Downtime - The Mountain Bike 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 our...

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 helpin...

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 importanc...

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 general...

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. Along...

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,...

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...

I’m Chris, this is the Downtime Podcast and you’re tuned into our 2025 Whiteface / Lake Placid post-race show with Neko Mulally and Olly Morris for round 9 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...

This week I’m joined by Ben Wood, aka Woody, the mechanic behind World Champion Jackson Goldstone. Woody gives us a rare look at life inside the pits at the very top of downhill racing, from the pressure cooker of World Cups to the calm precision of race day prep. We chat about everything from track walks and bike setup, to handling the emotional highs and lows that come with chasing podiums. And...

I’m Chris, this is the Downtime Podcast and you’re tuned into our 2025 Whiteface / Lake Placid pre-race show with Chris Kilmurray for round 9 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...

This week, I’m joined by Norwegian downhill racer, Mille Johnset. After making a big team move for the 2025 season, Mille’s year didn’t start the way she’d hoped. Early struggles left her searching for form and confidence. But Mille’s resilience and hard work paid off, and she came back fighting, delivering an incredible 3rd place at the World Cup in Andorra. We talk about her journey from skiing...

I’m Chris, this is the Downtime Podcast and you’re tuned into our 2025 Lenzerheide post-race show with Neko Mulally and Olly Morris. 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 be bringing you analysis and insights that you won’t hear e...

Alright, it’s time to catch up on the final round of the Enduro World Cup in Morillon and Enduro World Champs in Aletsch Arena with Morgane Charre and Greg Callaghan. Morillon was a brand new venue which the riders said featured some of the best trails they’ve ever raced. With the titles already decided, it was all in for those chasing the remaining overall podium places and those looking for thei...

I’m Chris, this is the Downtime Podcast and you’re tuned into our 2025 Lenzerheide pre-race show with Chris Kilmurray. 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 be bringing you analysis and insights that you won’t hear elsewhere. Howe...

I was lucky enough to be invited behind the scenes of the Canyon CLLCTV team at the recent World Cup round in Les Gets. This episode has three parts. First off we sit down with Luca Shaw and his mechanic, Jim Bland, to hear how they work together both at and away from the races. Next up we’re joined by Aletha Ostgaard, Troy Brosnan and team manager, Gabe Fox, to find out how Aletha is settling int...

I’m Chris, this is the Downtime Podcast and you’re tuned into our 2025 Champéry World Champs post-race show with Neko Mulally and Olly Morris. 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 be bringing you analysis and insights that you wo...

I’m Chris, this is the Downtime Podcast and you’re tuned into our 2025 Champéry World Champs pre-race show with Chris Kilmurray. 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 be bringing you analysis and insights that you won’t hear elsew...

This week, we’re heading into the future of downhill with New Zealand junior, Oli Clark. The junior ranks are stacked right now and riders like Oli are already putting down times that would challenge the elites. We talk about what it’s like being part of this insanely fast new generation, how his riding has evolved and what he’s doing to give himself the best opportunity to be on the top step. Oli...

I’m Chris, this is the Downtime Podcast and you’re tuned into our Les Gets post-race show with Neko Mulally and Olly Morris. 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 be bringing you analysis and insights that you won’t hear elsewhere...

Today we’re joined by New Zealand enduro racer, Winni Goldsbury. After some stellar U21 results, Winni is competing in her first elite EDR season this year. There’s been ups and downs, but the future looks bright for this young rider. We hear how Winni grew up surrounded by bikes and grew to love riding and racing. Winni shares the importance of community in supporting her success so f...

I’m Chris, this is the Downtime Podcast and you’re tuned into our Les Gets pre-race show with Chris Kilmurray. 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 be bringing you analysis and insights that you won’t hear elsewhere. However, as...

On this episode of the Downtime Podcast, we’re joined by Marco and Kornel from the Leogang World Cup team to get a real look at what it takes to put on a race of this scale. We talk about the growing challenge of fitting in ever-bigger pit set-ups, the serious costs involved in hosting a World Cup, and the planning that goes into keeping the track and riders safe. They share how the event impacts...

Downtime Debrief is back. 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, things have changed. Our race plans are heading in different directions, and we wanted to create space to talk about more than just our own racing. This is episode two of the series where we’ll be getting tog...

Today we’re talking to Jake Atkinson, a rider who’s made a meteoric rise in the sport, despite growing up far from the perfect training grounds for what he’s now doing. From the trails of the Lake District to competing on the world stage, Jake’s story is one of trusting the process, leaning into the challenge, and making huge strides in a short space of time. We dig into how he’s done it, the less...

This week, I’m joined by Becci Skelton, a rider who proves that racing isn’t the only path to building a life on two wheels. From multi-day adventures in Madeira to coaching, creating content, and inspiring others, Becci has forged her own route through mountain biking, one built on passion, authenticity, and persistence. We dive into the highs and lows of that journey: from managing health challe...