The Downtime Podcast

2025 was a season that looked incredible on paper for Ella Conolly… but underneath, it was anything but straightforward. Ella was dealing with fatigue through much of the year, including at World Champs, where despite that, she still managed to finish second in the world. We sat down to talk through her 2025 season in full, including racing on an unreleased Cannondale bike, and adapting mid-season to new RockShox suspension ahead of its official launch. We also get into the changing face of World Enduro, the rise of new talent, and where the sport feels like it’s heading. This isn’t just a conversation about results, it’s about what sits behind them: the compromises, the performance, and what it takes to stay competitive when things aren’t perfect. So sit back, hit play and check out this episode with Ella Conolly. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Ella on Instagram @ella_conolly. Podcast Stuff Sponsoring Partners Fox Racing Fox have just launched a fully updated Flexair range of

With the latest RockShox suspension launch, they’ve rethought everything and that goes further than just the technology that you get to ride. RockShox have even changed the development process itself, in order to bring us the biggest leap forward in suspension technology that they possibly can. This week we’re joined by RockShox Chief Engineer, Tim Lynch, to find out what really went into developing the latest raft of gravity suspension. From ZEB to Lyrik, and Vivid Air to Super Deluxe, we’ve got you covered. This is an insight that goes beyond what you’ll have heard in the press releases, to really get under the skin of how this tech actually gets designed. So sit back, hit play and check out this episode with Tim Lynch. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can find out more about the new RockShox range here. Podcast Stuff Sponsoring Partners Loam Pass Picture this, over 70 epic mountain bike destinations across North and South America. Two free days at each, a third at half price, and n

The Santa Cruz Syndicate has a new manager and it’s not necessarily who you’d expect. Rob Copeland’s background isn’t racing or the MTB industry, it’s psychology and academia, yet now he leads one of the most exciting teams in the sport. With years spent at Sheffield Hallam University studying performance and human behaviour, could Rob be the man to shake up how MTB teams are run? In this episode we dive into what drew him to the Syndicate, how he made the transition from academia to elite sport, what he’s already started implementing, and how he plans to lead some of the best athletes on the planet into the future. This is a conversation about vision, strategy, and the future of a team that’s looking to redefine mountain bike racing. So sit back, hit play and check out this episode with Rob Copeland. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. Follow the Syndicate on Instagram @santacruzsyndicate and on YouTube here. Podcast Stuff Sponsoring Partners Santa Cruz Bicycles This episode is a paid partnersh

Queenstown is one of the world’s most iconic mountain biking destinations, but few people know the story behind its evolution. Today, we’re joined by Pang and Tim from Vertigo Bikes, the shop that’s at the very centre of Queenstown’s MTB scene. From shaping local trails, to influencing the evolution of the area and supporting local racing and racers, there’s a lot to thank them for. In this episode, we dive deep into the history, the culture, and the legacy of Vertigo Bikes, and what it means for mountain biking in Queenstown over the coming years. So sit back, hit play and check out this episode with Pang and Tim. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. Follow Vertigo bikes on Instagram @vertigo_bikes_queenstown and at their website here. You can watch all the Huck Wizard videos here and support the local bike club by heading to their website here, downloading the QMTBC app and purchasing a membership for the time you’re there. If you’d like to donate to help their amazing work, yo

2026 is shaping up to be an exciting season. Long-standing rivalries are heating up, and a wave of young talent is stepping into the elite ranks, who knows how it will all play out? Joining us to break it down is Alan Milway, performance coach and team manager for the Norco Race Division. We’ll cover all the big team moves and explore what could make this season the best yet. So sit back, hit play and check out this episode with Alan Milway. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow the Norco team @norcoadidasracedivision and Alan is @alanmilway and his gym products are available at milwayperformance.com. Podcast Stuff Sponsoring Partner This episode is sponsored by PNW Components. I’ve been riding their Loam Carbon Handlebar and have been impressed with the ride quality, maintaining a positive steering feel, while reducing the vibration you feel through the bar. Tested to the highest standards, shaped to give you all day comfort with modern bike geo and with a lifetime warranty. I

