The 2025 Downhill World Cup season is ON! Join legendary photographer Sven Martin and renowned coach Alan Milway as they dive deep into the upcoming year of thrilling races on this episode of Bench Racing. Get the inside line on the riders to watch in 2025, crucial rule and venue changes you need to know, and some juicy behind-the-scenes info and gossip!

We'll be your go-to source for Downhill World Cup action all season long, bringing you review episodes after every race.

CRANKBROTHERS

Crankbrothers is our oldest supporter of the Podcast. Crankbrothers is synonymous with the MTB and DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 13 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal.Be sure to check out all the latest pedals and gear HERE 

Episode Sponsor:

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

In this raw and revealing conversation, Aaron Gwin opens up like never before — sharing the true cost of chasing greatness in downhill racing. From battling injuries and navigating brutal comebacks to handling the intense pressure of dominating a sport, Gwin reflects on the highs, the lows, and what keeps him pushing forward. Whether you're a fan, rider, or just love a good comeback story, this one hits deep.

Episode Sponsor:

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

ODI:

Drawing on over 40 years of experience of producing performance-driven grips and feedback from their extensive network of top riders across the globe, ODI and the Reflex grips have been engineered to reduce impacts and vibration being passed on to the riders’ hands to allow you to ride more with less pain and fatigue.

Learn more at:

http://www.odigrips.com/

In this raw and revealing conversation, Aaron Gwin opens up like never before — sharing the true cost of chasing greatness in downhill racing. From battling injuries and navigating brutal comebacks to handling the intense pressure of dominating a sport, Gwin reflects on the highs, the lows, and what keeps him pushing forward. Whether you're a fan, rider, or just love a good comeback story, this one hits deep.

Episode Sponsor:

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

ODI:

Drawing on over 40 years of experience of producing performance-driven grips and feedback from their extensive network of top riders across the globe, ODI and the Reflex grips have been engineered to reduce impacts and vibration being passed on to the riders’ hands to allow you to ride more with less pain and fatigue.

Learn more at:

http://www.odigrips.com/

In this episode of Moving the Needle, we sit down with one of the most naturally gifted and enduring riders in downhill mountain biking—Sam Blenkinsop. From his humble beginnings carving ruts on the way to school in New Zealand to winning a World Cup and racing at the top level for two decades, Sam shares his incredible journey.

We dive into his early days as a fearless junior, his transition to factory teams, and the game-changing moment that led him to World Cup glory. Sam opens up about the challenges of balancing family life with racing, his unique approach to training, and why he still has the hunger to compete. He also reflects on the evolution of the sport, rivalries, and the raw passion that has kept him going when others have burned out.

This is a must-listen for MTB fans, aspiring racers, and anyone who loves a good underdog story. Tune in and get inspired by one of the sport’s most authentic and exciting riders!

Episode Sponsor:

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

Three-time Downhill World Champion Fabien Barel dives deep into the mindset, preparation, and mental strategies that shaped his legendary career. From his relentless pursuit of performance to his innovative approach to race-day tactics, Fabien shares untold stories about pushing the limits—both physically and mentally.

We talk about his early years growing up on the same street as Nicolas Vouilloz, the evolution of his mental preparation, and how visualization gave him an edge when it was still considered unconventional. He breaks down legendary race moments, including his calculated strategy at Les Gets 2004 and his razor-thin World Championship battle in Canberra. Plus, Fabien opens up about the role of ego in high-performance sports, how belief shapes results, and why he treats every morning as a chance to define who he wants to be.

This episode is packed with wisdom, behind-the-scenes racing insight, and game-changing takeaways for anyone looking to elevate their performance—on or off the bike.

Episode Sponsor:

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