Downtime - The Mountain Bike Podcast
Downtime is a mountain bike podcast focused on gravity riding, featuring interviews with athletes, mechanics, and industry insiders. It provides insights into the sport for dedicated riders who analyze every line and seek to improve their skills. The podcast covers topics like bike technology, race strategies, and trail techniques.
Episodes
A Special Guest Joins the Team: Downtime Goes Downhill
Welcome back to Downtime Goes Downhill. On this episode, a well known bike designer joins us for his first downhill race in 25 years. Ben and Jonny finish the season separated by 0.14 of a second. We talk about spending your risk wisely, dealing with a mudder, semi-slick tyres, and why we choose to go racing when we could just ride bikes. Oh, and Jonny invents a new type of goggles. Plenty to go a
Anna Newkirk: Her Easiest Run Won the World Cup
Anna Newkirk won her first elite World Cup in Lenzerheide this season. She qualified first, dropped last, and says the run never felt fast. Anna talks us through that day, how she got there after a broken hand a year before, and why the approach that won that race didn’t work at the next round. Anna gives us some insight into just how hard World Cup downhill really is right now and how the winning
Lake Placid 2026 – Post-Race Show
I’m Chris Hall, this is the Downtime Podcast, and you’re tuned into your Lake Placid post-race show with Neko Mulally and Olly Morris.
It’s the end of the World Cup downhill season, which means I’ll have invoices to pay from our awesome experts, Neko, Olly and Chris, for the time they’ve given us all over the year. This World Cup coverage doesn’t have any brand backing, so itR
Beyond Gravity: The Biggest New Race in Downhill
If you could redesign how a downhill event pays its riders, what would you do? Simon French has done exactly that. He’s the man behind Maydena Bike Park and the team that runs Hardline Tasmania, and now he’s launching his own race: Beyond Gravity. Pay-per-view, around forty cameras, with the return of 5 person podiums, Rob Warner and thirty percent of the live broadcast money going to
Greg Minnaar and Norco’s Engineers on the New Team DH
The new Norco Team DH is finally here. After some laps on the new bike in Val di Sole, I sat down with Greg Minnaar and the engineers behind it, Colin Ryan and Kirk McDowall, to get the full story behind the new bike. A six-link suspension platform built for total independent tunability, developed through secret test sessions and years of racing feedback. We get into how Greg ended up signing afte
Whistler 2026 – Post-Race Show
I’m Chris Hall, this is the Downtime Podcast, and you’re tuned into your Whistler post-race show with Olly Morris and Chris Kilmurray.
It’s nearly the end of the season, which means I’ll have invoices to pay from our awesome experts, Neko, Olly and Chris, for the time they’ve given us all over the year. This World Cup coverage doesn’t have any brand backing, so it’s y
Loïc Bruni On Injury, Comeback, Rivalries and More
Loïc Bruni is back on Downtime. It’s been seven years since we last sat down with Loïc, and a lot has changed in that time.
He’s won World Championships, World Cups, battled some of the best riders the sport has ever produced, and continued to establish himself as one of the defining riders of the sport’s history.
But this year has been a really difficult one.
Loïc had a complicated cr
Whistler 2026 – Pre-Race Show
I’m Chris Hall, this is the Downtime Podcast, and you’re tuned into your Whistler pre-race show with Chris Kilmurray.
Don’t forget, if you enjoy these shows and want to support us in making them until the end of the season, we’d really appreciate your support.
This series is fully independent, we don’t have brand backing. Putting it together means paying Chris, Neko and Olly for their
Henri Kiefer: Getting to the Top Is Never Simple
Henri Kiefer has already shown that he has the speed to race at the sharp end, finishing second at the 2025 Elite World Championships and standing on multiple Elite World Cup podiums, but getting there consistently has been a very different challenge.
In this conversation, Henri talks openly about confidence, expectation and the pressure he’s put on himself, and how learning to manage that has cha
Lachie Stevens-McNab: A World Cup Winner in the Making
Lachie Stevens-McNab knows he can win a World Cup.
