankbrothers. Explore their latest innovations HERE: https://www.crankbrothers.com/
The 2025 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Wyn Masters is my co-hosts for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the 9th round in Lake Placid,USA. We'll be your go-to source for Downhill World Cup action all season long, bringing you review episodes after every race. This series is powered by Crankbrothers. Explore their latest innovations HERE: https://www.crankbrothers.com/
We’re diving into the 2025 US OPEN of Downhill with none other than Race Organiser and Founder, Clay Harper. Clay takes us inside the vision, the riders to watch, and what makes the US OPEN such a special stop on the calendar. Big names, wild cards, and the future of American downhill—all in one episode.
The 2025 World Cup Downhill racing is here and racing Legend Sven Martin is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the 8th round in Lenzerheide,Switzerland. We'll be your go-to source for Downhill World Cup action all season long, bringing you review episodes after every race. This series is powered by Crankbrothers. Explore their latest innovations HERE: https://www.crankbrothers.com/
The 2025 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Wyn Masters is my co-hosts for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the World Champs held in Champery. We'll be your go-to source for Downhill World Cup action all season long, bringing you review episodes after every race. This series is powered by Crankbrothers. Explore their latest innovations HERE: https://www.crankbrothers.com/
The 2025 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Wyn Masters is my co-hosts for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the 7th round in Les Gets. We'll be your go-to source for Downhill World Cup action all season long, bringing you review episodes after every race. This series is powered by Crankbrothers. Explore their latest innovations HERE: https://www.crankbrothers.com/
In this episode, Andrew sits down with John Lawlor – former World Cup downhill racer turned acclaimed MTB filmmaker. From racing at the highest level to documenting Ireland’s incredible rise in downhill through his new film Emerald Storm, John shares unique insights into life on both sides of the tape. The conversation dives into what it takes to capture the essence of a sport on screen, the influence of Ireland’s racing culture, and how his perspective as an athlete shapes his storytelling. Expect candid stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and a celebration of mountain biking’s rich history.
In this deep, wide-ranging conversation, Andrew sits down once again with Dr. Jason Richardson — former BMX world champion turned sport psychologist — to explore the mental side of high performance. They unpack what it really takes to manage fear, handle burnout, and find purpose beyond the race tape. From reframing anxiety into fuel, to building rituals that anchor performance, to understanding how personality traits shape athletic success, Jason shares practical tools for pros, weekend warriors, and anyone chasing big goals. Expect stories from BMX and downhill, lessons on resilience, and a candid look at life after elite sport.
Olly Wilkins is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down RED BULL HARDLINE held in Wales
The 2025 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Sven Martin and Ed Masters are my co-hosts for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the 6th round in Andorra. We'll be your go-to source for Downhill World Cup action all season long, bringing you review episodes after every race. This series is powered by Crankbrothers. Explore their latest innovations HERE: https://www.crankbrothers.com/
The 2025 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Wyn Masters is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the 5th round in La Thuile, Italy. We'll be your go-to source for Downhill World Cup action all season long, bringing you review episodes after every race. This series is powered by Crankbrothers. Explore their latest innovations HERE: https://www.crankbrothers.com/ Episode Sponsors: Fuel your body like a pro! AG1 is offering you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-boosting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. Claim your offer now at drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
The 2025 World Cup Downhill racing is here and racing Legend Sven Martin is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the 4th round in Val Di Sole, Italy. We'll be your go-to source for Downhill World Cup action all season long, bringing you review episodes after every race. This series is powered by Crankbrothers. Explore their latest innovations HERE: https://www.crankbrothers.com/ Episode Sponsors: Fuel your body like a pro! AG1 is offering you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-boosting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. Claim your offer now at drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
The 2025 World Cup Downhill racing is here and racing Legend Alan Milmay is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the 3rd round in Leogang We'll be your go-to source for Downhill World Cup action all season long, bringing you review episodes after every race. This series is powered by Crankbrothers. Explore their latest innovations HERE: https://www.crankbrothers.com/ Episode Sponsors: Fuel your body like a pro! AG1 is offering you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-boosting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. Claim your offer now at drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
The 2025 World Cup Downhill racing is here and racing Legend Sven Martin is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the 2nd round in Loudenvielle We'll be your go-to source for Downhill World Cup action all season long, bringing you review episodes after every race. This series is powered by Crankbrothers. Explore their latest innovations HERE: https://www.crankbrothers.com/ Episode Sponsors: Fuel your body like a pro! AG1 is offering you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-boosting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. Claim your offer now at drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
The 2025 World Cup Downhill racing is here and racing Legend Wyn Masters is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the first round in Poland. We'll be your go-to source for Downhill World Cup action all season long, bringing you review episodes after every race. This series is powered by Crankbrothers. Explore their latest innovations HERE: https://www.crankbrothers.com/ Episode Sponsors: Fuel your body like a pro! AG1 is offering you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-boosting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. Claim your offer now at drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
The 2025 Downhill World Cup season is ON! Join legendary photographer Sven Martin and renowned coach Alan Milway as they dive deep into the upcoming year of thrilling races on this episode of Bench Racing. Get the inside line on the riders to watch in 2025, crucial rule and venue changes you need to know, and some juicy behind-the-scenes info and gossip!
We'll be your go-to source for Downhill World Cup action all season long, bringing you review episodes after every race.
CRANKBROTHERS
Crankbrothers is our oldest supporter of the Podcast. Crankbrothers is synonymous with the MTB and DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 13 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal.Be sure to check out all the latest pedals and gear HERE
Episode Sponsor:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
In this raw and revealing conversation, Aaron Gwin opens up like never before — sharing the true cost of chasing greatness in downhill racing. From battling injuries and navigating brutal comebacks to handling the intense pressure of dominating a sport, Gwin reflects on the highs, the lows, and what keeps him pushing forward. Whether you're a fan, rider, or just love a good comeback story, this one hits deep.
Episode Sponsor:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
ODI:
Drawing on over 40 years of experience of producing performance-driven grips and feedback from their extensive network of top riders across the globe, ODI and the Reflex grips have been engineered to reduce impacts and vibration being passed on to the riders’ hands to allow you to ride more with less pain and fatigue.
Learn more at:
http://www.odigrips.com/
In this raw and revealing conversation, Aaron Gwin opens up like never before — sharing the true cost of chasing greatness in downhill racing. From battling injuries and navigating brutal comebacks to handling the intense pressure of dominating a sport, Gwin reflects on the highs, the lows, and what keeps him pushing forward. Whether you're a fan, rider, or just love a good comeback story, this one hits deep.
Episode Sponsor:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
ODI:
Drawing on over 40 years of experience of producing performance-driven grips and feedback from their extensive network of top riders across the globe, ODI and the Reflex grips have been engineered to reduce impacts and vibration being passed on to the riders’ hands to allow you to ride more with less pain and fatigue.
Learn more at:
http://www.odigrips.com/
In this episode of Moving the Needle, we sit down with one of the most naturally gifted and enduring riders in downhill mountain biking—Sam Blenkinsop. From his humble beginnings carving ruts on the way to school in New Zealand to winning a World Cup and racing at the top level for two decades, Sam shares his incredible journey.
We dive into his early days as a fearless junior, his transition to factory teams, and the game-changing moment that led him to World Cup glory. Sam opens up about the challenges of balancing family life with racing, his unique approach to training, and why he still has the hunger to compete. He also reflects on the evolution of the sport, rivalries, and the raw passion that has kept him going when others have burned out.
This is a must-listen for MTB fans, aspiring racers, and anyone who loves a good underdog story. Tune in and get inspired by one of the sport’s most authentic and exciting riders!
Episode Sponsor:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
Three-time Downhill World Champion Fabien Barel dives deep into the mindset, preparation, and mental strategies that shaped his legendary career. From his relentless pursuit of performance to his innovative approach to race-day tactics, Fabien shares untold stories about pushing the limits—both physically and mentally.
We talk about his early years growing up on the same street as Nicolas Vouilloz, the evolution of his mental preparation, and how visualization gave him an edge when it was still considered unconventional. He breaks down legendary race moments, including his calculated strategy at Les Gets 2004 and his razor-thin World Championship battle in Canberra. Plus, Fabien opens up about the role of ego in high-performance sports, how belief shapes results, and why he treats every morning as a chance to define who he wants to be.
This episode is packed with wisdom, behind-the-scenes racing insight, and game-changing takeaways for anyone looking to elevate their performance—on or off the bike.
Episode Sponsor:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
Jonny from Fit4Racing has worked with some of the world’s fastest mountain bikers, helping them push the limits of strength, endurance, and resilience. But what makes top riders truly excel? And can those same principles apply to everyday athletes?
In this episode, we break down the key factors behind elite performance—both physical and mental. From strength training and conditioning to mindset, focus, and mental toughness, Jonny shares how top riders train and why their approach can benefit anyone, whether you're a serious racer, weekend warrior, or just looking to improve your fitness.
We also discuss common training mistakes, injury prevention, and how to develop the mental edge that separates the best from the rest.
Episode Sponsor:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
Sven Martin is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down RED BULL HARDLINE held in Tasmania
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers.
Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 13 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! And it’s not just pedals; Crankbrothers has been adding to their product offering over the last few years and now has a whole host of podium contenders in their shoes, riders like Benoit Coulanges, Bernard Kerr, Luca Shaw, Troy Brosnan, Camille Balanche, and many more
Episode Sponsors:
AG1
Athletic Greens are going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle.
What does it take to raise not just one but two world-class mountain bikers? In this episode, we sit down with Tony Seagrave, the father of Tahnee and Kaos Seagrave, to uncover the journey behind building champions. From the early days of racing to the mindset, sacrifices, and behind-the-scenes moments that shaped their success, Tony shares his unique perspective on parenting elite athletes.
