Team MBUK/Santa Cruz

Professional downhillers are not like you and me. Not in any way. It may please you to think they are, just a bit faster perhaps, but you’re kidding yourself. One second you’re at the back. Next second – gone! Out of sight.

And it’s not just the skill, the speed and the reactions, although those are awesome enough, it’s a total contempt for the consequences of their actions that typifies riders at this level. Not lack of fear – there’s some of that bubbling under, believe me – it’s the certainty that you can cope with anything that’s thrown at you. Probably. Added to that you have controlled egomania – all the riders out there on the world circuit know deep down they can win, and it’s going to hurt so very bad if they don’t.

To read more, get hold of this month’s issue of the mag [211]. It’s out now!

Where you can see the team racing this year…

Date Venue Event

April 28-29 – Innerleithen – Scotland – British National Point Series DH Rd1

May 12-13 – Vigo Spain – UCI World Cup – DH/4X Rd1

May 18-19 – Lisbon, Portugal – Lisbon – Downtown

May 26-27 – Ae Forest, Scotland – British NPS DH Rd 2

June 9-10 – Champery, Switzerland – UCI World Cup DH/4X Rd2, XC Rd3

June 23-24 – Mon-Sainte-Anne, Canada – UCI World Cup DH/4X Rd3, XC Rd4

June 30-1 – Angel Fire, USA – UCI World Cup DH/4X Rd4, XC Rd5

July 7-8 – Schladming, Austria – UCI World Cup DH/4X Rd5

July 21-22 – Rheola, Wales – National Championships XC/DH/4X

July 28-29 – Wales (TBC) – British National Point Series DH Rd3

August 11-12 – Rosstrever, Ireland – British National Point Series DH Rd4

Sept 1-2 – Caersws, Wales – British National Point Series DH Rd5

Sept 3-9 – Fort William, Scotland – World Championships

Sept 15-16 – Maribor (SLO) – UCI World Cup DH/4X/XC Rd6