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In this show, Andrew sets out to pick apart the minds and strategies that Top Athletes and Industry leaders use to reach the pinnacle of their Sport. Including their early beginnings, bouncing back from adversity, and candid untold stories from life on the road. As a professional international mountain biker, and now commentator, Andrew “ Needles “ Neethling brings 18 years of experience in all aspects of the Cycling and Mountain Bike Industry.Very MTB related
Episodes
29 minutes ago
29 minutes ago
The 2026 World Cup Downhill season rolled into Lenzerheide, and once again the Swiss classic delivered some of the tightest racing of the year.
Wyn Masters joins me for another edition of Bench Racing as we break down Finn Iles' second consecutive World Cup victory, Anna Newkirk's incredible journey from privateer racer to World Cup winner, and a race where the smallest mistakes carried massive consequences.
We dive into the growing debate around the qualifying format, Jackson Goldstone's return to form, the riders who thrived under pressure, and why Lenzerheide remains one of the most demanding tracks to race on the entire circuit.
Bench Racing is your go-to source for technical analysis, insider perspectives and post-race debriefs after every World Cup round. Tune in for one of the deepest dives into downhill racing anywhere in the sport.
Monday Jun 15, 2026
Monday Jun 15, 2026
Leogang delivered exactly what Leogang always seems to deliver: mud, mayhem and unforgettable racing.
Ed Masters joins me on Bench Racing to unpack Finn Iles' emotional return to World Cup victory, the wild conditions that caught out some of the sport's biggest names, and the performances that could shape the rest of the 2026 season.
From championship implications to race-winning mindset, we break down all the biggest talking points from Round 3 of the UCI Downhill World Cup.
Wednesday Jun 03, 2026
Wednesday Jun 03, 2026
The 2026 World Cup Downhill season rolled into France for Round 2, and Loudenvielle delivered one of the most unpredictable races we've seen in years.
Photographer and World Cup insider Sven Martin joins me for another edition of Bench Racing as we break down a weekend defined by blown-out conditions, huge crashes, surprise results, and a long-awaited first World Cup victory for Lucas Shaw.
We dive into the incredible crash rate that caught out many of the sport's biggest names, the costly mistakes from Asa Vermette and Jackson Goldstone, Loïc Bruni's injury concerns, and why the overall championship picture has suddenly been blown wide open. We also discuss Vali Höll's growing dominance, the rise of the sport's next generation, and which riders left France with momentum heading into Leogang.
Bench Racing is your go-to source for technical analysis, insider perspectives, and post-race debriefs after every single World Cup round this season. Tune in for one of the deepest dives into Downhill racing anywhere in the sport.
Tuesday May 26, 2026
Tuesday May 26, 2026
South African freerider, racer and all-round character Theo Erlangsen joins the podcast for one of the most honest MTB conversations yet.
We dive into how Darkfest changed the direction of his career, the reality of World Cup racing, the rise of the new generation led by Jackson Goldstone, and Theo’s insights into the 2026 downhill season.
From South Korea track previews to racing politics, freeride culture and plenty chaos along the way — this one covers it all.
Tuesday May 12, 2026
Tuesday May 12, 2026
XC racing has evolved fast.
Technical tracks, aggressive riding styles, modern bikes and a new generation bringing personality back into the sport.
Cannondale Factory riders Luca Martin and Charlie Aldridge join the podcast to talk racing, training, gravity riding and life behind the scenes of World Cup XC.
Their fun, aggressive approach to racing has even caught the attention of Monster Energy, with both riders becoming new signings for the iconic brand as XC continues to evolve into one of the most exciting disciplines in mountain biking.
From flat pedals and e-bikes to nearly missing race starts and accidentally brushing teeth with denture glue… this one goes everywhere.
Friday May 08, 2026
Friday May 08, 2026
The 2026 World Cup Downhill season has arrived, and we are kicking things off with a massive review of the historic first round in South Korea. Alan Milway joins me for the first 'Bench Racing' episode of the year to deconstruct a weekend that defied the script.
We dive deep into Asa Vermette’s incredible elite debut, the 'Aaron Gwin factor' as his team mate, and how a brand-new, hand-cut track changed the game for the world’s best riders. From the technical challenges to the mental hurdles of racing a venue with no test event, we break down who mastered the chaos and what it means for the rest of the season.
Bench Racing will be your go-to source for technical analysis and post-race debriefs after every single World Cup round this year. Tune in for the most in-depth look at Downhill racing on the circuit
Milway Performance Products - equipment designed and built using Alan’s 20years of coaching experience. Precision engineered products for stability, durability and performance. The weights bench is built to last and made in the UK http://www.milwayperformance.com/
Tuesday Apr 21, 2026
Tuesday Apr 21, 2026
The 2026 Downhill World Cup season is ON! Join legendary photographer Sven Martin as we 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 2026, New Tracks, New Teams, New Era: 2026 MTB World Cup Preview show is here with 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.
Wednesday Apr 08, 2026
Wednesday Apr 08, 2026
After more than two decades at the top of cross-country mountain biking, Nino Schurter reflects on life after stepping away from full-time racing.
In one of his first in-depth conversations since retiring, Nino shares what it’s really like to stay #1 for so long — from the mindset required on race day to adapting through every evolution of the sport.
We talk about longevity, pressure, training, and why success didn’t feel like sacrifice, as well as what comes next beyond the World Cup circuit.
Tuesday Mar 24, 2026
Tuesday Mar 24, 2026
Luke Meier-Smith went from growing up on a small avocado farm in Australia to standing on top of a World Cup podium — but the path there was anything but smooth.
In this episode, Luke opens up about injuries that nearly ended his career, the mental battles of racing at the highest level, and the breakthrough moment where everything finally clicked. He dives deep into his first World Cup win, the unexpected changes that made the difference, and what it really feels like when years of work pay off in one run.
We also get into Hardline, the evolving World Cup format, and the reality of chasing consistency in one of the most competitive eras downhill has ever seen.
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Friday Mar 20, 2026
Friday Mar 20, 2026
From backyard jumps to one of the biggest freeride events on the planet.
Sam Reynolds dives into Darkfest’s 10-year legacy, the progression of big air, and what the future holds.
He opens up on how it all started, what it really took to build it into a cornerstone of the freeride calendar, and just how tough it is to curate the invite list.