Episodes

This week I’m talking MTB coaching with Paul Howard from ZEP Coaching and the GSMBC. Paul’s been shaping mountain bike coaching for years, and his work has helped define the global standards we see today. We dig into how modern coaching has evolved, how elite-level riders are pushing the limits, and what we can learn from the way the best in the world ride. From coaching kids to helping World Cup athletes rider faster more consistently, Paul shares powerful insights on technique, bike setup, an...

I’m Chris, this is the Downtime Podcast and you’re tuned into the original pre-race show with me and coach to the stars, Chris Kilmurray. If you’re listening, that means that like me, you probably LOVE the sport and want to know as much as possible about what’s going on. That’s exactly what we are here to do. Throughout the season, I’ll be joined by Chris for the pre-race and ex-racers and team managers Neko Mulally and Olly Morris for the post-race debrief. We’ll be doing our best to bring yo...

This week I’m joined by Jan Ehrhard, senior design engineer and one of the key minds behind the new Canyon Sender, to find out what it takes to design a World Cup winning bike. From sketchbook to the start gate, Jan takes us inside the high-stakes world of bike development. We talk about the evolution of Canyon’s downhill platform, the wild insights from their Mule test bike, and the delicate dance between anti-rise, pedal kickback, and speed generation. You’ll hear how rider feedback, innovati...

This week I’m joined by one of the most consistent and respected riders on the downhill circuit, Troy Brosnan. We dive deep into the emotional and physical demands of racing at the highest level, and Troy shares what it really takes to stay at the top, from endless bike testing and tuning, to adapting to wild race conditions. We talk about pushing comfort zones at events like Hardline Tasmania, the challenges and rewards of switching to a new bike, and how technology is shaping the future of the...

This is a brand new mini-series, Downtime Debrief. For fans of our ‘Downtime Goes Downhill’ series you’ll know my good friends Ben and Jonny who I’ve been racing downhill alongside for the last two seasons. For 2025, things are shifting a bit. Our race plans are heading in different directions, and we wanted to create space to talk about more than just our own racing. So four times throughout the year, we’ll be getting together to chat about bikes. Whether that’s our own racing, world cup drama...

This week, I’m joined once again by elite mountain bike performance coach Chris Kilmurray, as we dive deep into the build-up for the 2025 MTB World Cup season. We’re talking preseason prep, the role of health and performance testing, and why team camps matter more than ever. Chris shares his take on the new World Cup format, the rise of AI in training, and the logistical battles that teams face behind the scenes. We also cover the real risks of injury, how riders adapt to new bikes, and what it...

Mani Lettenbichler is as humble as he is hardcore. Coming from Hard Enduro where he dominated the 2023 season, going undefeated and proving he’s an absolute machine on a dirt bike. But that’s not the whole story. Mani’s also a huge fan of mountain biking and absolutely shreds. He’s raced eEDR, and is no slouch on a downhill bike. In this episode, we chat about how his moto skills transfer to MTB, what it would take for him to line up at a World Cup downhill, and why e-bikes are putting a massiv...

Today, we’ve got a special one for you. Asa Vermette is the most exciting young talent in downhill racing right now, and in this episode, we sit down with him and Neko Mulally to unpack it all. From Red Bull deals and World Championships to injuries, rivalries, and the rise of US downhill, we’ve got it all. Asa opens up about what it takes to compete at the top, what it means to be part of the Frameworks program, and how he plans to step it up again in 2025. Neko sheds some light on what it’s l...

This week, we’re diving deep into mountain bike innovation with Matt Shearn from Rimpact, a brand that started with tire inserts and is now making waves with cutting-edge technology. The Tuned Mass Damper, inspired by Formula One, promises to transform your ride, reducing vibrations and both mental and physical load. We’ll get into the science behind it, the testing process, what riders are saying and how I got on with the device. Plus, we’ll explore Rimpact’s chain damper and how it’s tackling ...

Today, we’re catching up with rising downhill star Ollie Davis. From his early days on The Union to riding with the legendary Santa Cruz Syndicate, Ollie has been making waves on the World Cup scene. Now, as he gears up for a new chapter with Trek, we dive into his journey with his first ever podcast. From injury and recovery to the mental battles of elite racing. Ollie opens up about the pressures of the sport, the lessons learned along the way, and what the future holds. So, it’s time to sit b...

Today, I’m joined by a rider who’s redefining what it means to be a complete athlete, Ryan Gilchrist. He’s the King of Crankworx, the eEDR overall champion, and Pump Track World Champion. But Ryan’s success isn’t just about raw talent. It’s about meticulous preparation, relentless training, and a mindset that leaves no stone unturned. From dialling in every detail with his Yeti team to mastering the art of race craft, Ryan’s pursuit of performance is second to none. We dive into his journey, his...

Today, I’m joined by Harriet Burbidge-Smith, better known as Haz, one of the top names in women’s slopestyle and freeride. But the past year has been a challenging one, as she suffered a serious neck injury that forced her to step away from riding and focus on recovery. In this episode, we dive deep into her journey, what it’s like to face injury as a professional athlete, the mental and physical battles of recovery, and how she’s navigating the uncertainty that comes with time off the bike. Ha...