Hardline has always been one of the most intimidating races in mountain biking, but at Hardline Wales in 2025, Lou Ferguson delivered a full top-to-bottom race run that showed just how far the women’s scene has progressed. But that run was only part of the story. Because Lou is also heading into a new chapter of her career, returning to Nukeproof bikes and RockShox for 2026, racing alongside teammate Millie Johnset and building towards what could be her biggest season yet. So today we’re catching up with Lou to talk about that Hardline run, what it meant to her and to women’s progression in the sport, how the Nukeproof move came together, and what the future might hold. So sit back, hit play and check out this episode with Lou Ferguson. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Lou on Instagram @fergyferg__. Podcast Stuff Sponsoring Partner This episode is sponsored by PNW Components. I’ve been riding their Loam Carbon Handlebar and have been impressed with the ride quality, mainta

This week I’m joined by Tahnée Seagrave. Tahnée has been one of the defining riders of modern downhill for more than a decade. A World Cup winner, a world championship medallist, and one of the riders who helped push the level of women’s racing to where it is today. But the last few seasons haven’t been straightforward. Injuries, recovery, rebuilding confidence, changing bike sponsor and trying to perform at the very top of the sport while the level of competition keeps rising. So in this episode we sat down to talk about everything from the realities of rehab and returning to racing, to bike development challenges, the growth of the women’s field, the next generation coming through, and what still motivates her after all these years at the top. There’s a lot in here, from the physical side of racing to the mental side of staying in the sport long term. So sit back, hit play and check out this episode with Tahnée Seagrave. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Tahnée on Instagram @ta

While I was out in New Zealand, I caught up with Amaury Pierron to unpack the highs and lows of the past couple of seasons. From those incredible wet-weather wins at the Val di Sole and Les Gets World Cups, to breaking his collarbone in La Thuile and then coming back to take the win in Lenzerheide later that season. Then we’re joined by SRAM Race Tech Craig Miller and RockShox long-travel product manager Jason Blodgett to go deeper into how they work alongside Amaury and the Commencal Muc-Off Team to find World Cup-winning pace. We get into some of the latest RockShox tech and explore how a close athlete/engineer relationship not only benefits those at the top of the sport, but also us everyday riders. This is a rare insight into the relationship between athlete and engineer at the sharpest end of the sport. So sit back, hit play and check out this episode with Amaury Pierron, Craig Miller and Jason Blodgett. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Amaury on Instagram @amaurypierron4 a

Thanks to Tourism Tasmania I recently travelled to Maydena where I got to sit down with the one and only, Ed Masters. Ed’s at a really interesting point in his career right now, so we get into what’s changed for him, why he’s moving away from a full Enduro World Cup schedule, and how his perspective on racing has evolved over the years. We talk a bit about the state of enduro,where the discipline sits right now, the challenges it’s facing, and why things feel quite different to a few years ago. From there, the conversation continues, touching on the resurgence of downhill, the new generation coming through, and just how fast the level of the sport keeps moving. Along the way, we also chat about Ed’s plans for the season ahead, what’s keeping him motivated, and plenty more besidesSo sit back, hit play and check out this episode with Ed Masters. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. Thanks to Tourism Tasmania for making this episode possible. Tasmania is a dream MTB destination and you can find info

Alright, thanks to Tourism Tasmania I’ve been on the ground here in Maydena, bringing you some great conversations. This week, it’s Aaron Gwin. Five-time overall World Cup champion, but that’s history. This episode is about what’s next. We dive into the move to Frameworks, his plan to ‘go dark’ and get back to his very best, and what Hardline Tasmania was really like from inside the tape. We talk about sharing the pits with teammate and phenom, Asa Vermette, and how that dynamic is shaping up. He also opens up about rebuilding his fitness, the motivation that’s still driving him, and what he expects from the season ahead. It’s a laid-back chat with one of the greatest the sport has ever seen, heading into what could be the most exciting downhill season in years. So sit back, hit play and check out this episode with Aaron Gwin. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. Thanks to Tourism Tasmania for making this episode possible. Tasmania is a dream MTB destination and you can find info on all their amaz