He’s shown he has the speed, been on the podium, qualified fastest and he’s come so close to that top step.
This year, Lachie has also had to deal with a concussion, but has fought his way right back to the sharp end. Now, with that first World Cup win still just out of reach, it’s natural to ask the question, what’s missin
Why Angel Suarez Built World Cup’s Most Unique Race Program?
This week, I’m joined by Angel Suarez, who is taking a very different approach to racing the World Cup in 2026. After leaving Frameworks, Angel decided to build his own privateer programme, testing bikes, suspension and setups to figure out exactly what he needs to be fast. We talk about how that project came together, his season so far, his time with Frameworks, what he makes of Asa Vermette, and
Val di Sole World Champs 2026 – Post-Race Show
I’m Chris Hall, this is the Downtime Podcast, and you’re tuned into your World Champs post-race show with Neko Mulally and Olly Morris.
Before we get into it, a quick ask... if you enjoy these shows and want to help us continue them until the end of the season, we'd really appreciate your support.
This series is fully independent, we don’t have brand backing. Putting it together means paying
Val di Sole World Champs 2026 – Pre-Race Show
I’m Chris Hall, this is the Downtime Podcast, and you’re tuned into your World Champs pre-race show with Chris Kilmurray.
Before we get into it, a quick ask... if you enjoy these shows and want to help us continue them until the end of the season, we'd really appreciate your support.
This series is fully independent, we don’t have brand backing. Putting it together means paying Chris, Neko a
The Future of Enduro – What Happens Next?
Less than 48 hours before we were due to record our final Enduro World Cup roundup of the season, Warner Brothers dropped the bombshell that they would not be running a series in 2027. So in this episode with Morgane and Greg, we dig into that, as well as catching up on the last two rounds. Hear their take on what the future of enduro will look like. There's a lot of positive energy and it feels l
Les Gets 2026 – Post-Race Show
I’m Chris Hall, this is the Downtime Podcast, and you’re tuned into your World Cup post-race show with Neko Mulally and Olly Morris.
Before we get into it, a quick ask... if you enjoy these shows and want to help us continue them until the end of the season, we'd really appreciate your support.
This series is fully independent, we don’t have brand backing. Putting it together means paying Ch
Will Brodie: From Window Cleaning To The World Cup
Every rider's path to the top looks different. For Will Brodie, it meant balancing work as a window cleaner while chasing the dream of racing at the highest level. That journey took him all the way to the Downhill World Cup, but along the way he realised his future might lie somewhere else.
In this episode, Will takes us through his story so far, from discovering bikes and progressing through d
Les Gets 2026 – Pre-Race Show
I’m Chris Hall, this is the Downtime Podcast, and you’re tuned into your World Cup pre-race warm-up show with the one and only Chris Kilmurray.
Before we get into it, a quick ask... if you enjoy these shows and want to help us continue them until the end of the season, we'd really appreciate your support.
This series is fully independent, we don’t have brand backing. Putting it together mean
How Shawn Neer is Taking US Downhill Into the Future
Every racer’s journey is built on failures as much as victories. The crashes, the setbacks, the missed opportunities and the hard lessons all shape who you become.
Shawn Neer’s career has taken him through all of those moments, from chasing results as a racer, to failed businesses and learning what it takes to create lasting change in the sport he loves.
Now he’s going all in on a new challe
Rosa Zierl: The Rise of MTB’s Next Big Talent
Rosa Zierl is a name you’re going to be hearing a lot more of in the world of downhill mountain biking. After an incredible first World Cup season, Rosa became junior World Champion and took the overall title, showing that she has the speed and mindset to challenge at the highest level.
This is Rosa’s first ever podcast, and we dive into her journey so far, from getting into riding, to her brea
How Do We Find More Speed? – Downtime Goes Downhill
This week we're diving into the second round of the Pearce DH Series, where Jonny and Ben were both back between the tapes. We break down how their weekends went, what worked, what didn't, and the changes they've been making to their bike setup, training and approach to racing.