Expect untold stories, hard-earned wisdom, and a deep dive into the culture of speed, resilience, and family in mountain biking. Whether you're a fan of the sport, a parent of an aspiring athlete, or just love a good story of passion and perseverance, this episode is for you!
In this exclusive episode, we sit down with Greg Minnaar, the undisputed greatest of all time in downhill mountain biking. After over two decades of dominating the World Cup circuit, Greg opens up about his decision to retire from professional racing. He shares the highs of standing atop countless podiums, the lows of injuries and setbacks, and the invaluable lessons learned through it all.
But this isn’t just a look back. Greg takes us into the next chapter of his journey as the new Director of Norco Race Division. From mentoring the next generation of riders to shaping the future of the sport he helped define, Greg reveals his vision and passion for what’s ahead.
Oh, and don’t worry—there are plenty of unfiltered stories from the race circuit that you won’t want to miss!
In this exclusive episode, Danny Hart opens up about his challenging 2024 season, what it takes to back yourself, and his exciting new chapter with Norco Factory Racing. Hear all about the moment he got the call from downhill legend Greg Minnaar and what’s in store for him in the 2025 season. Get the inside scoop on Danny’s latest move, his goals, and what’s next for this seasoned MTB pro!
In this exclusive episode, Danny Hart opens up about his exciting new chapter with Norco Race Division. Hear all about the moment he got the call from downhill legend Greg Minnaar and what’s in store for him in the 2025 season. Get the inside scoop on Danny’s latest move, his goals, and what’s next for this seasoned MTB pro!
Todd Barber, co-founder of Red Bull Rampage, joins us to share the incredible journey behind one of the most iconic freeride mountain biking events in the world. From Rampage’s daring beginnings in 2001 to the groundbreaking inclusion of women riders and the evolution of its unique judging format, Todd reflects on two decades of redefining action sports.
We also dive into the creation of NST Bike, a bold evolution of the Proving Grounds qualifier Todd launched in 2019. Discover how a collaboration with snowboarding legend Travis Rice helped shape the Natural Selection Tour’s expansion into biking, bridging the gap between slopestyle and big-mountain freeride competitions.
With upcoming events in Queenstown, New Zealand—including a “last chance qualifier” at the Dream Track—Todd shares his vision for the future of freeride, the challenges of finding unique locations, and the exciting multi-sport expansion of NST. This episode is packed with stories of innovation, community, and pushing the limits of what’s possible.
The Search | Natural Selection Tour Bike
Episode Sponsors:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
MANSCAPED
If you head over to MANSCAPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle" you'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! So whether you're moving the needle in life or moving the needle on the trail, do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!
In this episode, we dive into the world of elite mountain biking with Jamie Read, of Athlete Optimization, a renowned high-performance MTB coach who’s helped some of the sport’s top athletes reach their peak. With years of experience blending cutting-edge training techniques and mental performance strategies, Jamie has built a reputation for unlocking riders' full potential both on and off the bike. Jamie is also studying for his Masters in Sports and performance coaching.
Join us as we explore Jamie's journey from his roots as a former British Army member, and sports and conditioning coach to becoming a sought-after coach, working with world-class pros and dedicated amateurs alike. We discuss the key elements of high-performance MTB training, some serious misconceptions of training, the importance of mental toughness, and how to overcome challenges that every rider faces. Whether you're a weekend warrior or an aspiring pro, Jamie's insights are packed with actionable advice to elevate your game.
In anticipation of the Deathgrip 2 release here is a rerelease of the episode if you missed it with exclusive Deathgrip 2 chat and his " retirement "
Brendan Fairclough known as BRENDOG is one of the biggest stars in MTB. The original free racer is back on the show to chat about "retirement" from World Cup racing..sort of, his new movie DEATHGRIP 2, racing alongside Sam Hill, and what the future may hold.
Episode Sponsors:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
MANSCAPED
If you head over to MANSCAPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle" you'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! So whether you're moving the needle in life or moving the needle on the trail, do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!
In this episode, we sit down with Clay Harper, the driving force behind the Monster Energy Pro Downhill Series and a Co-Founder of the US Open. A lifelong advocate for mountain biking. With a career spanning decades, Clay is an event organizer and ambassador for the sport.
Clay shares stories from his time working with elite riders, the challenges of organizing top-tier events, and his vision for the future of downhill racing.
Whether you’re a mountain biking enthusiast or new to the sport, you’ll love this behind-the-scenes look at one of its most influential leaders.
Episode Sponsors:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
MANSCAPED
If you head over to MANSCAPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle" you'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! So whether you're moving the needle in life or moving the needle on the trail, do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!
Luca Shaw is one of the fastest and most skilled racers in the world of Downhill Mountain Biking. In a sport where risk-taking is often rewarded, Luca’s calculated approach sets him apart—and it’s paying off. Known as one of the nicest guys on the circuit, we dive into his experiences being mentored by two of the greatest to ever race, what it’s like to be teammates with Troy Brosnan, and his future goals in the sport. Enjoy this epic conversation!
Episode Sponsors:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. There is a 90 day money back guarantee All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
MANSCAPED
If you head over to MANSCAPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle" you'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! So whether you're moving the needle in life or moving the needle on the trail, do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!
Anton Thelander was a mountain biking slopestyle phenom, rising to the pinnacle of the sport and sharing podiums with his childhood idols. Imagine reaching the summit of your dreams, only to have injuries derail your career and force you to step away at the tender age of 24. It’s a profound journey of self-discovery and resilience.
Episode Sponsors:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
MANSCAPED
If you head over to MANSCAPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle" you'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! So whether you're moving the needle in life or moving the needle on the trail, do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!
Rampage 2024. What an incredible event! Join us as we welcome Cam McCaul, the freeride legend and on-site announcer, to the show to dissect all the action. This year marked a significant milestone with the introduction of a dedicated category for the ladies. We’ll analyze the winning runs and discuss some performances that we believe deserve higher scores. Don't miss this insightful breakdown!
The 2024 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Sven Martin is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the final round in Mont-Saint-Anne, Canada.
This series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Be sure to check out all the latest HERE
Use discount code MOVINGTHENEEDLE for 25% off on a Pedal and Shoe Combo on their site HERE
Other Episode Sponsors:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
Jaxson Riddle is a rising star in freeride mountain biking. Known for his fearless approach and innovative style, he is carving his own unique path in the sport, pushing boundaries and inspiring a new generation of riders at just 22 years old. Jaxson shares insights about Rampage and discusses the real challenges that often go unseen on social media. As a new dad, he is also dedicated to juggling his sports career with fatherhood. It’s truly a fascinating conversation.
The 2024 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Alan Milway is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the RD 6 of the World Cups from Loudenvielle.
This series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Be sure to check out all the latest HERE
Use discount code MOVINGTHENEEDLE for 25% off on a Pedal and Shoe Combo on their site HERE
Other Episode Sponsors:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
MANSCAPED
If you head over to MANSCAPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle" you'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! So whether you're moving the needle in life or moving the needle on the trail, do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!
The 2024 World Cup Downhill racing is here and SvenMartin is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the World Championships from Andorra.
This series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Be sure to check out all the latest HERE
Use discount code MOVINGTHENEEDLE for 25% off on a Pedal and Shoe Combo on their site HERE
Other Episode Sponsors:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
MANSCAPED
If you head over to MANSCAPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle" you'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! So whether you're moving the needle in life or moving the needle on the trail, do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!
Mark Rodgers, while being heavily involved in the Motocross world in recent years, has a history steeped in Mountain Bike Legends. His family was instrumental in bringing over the likes of Kovarik and Rennie, kick-starting their careers. Growing up in Big Bear, California, in its pinnacle of Downhill Racing and the US MTB scene of the late 1990s, he speaks of the drastic changes the sport has taken in that time, both good and bad, and the opportunity he has had to meet and manage some of the sport's greats.
Nigel Page is a true icon in the world of MTB and Downhill racing. With a storied career that includes clinching an X Games medal during the peak of downhill racing, Page has gone on to build and lead a championship-winning downhill and enduro MTB program. Discover the thrilling tale of how he signed Sam Hill to his "small" race team, leading to multiple world titles. Gain insight into the challenges of managing larger-than-life athletes and uncover the real story behind the Nukeproof saga.
Brendan Fairclough known as BRENDOG is one of the biggest stars in MTB. The original free racer is back on the show to chat about "retirement" from World Cup racing..sort of, his new movie DEATHGRIP 2, racing alongside Sam Hill, and what the future may hold.
The takeover episode is where I turn the tables on the boys from THE RIDE COMPANION and interview Olly Wilkins and Davi Birks in their studio. Davi was the man who pushed me to start my podcast! We dive into their history in the sport, and why they joined forces and started their podcast. We had a great chat about MTB, podcasting, work ethic, determination, living the life you want, and the usual podcast banter!
The 2024 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Wyn Masters is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the Rd 5 in Les Gets, France
This series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Be sure to check out all the latest HERE
Other Episode Sponsors:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
MANSCAPED
If you head over to MANSCAPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle" you'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! So whether you're moving the needle in life or moving the needle on the trail, do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!
Harriet Burbidge-Smith, is a leading figure in women's freeride mountain biking. Harriet, known as Haz, has made waves with her fearless riding and dedication to pushing the sport's boundaries. We'll explore her journey from riding in Australia to becoming a global freeride sensation, overcoming challenges in a male-dominated field, and inspiring the next generation of riders. Harriet shares her insights on the sport's evolution, her vision for its future, and the exciting projects she's working on.
Episode presented by Kenda Tires
Episode Sponsors:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
MANSCAPED
If you head over to MANSCAPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle" you'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! So whether you're moving the needle in life or moving the needle on the trail, do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!
The 2024 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Wyn Masters and Eric Carter are my co-hosts for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the Rd 4 in Val Di Sole, Italy.
