Sven Martin is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing.  We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year.  We break down RED BULL HARDLINE held in Tasmania 

This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers.

Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 13 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! And it’s not just pedals; Crankbrothers has been adding to their product offering over the last few years and now has a whole host of podium contenders in their shoes, riders like Benoit Coulanges, Bernard Kerr, Luca Shaw, Troy Brosnan, Camille Balanche, and many more

Episode Sponsors: 

AG1 

Athletic Greens are going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle.

What does it take to raise not just one but two world-class mountain bikers? In this episode, we sit down with Tony Seagrave, the father of Tahnee and Kaos Seagrave, to uncover the journey behind building champions. From the early days of racing to the mindset, sacrifices, and behind-the-scenes moments that shaped their success, Tony shares his unique perspective on parenting elite athletes.

Expect untold stories, hard-earned wisdom, and a deep dive into the culture of speed, resilience, and family in mountain biking. Whether you're a fan of the sport, a parent of an aspiring athlete, or just love a good story of passion and perseverance, this episode is for you!

In this exclusive episode, we sit down with Greg Minnaar, the undisputed greatest of all time in downhill mountain biking. After over two decades of dominating the World Cup circuit, Greg opens up about his decision to retire from professional racing. He shares the highs of standing atop countless podiums, the lows of injuries and setbacks, and the invaluable lessons learned through it all.

But this isn’t just a look back. Greg takes us into the next chapter of his journey as the new Director of Norco Race Division. From mentoring the next generation of riders to shaping the future of the sport he helped define, Greg reveals his vision and passion for what’s ahead.

Oh, and don’t worry—there are plenty of unfiltered stories from the race circuit that you won’t want to miss!

In this exclusive episode, Danny Hart opens up about his challenging 2024 season, what it takes to back yourself, and his exciting new chapter with Norco Factory Racing. Hear all about the moment he got the call from downhill legend Greg Minnaar and what’s in store for him in the 2025 season. Get the inside scoop on Danny’s latest move, his goals, and what’s next for this seasoned MTB pro!

In this exclusive episode, Danny Hart opens up about his exciting new chapter with Norco Race Division. Hear all about the moment he got the call from downhill legend Greg Minnaar and what’s in store for him in the 2025 season. Get the inside scoop on Danny’s latest move, his goals, and what’s next for this seasoned MTB pro!

Todd Barber, co-founder of Red Bull Rampage, joins us to share the incredible journey behind one of the most iconic freeride mountain biking events in the world. From Rampage’s daring beginnings in 2001 to the groundbreaking inclusion of women riders and the evolution of its unique judging format, Todd reflects on two decades of redefining action sports.

We also dive into the creation of NST Bike, a bold evolution of the Proving Grounds qualifier Todd launched in 2019. Discover how a collaboration with snowboarding legend Travis Rice helped shape the Natural Selection Tour’s expansion into biking, bridging the gap between slopestyle and big-mountain freeride competitions.

With upcoming events in Queenstown, New Zealand—including a “last chance qualifier” at the Dream Track—Todd shares his vision for the future of freeride, the challenges of finding unique locations, and the exciting multi-sport expansion of NST. This episode is packed with stories of innovation, community, and pushing the limits of what’s possible.

The Search | Natural Selection Tour Bike

Episode Sponsors:

AG1

AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle

MANSCAPED

If you head over to MANSCAPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle" you'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! So whether you're moving the needle in life or moving the needle on the trail, do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!

In this episode, we dive into the world of elite mountain biking with Jamie Read, of Athlete Optimization, a renowned high-performance MTB coach who’s helped some of the sport’s top athletes reach their peak. With years of experience blending cutting-edge training techniques and mental performance strategies, Jamie has built a reputation for unlocking riders' full potential both on and off the bike. Jamie is also studying for his Masters in Sports and performance coaching. 

Join us as we explore Jamie's journey from his roots as a former British Army member, and sports and conditioning coach to becoming a sought-after coach, working with world-class pros and dedicated amateurs alike. We discuss the key elements of high-performance MTB training, some serious misconceptions of training, the importance of mental toughness, and how to overcome challenges that every rider faces. Whether you're a weekend warrior or an aspiring pro, Jamie's insights are packed with actionable advice to elevate your game.

In anticipation of the Deathgrip 2 release here is a rerelease of the episode if you missed it with exclusive Deathgrip 2 chat and his " retirement "

Brendan Fairclough known as BRENDOG is one of the biggest stars in MTB. The original free racer is back on the show to chat about "retirement" from World Cup racing..sort of, his new movie DEATHGRIP 2, racing alongside Sam Hill, and what the future may hold. 

Episode Sponsors:

AG1

AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle

MANSCAPED

If you head over to MANSCAPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle" you'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! So whether you're moving the needle in life or moving the needle on the trail, do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!

In this episode, we sit down with Clay Harper, the driving force behind the Monster Energy Pro Downhill Series and a Co-Founder of the US Open. A lifelong advocate for mountain biking. With a career spanning decades, Clay is an event organizer and ambassador for the sport.

Clay shares stories from his time working with elite riders, the challenges of organizing top-tier events, and his vision for the future of downhill racing.

Whether you’re a mountain biking enthusiast or new to the sport, you’ll love this behind-the-scenes look at one of its most influential leaders.

Episode Sponsors:

AG1

AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle

MANSCAPED

If you head over to MANSCAPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle" you'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! So whether you're moving the needle in life or moving the needle on the trail, do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!

Luca Shaw is one of the fastest and most skilled racers in the world of Downhill Mountain Biking. In a sport where risk-taking is often rewarded, Luca’s calculated approach sets him apart—and it’s paying off. Known as one of the nicest guys on the circuit, we dive into his experiences being mentored by two of the greatest to ever race, what it’s like to be teammates with Troy Brosnan, and his future goals in the sport. Enjoy this epic conversation!

Episode Sponsors:

AG1

AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. There is a 90 day money back guarantee  All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle

MANSCAPED

If you head over to MANSCAPED.com and use code " movingtheneedle" you'll get an exclusive 20% off and free shipping on your order. That's right, 20% off! So whether you're moving the needle in life or moving the needle on the trail, do it with style, precision, and the MANSCAPED Lawn Mower 5.0. Your jewels will thank you!