We also get into one of the more interesting ideas we've talked about on the show for a while: why, if you really want
How To Build Winners… And Go Faster | Markus Stöckl
Markus Stöckl has spent decades at the sharp end of downhill racing. As the founder of MS Racing he's worked with some of the sport's biggest names, helped develop World Cup-winning riders and watched the sport evolve through multiple generations. Alongside that, he's become one of mountain biking's biggest advocates for pure speed, pushing the limits of what's possible with record-breaking runs a
The Best It’s Ever Been? Enduro Recap
Over the last few years, Enduro has had a lot of questions to answer. But after Val Di Fassa and La Thuile it feels like on some levels, it's in a better place than ever before. With a stand alone two day event in Val Di Fassa, amazing stages all round, the return of La Thuile's night stage and new media channels and presenters bringing the stoke, things are definitely on the up. Now we just need
Andorra 2026 – Post-Race Show
I’m Chris Hall, this is the Downtime Podcast, and you’re tuned into your World Cup post-race show with Neko Mulally and Olly Morris
Before we get into it, a quick ask... if you enjoy these shows and want them to keep happening, we really need your support.
This series is fully independent, we don’t have brand backing. Putting it together means paying Chris, Neko and Olly for their time, and
Andorra 2026 – Pre-Race Show
I’m Chris Hall, this is the Downtime Podcast, and you’re tuned into your World Cup pre-race warm-up show with the one and only Chris Kilmurray.
Before we get into it, a quick ask... if you enjoy these shows and want them to keep happening, we really need your support.
This series is fully independent, we don’t have brand backing. Putting it together means paying Chris, Neko and Olly for thei
Lisa Baumann: From XC Racer To World Cup Contender
A few years ago Lisa Baumann was racing XC. Now she’s one of downhill’s fastest rising stars and closing in on her first World Cup win. We talk about her unusual path into DH, the leap to racing at the highest level with Commencal Schwalbe Les Orres, learning alongside Vali Höll, and the mindset behind a meteoric rise through the sport. So sit back, hit play and listen to this episode with Lisa Ba
La Thuile 2026 – Post-Race Show
I’m Chris Hall, this is the Downtime Podcast, and you’re tuned into your World Cup post-race show with Neko Mulally and Olly Morris
Before we get into it, a quick ask... if you enjoy these shows and want them to keep happening, we really need your support.
This series is fully independent, we don’t have brand backing. Putting it together means paying Chris, Neko and Olly for their time, and
Ryan Pinkerton: The World Cup Win Is Coming
Ryan Pinkerton is one of the fastest riders in downhill right now. A World Cup winner in waiting, a rider who has already been through the highs, the pressure, and the chaos of racing at the highest level. From his journey to the top, to THAT start gate moment in Lenzerheide, and the mindset that keeps pushing him towards his first elite win. So sit back, hit play and listen to this episode with R
La Thuile 2026 – Pre-Race Show
I’m Chris Hall, this is the Downtime Podcast, and you’re tuned into your World Cup pre-race warm-up show with the one and only Chris Kilmurray.
Before we get into it, a quick ask... if you enjoy these shows and want them to keep happening, we really need your support.
This series is fully independent, we don’t have brand backing. Putting it together means paying Chris, Neko and Olly for thei
New Names, New Winners, New Energy | EDR World Cup 2026 So Far
Enduro World Cup is back and there are new names at the sharp end of the results sheets. We’ve had breakout performances, surprise winners, and riders stepping into the spotlight who maybe weren’t on everyone’s radar a few weeks ago.
But it’s not just what’s happening on track. The coverage itself feels like it’s taken a step forward too. More access, more insight, and a better window into what
Lenzerheide 2026 – Post-Race Show
I’m Chris Hall, this is the Downtime Podcast, and you’re tuned into your World Cup post-race show this time with Neko Mulally and Chris Kilmurray.
Before we get into it, a quick ask... if you enjoy these shows and want them to keep happening, we really need your support.