This series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Be sure to check out all the latest HERE
Other Episode Sponsors:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
MANSCAPED
If you head over to MANSCAPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle" you'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! So whether you're moving the needle in life or moving the needle on the trail, do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!
The 2024 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Sven Martin is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the Rd 3 in Leogang.
This series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Be sure to check out all the latest HERE
Other Episode Sponsors:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
MANSCAPED
If you head over to MANSCAPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle" you'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! So whether you're moving the needle in life or moving the needle on the trail, do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!
Jackson Goldstone was destined for greatness in MTB, and what a dream first year in Elite Downhill MTB he had. Hailing from Squamish, BC, Jackson signed his first autograph at 6 years old and hasn't looked back since. He is currently sidelined after a crash at Hardline. Join us as we delve into his decision to pursue downhill over freeride, his epic first two WC wins, injuries, his experience as a "kid" on the circuit, and much more.
The 2024 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Alan Milway is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the Rd 2 in Poland.
This series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Be sure to check out all the latest HERE
Other Episode Sponsors:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
MANSCAPED
If you head over to MANSCAPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle" you'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! So whether you're moving the needle in life or moving the needle on the trail, do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!
The 2024 World Cup Downhill racing is here and HERE
Other Episode Sponsors:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
MANSCAPED
If you head over to MANSCAPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle" you'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! So whether you're moving the needle in life or moving the needle on the trail, do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!
2024 World Cup Downhill racing is here and HERE
Other Episode Sponsors:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
MANSCAPED
If you head over to MANSCAPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle" you'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! So whether you're moving the needle in life or moving the needle on the trail, do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!
Chris Seager, better known as Seags to the MTB industry has grown up as a humble filmer to now regarded as one of the top filmers of this new generation. Teaming up with Brendan Fairclough and Clay Porter to bring you Deathgrip 1 which featured on Netflix, they are now about to release the sequel Deathgrip 2. Learn all about filmmaking, getting it on Netflix, and the inside scoop into the MTB stars of our sport.
Episode Sponsor:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
MANSCAPED
If you head over to MANSCAPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle" you'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! So whether you're moving the needle in life or moving the needle on the trail, do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!
Anka Martin has had an incredible and unique career in Mountain Biking. Anka started MTB in her twenties and then turned Pro competing in Downhill on the world stage. She transitioned to Enduro MTB in the early years notching up podiums and some incredible finishes in multiple stage races. She did not stop there, completing multiple Cape Epic races and riding the full length of New Zealand, self-assisted over 15 days. Anka has raised tons of money for great causes and is a role model to the younger generation. Enjoy this great conversation with too many life lessons to name them all here.
Episode Sponsor:
AG1:
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
ODI:
Drawing on over 40 years of experience of producing performance-driven grips and feedback from their extensive network of top riders across the globe, ODI and the Reflex grips have been engineered to reduce impacts and vibration being passed on to the riders’ hands to allow you to ride more with less pain and fatigue. Learn more at: http://www.odigrips.com/
Dakotah Norton had a late start to his Downhill career but that is not holding him back. Humble beginnings to World Cup Podiums and Multiple US National Titles. This conversation does not disappoint and covers the role the mental side plays in the sport among many topics. Norton has earned his spot in the sport. Uncover the secrets behind his rapid rise in the mountain biking scene, as we explore the pivotal moments, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped Dakotah's career.
Episode Sponsor:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
ODI:
Drawing on over 40 years of experience of producing performance-driven grips and feedback from their extensive network of top riders across the globe, ODI and the Reflex grips have been engineered to reduce impacts and vibration being passed on to the riders’ hands to allow you to ride more with less pain and fatigue.
Learn more at:
http://www.odigrips.com/
Sven Martin is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down RED BULL HARDLINE held in Tasmania
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers.
Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 13 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! And it’s not just pedals; Crankbrothers has been adding to their product offering over the last few years and now has a whole host of podium contenders in their shoes, riders like Benoit Coulanges, Bernard Kerr, Luca Shaw, Troy Brosnan, Camille Balanche, and many more
Episode Sponsors:
MANSCAPED
If you head over to MANSCAPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle" You'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! Do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!
AG1
Athletic Greens are going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle.
Oscar Saiz was a top Downhill racer with an illustrious career spanning 2 decades. He is now one of the most sought-after technical coaches in MTB and Road. Join this fascinating chat between us where we dive into high performance on and off the bike and lessons you can take to life. We cover it all including how to get comfortable under pressure and what it takes to perform at a high level consistently. Oscar was my Dh coach on one of my teams so we share a long history.
Episode Brought to you by:
MANSCAPED
If you head over to MANSCAPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle
," you'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! So whether you're moving the needle in life or moving the needle on the trail, do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
Neko Mulally, a gravity-defying force of downhill mountain biking, needs little introduction. With a career marked by podium finishes and National Titles, Neko has solidified his place as one of the sport's top riders.
Currently steering his destiny, Neko is not just a rider but a team owner. As the driving force behind the Frameworks DH Team, he's cultivating a new era of talent and pushing the boundaries of what's possible as a rider designing his own bike. Neko has done a huge amount for domestic racing in the States as well.
Aaron Chase is a freeride Mountain Bike OG and Legend. From conquering the world to navigating a near career-ending back injury. Discover the heart-pounding tales, the thrill of overcoming adversity, and the epic pivot that reshaped Aaron's trajectory. Whether you're a seasoned rider or an aspiring adventurer, this podcast is your front-row ticket to the adrenaline-fueled world of mountain biking. Tune in, gear up, and let the wheels of inspiration roll!"
Please support the show:
MANSCAPPED
If you head over to MANSCAPPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle" you'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! So whether you're moving the needle in life or moving the needle on the trail, do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
Andreas Kolb came from very humble beginnings as a car mechanic and now can call himself a World Cup winner. Kolb has exploded onto the scene in the last 2 years of racing. Strap yourself in for an exhilarating ride and chat with none other than Austrian World Cup downhill winner, Andreas
He discusses many topics including his perseverance, humble beginnings and now dealing with the pressure at the top of the sport.
Episode Sponsor:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
Grant "Chopper " Fielder is an icon in the British and World MTB scene. He joins the show as he shares the untold stories behind his fearless career. Tune in as we explore the highs, lows, and everything in between, offering an exclusive glimpse into the mind of a true pioneer in the world of extreme sports and MTB. Don't miss this riveting conversation that goes beyond the trails.
Episode Sponsor:
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
Myriam Nicole has made waves in the world of downhill mountain biking, leaving a lasting legacy that has inspired generations of riders. From her early days as an up-and-coming talent to becoming one of the most successful female downhill racers, Myriam shares the journey that led her to the top. Join us as we dive into Myriam's fearless approach to racing, her passion for testing boundaries, and the challenges that come with competing at the highest level of the sport. She opens up about her most memorable victories, the setbacks she faced, and the strategies she used to overcome adversity. Whether you're a passionate rider or simply captivated by inspiring stories, be sure to tune in to this extraordinary conversation.
Episode Sponsors:
AG1
Athletic Greens are going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle.
ODI
Drawing on over 40 years of experience of producing performance-driven grips and feedback from their extensive network of top riders across the globe, ODI and the Reflex grips have been engineered to reduce impacts and vibration being passed on to the riders’ hands to allow you to ride more with less pain and fatigue.
Learn more at:
http://www.odigrips.com/
Rogatkin started riding BMX at the age of five and became a professional at age 13. He switched to mountain biking and rode the FMB World Tour as a rookie. In the 2015 season, he placed second at Crankworx Rotorua and Crankworx Whistler. Nicholi pulled the World's First Cashroll on a Downhill bike among other world firsts.
Nicholi was the first to win the “Triple Crown” of Crankworx Slopestyle and has been the FMB World Champion. He always brings the hype and big tricks to any comp.
Episode Sponsor:
AG1
AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
Caroline Buchanan is a 3 x BMX World Champion, 5 x Mountain Bike World Champion, and Dual Olympian Athlete, Caroline has been riding the bike for well over two decades. As one of Australia’s most popular female action sports athletes, Caroline rules the BMX race course, excels in Downhill Mountain Biking, dominates the Dual Slalom, and loves the Pump Track.
But Caroline classifies herself as more than just a cyclist.
Pro-athlete, businesswoman, social media talent, mentor and proud advocate for women in sports are only some of the hats she wears.
Episode Sponsors:
AG1
Athletic Greens are going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle.
ODI
Drawing on over 40 years of experience of producing performance-driven grips and feedback from their extensive network of top riders across the globe, ODI and the Reflex grips have been engineered to reduce impacts and vibration being passed on to the riders’ hands to allow you to ride more with less pain and fatigue.
Learn more at:
http://www.odigrips.com/
Rampage 2023 was one for the history books. What is it really like to be there? What is it like to actually judge it from start to finish? Freeride Legend "Bearclaw" jumps on to answer these questions, plus way more, and helps us understand the event, the judging, and what makes the riders stand out.
Episode Sponsors:
Athletic Greens are going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle.
Youtube: The podcast is available on YouTube. Head on over and hit that subscribe button. CLICK HERE
The 2023 World Cup Downhill racing season is here and Sven Martin is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the 8th race of the 2023 season held in Mont Ste Anne, Canada.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers.
Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 13 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! And it’s not just pedals; Crankbrothers has been adding to their product offering over the last few years and now has a whole host of podium contenders in their shoes, riders like Benoit Coulanges, Bernard Kerr, Luca Shaw, Troy Brosnan, Camille Balanche, and many more
Episode Sponsors:
Athletic Greens are going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle.
The 2023 World Cup Downhill racing season is here and Alan Milway is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the 7th race of the 2023 season held in Snowshoe, USA.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers.
Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 13 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! And it’s not just pedals; Crankbrothers has been adding to their product offering over the last few years and now has a whole host of podium contenders in their shoes, riders like Benoit Coulanges, Bernard Kerr, Luca Shaw, Troy Brosnan, Camille Balanche, and many more
Episode Sponsors:
Athletic Greens are going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle.
Tomas Lemoine is easily one of the most talented and creative riders out there. Competing in Slopestyle, Speed and Style, and Pumptrack at the Crankworx World Tour. Lemoine almost broke the internet with his huge "stunt" in Whistler jumping right over an on-off wooden feature. Lemoine is looking to move away from full-time competition and focus on bigger bikes and creating video parts. Lil Moine is his "Rap" name. Check that out on Spotify - Click Here
Podcast Youtube - Subscribe and check it out
Episode Sponsors:
Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
The 2023 World Cup Downhill racing season is here and Wyn Masters is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the 6th race of the 2023 season held in Les Gets, France.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers.
Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 13 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! And it’s not just pedals; Crankbrothers has been adding to their product offering over the last few years and now has a whole host of podium contenders in their shoes, riders like Benoit Coulanges, Bernard Kerr, Luca Shaw, Troy Brosnan, Camille Balanche, and many more
Episode Sponsors:
Athletic Greens are going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle.
The 2023 World Cup Downhill racing season is here and Sven Martin is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the 5th race of the 2023 season held in Loudenvielle, France.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers.
Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 13 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! And it’s not just pedals; Crankbrothers has been adding to their product offering over the last few years and now has a whole host of podium contenders in their shoes, riders like Bernard Kerr, Luca Shaw, Troy Brosnan, Camille Balanche, and many more
Episode Sponsors:
Athletic Greens are going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle.
The 2023 World Cup Downhill racing season is here and Alan Milway is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the 4th race of the 2023 season held in Andorra.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers.
Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and this year celebrated 13 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! And it’s not just pedals; Crankbrothers has been adding to their product offering over the last few years and now has a whole host of podium contenders in their shoes, riders like Bernard Kerr, Luca Shaw, Camille Balanche, and many more
Episode Sponsors:
Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle.
The 2023 World Championships is in the books and Olly Wilkins of the Ride Companion is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We decided to do a co-lab and give you a little of a different look into what a race is like on-site. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the World Champs held in Fort William, Scotland.
Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and this year celebrated 13 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! And it’s not just pedals; Crankbrothers has been adding to their product offering over the last few years and now has a whole host of podium contenders in their shoes, riders like Bernard Kerr, Luca Shaw, Camille Balanche, and many more
Episode Sponsors:
Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle.
Check out The Ride Companion here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/66evYlliy7rOpMgvABeBgw?si=de93d5821ade4795
Mick Hannah is an MTB legend period. Mick burst onto the scene at his first World Championships in shorts and a T-shirt and no knee pads to claim a Silver medal. He went on to get signed by the mighty Global Racing and tore up his first year as a pro ( even though he was still a junior ). Mick went on to win a World Cup in Spain and stepped on the podium 20 times in his 105 UCI Downhill World Cups starts. Enjoy Pt 1 with the man himself.
Episode Sponsors:
Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
ODI Grips
Thanks to our episode sponsor ODI. I have been on these and only these Grips for well over 20 years. How cool is that? They are the original Lock on grip.
They have an incredible range of options but we want to tell you about something new they offering.
Drawing on over 40 years of experience in producing performance-driven grips and feedback from their extensive network of top riders across the globe, the Reflex grips have been engineered to reduce impacts and vibration being passed on to the riders’ hands to allow you to ride more with less pain and fatigue.
Mick Hannah is an MTB legend period. Mick burst onto the scene at his first World Championships in shorts and a T-shirt and no knee pads to claim a Silver medal. He went on to get signed by the mighty Global Racing and tore up his first year as a pro ( even though he was still a junior ). Mick went on to win a World Cup in Spain and stepped on the podium 20 times in his 105 UCI Downhill World Cups starts. Enjoy Pt 1 with the man himself.
Episode Sponsors:
Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle
ODI Grips
Thanks to our episode sponsor ODI. I have been on these and only these Grips for well over 20 years. How cool is that? They are the original Lock on grip.
They have an incredible range of options but we want to tell you about something new they offering.
Drawing on over 40 years of experience in producing performance-driven grips and feedback from their extensive network of top riders across the globe, the Reflex grips have been engineered to reduce impacts and vibration being passed on to the riders’ hands to allow you to ride more with less pain and fatigue.
The 2023 World Cup Downhill racing season is here and Sven Martin is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the 3rd race of the 2023 season held in Val Di Sole, Italy.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers.
Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 12 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! And it’s not just pedals; Crankbrothers has been adding to their product offering over the last few years, and now has a whole host of podium contenders in their shoes, riders like Bernard Kerr, Luca Shaw, Laurie Greenland, Camille Balanche, and many more
Episode Sponsors:
Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle.
The 2023 World Cup Downhill racing season is here and Ed Masters is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the 2nd race of the 2023 season held in Leogang, Austria.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers.
Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 12 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! And it’s not just pedals; Crankbrothers has been adding to their product offering over the last few years, and now has a whole host of podium contenders in their shoes, riders like Bernard Kerr, Luca Shaw, Laurie Greenland, Camille Balanche, and many more
Episode Sponsors:
Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/movingtheneedle
The 2023 World Cup Downhill racing season is here and Alan Milway is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the first race of the 2023 season held in Lenzerheide, Switzerland.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers.
Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 12 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! And it’s not just pedals; Crankbrothers has been adding to their product offering over the last few years, and now has a whole host of podium contenders in their shoes, riders like Bernard Kerr, Luca Shaw, Laurie Greenland, Camille Balanche, and many more
Episode Sponsors:
Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/movingtheneedle
2023 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Sven Martin and Alan Milway are my co-hosts for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the upcoming 2023 season with a preview show including the riders to watch for 2023, rule and broadcast changes, and random bits of info and gossip. Racing kicks off in Lenzerheide, Switzerland on the 9th and 10th of June.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers.
Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 12 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! And it’s not just pedals; Crankbrothers has been adding to their product offering over the last few years, and now has a whole host of podium contenders in their shoes, riders like Bernard Kerr, Luca Shaw, Laurie Greenland, Camille Balanche, and many more!
With over 50 years of racing experience, Andrew Neethling and Myles Kelsey of Bike Network take you on a journey into their MTB World. We answer some listener questions and take a deep dive into getting you the rider faster and more confident on an MTB, plus some random MTB-related topics. This show is made for the listener so keep sending those questions in and let us know where to go with this show!!
Episode Sponsors:
Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/movingtheneedle
ODI Grips
Thanks to our episode sponsor ODI. I have been on these and only these Grips for well over 20 years. How cool is that? They are the original Lock on grip.
They have an incredible range of options but we want to tell you about something new they offering.
Drawing on over 40 years of experience in producing performance-driven grips and feedback from their extensive network of top riders across the globe, the Reflex grips have been engineered to reduce impacts and vibration being passed on to the riders’ hands to allow you to ride more with less pain and fatigue.
Bernard Kerr is easily one of the busiest and most hardworking riders on the circuit. He owns and runs his own Enduro and DH team all while racing at the top level. Coming off his best season finishing 5th in the overall and notching up his best Wc finish with a 2nd place in Snowshoe, Bernard is not afraid to speak his mind and wants to protect the sport the best he can. Super fun conversation with the fast-talking and confident Kerr. Enjoy.
Please don't forget our episode Sponsor:
Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/movingtheneedle
Tom Isted has just set the World Record for the longest dirt-to-dirt backflip on a MTB at 120 feet at Darkfest. He currently does not have a bike sponsor which is crazy to say. Tom switched from BMX to MTB. He is a top Slopestyle rider earning his best result at Crankworx with a 3rd spot. He is fast becoming one of the riders pushing the sport of freeride as well.
Please don't forget our episode Sponsor:
Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/movingtheneedle
Surprise guest and friend of the show SVEN MARTIN hops on board to join Andrew Neethling to take you on a journey into their MTB World. Sven Martin was at Rd1 n 2 of the Enduro World Cup. Why is Sam Hill so cagey about his DH season, who is the best all-around MTB rider at the moment, and more..
Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/movingtheneedle
Hans is considered the world’s leader in extreme mountain biking. He is a former trials riding world champion, a showman, a stuntman, and an adventure mountain biker. He has traveled the world extensively; riding his mountain bike, over and through areas previously considered unrideable. All the while, capturing the cultural, scenic, and spiritual aspects of these exotic locations; and always in search of something mystical or historical. At the age of 57, Hans is still doing what he loves and inspiring us all.
Hans Rey Charity: wheels4life
The charity I mention: Pedal Project
Please don't forget our episode Sponsor:
Athletic Greens are going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/movingtheneedle
Brett Tippie is a larger-than-life character in the sport of MTB. He was one of the original free riders and pioneered the sport we know today. A former professional snowboarder Tippie then turned to MTB and was one of the very first sponsored free-riders before the industry even knew what the sport was. He admits he had some dark years when he turned to drugs but sights MTB as the sport that pulled him out of that place. He now is an ambassador for brands, announces, coaches, and guides to name a few roles he has in the industry. He always with a smile on his face the most epic positive attitude you could ever imagine.
Charlie Harrison at only 25 , has decided to retire from professional downhill mountain biking. Many will say with so much more to give. Charlie achieved great success but also suffered many injuries and disappointment along the way. Charlie knew racing was not going to be forever and is excited about pursuing his next career and has found his love for mountain biking again. This episode has some awesome insights into the challenges of the sport and life!
Please don't forget our episode Sponsor:
Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/movingtheneedle
Surprise guest and friend of the show SVEN MARTIN hops on board to join Andrew Neethling and Myles Kelsey of Bike Network to take you on a journey into their MTB World. We answer some listener questions and take a deep dive into Sven Martin and many of the changes to EWS and the World Cup series, plus some random MTB-related topics. This show is made for the listener so keep sending those questions in and let us know where to go with this show!!
Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/movingtheneedle
Bike Network Innovation Article - Click Here
Darren Berrecloth is a MTB freeride legend period. The Claw had an incredible career coming over to MTB from BMX. He has been in some of the biggest movies in the industry and pushed the sport to new heights. He has recently been inducted into the MTB hall of fame. Some injuries have forced him to hang up his competitive boots but he is very much still active as an adventure rider doing trips and projects.
Episode Sponsor:
Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/movingtheneedle
Marcelo Gutierrez is the most successful Downhill Mountain Biker in Colombia. It was not an easy road out of Colombia onto the world stage. Marcelo managed to get multiple World Cup podiums and become the king of the most grueling downhill race known as Garbonza Downhill at the Crankworx festival. Winning at the highest level for Marcelo was not quite enough. He lost his passion for the sport and competiting knowing there was more to life. After 12 years on the circuit, he has chosen to step away and is building cycling and mountain biking in South America as an ambassador for brands. He still competes at some select events. It was a fascinating and thought-provoking episode.
Episode Sponsors:
Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/movingtheneedle
e*thirteen's LG1 Race Carbon Enduro Wheels may have started as the little brother of e thirteen’s legendary World Cup DH Wheels, but have evolved over the past few generations into purpose-engineered, Enduro World Series worthy thoroughbreds.
These wheels were awarded Vital's MTB “ BEST MTB Gear of the Year “ Award in 2022.
Head on over to https://www.ethirteen.com
Tomas Slavik is a multiple 4x MTB World Champion and former king of Crankworx. He is an all-around MTB badass. He has shifted his focus from 4x once the UCI dropped it as a official discipline and competes in those crazy Urban Downhill races alongside the Crankworx World Tour. Slavik shares thoughts on the sport as a whole and his attitude to racing and life are just plan epic. Enjoy
Episode Sponsor:
Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/movingtheneedle
With over 50 years of racing experience, Andrew Neethling and Myles Kelsey of Bike Network take you on a journey into their MTB World. We answer some listener questions and take a deep dive into getting you the rider faster and more confident on an MTB, plus some random MTB-related topics. This show is made for the listener so keep sending those questions in and let us know where to go with this show!!
Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/movingtheneedle
Bike Network Innovation Article - Click Here
Stikman as he is known by the industry has seen and done it all. As a legendary World Cup Mechanic to some of the greats of the sport, Stik has stories upon stories of the sport that we know today. He has lived through multiple generations of racers and riders. He has held a few different jobs in the industry and worked alongside top athletes as well. Stik is a man that will say it like it is.
With 19 National and 5 World Championships split between BMX and mountain biking to his name, Eric Carter is a living MTB legend. EC came over to MTB from BMX in the heyday when pay was big and the partying even bigger. I learned so much from EC during my years racing and owe a ton to the man. His attitude to life and racing was incredible and was always a good time being around the man. Enjoy some incredible stories from over the years. An Episode not to be missed.
Ever wondered how a bike makes its way to market? Tim Stevens, head of mountain bike engineering, and Julian Wagner, bike marketing lead at Scott Sports join the show for a fascinating look at everything that goes into designing, building and marketing the all new Scott Genius and Genius ST.
For more info and the tech video :
CLICK HERE
Visit Scott Sports
Timo Pritzel and a straight-up OG of MTB Freeride. Insane movie parts to jaw-dropping stunts at Cranworx, not to mention jumping the Berlin Wall. You name it he has done it. Timo is a deep thinker as well and turned to yoga and alternative medicine to heal his body. A fascinating conversation not to be missed.
Anneke Beerten is a 3 x World Champion in 4 cross Mountain Biking. She grew up racing BMX in the Netherlands and switched to mountain biking and had an incredible career. Anneke suffered a scary car crash in August 2020 which left her with traumatic brain injury and severe whiplash. She has been in therapy ever since and was advised to medically retire from racing. Anneke is one strong individual and is back riding and pursuing a career in MTB post her racing career. She says life is like a roller coaster with ups and downs and you better buckle up. She is a big inspiration and hopes you enjoy this conversation.
More on concussions please see the episode with DR Euan Speirits : Concussion Episode
With over 50 years of racing experience, Andrew Neethling and Myles Kelsey of Bike Network take you on a journey into their MTB World. We answer some listener questions and take a deep dive into getting you the rider faster and more confident on an MTB, plus some random MTB-related topics. This show is made for the listener so keep sending those questions in and let us know where to go with this show!!
Flo Payet was born in Reunion Island and carved out an incredible career in Downhill MTB. Flo went on to race 101 World Cup finals which is an incredible feat. Spending 19 years racing the world circuit, you can imagine he had his fair share of challenges along the way but also achieved highlights like a bronze medal at the World Championships. Flo became a character on the circuit with his laid-back Island way and positive attitude. He will be missed between the tape but will still be around the circuit in another role.
2022 World Cup Downhill racing is in the books and Sven Martin is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. WHAT A RACE !! We break down the final round held in Val Di Sole, Italy. Get all the insights and behind-the-scenes chat from the race. We will cover the season and bring you review episodes of each race throughout the year.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 11 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! Determined to improve the shoe and pedal interface for riders, Crankbrothers spent the last two years developing their own range of shoes, launching late last year, and in 2021 we’ll see those shoes in use on the World Cup DH circuit with riders like Luca Shaw, Bernard Kerr, Angel Suarez, and former World Champs Oisin O’Callaghan and Camille Balanche, as well as many more.
The 2022 World Championships from Les Gets, France was a race for the history books! The world champs had not been held in France since 2004. The French went 1,2 and 3 in the men's race. Wyn Masters is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. WHAT A RACE !! Get all the insights and behind-the-scenes chat from the race. We will cover the season and bring you review episodes of each race throughout the year.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 11 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! Determined to improve the shoe and pedal interface for riders, Crankbrothers spent the last two years developing their own range of shoes, launching late last year, and in 2021 we’ll see those shoes in use on the World Cup DH circuit with riders like Luca Shaw, Bernard Kerr, Angel Suarez, and former World Champs Oisin O’Callaghan and Camille Balanche, as well as many more.
Marine Cabirou is awesome! The French rider has tasted the top step of the podium multiple times and won an overall downhill title but has had her fair share of injuries along the way in a somewhat short space of time. She never fails to have a smile on her face throughout the setbacks. Hear about her upbringing, how she deals with setbacks, winning and what makes her tick.
Shoutout to Scott Sports, a long-time partner of mine and supporter of the Podcast, for making this episode possible. Obviously, as a sponsored athlete I only have good things to say about the product, but if there is one product I’d push regardless it is the Stego Plus Helmet
I spend a lot of time on many different bikes, from riding trail and enduro to the occasional XC rip. What’s cool is having a helmet that works in all of those situations, and for me, the SCOTT Stego plus is just that. The fit is great, looks super good, and keeps me safe on a variety of terrain.
Sven Martin, a friend of the show and huge contributor to the sport shares his rider interviews from Mont Ste Anne Downhill WC and includes riders' thoughts on the upcoming World Champs in Les Gets, France
Thanks to https://misspentsummers.com . Make sure to check out their awesome work!!
2022 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Cedric Gracia is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. WHAT A RACE !! We break down the 7th round held in Mont Ste Anne,Canada. Get all the insights and behind-the-scenes chat from the race. We will cover the season and bring you review episodes of each race throughout the year.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 11 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! Determined to improve the shoe and pedal interface for riders, Crankbrothers spent the last two years developing their own range of shoes, launching late last year, and in 2021 we’ll see those shoes in use on the World Cup DH circuit with riders like Luca Shaw, Bernard Kerr, Angel Suarez, and former World Champs Oisin O’Callaghan and Camille Balanche, as well as many more.
2022 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Alan Milway is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. WHAT A RACE !! We break down the 6th round held in Snowshoe,USA. Get all the insights and behind-the-scenes chat from the race. We will cover the season and bring you review episodes of each race throughout the year.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 11 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! Determined to improve the shoe and pedal interface for riders, Crankbrothers spent the last two years developing their own range of shoes, launching late last year, and in 2021 we’ll see those shoes in use on the World Cup DH circuit with riders like Luca Shaw, Bernard Kerr, Angel Suarez, and former World Champs Oisin O’Callaghan and Camille Balanche, as well as many more.
With over 50 years of racing experience, Andrew Neethling and Myles Kelsey of Bike Network take you on a journey into their MTB World. We answer some listener questions and take a deep dive into getting you the rider faster and more confident on an MTB, plus some random MTB-related topics. This show is made for the listener so keep sending those questions in and let us know where to go with this show!!
2022 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Sven Martin is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. WHAT A RACE !! We break down the 5th round held in Valnord,Andorra. Get all the insights and behind-the-scenes chat from the race. We will cover the season and bring you review episodes of each race throughout the year.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 11 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! Determined to improve the shoe and pedal interface for riders, Crankbrothers spent the last two years developing their own range of shoes, launching late last year, and in 2021 we’ll see those shoes in use on the World Cup DH circuit with riders like Luca Shaw, Bernard Kerr, Angel Suarez, and former World Champs Oisin O’Callaghan and Camille Balanche, as well as many more.
2022 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Ed Masters is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. WHAT A RACE !! We break down the 4th round held in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. Get all the insights and behind-the-scenes chat from the race. We will cover the season and bring you review episodes of each race throughout the year.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 11 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! Determined to improve the shoe and pedal interface for riders, Crankbrothers spent the last two years developing their own range of shoes, launching late last year, and in 2021 we’ll see those shoes in use on the World Cup DH circuit with riders like Luca Shaw, Bernard Kerr, Angel Suarez, and former World Champs Oisin O’Callaghan and Camille Balanche, as well as many more.
