The Downtime Podcast

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 sport. But it’s not just about racing. Troy opens up about life off the bike too, sharing how becoming a father has impacted his life, his mindset, and even his performances on track. We also dig into the importance of long-term team relationships, working with a new mechanic, and how he’s finding balance between being a world-class athlete and a family man. This is a rare, honest insight into the heart and mind of one of downhill’s finest. So it’s time to sit back, hit play and listen to this episode with Troy

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, bikes, tech, products, basically whatever is on our mind. This is a bunch of fans talking about the sport we love. So if that sounds like your vibe, then settle in for episode one of Downtime Debrief. Podcast Stuff Supporting Partners Loam Pass Downtime Debrief is proudly supported by Fox Racing, Wahoo, Continental, Magura and Sprung Suspension. Listener Offers Downtime listeners can now get 10% off of Stashed Space Rails. Stashed is the ultimate way to sort your bike storage. Their clever des

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 takes to stay consistent through a chaotic season. Whether you're chasing speed or just love the sport, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss. So it’s time to sit back, hit play and listen to this episode with Chris Kilmurray. You can follow Chris on Instagram @point1athletic. Podcast Stuff Supporting Partners Loam Pass Picture this, over 50 epic mountain bike destinations across North and South America. Two free days at each. A third day at half price. No blackout dates. Just yo

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 massive smile on his face. We also dig into what it really takes to win at the top level in Hard Enduro, from brutal race days and gnarly terrain, to hydration, nutrition, and the mental side of it all. Plus, we get into what’s next for a rider who genuinely loves everything two wheels. Mani is a great person to have involved in our amazing sport and he really brings the stoke and a heap of good vibes. So it’s time to sit back, hit play and listen to this episode with Mani Lettenbichler. You can watch this episode on

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 like to have the most exciting rider in the sport on your team and talks wind tunnels, SpeedSuits and Red Bull Hardline. So it’s time to sit back, hit play and listen to this episode with Asa Vermette and Neko Mulally. You can watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Asa on Instagram @asavermette, the team @frameworksracing_5dev and watch the team's YouTube channel here. Podcast Stuff Supporting Partners Loam Pass Picture this, over 50 epic mountain bike destinations across North and South

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 drivetrain feedback to improve your ride even more. If you're ready to hear what these game-changing technologies could mean for your ride, then it’s time to sit back, hit play and listen to this episode with Rimpact's Matt Shearn. You can watch this episode on YouTube here. You can find out more by heading to rimpactmtb.com and find them on Instagram @rimpactmtb. Podcast Stuff Supporting Partners Loam Pass Picture this, over 50 epic mountain bike destinations across North and South America. Two free

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 back, hit play and listen to this episode with Ollie Davis. You can watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Ollie on Instagram @olliedavis.6 and the team @trekfactoryracingdh. Podcast Stuff Supporting Partners A big thanks to Bikmo for supporting this episode of the podcast. Bikmo makes bike insurance simple, with cover you can trust when you need it most. Founded by riders for riders, Bikmo gets what we need. If you’re based in the UK, Ireland, Germany or Austria, you can get yourself and y

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 approach, and what it takes to sit at the top of the sport. So, it’s time to sit back, hit play and listen to this episode with Ryan Gilchrist. You can watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Ryan on Instagram @ryangilchrist73 and on YouTube here. Podcast Stuff Supporting Partners A big thanks to Bikmo for supporting this episode of the podcast. Bikmo makes bike insurance simple, with cover you can trust when you need it most. Founded by riders for riders, Bikmo gets what we need. If you’r

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. Haz also shares some of the tools and techniques that have helped her along the way, from mindset shifts and meditation to nutrition and support networks. We also talk about the evolution of women’s slopestyle and the importance of sharing experiences to help others. It’s an open and insightful conversation about resilience, growth, and what it really takes to come back stronger. So, it’s time to sit back, hit play and listen to this episode with Harriet Burbidge-Smith. You can watch this episode on YouTube here.