This series is fully independent, we don’t have brand backing. Putting it together means paying Chris, Neko and Olly for t
Lenzerheide 2026 – Pre-Race Show
I’m Chris Hall, this is the Downtime Podcast, and you’re tuned into your World Cup pre-race warm-up show with the one and only Chris Kilmurray.
Before we get into it, a quick ask... if you enjoy these shows and want them to keep happening, we really need your support.
This series is fully independent, we don’t have brand backing. Putting it together means paying Chris, Neko and Olly for thei
Luca Shaw: How He Finally Won a World Cup
Luca Shaw is back on the podcast, and this time we've got a World Cup winner on our hands.
After more than a decade at the sharp end of downhill racing, countless podiums, near misses, injuries, team changes and seasons where it looked like the win might never come, Luca finally stood on the top step of a UCI Downhill World Cup in Loudenvielle. For anyone that's followed the sport over the last
Leogang 2026 – Post-Race Show
I’m Chris Hall, this is the Downtime Podcast, and you’re tuned into your World Cup post-race show from our BOA dialed in studio in Leogang.
Before we get into it, a quick ask... if you enjoy these shows and want them to keep happening, we really need your support.
This series is fully independent, we don’t have brand backing. Putting it together means paying Chris, Neko and Olly for their ti
Why Elliot Jamieson Could Be Enduro’s Next Big Thing
One of the things I enjoy most about this podcast is getting the chance to speak with athletes right at the point where everything is starting to come together. The results are appearing, the confidence is growing, and you get a glimpse of where they might be headed next.
That's exactly where Elliot Jamieson finds himself.
After coming through the downhill ranks, stepping onto World Champion
Leogang 2026 – Pre-Race Show
I’m Chris Hall, this is the Downtime Podcast, and you’re tuned into your World Cup pre-race warm-up show with the one and only Chris Kilmurray.
Before we get into it, a quick ask... if you enjoy these shows and want them to keep happening, we really need your support.
This series is fully independent, we don’t have brand backing. Putting it together means paying Chris, Neko and Olly for thei
Loudenvielle 2026 – Post-Race Show
I’m Chris Hall, this is the Downtime Podcast, and you’re tuned into your World Cup post-race show for Loudenvielle with Neko Mulally and Olly Morris.
Before we get into it, a quick one... if you enjoy these shows and want them to keep happening, we need your support.
This series is fully independent, we don’t have brand backing. Putting it together means paying Chris, Neko and Olly for their
Downtime Goes Downhill – The Return
Downtime Goes Downhill is back and we recently got between the tapes at the first round of the Pearce Cycles downhill series. Join me, Ben and Jonny as we share our pre-season prep (or lack of in some cases), discuss our race week experiences and look at how we might improve on those as the season progresses. We’re also joined by Quinn from One Up who’s got his own downhill race coming up and some
Is 2026 the Year Enduro Will Be Reborn?
Will 2026 be the year that enduro is reborn? Big names have moved on, but there’s a new generation coming through. We’ve got Elliott Heap stepping into race coverage, new ways to follow the action, familiar venues with fresh tracks, and a season that feels different. Morgane Charre and Greg Callaghan join me to preview the 2026 Enduro World Cup season and pick out the riders and stories that could
Loudenvielle 2026 – Pre-Race Show
I’m Chris Hall, this is the Downtime Podcast, and you’re tuned into your World Cup pre-race warm-up show with the one and only Chris Kilmurray.
Before we get into it, a quick one... if you enjoy these shows and want them to keep happening, we need your support.
This series is fully independent, we don’t have brand backing. Putting it together means paying Chris, Neko and Olly for their time,
Ben Hildred : The Unseen Effect of Big Challenges
This week we’re catching up with Ben Hildred.
You probably know Ben from what, on the surface, look like climbing challenges. Like his recent mission to climb 1 million feet in 100 days. But Ben’s story isn’t really about climbing.
For one thing, he’s doing these challenges on flat pedals, aboard a bike built for enjoying the descents. The joy doesn’t come from the climb itself, it comes fro
Katy Winton – I Still Love Racing
This week we're catching up with the one and only Katy Winton.
