MOVING THE NEEDLE : The Andrew Neethling Podcast

#187. XC MTB is CHANGING | The New School riders Luca Martin & Charlie Aldridge leading the way

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.

 

#186.South Korea DH Review: The Fairytale Debut & Track Chaos with Alan Milway

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/

 

 

#185. 2026 World Cup Downhill MTB Preview with Sven Martin:The Junior Invasion, New Tracks, New Teams, New Era

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.

#184.Nino Schurter (THE GOAT) Staying #1 for 20 Years.Nino Opens Up on Life at the Top & Retirement

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. 

#183. Luke Meier-Smith’s Unreal Rise: He Almost Quit… Now He’s a World Cup Winner

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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#182. Is This the Last Darkfest Ever? Sam Reynolds on Its 10-Year Legacy & Future of Big Air MTB

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.

#181. Tom Van Steenbergen: Rampage World-Record Front Flips, Devastating Crashes & the Comeback That Keeps Him Pushing

Tom Van Steenbergen has built a career pushing the limits of Freeride mountain biking. From landing world-record front flips at Red Bull Rampage to surviving some of the most devastating crashes the sport has seen, Tom’s journey is one of risk, resilience and relentless progression.
Tom talks about the mindset behind Rampage, the brutal injuries that nearly ended his career, and what it really takes to keep coming back.
Tom opens up about fear, recovery, fatherhood, and why he still chooses to push the limits on a mountain bike.
If you love freeride MTB, Rampage stories and the psychology behind extreme sports, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

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#180. Randy Lawrence :From McGrath’s Mechanic to World Cup Racer & Champion Trainer – Part 2

Randy Lawrence has lived multiple lifetimes in two-wheel sport.

From wrenching in the golden era of 90’s motocross — working alongside icons like Jeremy McGrath — to racing downhill during its wild west rockstar phase… to training elite motocross champions like Ryan Villopoto… Randy has seen it all.

This is a raw conversation about talent, work ethic, burnout, fatherhood, and what it actually takes to build a champion.

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#179. Randy Lawrence :From McGrath’s Mechanic to World Cup Racer & Champion Trainer – Part 1

Randy Lawrence has lived multiple lifetimes in two-wheel sport.

From wrenching in the golden era of 90’s motocross — working alongside icons like Jeremy McGrath — to racing downhill during its wild west rockstar phase… to training elite motocross champions like Ryan Villopoto… Randy has seen it all.

This is a raw conversation about talent, work ethic, burnout, fatherhood, and what it actually takes to build a champion.

🌎 Get the Exclusive NordVPN deal here ↣ https://nordvpn.com/needle It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! 👍

#178. Andreas Kolb: From the Hardest Season of His Career to a Dream Team in 2026 | The Full Story

In this episode of Moving the Needle, Andreas Kolb opens up about the hardest season of his career — racing under pressure, dealing with uncertainty behind the scenes, and staying mentally strong when his future felt unclear.

We unpack how riding for himself, trusting the process, and delivering when it mattered ultimately led to a dream opportunity with the Santa Cruz Syndicate for 2026.

A raw conversation about belief, timing, and why tough seasons often set up the biggest breakthroughs.