Photo Epic: Pinkbike Racing's First World Cup Season - Part Two

Sep 21, 2022
by Henry Quinney  
photo
Class of 22. From left to right: Peter Duke, Craig Bunnell, Harry Jenkinson, Jackson Connelly, Leona Pierrini, Ben Cathro, Aimi Kenyon, Thibault Laly, Glen Thomson, Max Rendall & Henry Quinney.

I don't have the smarm and gall to sit here now and tell you what an amazing family a race team is, how it's this amazing experience with amazing people, going to amazing places, that transcends any experience anyone has ever had and it's just amazing, and so deep and so... wow... wholesome amazing fun. Like. Follow. Subscribe.

The truth is, working on the World Cup circuit is like any job that asks a lot of you. Demanding work is tiring, but also has its own reward. Starting from zero, as a new team, was tricky at times. Other times, it was so unbelievably hard. As we close off this season, I don't mind telling you that it wasn't perfect. Results are the ultimate justification of any race program and I think as individuals, some of the PBR racers are going home disappointed. And, what do I think of that? I personally think it's quite a good thing. If all your dreams haven't materialised as you thought they would and you weren't disappointed, I'd be downright concerned.

As we look back at the year, with each high and low merely another brush stroke on the canvas of what PBR is, let's also remember that these racers, these humans, are doing something that a lot of us wish we could do. Maybe we lack the grit, the guts or the gusto to be a pro mountain biker, but we can follow their journey, tip our hats and thank them for being so real, and being brave enough to let us document their struggles and tribulations. Because, although you have to be brave to be a World Cup downhill rider, it's another level entirely to open yourself up to that level of scrutiny. So here's to the PBR racers, brave, both on two wheels and on their own two feet.



We left Part One as we departed Lenzerheide. Here, we jump back in for the Andorran World Cup. Again, thank you Ross Bell, Andy Vathis, Nathan Hughes, Nico Widovitch and Jack Tennyson for working with the team this year.



Round 5 - Andorra - Dust in the Smoke

I'm going to let you in on a little secret. This year, especially at the start, we were occasionally guilty of making lemons out of lemonade. In some ways, it felt novel to be present in the eye of the shit storm and it not actually be our own fault. The organisation at the Vallnord World Cup wasn't worthy of the definition. It was pretty much non-existent. Meanwhile, they were still happy to charge for you pit space, even if where we actually pitted was miles away in a literal gutter. Either way, it was great to see how well the team coped with adversity.

It was our second race with Leona on board and she was enjoying the dry and dusty conditions. Aimi, on the other hand, initially found them challenging. The junior category is for learning though and it was great to see Aimi acknowledge that it didn't suit her, process it, accept it and just get on with doing the best she could. The result may not have been the highlight of her season, but I think this was where her winner's mentality really shone through.

Cathro still struggled with his wrists and didn't make finals. Thibault, on the other hand, came away with 46th. I know this might not sound like great news, and I don't think Thibault would totally disagree with that, however, after the early season turbulence it was just great to see him tick off finals consistently.

photo
Another great shot by Nico Widovitch. This time of Pete.

photo
The much-loved timing board, made by Alan Kenyon - Aimi's dad.

photo
Leona locking in before another run of what wasn't far off a motocross track.

photo
Aimi focused on what she could control and ignored what she couldn't. Chapeau.

photo
During practice the dust never even had time to settle and the riders came back looking like extras from Geordie Shore.

photo
Glen Thomson, who is one half of Sleeper Co, on track. He's responsible for a lot the weekend's videos (my tech video and Ben's coverage) and he pulls some horrendous hours to make it all happen.

photo
This is a section that looked wildly different in photos compared to on video. Those whoops could swallow you whole.

photo
Thibault was coming off a strong showing in Switzerland the week prior...

photo
And making everything look so easy.



Round 6 - Snowshoe - On Trail Technophilia

Snowshoe has been on the calendar for a few years and always tends to provide excellent racing. This year, however, was the first year it was wet for a race weekend. Honestly, the muck was like nothing else. It wasn't helped by inadequate washing facilities that made a labour-intensive weekend even worse. Forty-five minute queues to lay your hands on a low pressure hose with a broken gun was to be expected.

The weekend offered some important moments though. Jackson, who broke his wrist six weeks prior in Leogang, was back with the team. On the day before track walk he did two uplifted blue runs, his only bike time since the injury, and then managed to qualify. This achievement, again, just shows what potential he has. I'll always talk about Jackson in the highest terms. I've just this feeling he's got it - whatever it is. However, he also needs to just get into a rhythm of riding his bike and enjoying it, and not having to jump into the deep end to get back racing.

With him back, and everyone qualifying, it was also the first time we had all the riders make the cut for race day.