We talk about Katy's worst ever crash that she’s been dealing with recently, how recovery has been going, and what that experience has been like, both mentally as well as physically.
From there, we get into some of the adventure racing she’s been doing, her trip to Red Bull Rampage, and the work she’s been doing with Crankworx.
South Korea 2026 – Post-Race Show
I’m Chris Hall, this is the Downtime Podcast, and you’re tuned into your World Cup post-race show from South Korea with Neko Mulally and Olly Morris.
Before we get into it, a quick one... if you enjoy these shows and want them to keep happening, we need your support.
This series is fully independent, we don’t have brand backing. Putting it together means paying Chris, Neko and Olly for their
Charlie Murray: Stepping Away From the Enduro World Cup
Charlie Murray is not racing the Enduro World Cup this year, and he’s joining us to explain why.
This isn’t a retirement story, think of it more as a sabbatical.
One of enduro racing’s most successful riders is stepping away from the World Cup circuit, at least for now, with burnout, injury, and the pressures of racing at the top level all playing a part in that decision.
In this conversa
South Korea 2026 – Pre-Race Show
I’m Chris Hall, this is the Downtime Podcast, and you’re tuned into your World Cup pre-race warm-up show with the one and only Chris Kilmurray.
Before we get into it, a quick one... if you enjoy these shows and want them to keep happening, we need your support.
This series is fully independent, we don’t have brand backing. Putting it together means paying Chris, Neko and Olly for their time,
What’s Really Going On in the Bike Industry Right Now? – Dustin Adams of Industry Nine
The mountain bike industry is in a weird place right now. Sales have been slow, brands are making tough calls, and things like tariffs and e-bikes are changing the landscape fast.
So what does it actually look like from inside one of the most innovative component brands in the game?
This week, I’m joined by Dustin Adams, CEO of Industry Nine. We dive into the real state of the industry, why
Racing at the Limit — Ella Conolly on Fatigue, Worlds and Hidden Tech
2025 was a season that looked incredible on paper for Ella Conolly… but underneath, it was anything but straightforward.
Ella was dealing with fatigue through much of the year, including at World Champs, where despite that, she still managed to finish second in the world.
We sat down to talk through her 2025 season in full, including racing on an unreleased Cannondale bike, and adapting mid
RockShox Rethought Everything – Inside Their New Suspension with Tim Lynch
With the latest RockShox suspension launch, they’ve rethought everything and that goes further than just the technology that you get to ride. RockShox have even changed the development process itself, in order to bring us the biggest leap forward in suspension technology that they possibly can.
This week we’re joined by RockShox Chief Engineer, Tim Lynch, to find out what really went into devel
Introducing Santa Cruz Syndicate’s Unconventional New Team Manager
The Santa Cruz Syndicate has a new manager and it’s not necessarily who you’d expect. Rob Copeland’s background isn’t racing or the MTB industry, it’s psychology and academia, yet now he leads one of the most exciting teams in the sport. With years spent at Sheffield Hallam University studying performance and human behaviour, could Rob be the man to shake up how MTB teams are run? In this episode
The Heart Of Queenstown’s MTB Scene: Vertigo Bikes
Queenstown is one of the world’s most iconic mountain biking destinations, but few people know the story behind its evolution. Today, we’re joined by Pang and Tim from Vertigo Bikes, the shop that’s at the very centre of Queenstown’s MTB scene. From shaping local trails, to influencing the evolution of the area and supporting local racing and racers, there's a lot to thank them for. In this episod
Alan Milway: 2026 Could Be the Most Exciting Season Yet
2026 is shaping up to be an exciting season. Long-standing rivalries are heating up, and a wave of young talent is stepping into the elite ranks, who knows how it will all play out?
