Photo Story: Pinkbike Racing's Ben Cathro's 2023 Season in Photos

Dec 12, 2023

by Pinkbike Originals

The final episode of Pinkbike Racing Season 2 drops tomorrow. We asked each rider to select some photos from their season and include some captions for their favourite moments. Ben Cathro is synonymous with the team and has been integral in its foundation and day-to-day running. Here are his selections from his year.

Photography: Jack Tennyson

The first Pinkbike Racing Team shoot of 2023 in Lenzerheide with our new bike and kit. I feel like this really represents the vibe we tried to cultivate in the team, professional but also not afraid to goof around.

After a winter of training and working on my mobility, I could muster up some youthful shapes.

The fastest corner on the Lenzerheide track and a hard one to hit no brakes. Pretty sure I dragged them every run.

Still carried enough speed to throw some turn bars for the photographers. Was feeling really solid on the bike and looking forward to some fast racing.

It wasn’t to be though as a minor mistake saw me land deep on a compression, blow my feet off and cartwheel down the steep piste landing heavily on my unpadded arse. The force of the landing compressed and fractured one of my vertebra. No bikes for 3 months.

It fell on my team mate and PBR assistant manager Thibault Laly to carry the Elite racing flag for the team as well as organise everything while I was injured. The dude did a sick job.

Despite having a broken vertebra I was luckily still very mobile so I could don the “TEAM” bib (when I remembered to bring it) and head trackside to the helps the kids with lines.

We also kept up the media output by getting the kids involved and showing them how to string some sentences together on camera.

I also got behind the camera a few times with the team dad cam capturing some behind the scenes gold.

Aimi always trying to get involved with the managerial meetings.

Gingerly back on the bike in Lenzerheide to ride one of the most fun tracks of the season. I battled with a blend of taking it easy then getting too excited and having wild moments.

POY

I unfortunately got too wild and had a fast crash onto my head. No injuries, but we decided to sit the race out and let my head rest for Les Gets

What a track in Les Gets. I had been there many times but never had the chance to ride it. It was fast, fun and extremely dusty. I found it extremely demanding physically, but was excited to give it a go.

Don’t let the stylish photo deceive you. At the bottom of the run I was absolutely hanging and after completing my first qualifying run of the year I didn’t make the cut.

Still stoked though as I got to ride my bike on this amazing track.

Diving into Snowshoe head first on a track I’ve done well on before.

I had a new mechanic this year with Torin Moffat taking on his first year of World Cups. Sense of humour aligned nicely.

The rocks in Snowshoe are lethal. Slippy and numerous but it was a delight when you got it clean.

Pre race run absolutely cheesing that I’m getting to race world cups on these amazing tracks.

Dropping in to my qualifying run while Max from Sleeper Co captures the action for Docu Series. Check out my episode which drops the day after this photo story goes live.

The face of contemplation after just missing out on qualifying but a baw hair.

Probably one of the best practice days I’ve had on a bike. The colours and track in Mont-Sainte-Anne were unbelievable this year.

Bit more angle on that and you could actually call it style.

Unfortunately illness sidetracked me for the race but I got to witness our Junior Wyatt Harrington top 10 at the final world cup of the year which was a sweet end to the season

Stay tuned for tomorrow's Episode.

Partners

We're incredibly grateful to these sponsors who have embraced this project and the goal of the team. Pinkbike Racing's 2023 partners are:

Continental - Tires
Santa Cruz - Frames
Adidas Five Ten - Shoes
Shimano - Drivetrain & brakes
DHaRCO - Custom kits
iXS - Helmets, protection, & goggles
Deity - Cockpit & saddle
Reserve - Wheels
Manitou - Suspension
Cushcore - Tire inserts
Stan's NoTubes - Sealant
Gtechniq - Bike Care Products
Outside - Support

Posted In:
Racing and Events Pinkbike Racing Ben Cathro Downhill Racing

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pinkbikeoriginals
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21 Comments

69 0

Vudu74 FL (Dec 12, 2023 at 8:09)

Thank you, Ben.

39 1

torontomtb (Dec 12, 2023 at 8:13)

Ben is a national treasure!

31 0

CamRivers (Dec 12, 2023 at 8:48)

#Benforfirstminister

TrailPrancer (Dec 12, 2023 at 12:14)

Just moved to Scotland and yes I think it needs his help.

browner (Dec 12, 2023 at 12:20)

@TrailPrancer: eh, naw just pure naw

Tambo (Dec 13, 2023 at 2:18)

Not possible, unless is middle name is hake. Or turbot. Or maybe cod.... Never mind, maybe we can have him as prime minister instead?

Alloypenguin (Dec 13, 2023 at 3:01)

@TrailPrancer: Expand on that?

16 0

eblackwell FL (Dec 12, 2023 at 9:31)

Every time quali results get posted I immediately look for Ben's name. Fantastic guy. Always rooting for him to do well.

Pichyforum (Dec 12, 2023 at 11:36)

Favourite man in the bike industry

cougar797 (Dec 12, 2023 at 12:44)

The real question is who got to draw the long straw get lucky enough to ride the blingy silver crowned pro (or maybe just expert with silver crowns) dorado? Secondly how did the rest of the team do with knowing they just didn't look as cool?

powderhoundbrr FL (Dec 12, 2023 at 9:31)

The crowd reaction in what I bet is not Ben's favorite photo shows how hard he must have went down.

Mtmw (Dec 12, 2023 at 11:08)

It's clearly an amazing shot of a moment of intense violence.

Besides its role in Ben's story, this is probably my new go-to picture for "this is how steep DH really is". The opposite of the GoPro effect.

Roost66 FL (Dec 12, 2023 at 8:39)

Is Ben sponsored by @pit-viper

fabwizard FL (Dec 12, 2023 at 8:47)

Just super stylish?

jokermtb FL (Dec 12, 2023 at 19:40)

I applaud you for throwing your hat in the ring, and somehow making something truly fantastic. That's rare in life, and on Earth.....

Dangerhill (Dec 12, 2023 at 9:24)

Ben love what you do. You should switch gears and do an Enduro team also this year. You and pinkbike would give enduro the injection it will need next year.

whiteblur (Dec 12, 2023 at 20:57)

Official “Dad” of DH. Top drawer work on the team and the content.

gunner1999 (Dec 12, 2023 at 17:56)

You're an inspiration Ben! Love all that you're doing.

WTF-IDK (Dec 12, 2023 at 13:24)

Now that’s a year!

ziolek79 FL (Dec 13, 2023 at 7:25)

You are the man Ben!

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