The last was Aimi genuinely being in contention for the win. In fact, at the top of that run was the first time we'd ever mentioned the W-word. The worse the weather gets, the more sketchy the track, it just doesn't seem to bother her. I really hope she can break her duck next year.

photo
Aimi got inspired in Walmart and chose the riders outfits for track walk.

photo
Some were less suitable than others.

photo
Jackson was back for the North American leg. I wish I could corner like this.

photo
Jackson, Thibault and Ben went up for the preview run. It was cool to see, but from a mechanic's point of view I hate the first run after a full rebuild being recorded. Always makes me extra nervous.

photo
White kit was brave...

photo
And did not look pretty after their timed runs.

photo
Huge ruts and grease on rocks like you've never seen.

photo
Sunday at Snowshoe was a momentous day. It was the first time we had all riders make finals.

photo
Jackson had a harsh welcome back to racing.

photo
Aimi on the other hand, came away with second. Her best result of the season.



Round 7 - Mont-Sainte-Anne - Brawn and Brains

I know that a lot of North American and Southern Hemisphere riders struggle with the Euro-centric calender, and I really sympathise with that. I think that the North American leg is just a snapshot of what their life must often be like. That said, because of where the trucks are, I would say that there are plenty of non-Europeans that have a pretty good time of it on teams in Europe, too.

MSA came around after the Swiss, Andorran and US rounds. There was a weekend of downtime after Vallnord, but with travel that didn't really mean much. After the 5 weeks on the road, everyone was pretty cooked by the time MSA rolled through. Six months sitting in a ditch getting trench foot it certainly wasn't - but that doesn't mean it was easy.

It also had the added fun of there not being enough space on the flight that most teams had booked for all the equipment. There were a lot of last minute rentals and deals going on as people hastily got vans to drive up to MSA, and avoid risking their bags not making it on the plane.

photo
Continental, who support the team, kindly offered space in the communal pit for the North American rounds. It was actually really nice to be mixing it with other teams and all banding together.

photo
Jackson coming into one of the roughest, fastest tracks with a sore and tired wrist. He gave it one hell of a crack all the same.

photo
Team trains.

photo
It's not often you get to enjoy such a wide shot from World Cup weekends. Plus, I love how this photo just makes it look like two friends having fun.

photo
ARK in MSA.

photo
Thibault didn't quite have the weekend he wanted in Canada. I remember him channeling his frustration into an apartment workout the day after the race.

photo
Aimi went into the hot seat. After her run, as Harry and I were coming down in the gondola, we saw Gracey Hemstreet have a massive moment as she went nose heavy towards the end of her run. She might even have blown a hand off her bar. It was genuinely one of the wildest things I've seen in a long time, and it could have had a massive effect on the overall.

photo
Jack Tennyson capturing Ben as he gets ready to drop.

photo
Another one from Jack, this time of Thibault.

photo
Yep - that's cooking all right.



Round 8 - Val di Sole - The End is Nigh

It's only a mountain biking team, and it's only really a few bikes with a few people cycling down mountains on them but boy, was it great to get to the end. At the start, I worried if we, as Pinkbike staff and individuals, were going to get through this season giving the riders what they needed. After the lows of Lourdes, I felt a large amount of relief to get to the end. Cathro did as well, I imagine. I think that there are so many levels to Ben. Yes, he races, presents and manages, but there is also a family man that's spending a ton of time away from his wife and young children. There have been learning curves, false starts and emergency stops, but damn - he's a kind man that never shied away from toil or trouble when it came his way. He always took it on the chin and got stuck in.

Sadly, the final curtain call of 2022 left came a day earlier than we would have liked for half the riders, with both Ben and Jackson not making finals. It really wasn't Jackson's year. Again, applying the same lens as we do to Ben, it's easy to see an 18-year-old trying to make his way in the world. His results might not quite add up, but you need to realise what an incredibly demanding time his mind, body and spirit have been through over the last year or two. I know it doesn't show on paper, but the fact is that he's been kicked about a bit and is still coming back for more. That only increases my hopes and wishes to see him do well in the future and realise his potential. This year served a purpose in terms of development and learning lessons that I really hope will serve him later in his career. They're lessons everyone has to learn at some point, Jacko's just got his out the way early.

Aimi, of course, has been something like the golden child of PBR. Her results have been fantastic and she should be enormously proud. She's developing at such a rate, who knows where it could take her? I really hope to see Aimi continue to unravel the complexities of racing at World Cup level and develop so that when the elite category come calling she can take it in her stride. So much about racing World Cups isn't about getting wild or hanging it out, but rather efficiencies in a rider's procedures. How fast can they learn a track? How quickly can they hone their lines? How much do they plan for contingency? As much as seeing Aimi's talent has been fantastic this year, and the results do speak for themselves, we also have to appreciate her efforts in the less blockbuster aspects of race craft.