Joining us to break it down is Alan Milway, performance coach and team manager for the Norco Race Division. We’ll cover all the big team moves and explore what could make this season the best yet. So sit back, hit p
Lou Ferguson On Fear, Doubt and Breaking New Ground
Hardline has always been one of the most intimidating races in mountain biking, but at Hardline Wales in 2025, Lou Ferguson delivered a full top-to-bottom race run that showed just how far the women’s scene has progressed.
But that run was only part of the story.
Because Lou is also heading into a new chapter of her career, returning to Nukeproof bikes and RockShox for 2026, racing alongside
Tahnée Seagrave – Staying at the Top Ain’t Easy
This week I’m joined by Tahnée Seagrave. Tahnée has been one of the defining riders of modern downhill for more than a decade. A World Cup winner, a world championship medallist, and one of the riders who helped push the level of women’s racing to where it is today.
But the last few seasons haven’t been straightforward. Injuries, recovery, rebuilding confidence, changing bike sponsor and trying
Amaury Pierron – Working With RockShox to Win World Cups
While I was out in New Zealand, I caught up with Amaury Pierron to unpack the highs and lows of the past couple of seasons. From those incredible wet-weather wins at the Val di Sole and Les Gets World Cups, to breaking his collarbone in La Thuile and then coming back to take the win in Lenzerheide later that season.
Then we’re joined by SRAM Race Tech Craig Miller and RockShox long-travel produ
Ed Masters: Perspective, Passion, and the Evolution of MTB
Thanks to Tourism Tasmania I recently travelled to Maydena where I got to sit down with the one and only, Ed Masters.
Ed’s at a really interesting point in his career right now, so we get into what’s changed for him, why he’s moving away from a full Enduro World Cup schedule, and how his perspective on racing has evolved over the years.
We talk a bit about the state of enduro,where the disci
How Aaron Gwin Plans to Return to the Top
Alright, thanks to Tourism Tasmania I’ve been on the ground here in Maydena, bringing you some great conversations. This week, it’s Aaron Gwin.
Five-time overall World Cup champion, but that’s history. This episode is about what’s next.
We dive into the move to Frameworks, his plan to ‘go dark’ and get back to his very best, and what Hardline Tasmania was really like from inside the tape. We
Aaron Gwin, New Bikes and Team Secrets with Neko Mulally
Thanks to Tourism Tasmania, I’ve been on the ground in Maydena for Hardline Tasmania week and got to have a catch up with Neko Mulally, as well as a ride on their brand new Frameworks enduro bike.
Frameworks Racing is a team that’s making some serious waves in the world of downhill. From building his own bike 4 years ago, to having a race team made up of some of America’s most talented riders.
Hardline Tasmania 2026 – Post-Race Show
Thanks to Tourism Tasmania, I’ve been on the ground in Maydena this week for Red Bull Hardline, a race that sits right on the limit of what’s possible.
The course demanded full commitment all week, and when heavy rain hit on race day, any margin for error vanished. The course crew did everything they could, but it simply wasn’t safe for the riders.
Even without a race, the riders pushed the
Aaron Gwin, Mikayla Parton & Ryan Gilchrist – The Hardline Rookies
Thanks to Tourism Tasmania, I’m on the ground in Maydena this week, riding the trails, soaking up the atmosphere, and bringing you content straight from Red Bull Hardline.
After day two of practice, I was invited to host a live show in front of a packed Maydena crowd, where I sat down with three riders taking on Hardline for the very first time, Mikayla Parton, Ryan Gilchrist, and Aaron Gwin. D
Hardline Tasmania 2026 – Pre-Race Show
Thanks to Tourism Tasmania, I’m on the ground in Maydena this week to experience the incredible trail network and to bring you content from Red Bull Hardline. So, following our World Cup style approach, you’ll be getting a pre and a post-race show from the event.
For today’s pre-race show, we’re joined by the man behind Maydena Bike Park and Hardline Tasmania, Simon French, alongside racer, lo
Inside Jackson Goldstone’s Breakthrough 2025 Season
Jackson Goldstone’s first two elite seasons weren’t straight forward, but in 2025 we really saw what he is capable of.