Thanks to Tourism Tasmania, I’ve been on the ground in Maydena for Hardline Tasmania week and got to have a catch up with Neko Mulally, as well as a ride on their brand new Frameworks enduro bike. Frameworks Racing is a team that’s making some serious waves in the world of downhill. From building his own bike 4 years ago, to having a race team made up of some of America’s most talented riders. They’ve got new bikes, new ideas, and a new superstar signing in Aaron Gwin. To give us the inside story, we’re talking to Neko Mullaly, the man behind the team. He’ll take us through the strategy behind the bikes, the thinking behind signing one of the biggest names in the sport, and what it’s like managing a team at the cutting edge of downhill racing. So sit back, hit play and check out this episode with Neko Mulally. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. Thanks to Tourism Tasmania for making this episode possible. Tasmania is a dream MTB destination and you can find info on all their amazing riding spots

Thanks to Tourism Tasmania, I’ve been on the ground in Maydena this week for Red Bull Hardline, a race that sits right on the limit of what’s possible. The course demanded full commitment all week, and when heavy rain hit on race day, any margin for error vanished. The course crew did everything they could, but it simply wasn’t safe for the riders. Even without a race, the riders pushed the limits throughout the week, testing their skills, on one of the most unforgiving tracks in the sport. Afterwards, I sat down with Eliot Jackson, Neko Mulally and Asa Vermette to chat about the week and to break down what really went on: how decisions were made, and why not running the race was the only call possible. So sit back, hit play and check out this Hardline Tasmania post-race show with Eliot Jackson Neko Mulally and special guest, Asa Vermette. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can find Maydena Bike Park on Instagram @maydenabikepark or their website maydenabikepark.com. Thanks to Tourism Tasman

Thanks to Tourism Tasmania, I’m on the ground in Maydena this week, riding the trails, soaking up the atmosphere, and bringing you content straight from Red Bull Hardline. After day two of practice, I was invited to host a live show in front of a packed Maydena crowd, where I sat down with three riders taking on Hardline for the very first time, Mikayla Parton, Ryan Gilchrist, and Aaron Gwin. Different backgrounds, different careers, same task ahead of them. We talk honestly about the fear that comes with hitting these features for the first time, how each of them is working through that, and what it takes to go from simply surviving the track to actually riding it at race pace. This is a fun, open, and insightful conversation with three of the best in the sport, recorded live in Tasmania. So sit back, hit play and check out this Hardline Tasmania live show with Mikayla Parton, Ryan Gilchrist and Aaron Gwin. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can find Maydena Bike Park on Instagram @maydenab

Thanks to Tourism Tasmania, I’m on the ground in Maydena this week to experience the incredible trail network and to bring you content from Red Bull Hardline. So, following our World Cup style approach, you’ll be getting a pre and a post-race show from the event.  For today’s pre-race show, we’re joined by the man behind Maydena Bike Park and Hardline Tasmania, Simon French, alongside racer, local legend and last years rider of the week, Dan Booker. We’ll be hearing about changes to the course, sneaky inside lines and what it’s really like to ride this beast. We talk about some of the riders we’re excited to see on track, wether the world cup racers might be holding back a little to stay safe ahead of the season,  and how this track compares to the original Hardline in Wales. It’s the first big race of 2026 and there’s plenty to discuss. So sit back, hit play and check out this Hardline Tasmania pre-race show with Simon French and Dan Booker. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can

Jackson Goldstone’s first two elite seasons weren’t straight forward, but in 2025 we really saw what he is capable of. Coming back from injury, Jackson faced the pressure of expectation, the chaos of a packed race calendar, and the challenge of finding more speed while the rest of the field was doing the same.  In this episode, he breaks down what actually went on behind the scenes, from mindset shifts and race-day decision making, to testing new bike parts mid-season and learning how to stay in control when momentum really starts to build. We talk about chasing flow state, handling media and fan attention after both big wins and big losses, and why focusing on one race at a time became the key to his most complete season yet. It’s an honest look at what it takes to unlock the next level at the very top of downhill racing, from one of the best we’ve ever seen do it. So sit back, hit play, and enjoy this episode with Jackson Goldstone. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Jackso