Thibault had a season of highs and lows. Coming to a new team he really helped mold the culture at PBR and I think he's been a real role model for both Aimi and Jackson. He's got the passion, he's got the skill and the bravery, it's just as if now he needs to break the glass ceiling to take it to the next level. I would not be surprised whatsoever to see him get in a good winter's off season and finally crack that top 20. Then again, we could say that about 50 riders. With Thibault, his incredible appetite for life and work ethic sometimes seem like a double edged sword. He's insanely busy with school and his placement, as well as trying to be a World Cup athlete. I think the fundamentals are there, which were shown in flashes in 2022. I think for Thibault it's more about evolution in 2023. I really think he can do something special and I would love to see it.

photo
Harry Jenkinson, the series filmer and director, and Craig Bunnel the team physio.

photo
The bikes this year were just so dialled.

photo
VDS had Jackson questioning his flat pedals.

photo
It threatened to rain, but we never really saw it. Aimi and I were doing a bit of a rain dance going up for our finals run.

photo
Leona came back into the fold for VDS and we supported her as best we could. She had a solid run in qualifying to make the cut.

photo
The VDS track has got a bit of everything (but also a colossal amount of tech).

photo
Jackson getting ready for his final qualifying run of the year. Sadly, it wasn't quite meant to be.

photo
Thibault was exhausted, and I don't think just physically. Either way, coming home with a top 30 is a great way to see out the season.

photo
Leona was disappointed on for her finals run after specs of rain compromised her visibility.

photo
The final finals of 2022.


Want to Suport the Team? Pinkbike Bike Racing jerseys are available for sale from Dharco, and net profits go straight to supporting the team.

Author Info:
henryquinney avatar

Member since Jun 3, 2014
322 articles

29 Comments
  • 39 0
 Great photos, again. Fantastic to see the whole team together in that first photo. The thing that always amazes is when a shot is tight in on the rider and they're wearing a clear visor, what the rider is looking at versus the mess that their front wheel is about to hit. Clearly paid attention to How To Bike.

Continental played a blinder this year with the teams they lined up, I think. Across PinkBike Racing, Pivot, Atherton and Nukeproof, so many riders [almost] everyone wants to see do well.

When is the next episode? And do you know how many are in the pipeline?
  • 7 0
 When is the next episode dropping - the people demand to know!
  • 31 0
 Next episode is out soon. Now we're post season things should become a bit more regular! Thanks for watching 'em.
  • 8 0
 Appreciate the update Henry! Looking forward to it.
  • 23 0
 Great filming - takes intuition and experience
Huge editing - all the long hours
Excellent commentary - coherent and involving
Great track analysis - love those ghosting glitches
Racing as well - packing it in
Managing a team - and learning on the fly
Photo essays - brilliant text and lovely images

What amazingly broad coverage and output. I get home from work and it makes my day to go through the posts as they appear. A great season. Top stuff you lot, but particularly the tall Scottish glue of it all, which held it all together….
  • 24 0
 This team was one of the best story-lines to follow on the WC DH scene this year. Can't wait to see what y'all do next!
  • 9 0
 The team was, and continues to be a treat to follow. Amazing photos. Great video content. And, as always, a pleasure to read the quippy yet thoughtful poetic waxing of @henryquinney
  • 5 0
 What's the plan for 2023? I think it would be great to have these riders back for next season. One year with a team then off to another sounds like a tough gig. I imagine consistency with teams is a big mental relief. I'd love a second season of this with the same riders.
  • 2 0
 I seem to remember that Ben stated originally that they want to make 2 year contracts minimum...
  • 1 0
 I asked this question in the comments on another PBR article. It never got a response. I hope yours does. I'm, keen to know too.
  • 4 0
 Henry that prologue and whole article is written fantastically. Thank you. It reminds me of great magazines I used to read and kept on a coffee table for 5yrs. Brian we need more of this and less of the must-watch-video-of-another-incessant-silly-jumps-show
  • 4 0
 Great team you have got. Very inspiring! Loved this article too. If the team ever needed a mechanic let me know, i would happily do some voluntary wrenching at the races. Looking forward to next year!
  • 1 0
 Any word on if Discovery is going to allow anybody to film like this next year? Love the content and hope corporate greed doesn't ruin all the people making a living riding with go pros.
  • 2 0
 Really dig the uniforms. I don't wear too many logos anymore, but if I did, I would pick up one of these. Clean and has that early 80's, late 70's vibe.
  • 8 0
 they have replicas for sale at dharco's page, and without the logos Wink
  • 1 0
 @12speedbrakes: thanks for the heads up.
  • 4 0
 Great pics! Awesome season watching PBR
  • 4 0
 Don't know where Ben found pants that long.
  • 6 0
 Custom "Cathro Extensions" made by Dharco that we're working on making available to the public.
  • 1 0
 @ben-cathro: does that mean that pants for normal sized people will finally be avaible in the near future!?
  • 1 0
 @Phipu: Hopefully. We need to work out the demand and what potential customers would value them at over a "normal" set.
  • 5 5
 Not a single one of you is from The U.S. but clearly have excellent taste in American football teams! Steelers home and away jerseys and the proper yellow color for the bikes!
  • 1 0
 Mustard yellow - cadmium yellow - construction and highway crew yellow. Magic!
  • 1 1
 Jackson Goldstone is just going to keep getting better! Thanks to the Pinkbike Team, you keep the watching real, engaging and fun to watch. All the best for 2023.
  • 1 0
 Jackson Goldstone is already there, Jackson Connelly.. on the other hand, watch out for him!!
  • 1 0
 That Geordie Shore reference made me laugh so hard! I guess i zapped through to MTV too much in my teens...
  • 2 0
 A lot of wisdom in these words. Well done.
  • 1 0
 Great work team, looking forward to next year!
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.046110
Mobile Version of Website