Coming back from injury, Jackson faced the pressure of expectation, the chaos of a packed race calendar, and the challenge of finding more speed while the rest of the field was doing the same.
In this episode, he breaks down what actually went on behind the scenes, from min
Behind the Scenes of the Nukeproof Axess Racing Team
For Axess Intense Factory Racing, the 2025 season was full of high highs, and some really low lows.
Injury. Uncertainty. Financial pressure. And moments behind the scenes that most race programmes never talk about publicly.
But those lows are exactly what pushed Joe Breeden and Olly Morris forward with new partners, a bigger budget, and an exciting new setup for 2026 as the Nukeproof Axess R
Can Independent MTB Media Survive? – Drew Rohde of Loam Wolf
Mountain bike media has always been shaped by the riders, the bikes, and the culture around them. But right now, that landscape is changing faster than ever.
Today’s guest has seen that shift from the inside. Drew Rohde started his career at Decline, right at the heart of print media, before going on to found the independent mountain bike platform, Loam Wolf.
In this episode, Drew and I talk
Fuel Better, Ride Better – Nutrition Unlocked with Chris Lowe
For the last three months, I’ve been working on my nutrition with Chris Lowe, to do what a lot of us want to do… lose fat and build muscle. But I was very clear that this couldn’t come at the expense of not having enough energy to work, train and live life in general.
Honestly, the biggest surprise hasn’t been the results, it’s been how easy it’s been and the other benefits that have come along
From BMX to MTB: The Fearless Innovation of Kriss Kyle
Today we’re joined by Kriss Kyle. Kriss found his fame in BMX and more recently has brought that style and creativity onto the mountain bike.
From living in a skatepark, to jumping over a moving formula one car, Kriss has been on quite the journey. We talk about the crossover from BMX to MTB, how skills, style, and fearless thinking translate from ramps to trails. We dig into the pressure of pe
2025 Downhill Season Wrap With Chris Kilmurray
To round out the year, we’re joined by Chris Kilmurray to get behind the results and into the data of the 2025 downhill season.
Winning margins. Track difficulty. Rider consistency. Junior depth. Elite pressure. Chris Kilmurray is a coach, an analyst, a man who lives in the numbers.
So, together, we’re breaking down the 2025 season, statistically, objectively, and honestly. What the juniors
Team Rumours, Podcast BTS and More – Downtime Debrief Episode 4
Welcome to the final episode of Downtime Debrief for 2025 and our last episode before Christmas.
As many of you will know, this is 3 friends and fans of the sport, chatting about what we love. In this episode, we talk about our World Cup withdrawal, our favourite 2026 team rumours and our own plans to return to downhill racing next year. Ben and Jonny then turn the tables and grill me about the
Racing, Recovery and Growth: Oli Zwar Opens Up
Today on the Downtime Podcast, we’re sitting down with a Oli Zwar, a rider who’s lived the full spectrum of what downhill racing can throw at you. From the spark of motocross as a kid in Australia, to finding his feet on the World Cup stage, to battling injuries that almost took the joy out of riding altogether.
Oli Zwar’s journey is about grit, growth, and the people who kept him going. We get
Wyn Masters’ Thoughts on World Cup Downhill and Enduro
Today on the Downtime Podcast, I'm joined by the one and only, Wyn Masters. Wyn’s got a unique view of the sport, from racing to reporting, and in this episode he brings the full picture.
We sit down to hear Wyn's thoughts on the state of World Cup enduro and we discuss some of the stand out moments from the 2025 World Cup downhill season. Does Wyn think privateers can still make it at World Cu
EXCLUSIVE: Inside YT’s Collapse and Re-Start With Markus Flossmann
Today on the Downtime Podcast, we’re diving into one of the most talked-about stories in mountain biking this year. YT went into insolvency, the internet blew up with rumours and frustration… and then, founder Markus Flossmann bought the brand back.