Madeira Island has become a bucket list stop for Mountain Bikers around the world. This didn't happen without crazy hard work. Hear from John Fernandes co-founder of Freeride Madeira about the history of the beautiful Island and its incredible MTB trails, scene, and more. We did a project with him and the full video can be found HERE ! The stars of MTB have visited this Island and it's no wonder why. Maybe it should be on your bucket list.
Dr Euan Speirits is a Doctor who worked in orthopedic surgery for 8 years and has been the Crankworx Athlete Doctor since 2019. He joins the show to shed light on a topic that is coming up more and more, CONCUSSIONS. Euan is a passionate rider and raced at the pro level. He is now eager to support the international MTB scene and is doing so on the Crankworx World Tour working closely with athletes on injuries and concussion awareness, including their return to competition through the correct protocol if they do sustain a head injury.
Follow him along HERE.
More information can be found here: https://www.qmc.co.nz/services/actionsports/
2022 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Alan Milway is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. WHAT A RACE !! We break down the 3rd round held in Leogang,Austria. Get all the insights and behind-the-scenes chat from the race. We will cover the season and bring you review episodes of each race throughout the year.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 11 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! Determined to improve the shoe and pedal interface for riders, Crankbrothers spent the last two years developing their own range of shoes, launching late last year, and in 2021 we’ll see those shoes in use on the World Cup DH circuit with riders like Luca Shaw, Bernard Kerr, Angel Suarez, and former World Champs Oisin O’Callaghan and Camille Balanche, as well as many more.
With over 50 years of racing experience, Andrew Neethling and Myles Kelsey of Bike Network take you on a journey into their MTB World. We answer some listener questions and take a deep dive into getting you the rider faster and more confident on an MTB, plus some random MTB-related topics. This show is made for the listener so keep sending those questions in and let us know where to go with this show!!
2022 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Alan Milway is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. WHAT A RACE !! We break down the 2nd round held in Fort William, Scotland. Get all the insights and behind-the-scenes chat from the race. We will cover the season and bring you review episodes of each race throughout the year.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 11 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! Determined to improve the shoe and pedal interface for riders, Crankbrothers spent the last two years developing their own range of shoes, launching late last year, and in 2021 we’ll see those shoes in use on the World Cup DH circuit with riders like Luca Shaw, Bernard Kerr, Angel Suarez, and former World Champs Oisin O’Callaghan and Camille Balanche, as well as many more.
Clemens Kaudela known as C dog is becoming one of the biggest names in freeride mountain biking. The humble Austrian started out as a DJ and slopestyle rider but has moved onto the big bike. He is one of the top riders at events like Darkfest and Audi Nines. These events push what is possible on a MTB. C dog is also one of the best MTB builders at the moment putting his name to trails and events like Darkfest.
Episode Sponsor:
Kenda Tires : https://www.kendatire.com/en-eu/
With 60 years of experience in manufacturing tires, Kenda has been offering high-quality rubber products for bicycles, cars, light trucks, motorcycles, ATVs, trailers, karts, golf carts, lawn and garden, wheelchairs, and agricultural vehicles since 1962. Kenda distributes its products globally and employs more than 10,000 people to produce more than 800,000 tires and tubes daily.
Listen on:
Itunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/moving-the-needle-the-andrew-neethling-podcast/id1510362033
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0nJAawq5Q08NJIlz559paI?si=3dbf7101314344b6
Brendan Fairclough is back for the 2nd time on the show! We sit down for an off-the-cuff-style show. Brendan has excelled from a very young age and carved his own unique path in the Cycling Industry. It didn’t come by sheer luck though. The hard-working Free Racer shares some very valuable insights from his journey to the top. @brendog1 achieved 2 World Cup Podiums as a Junior. His career took a slight detour after a knee injury in 2011. He has now become known for way more than just racing. He has a movie on NETFLIX named DEATHGRIP and managed a 4th Place at Rampage. Check out his Youtube Channel
The Australian Troy Brosnan was a junior phenom and has continued his rise to the top of the downhill world stage. He has 3 World Cup wins to his name and even more impressive some say is the fact that Troy finished in the top 3 overall too many times for anyone to remember. He opens up and shares some great stories about when he was teammates with Sam Hill and Brendan Fairclough, strategies for his consistency, and much more.
2022 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Sven Martin is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. WHAT A RACE !! We break down the first round held in Lourdes, France. Get all the insights and behind-the-scenes chat from the race. We will cover the season and bring you review episodes of each race throughout the year.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 11 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! Determined to improve the shoe and pedal interface for riders, Crankbrothers spent the last two years developing their own range of shoes, launching late last year, and in 2021 we’ll see those shoes in use on the World Cup DH circuit with riders like Luca Shaw, Bernard Kerr, Angel Suarez, and former World Champs Oisin O’Callaghan and Camille Balanche, as well as many more.
2022 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Sven Martin and Alan Milway are my co-hosts for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you review episodes of each race throughout the year. We break down the upcoming 2022 season with a preview show and the riders to watch for 2022 with racing kicking off at Lourdes, France on 27th March 2022.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 11 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! Determined to improve the shoe and pedal interface for riders, Crankbrothers spent the last two years developing their own range of shoes, launching late last year, and in 2021 we’ll see those shoes in use on the World Cup DH circuit with riders like Luca Shaw, Bernard Kerr, Angel Suarez, and former World Champs Oisin O’Callaghan and Camille Balanche, as well as many more.
Jared Graves is easily the most all-around Mountain Biker of our generation. He has won the World Championships in 4X and Enduro. He has also achieved a medal at the Downhill World Championships. He switched his efforts to BMX and represented Australia in BMX at the Olympics. Oh and to add to that he has some national titles in XC MTB. There is not much this man has not done. He also recovered from Brain Cancer late in his career. He is an inspiration.
Here is an article if you think we missed something. This topic has been picked apart ad nauseam and I wanted to celebrate Jared's incredible career as he retires in this chat.
The name Remy Metailler is now a well-known name in the bike industry. He burst onto the scene with his wild Whistler Bike Park edits. Remy has carved his own niche in the mountain bike world now focusing his efforts on YOUTUBE. Remy took what he learned in business school and applies it to the industry. His early bike park edit can be found HERE . Find his YT Channel HERE. He shares some great insights about his career, attitude to learning and progression, and the business side of sponsorship.
With over 50 years of racing experience, Andrew Neethling and Myles Kelsey of Bike Network take you on a journey into their MTB World. We answer some listener questions, take a deep dive into getting you the rider faster on an MTB, plus some random MTB-related topics. This show is made for the listener so keep sending those questions in and let us know where to go with this show!!
Davi at The Ride Companion ( Formerly the HKT Podcast ) was a huge huge help by pushing me to start my own podcast. This is a re broadcast of an episode where he had me on his show. I thought it would help you listeners get to know me a bit more and we talk about all sorts in the industry including racing, the lack of support for mental health and loads more.
Matti Lehikoinen is a real-life badass. Winner of 2 World Cup downhills and the most successful dh rider out of Finland, Matti has seen and experienced it all in the sport. The good, the bad, and really ugly. We dive into his life story, winning, his ego, and how it affected him, riding for the iconic factory Honda DH racing team, crashes, and more crashes that eventually ended his career. Matti is a great friend of mine and I appreciate him opening up and not holding back. Follow Matti HERE
Sven Martin joins this week as my co-host. The guest this week is Clay Porter. Porter is leading the charge as one of action sports most visionary and progressive filmmakers - directing, shooting, and editing many of the industry’s most acclaimed and influential projects. From the age of 17, Porter has devoted his life to filmmaking - shooting on six continents and burning through three passports all before the age of 25. Best known for his work in mountain biking, Porter’s core mountain bike films have become the industry standard while he continues to progress the sport with each new release.
Olly Wilkins is a professional mountain that comes from a dirt jump background. Olly is one of the most stylish riders around and grew up alongside Brendog in the UK but realized racing was not for him at an early age. Olly and I got to know each other years ago when I was based in the UK during the race season. It is never a dull moment around Olly and his passion for riding is infectious. Our conversation goes literally in every direction from beating Brendan at a DH race in his youth, working in the bicycle industry, building at Rampage, testing jumps, a lot of banter and I mean a lot, and of course what drives his passion for riding.
Josh Carlson is an Enduro Mountain Biker that comes from a motocross background. Hailing from Australia and with a nickname like "Frother " you can imagine he is great to be around. He is always positive and gets the most out of his riding and life. He has turned his focus to E-Bikes now and the world of E-Bike EWS racing. We chat about all sorts plus the future of E-Bikes is interesting to hear about. We used to be teammates so some funny old stories come up.
Learn more about Josh HERE
Long Live Chainsaw is a documentary on the life and legacy of Canadian downhill rider Stevie Smith. Darcy Wittenberg from Anthill Films joins the show to discuss all things about the film and Stevie. We get some amazing insights and inside stories of Stevie's life, upbringing, and what it's like to make a film like this. This is a MUST watch for anyone that wants to be inspired.
Find out all you need to know: LONG LIVE CHAINSAW
Also the Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation
Dr Jason Richardson is a former World Champion BMXER turned Psychologist. He helps create results for current or past athletes, entrepreneurs and execs by combining psychology and coaching. This conversation hits home on so many levels and every person I feel can benefit from looking a little deeper into the mental side of sport and life.
We hit a broad range of topics including the mental side of performance, retirement from sport, confidence vs preparation , physical vs mental and loads more. Enjoy
Find more on Dr Jason Richardson here: CLICK HERE
Thomas Vanderham is a big mountain freeride mountain biker that lets his riding do the talking. Known for his effortless style and iconic film segments. Thomas has pioneered the sport and his longevity is something to marvel at in a sport that can eat you up and spit you out. The sport that often rewards crazy risks , Thomas has taken a thoughtful and planned approach to the highest level. He has been inside the top 10 at all his Rampage appearances including a podium spot.