For Axess Intense Factory Racing, the 2025 season was full of high highs, and some really low lows. Injury. Uncertainty. Financial pressure. And moments behind the scenes that most race programmes never talk about publicly. But those lows are exactly what pushed Joe Breeden and Olly Morris forward with new partners, a bigger budget, and an exciting new setup for 2026 as the Nukeproof Axess Racing team is born. This is a conversation about pressure, vulnerability, and what it actually takes to keep a race team moving forward when everything’s on the line. So sit back, hit play, and enjoy this episode with Joe Breeden and Olly Morris. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can find everything Nukeproof Axess Racing on Instagram @nukeproof_axess_racing and the Axess website is here and Axess Racing is on YouTube here. Podcast Stuff Sponsoring Partners This episode is sponsored by Wahoo Fitness. Over the last few years, the Wahoo KICKR has become in invaluable part of my training. They’ve rece

Mountain bike media has always been shaped by the riders, the bikes, and the culture around them. But right now, that landscape is changing faster than ever. Today’s guest has seen that shift from the inside. Drew Rohde started his career at Decline, right at the heart of print media, before going on to found the independent mountain bike platform, Loam Wolf. In this episode, Drew and I talk about how he made that jump, what it takes to build sustainable MTB media today, and whether the rise of platforms like Meta and AI content and search puts specialist MTB media at risk. We also dig into what riders are actually asking for, how e-bikes have changed both coverage and audience expectations, and where Drew thinks bikes, and e-bikes in particular, are heading next. This is a conversation about media, bikes, business, and the future of the sport we all care about. So sit back, hit play, and enjoy this episode with Drew Rohde. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can find everything Loam Wolf at

For the last three months, I’ve been working on my nutrition with Chris Lowe, to do what a lot of us want to do… lose fat and build muscle. But I was very clear that this couldn’t come at the expense of not having enough energy to work, train and live life in general. Honestly, the biggest surprise hasn’t been the results, it’s been how easy it’s been and the other benefits that have come alongside the fat loss. In this episode, Chris will be sharing the methodology that we’ve been following, to enable sustainable fat loss whilst maintaining energy and building healthy habits. Find out how to periodise your nutrition to deliver what you need, when you need it. Hear how Chris approaches dialling in calorie deficit and why following Chris’ approach means you get the weight loss done once and never need to do it again. Whether you’re riding bikes, training seriously, or just trying to feel better day to day, this is one of the most practical conversations I’ve had about nutrition. No extremes, no fads, just habi

Today we’re joined by Kriss Kyle. Kriss found his fame in BMX and more recently has brought that style and creativity onto the mountain bike. From living in a skatepark, to jumping over a moving formula one car, Kriss has been on quite the journey. We talk about the crossover from BMX to MTB, how skills, style, and fearless thinking translate from ramps to trails. We dig into the pressure of performing, the risks of big projects, and the process behind turning wild ideas into reality. Kriss is a truly unique addition to the MTB world and it was fascinating to find out more about him. so sit back, hit play, and enjoy this episode with Kriss Kyle. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. You can follow Kriss on Instagram @krisskyle, find him on YouTube here and watch his latest MTB edit here. Podcast Stuff Patreon I would love it if you were able to support the podcast via a regular Patreon donation. Donations start from as little as £3 per month. That’s less than £1 per episode and less than

To round out the year, we’re joined by Chris Kilmurray to get behind the results and into the data of the 2025 downhill season.  Winning margins. Track difficulty. Rider consistency. Junior depth. Elite pressure. Chris Kilmurray is a coach, an analyst, a man who lives in the numbers. So, together, we’re breaking down the 2025 season, statistically, objectively, and honestly. What the juniors told us about the future. Why some tracks separated the field… and others didn’t. Which riders redefined expectations and which comebacks mattered most. From tyre performance to suspension trends. From French dominance to the rise of the USA and what all of it means as we look ahead to 2026.. There’s heaps to chat about, so sit back, hit play, and enjoy this episode with Chris Kilmurray. You can also watch this episode on YouTube here. Podcast Stuff Patreon I would love it if you were able to support the podcast via a regular Patreon donation. Donations start from as little as £3 per month. That’s less tha