Today, I’m joined by Annie Ford. Perhaps best known for her recent world record of over 55,000m descending in 24hours, Annie is an adventurer, endurance athlete, and passionate environmental advocate. Over the last few years, Annie has taken on some incredible challenges, but her journey isn’t just about pushing physical limits – it’s about using adventure to make a difference. We talk about her transition from marine scientist to activism, and how she uses extreme endurance to raise awareness f...

Today, I’m joined by Phoebe Gale, one of the most exciting young talents in downhill mountain biking. From growing up in Scotland to competing against the world’s best, Phoebe has been on an incredible journey. But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. In this episode, we dive into her transition to elite racing, the challenges of injury recovery, and the mental side of high-performance sport. We also talk about her close relationship and rivalry with teammate Tahnée Seagrave, how she’s adapting to...

Today, I’m joined by Dan Booker, one of Tasmania’s finest. He’s raced it all, from downhill to enduro, tackling everything from Red Bull Hardline to the Enduro World Series. But his path hasn’t been straightforward. We talk about making the switch from downhill, dealing with injuries, and the realities of sponsorship. You’ll also hear how Sam Hill played a pivotal role in Dan’s story. Dan’s got a laid-back style, but don’t let that fool you, his approach to racing is calculated, and his journey...

Today we’re joined by arguably one of the most skilled all-around mountain bikers on the planet, Braydon Bringhurst. While his name might not immediately top your list of elite riders, his ability both up and down the mountain is awe-inspiring. In this episode, Braydon not only reveals his approach to learning these extraordinary riding skills, but also shows how embracing challenges and pushing through the learning process can expand our own limits beyond what we thought possible. He takes us ...

Today we are joined by trailbuilder and creator of Hardline Tasmania, Simon French. From working as a cancer nurse to becoming a world-class trail builder, Simon has transformed Tasmania into a mountain biking destination, bringing Red Bull Hardline to the Southern Hemisphere for the first time. In this episode, Simon shares his story and takes us behind the scenes of Hardline Tasmania—what it took to bring the event to life, the challenges of designing one of the toughest courses on the planet...

Today we’re joined by YouTube sensation and arguably the most famous mountain biker on the planet, Fabio Wibmer. Fabio rarely appears on podcasts, and in this episode, he opens up about topics he’s never discussed in this format before. We dive into what drove his move from Specialized to Canyon and how he’s built his personal brand into a global phenomenon. Fabio shares insights into his companies – Sick!, Nineyard, and Bikeflip – and even breaks down how his income is structured. We also expl...

We’re deep in the middle of the 2025 downhill team moves, and with all the structural changes the UCI has made to the downhill World Cup, things have gotten pretty complicated. This week, we’re joined by Alan Milway, Norco Race Division team manager and coach to the stars, to help us break it all down. We’ll go team by team, giving you the inside scoop on who’s riding what and how we think it might shake out this season. Now, a quick disclaimer—this was recorded the day after the team submissio...

OneUp Components are renowned for their innovative, high-quality mountain bike parts. In fact, Pinkbike readers voted their dropper posts, handlebars, and flat pedals as favorites in 2024. So, when I heard that OneUp was launching a brand-new clip pedal, I couldn’t wait to learn more. Built around the reliable Shimano SPD cleat system, OneUp has engineered the thinnest clip pedal on the market. They’ve struck the perfect balance—trail pedal weight combined with a gravity-sized platform. And let...

Today, we’re joined by Anna Newkirk, a rider who had a standout 2024 season that put her on the radar of multiple teams. Ultimately, she chose to join Frameworks Racing for 2025. Anna’s journey started with racing IXS Cups, where she honed her skills and went head-to-head with Vali Höll—a rivalry that followed them into the World Cup circuit. In 2024, Anna delivered some incredible results, including a 3rd place qualifying at Fort William and a 2nd place finish in Leogang. Now, with her move to ...

Welcome to Downtime Goes Downhill, a podcast mini-series that’s bringing you along for the ride, as we have a go at racing downhill. Downtime Goes Downhill wouldn’t have happened without the support of some incredible brands. So a massive thanks to Canyon bikes, Fox suspension, Wahoo Fitness, Fox clothing and protection, Maxxis tyres, Magura brakes and We Are One Composites wheels. Downtime Goes Downhill is back for the final time ever. As the year comes to an end, so does our time together ra...

Today, we’re joined by the Gowaan Gals, Bex Baraona and Chloe Taylor, two of the most inspiring and down-to-earth riders in the mountain bike scene. We’ll be hearing about the ups and downs of their last couple of seasons. From the highs of race wins, to the lows of being dropped from a pro team, it’s an honest reflection on the challenges of racing. But the well trodden path is not for everyone and Bex and Chloe are proving that with their unique approach. From racing to community building, the...

Today, we’re joined by one of the most accomplished athletes in mountain biking, Isabeau Courdurier. From dominating the Enduro World Series with multiple overall titles to overcoming incredible challenges through injury and adversity, Isabeau has firmly cemented her legacy in the sport. In this episode, we dive deep into her remarkable journey—from her early days racing cross-country to her transformation into a defining figure in enduro. Isabeau shares the mindset and physical resilience requ...