Why are Brits so good at DH? Matt Jones Tahnée Seagrave’s top riding spots Technogeek gear Fabien Barel Andy Lloyd’s favourite shots MBUK at the London Bike Show
Just what is it that makes UK riders so bloomin’ quick on two wheels?
IT’S A QUESTION that’s been asked time and again, every time a Brit has stood atop a World Cup or World Championships podium – how is it that this small island, with few proper mountains, frequent bad weather and little official support for our sport, has produced so many fast riders? No fewer than 11 UK downhill racers have won the right to wear the rainbow stripes on their sleeves and there are many more snapping at their heels. To find out what makes Brits so good at DH, we talked to three characters who should have some insight into the subject. Enter UCI-accredited coach Chris Kilmurray, who trains the likes of Tahnée Seagrave and Greg Williamson, Madison Saracen team manager and former Team MBUK stalwart Will Longden, and Gee Atherton, who frankly needs no introduction…
Chris Kilmurray (Point1Athletic
Development) “The micro-cultures in any sport – local ‘scenes’ – are often what drive national success. MTB has little interference from governing bodies and, as such, develops more organically. There have always been highly successful British racers and they’ve often come from small pockets around the UK that have thriving riding and racing scenes, where up-and-comers are mentored by older riders. The fact we live on a small island with hugely varied terrain and weather that allows for year-round riding in treacherous conditions, under the influence of ever-present role models such as Steve Peat and Tracy Moseley, has had a lot to do with it.” Will Longden (MadisonSaracen) “The weather in the UK isn’t so different to the rest of the world. We have great tracks, though, and good communities of riders round the country building and maintaining them. Our national series is the best in the world and it’s been the backbone of British racing and talent development for a long time. In the ’90s, Jason McRoy inspired myself, Steve Peat, Rob Warner and others to take to the world stage. What’s been achieved by Steve and, more recently, by Danny Hart, Gee Atherton and others, has inspired the next generation. The bar is set, the example is there to follow and now we’re there to help the younger ones coming through.” Gee Atherton (TrekFactoryRacing) “The Brits are such good bike riders for a few reasons, but the main one is our love of the sport. It’s that passion that gets us out in crap weather to push up a hill for a couple of short runs down it, has us going out in the dark because we’ve run out of daylight and means we’re always on our bikes, pushing on and trying new stuff. That constant riding of anything with two wheels means the skillset we develop goes deep. So, wherever we are in the world, whatever the conditions, we’re able to adapt and perform, and have fun doing it.”