Many cyclists, particularly Pro MTB riders, have achieved professional status as downhill and cross-country riders. Let us find out who the top pro mountain bikers are.
What is downhill racing?
Downhill racing is a thrilling, trending, and challenging discipline of mountain biking that involves riders racing against the clock down steep, technical courses. These courses often feature a variety of obstacles, such as jumps, drops, and rock gardens, that test the riders' skills and courage. Downhill racers are some of the most skilled and fearless athletes in the world, and their races are always exciting to watch.
What is cross-country racing?
Cross-country racing is a type of off-road cycling that takes place on natural terrain, such as dirt, grass, and woodland trails. Races can vary in length from a few kilometers to over 100 kilometers, and they typically involve a variety of challenges, such as hills, roots, rocks, and streams.
Pro MTB riders: List of Downhill Racers
1. Loic Bruni
Loic Bruni is a specialized bicycle professional downhill rider from France.
- He has two World Cup wins in 2015 and 2018, as well as twenty podium finishes. Bruni is known for his consistency and speed on even the most challenging courses.
2. Fabio Wibmer
Fabio Wibmer is an Austrian professional mountain bike rider, YouTuber, and entrepreneur. He is well-known for his urban freeriding and street trials videos, in which he frequently performs difficult tricks and stunts in urban settings.
- Wibmer is one of the most popular and successful mountain bike YouTubers in the world, with over 4.8 million subscribers as of November 2023.
- Wibmer's videos quickly gained popularity, and he soon became one of the most recognizable mountain bike riders in the world.
- His videos are known for their high production values and innovative stunts, and they have been featured on major media outlets such as ESPN, CNN, and the BBC.
3. Aaron Gwin
Aaron Gwin is a downhill rider from the United States who currently competes for the Trek Factory Racing Team.
- From 2005 to 2015, Gwin won 14 World Cup downhill races. He is regarded as one of the most experienced and successful downhill racers in the world.
4. Gee Atherton
Gee Atherton is a British downhill racer who currently races for his own team, Atherton Racing.
- He has five World Cup wins and several podiums. In 2016, Atherton became the first cyclist to win all four categories in Downhill Mountain Bike (Men's Elite, Junior Men, Women's Elite, and Junior Women).
- Atherton is best known for his aggressive approach to the sport and his big jumps.
5. Rachel Atherton
Rachel Atherton is a British downhill rider who currently competes for her own team, Atherton Racing.
- She has eleven World Cup wins and several podiums. Atherton is considered one of the most dominant riders in the history of the sport.
- She is known for her technical skills and her ability to handle any type of terrain.
Pro MTB riders:List of cross-country Racers
1. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot is a French cyclist racing for the Canyon SRAM Racing Team. She is the Olympic, World, and European Champion, among other titles and accomplishments.
- Ferrand-Prévot is considered one of the most versatile riders in the sport, and she is known for her cross-country, road, and cyclo-cross cycling expertise.
2. Nienke Brinkmann
Nienke Brinkmann is a Dutch cyclist who currently rides for the SD Worx team. She has won World and European cyclocross titles, and she has multiple World Cup podium finishes.
- Brinkmann is known for her power and endurance, and she is one of the most feared competitors in the cyclocross season.
3. Nino Schurter
Nino Schurter is a Swiss cyclist racer who currently rides for the Scott-SRAM Racing Team. He has three Olympic medals (gold in 2020 and silver in 2012 and 2016), is a nine-time World Champion, and has won seven World Cups overall.
- Schurter is considered one of the most successful cross-country racers of all time. He is known for his incredible technique and his ability to race consistently at a high level.
4. Jolanda Neff
Jolanda Neff is a Swiss Cyclist racer who currently rides for the Trek Factory Racing Team. She has won the world championships (2018 World Champion) and the World Cup overall.
- Neff is known for her technical skills and her ability to climb fast.
These are just a few of the many talented professional mountain bike racers in the world. These athletes have dedicated their lives to the sport, and they continue to push the boundaries of what is possible on two wheels. Becoming a successful athlete necessitates the hard work that many 5am club members put in throughout their lives.