This is Home: Shimano VIDEO - Click here
Mike Day is one of the most successful and popular Bmxers of his time. Winning a silver medal at the Olympics is one of his crowning achievements not to mention going on the Oprah Winfrey show :) Mike opens up about the pressure that chasing the Olympic dream brings , the challenges he faces retiring from a sport like bmx , fatherhood and so much more. It is a really open and candid conversation about his life in bmx with many lessons that can be learned. What an awesome chat.
Reference to the Movie which I recommend watching: The Weight of Gold
World Cup Downhill racing heads to Snowshoe, USA for the final 2 rounds of the World Cup series. The overall in both the men and women ended up being the craziest thing I think we have seen in a while. Ed Masters is my co host for this episode of Bench Racing. In this episode we break down Snowshoe
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Crankbrothers is synonmous with the DH racing circuit, and this year celebrated 11 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! Determined to improve the shoe and pedal interface for riders, Crankbrothers spent the last two years developing their own range of shoes, launching late last year, and in 2021 we’ll see those shoes in use on the World Cup DH circuit with riders like Luca Shaw, Bernard Kerr, Angel Suarez, and World Champs Oisin O’Callaghan and Camille Balanche, as well as many more.
2021 World Cup Downhill from Lenzerheide, Switzerland. Tracey Hannah is my co host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you review episodes of each race throughout the year.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Crankbrothers is synonmous with the DH racing circuit, and this year celebrated 11 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! Determined to improve the shoe and pedal interface for riders, Crankbrothers spent the last two years developing their own range of shoes, launching late last year, and in 2021 we’ll see those shoes in use on the World Cup DH circuit with riders like Luca Shaw, Bernard Kerr, Angel Suarez, and World Champs Oisin O’Callaghan and Camille Balanche, as well as many more.
2021 World Championships Downhill from Val Di Sole, Italy. Sven Martin is my co host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you review episodes of each race throughout the year.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Crankbrothers is synonmous with the DH racing circuit, and this year celebrated 11 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! Determined to improve the shoe and pedal interface for riders, Crankbrothers spent the last two years developing their own range of shoes, launching late last year, and in 2021 we’ll see those shoes in use on the World Cup DH circuit with riders like Luca Shaw, Bernard Kerr, Angel Suarez, and World Champs Oisin O’Callaghan and Camille Balanche, as well as many more.
World Cup Downhill racing heads to Maribor and Myles Kelsey former Masters World Champion is my co host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you review episodes of each race throughout the year. In this episode we break down Maribor,Slovenia which was the 3rd World Cup DH race of the season.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Crankbrothers is synonmous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 10 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! Determined to improve the shoe and pedal interface for riders, Crankbrothers spent the last two years developing their own range of shoes, launching late last year, and in 2021 we’ll see those shoes in use on the World Cup DH circuit with riders like Luca Shaw, Bernard Kerr, Angel Suarez, and World Champs Oisin O’Callaghan and Camille Balanche, as well as many more.
Brook Macdonald is the man. End of story. He has become in an inspiration to so many after coming back from what for most would have been a career ending injury. Lets not forget Brook is a former Junior World Champ and a World Cup winner in downhill. Brook has not only come back to the sport but has already got his speed back. He has a new attitude to life and racing and shares the full story of the recovery and attitude he used to bounce back. I am blown away by this guy.
Wyn Masters is another one of those riders that can race it all. Known as one of the most well rounded mountain biker racers out there. Just like his brother he has slummed it as a privateer in a van and then gone all the way to a World Enduro MTB win. Known for his famous wheelie Wednesday videos and being one of the most likeable characters on the circuit pulling double duty with his Wyn TV race interviews from the races. Wyn likes to give back and also founded the privateer fund. Click Here to learn more and help out the next star of the sport.
World Cup Downhill racing heads to Les Gets and Ed Masters is my co host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you review episodes of each race throughout the year. In this episode we break down Les Gets, France which was the 2nd World Cup DH race of the season.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Crankbrothers is synonmous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 10 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! Determined to improve the shoe and pedal interface for riders, Crankbrothers spent the last two years developing their own range of shoes, launching late last year, and in 2021 we’ll see those shoes in use on the World Cup DH circuit with riders like Luca Shaw, Bernard Kerr, Angel Suarez, and World Champs Oisin O’Callaghan and Camille Balanche, as well as many more.
Nathan Rennie is a former Junior World Champion and the 2003 World Cup DH Champion. Rennie was easily one of the most exciting and talented riders to ever throw leg over a mountain bike. The strong Australian is also one of the most funny and authentic characters the racing circuit has seen. From living on 99 cent hotdogs to winning a World Title, this episode does not disappoint. Rennie actually mentored myself and others when I first went over to America to race. Hear some amazing untold stories from the circuit mixed with some serious knowledge and inspiration. Rennie has done and seen it all and is not scared to tell you about it. The MTB world needs more of this.
2021 World Cup Downhill racing is officially here and Ed Masters is my co host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you review episodes of each race throughout the year. In this episode we break down Leogang, Austria which was the first World Cup DH race of the season.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Crankbrothers is synonmous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 10 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! Determined to improve the shoe and pedal interface for riders, Crankbrothers spent the last two years developing their own range of shoes, launching late last year, and in 2021 we’ll see those shoes in use on the World Cup DH circuit with riders like Luca Shaw, Bernard Kerr, Angel Suarez, and World Champs Oisin O’Callaghan and Camille Balanche, as well as many more.
2021 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Sven Martin is my co host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you review episodes of each race throughout the year. We break down the upcoming 2021 season with a preview show and the riders to watch for 2021 with racing kicking off at Leogang, Austria on 13th June 2021.
This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers. Crankbrothers is synonmous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 10 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! Determined to improve the shoe and pedal interface for riders, Crankbrothers spent the last two years developing their own range of shoes, launching late last year, and in 2021 we’ll see those shoes in use on the World Cup DH circuit with riders like Luca Shaw, Bernard Kerr, Angel Suarez, and World Champs Oisin O’Callaghan and Camille Balanche, as well as many more.
Tahnee Seagrave is a junior MTB Downhill World Champion and an elite World Cup winner. From racing against her idol and the goat of female downhill Rachel Atherton to becoming a race winner and a force to be reckoned with on the world stage. Tahnee is coming of age and using things like social media as a tool as she grows in the sport. Hear from her about her early beginnings, injuries, riding for a family owned team and what drives her to keep growing and improving even though she is at the top of her sport.
Sam Reynolds is a pioneer in the sport of freeride MTB. He climbed the ranks as a slopestyle rider to then transition to freeride and is a co founder of Fest Series and Darkfest. The Darkfest event easily has some of the biggest jumps ridden on a MTB. He was thrown into the world of action sports and lived almost a rockstar life doing the MOD shows all over Europe at 18 years old. Sam has done it all from throwing double back flips, winning best trick at Rampage to coming back from big injuries. He does it with a calculated approach though. Enjoy.
Sam has a fun youtube channel as well. Click Here
Kirt Voreis is quite simply a jack of all trades and a master of all. Kirt is a legend in the sport of MTB. Coming from a tough up bringing to becoming one of the worlds fastest racers. This was not enough for Kirt. He always wanted more and to entertain. He made the move to freeride MTB and still progresses the sport almost into his 50's . This episode is epic and goes is many directions including us talking about the hay day in downhill including some great Shaun Palmer stories.
Kirt Voreis is quite simply a jack of all trades and a master of all. Kirt is a legend in the sport of MTB. Coming from a tough up bringing to becoming one of the worlds fastest racers. This was not enough for Kirt. He always wanted more and to entertain. He made the move to freeride MTB and still progresses the sport almost into his 50's . This episode is epic and goes is many directions including us talking about the hay day in downhill including some great Shaun Palmer stories.
Dean Lucas is an Australian World Cup Downhiller with multiple podiums. There is more than meets the eye with Dean. Dean opens up about childhood challenges which even led to a suicide attempt. We jump around and chat about all things life and riding. Get to know Dean and even myself. An episode not to be missed.
Dean also has a podcast The Off Track Experience
A big shoutout Scott Bicycles for supporting me and my ideas including this podcast. So if you into big climbs, bigger descents and long days on the mountain? Make sure to check out SCOTT's all new Trail Collection, don’t miss out and check it online in selected countries and at dealers worldwide!
https://www.scott-sports.com/products/bike-collection-trail
Matt Walker is only 21 years old, but can call himself an Overall World Cup Downhill Champ. The 2017 Junior World Champs' rise to the top is a story of dedication, hard work and sacrifice. He may be young, but has the head of an experienced veteran. Matt joins the show to talk about what it took to win the title, balance and getting chased by the cops on a downhill bike. Enjoy
Check the Documentary story of his season here.
You name it and Cedric Gracia has done it in the world of MTB. A career that spanned well over 20 years including World Cup Dh wins , 4x win and a Red Bull Rampage Win. He did this all while entertaining the MTB world and having probably more fun than any of his competitors. CG also had 3 near death experiences while doing what he loves. He joins the show to discuss it all and holds nothing back but then again we didn't expect him to. Enjoy!
Ben Deakin is a former Royal Marine Commando and now a pro mountain biker. To achieve this status you have to complete arguably the toughest basic milatary training in the world and is said to be harder than the Navy Seals. In his words " it's 32 weeks of pure hell. " He served and was shot in the Afghanistan conflict. Ben has shown how mental toughness and a positive attitude can help you over come adversity and build the life you dream of. He has paved his own way in the mountain bike world and is now a real character. Some say even famous in the MTB world. Check out his Youtube Channel HERE. We chat about it all and more. Some stories are crazy and the way he tells them had me on the edge of my seat. He has some great insights and relates it back to life and riding. Enjoy.