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 for important causes. Annie also shares her thoughts on overcoming fear, finding purpose, and embracing adventure. This is an inspiring conversation with someone who’s redefining what’s bikes are capable of doing for us and our planet. So, it’s time to sit back, hit play and listen to this episode with Annie Ford. You can watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Annie on Instagram @annieford01 and check out the film we talk about, Southern Blast, here. Podcast Stuff Supporting Partners A big tha

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 a new bike for the 2025 season, and what’s next for her career. So, it’s time to sit back, hit play and listen to this episode with Phoebe Gale. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Phoebe on Instagram @_phoebegale and you can watch her episode of How We Roll here. Podcast Stuff Listener Offers Downtime listeners can now get 10% off of Stashed Space Rails. Stashed is the ultimate way to sort your bike storage. Their clever design means you can get way more bikes into the same

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 is full of lessons. So, it’s time to sit back, hit play and listen to this episode with Dan Booker. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Dan on Instagram @danbooker1. Podcast Stuff Listener Offers Downtime listeners can now get 10% off of Stashed Space Rails. Stashed is the ultimate way to sort your bike storage. Their clever design means you can get way more bikes into the same space and easily access whichever one you want to ride that day. If you have 2 or more bikes in

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 behind the scenes of his latest project, the Hard MTB League, a revolutionary showcase of what a modern trail bike can achieve, and shares insights from his other impressive film projects like '8600ft' and 'All Ways.' Join us as Braydon shows us that we all have the potential to push further than we ever imagined. So, it’s time to sit back, hit play and listen to this episode with Braydon Bringhurst. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Braydon on Instagram @braydonbringhurst and fin

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, and how he balances progression with rider safety. We also dive into the role of bike parks in growing the sport, the fine line between risk and reward for young riders, and his lessons from years of shaping the future of mountain biking. So, it’s time to sit back, hit play and listen to this episode with Simon French. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Simon on Instagram @simon.frenchy, @maydenabikepark @mysticbikepark. Podcast Stuff Listener Offers Downtime listeners ca

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 explore how Fabio feels about fame and discuss the opportunities it brings like riding a MotoGP bike with Dani Pedrosa, passengering in an F1 car with Max Verstappen and thrashing Can-Am buggies with Travis Pastrana. Of course, we talk all things YouTube and content creation, including a behind-the-scenes look at his incredible Streif edit, where he tackled jumps at over 100kph with a spiked tire spinning inches below him. This was a fun, open, and truly unique conversation with one of the most captivating figures i

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 submissions to the UCI, so not all the facts were available. In some cases, we’ve had to piece together the puzzle, and we might not have got it all spot on. Case in point: my biggest slip-up so far was speculating that Commencal Schwalbe by Les Orres might struggle to make the top-15 team cut. Turns out, I hadn’t realised just how many points Lisa Baumann racked up outside of World Cup racing. Top work, Lisa, and apologies to the team for underestimating you! Alright, this episode has heaps of insight ahead from one of

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 me tell you, this is the first clip pedal that’s stayed on my bike for more than a few rides in nearly 30 years. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Peter Skarsgard, the brilliant engineer behind this groundbreaking pedal. We’ll dive into the details of the design and development process. We also explore OneUp’s philosophy for flat pedal design, compare aluminum vs. composite pedals, and even get a little tease of something exciting coming soon from OneUp in the flat pedal world. So, it’s time to sit back, hit play

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 Frameworks Racing, we’re diving into what’s next for this rising star. So, it’s time to sit back, hit play and listen to this episode with Anna Newkirk. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Anna on Instagram @annanewkirk_. Podcast Stuff Patreon I would love it if you were able to support the podcast via a regular Patreon donation. Donations start from as little as £3 per month. That’s less than £1 per episode and less than the price of a take away coffee. Every little counts an

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 racing downhill. We’ll be sharing our experience at the final race of the season, along with the lessons we’ve learned from this project and discussing our plans for the future. So sit back, hit play and listen to Downtime Goes Downhill for the final time, with me, Ben and Jonny. You can also watch the episode on YouTube here. Podcast Stuff Patreon I would love it if you were able to support the podcast via a regular Patreon donation. Donations start from as little as £3 per month. That's less than £1 per

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, these two are all about making mountain biking fun and accessible for everyone. So, it’s time to sit back, hit play and listen to this episode with the Gowaan Gals, Bex Baraona and Chloe Taylor. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Bex @bex_baraona, Chloe @chloetaylor_84 and Gowaan @gowaan_mtb. The Gowaan YouTube is here. Podcast Stuff Patreon I would love it if you were able to support the podcast via a regular Patreon donation. Donations start from as little as £3 per month. Tha