In this episode, Markus sits down with me for an open conversation to set the record straight. We dig into the questions riders have been asking an
Inside The Mind of Matt Jones
Today I’m joined by Matt Jones for a really honest and reflective conversation about what it takes to build a life around mountain biking. You may have seen his latest Red Bull video, where he jumps through two autonomous moving trucks, but I wanted to go beyond the spectacle and understand the process behind it. We talk about fear, pressure, and the uncertainty that comes with taking on ideas th
There Are Other Ways – Glenn MacArthur’s Big Mountain Approach
Glenn MacArthur grew up in a tiny village high in the French Alps, where riding bikes and exploring mountains was just part of everyday life. He’s taken that foundation and built a really interesting path in mountain biking, one that doesn’t follow traditional racing norms.
From blind racing to setting fastest known times on crazy routes. From navigating the privateer world to landing a standou
Can Small Teams Still Compete in World Cup Downhill?
There’s been a lot of discussion around wether or not it’s getting harder for the smaller teams to survive in World Cup downhill. This week I’m joined by Team High Country’s Chris Higgs to find out how they are making it work.
Chris has poured everything into creating opportunities for the next generation of downhill racers. We chat about what it really costs to compete at the highest level, ho
Josh Bryceland On Fatherhood, eBikes, Racing Plans and More
This week, I’m catching up with none other than Josh Bryceland. We dive into his thoughts on the 2025 Downhill World Cup season, and some of the exciting young riders coming through the ranks right now. Josh opens up about his changing relationship with his nickname Ratboy, and what it’s like riding alongside his son.
We also talk about how becoming a dad has shifted his perspective on influenc
Downtime Debrief Episode Three aka the C-Practice Podcast
Downtime Debrief episode 3 is here. 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, we changed things up a bit. Our race plans are headed in different directions, and we wanted to create space to talk about more than just our own racing. So you get to hear the ups and downs of o
The Most Misunderstood Component on Your Bike (And How to Get It Right)
How much thought do you really give to your saddle? It’s one of the most personal contact points on the bike and yet, for most of us, it’s also one of the least understood.
This week, I’m joined by Sean Madsen, a true expert when it comes to bike fit and saddle design. Sean’s spent over 25 years working with some of the biggest names in cycling. From developing products used by the pros, to hel
What Changed for Max Hartenstern in His 2025 Breakthrough Season?
This week, I’m joined by Germany’s Max Hartenstern, a rider who’s quietly been building toward a breakthrough. Max started out racing BMX before switching to downhill in his early teens, working his way up through the iXS Cups, and eventually finding his rhythm on the World Cup circuit.
We chat about what those early years taught him, how he’s evolved his training and bike setup, and the import
How To Be a Healthy Mountain Biker
This week, we’re joined by Strength Factory's Ben Plenge to find out how to improve our riding by being healthier humans. Ben breaks it down into five pillars of health, from nutrition and hydration, through weight and sickness management to muscle, mobility, cardio and sleep. This is the complete guide to looking after yourself, so you can have a long and happy life riding bikes and generally bei
Mont-Sainte-Anne 2025 – Post-Race Show
I’m Chris, this is the Downtime Podcast, and you’re tuned into our final post-race show of the season from Mont-Sainte-Anne, with Neko Mulally and Olly Morris.
It’s been a big year and honestly, a tough one for the podcast too. We’ve had no brand support for this World Cup series, which is the most expensive content we make. But we’ve done it because we love it, and we know you love it too.
Luke Meier-Smith: From Avocado Farm to World Cup Winner
This week, we’re joined by Luke Meier-Smith, who took his first World Cup win this weekend in Lake Placid. We caught up with Luke just a few weeks ago in Les Gets to talk about his journey from growing up on an avocado farm in Australia, through BMX and injuries, to finding his place in downhill World Cups. This one’s about grit, growth, and what it really takes to make it at the top. So sit back,
Mont-Sainte-Anne 2025 – Pre-Race Show
I’m Chris, this is the Downtime Podcast and you’re tuned into our 2025 Mont-Sainte-Anne pre-race show with Chris Kilmurray for the final round of the 2025 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series.
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, we'll