Tracey Hannah is a legend of the sport of Downhill MTB. Tracey won the 2019 WC DH overall title and has multiple WC race wins. This career almost didn't happen though! She was basically pushed out the sport with little to no support but made a return after a 5 year break and won that very first World Cup race back! She has announced her retirement from WC DH. We chat about her early beginnings, her amazing attitude, bouncing back from career ending injuries and so much more. She is a true inspiration.
Matt Macduff is one of the most creative free ride mountain bikers of the modern day. Matt set out to build and ride what he coined the Loop of Doom. Loop of Doom Crash . It did not go as planned and he nearly died in a horrific crash. Matt has not only recovered but reflected on the event and came out stronger as a person and rider. We chat about so many topics including the crash, the ego and how one can manage it, his drive to try do what no rider as ever done before, his career now and much more.
Sven Martin who is one of the big voices in MTB racing joins the podcast. Many don't know Sven was a professional skateboarder in his early years. He took up downhill mountain biking really late but his real passion is photography. Sven follows the world MTB circuit shooting and writing about the sports stars. He has so many stories and has helped the sports top riders along the way.
Taylor Rapley is a mental skills consultant and facilitator, currently with a special interest in performance, resilience and well-being. She has a keen passion in how mindfulness can help high performance athletes. We touch on all things like the "flow state" , performance under pressure and getting the most out of your mind. We also chat about how these methods can be used to improve your everyday life. To learn more be sure to check out https://www.ahuapsychology.com
Gee Atherton is easily one of the most successful MTB Downhillers of his time. The 2 time World Champion catches up with the show to discuss his early beginnings and where that work ethic came from that got him to the top of the sport. Gee is also known as one of the toughest riders in mountain biking. He discusses his process to getting through crashes and injuries and his motivation after all these years.
Extreme Endurance Cyclist and Laureus Sport for Good Ambassador, Grant Lottering’s remarkable comeback from death on 21 July 2013 to conquering the French Alps, Pyrenees and now South Africa continues to astonish the medical profession and audiences alike. Grant joins the show to recount that horrific day and how it changed his life but for the better. We dig into how strong the mind is and finding ones purpose. This one is so inspirational I was at a loss for words. Check out https://grantlottering.com for more and to follow along.
Join us for another episode of Bench Racing. Brook Macdonald, Eddie Masters and Sven Martin join the show to break down the 2020 World Cup Season Finale in Lousa Portugal. Strap yourself in as we dig it to everything from Lousa with Brook also sharing how it was returning to racing after his injury. It goes in all directions as you can expect. Not to be missed.
World Cup racing is back and back with a bang. Round 1 and 2 were both held at Maribor, Slovenia in the same week . It was a busy week with race 1 held on a Friday and race 2 held on Sunday. This was a first for World Cup racing and we hope for more of this in the future. Myles Kelsey of Bike Network a former Masters DH Champion with 41 years of race experience joins the show to chat everything from Maribor including the wheel size debate, safety , team rumours and of course the racing.
Racing is finally here. A bizarre year calls for a bizarre World Champs. Weather played a huge role in the race and it's not surprising with it being October in Europe. Marc Beaumont joins the show to bench race with me about the 2020 Downhill World Championships. We share our thoughts on the crazy race where Reece Wilson took the win in the men and Camilla Balanche took the win in the women.
Loic Bruni at only 26 years of age has won 4 of the last 5 MTB Downhill World Championships. After a nail biting World Cup Season in 2019 he added the World Cup Overall title to his long list of achievements. Bruni is happy to speak his mind and a great ambassador for the sport. We dig into all sorts like the challenges of lockdown , dominance of the French , being at the top of the sport , trusting your gut and more . This is an episode not to be missed.
Minnaar is currently the most prolific winner among male professional downhill mountain bike racers, with 21 world cup career victories. Known as the Goat , Greg has had an incredible career and is still mixing it up with the young guns all while nearing the age of 40. How does he do it ? How does he always seem to perform under pressure ? We dig it to it all , plus how he struggled in Europe in his early days and doubted if he could make it as a professional.
Jurgen Beneke is a legend in the Sport of Downhill and MTB. He was a pioneer of the sport and won the first official Downhill World Cup Series in Dh in 1993. We talk about origins of the sport, sneaking alcohol into Norway to pay for racing and just so much more. He feels he is also one of the luckiest riders alive escaping many crashes along the way. He has launched a fundraiser and campaign to give back to those riders that weren't so lucky. He urges everyone that has had a lucky escape and we all know we have to donate $10 for every crash to a GOFUNDME page. He is also auctioning off his Manitou Frame and 1993 World Cup leaders jersey , so click the link to own a piece of MTB history. FUNDRAISER LINK . All funds will go to Wings for Life. Watch the full Video for the fundraiser story HERE.
Brian Lopes started racing BMX at age 4. He then went onto become one of the most successful mountain bikers earning 4 World Titles and 6 World Cup Titles. He was inducted into the MTB hall of fame. Age did not slow him down at all competing well into his 40's. He talks about longevity, his drive and what set him apart.
Cam Mccaul was one of the early pioneers of Freeride mountain biking. Cam is always one of the best guys to be around. His fun and positive attitude is infectious. After a successful career in Slopestyle and Rampage, Cam still maintains a career in Freeride and announcing all while being a devoted husband and family man. Follow along on his Youtube Channel.
Tracy Moseley is easily one of the most humbled champions I have come across. Tracy accomplished her life long dream of becoming Downhill MTB World Champion and then went onto to change disciplines and dominate the Enduro World Series. Tracy shares great insights into what it was like as a woman in a "male" dominated industry, single minded focus , goal setting and life after racing.
Alan Milway has reached the pinnacle of the mountain bike coaching world and has a holistic view. He has worked with the likes of Gee and Rachel Atherton , Danny Hart , Brendan Fairclough, myself and now Greg Minnaar to name just a few. He shares such great insights into racing , physical and mental side that you can use to help to improve so many sides of your riding and life.
Martin Soderstrom burst onto the dirt jump and slopestyle mountain bike scene with early success. He experienced all the high and lows with big wins and big injuries. The friendly Swede struggled personally with the pressure of the sport and expectations on him. He speaks out about these challenges and deciding to walk away from the competitive side of the sport.
John Canepa followed a dream from Florida to California to work in the Bicycle Industry. His positive attitude and hard work helped him work at GT Bicycles during the hay day. He would go on to be a World Class mechanic and work on the world circuit for many some stars of the sport. Learn from him and how he got there. He shares some great stories from his journey. He now is a World Class Custom Car Builder ! Make sure you check his Instagram out
Gee Atherton is easily one of the most successful MTB Downhillers of his time. The 2 time World Champion catches up with the show to discuss the newly released UCI Schedule and his injury.
He is excited about the potential of the new format. Racing will look to resume in Lenzerheide, SUI on 5-6 Sep 2020. What will racing look like with some rounds hosting 2 races in the same week ?
Marc Beaumont is a 2 time Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup Winner. Marc joins the show to discuss his long career and some of the processes and routines he used to help build and maintain his confidence at the top of the sport. His great experience shines through in our chat. We had fun talking all sorts of topics in racing.
Nino Schurter has won it all and more in Cross Country Mountain Biking. He is the reigning XC MTB Olympic Champion, World Champion and World Cup Champion. Endurance sport is often known for how serious and dedicated you have to be. Nino somehow finds a way to keep it fun and the passion alive. Learn from him with things like how he focuses on what he can control to finding joy in the painful training sessions he endures.
Eddie Masters has established himself as one of the most well rounded mountain bikers out there. Slumming it as a privateer in a Van all the way to a World Enduro MTB win. He is managing to be competitive at downhill all while taking his first win at a World Enduro. He is one of the most fun, charismatic and carefree riders on the circuit but don't let that attitude fool you into how hard he trains and works at his craft.
Sven Martin who is one of the big voices for MTB racing joins the podcast to bench race about what could have been and what may come in the 2020 Race Season. We recorded this episode just before the new Uci calendar was released but it is so relevant now looking towards the racing starting in September. Sven is a former professional skateboarder turned professional MTB photographer and journalist.
Minnaar is currently the most prolific winner among male professional downhill mountain bike racers, with 21 world cup career victories. Known as the Goat, he joins the show to discuss the newly released UCI Schedule
Racing will look to resume in Lenzerheide, SUI on 5-6 Sep 2020. What will racing look like with some rounds hosting 2 races in the same week ?
Greg Minnaar
Danny Hart is a two time Downhill Mountain Bike World Champion. He won the first of these titles at 19 years old and in legendary fashion. A must watch : RACE RUN
A man that normally lets his riding do the talking actually has so many great insights into how early success forced him to work even harder and how he developed as a rider and person.
Follow him along on : Instagram
Cameron "Cam" Zink is an American professional freeride mountain bike rider and X-Games Athlete. Holding records like the Longest Backflip on a bicycle and the Biggest Step Down Backflip on a bicycle @camzink has been pushing the boundaries of the sport more than anyone. Cam has seen more highs and lows then nearly all his competitors and we dive into many things including bouncing back from adversity and the focus it takes to perform at World Class events and break records.
Follow his journey on his Youtube Channel
Brendan Fairclough excelled from a very young age and carved his own unique path in the Cycling Industry. It didn’t come by sheer luck though. The hard working Free Racer shares some very valuable insights from his journey to the top. @brendog1 achieved 2 World Cup Podiums as a Junior. His career took a slight detour after a knee injury in 2011. He has now become known for way more than just racing. He has a movie on NETFLIX named DEATHGRIP and managed a 4th Place at Rampage. Check out his Youtube Channel
Thanks to Davi at @HKTPodcast for the help getting this podcast going.
Cheers to @odub_23 for the awesome Logo.
Follow along on my Instagram for more info @andrewneethling