During our tour of the Fort William World Cup pits, we were impressed by the top-notch bikes and technology used by the elite downhill mountain bikers in the world. Riders such as Greg Minnaar, Tahnee Seagrave, Nina Hoffmann and other factory team members are well-equipped for success with a dedicated mechanic, team manager, chef, and sports massage therapist on hand for support. Many of these riders also have backup bikes available in case of emergencies.
On the other hand, we noticed that around 80 privateers took on multiple roles in addition to racing down Aonach Mòr at breakneck speeds. They may not have had access to the latest technology, but their bikes had likely seen more descending than any factory team rider’s bike. Despite not having all the high-tech gear, these privateers put in a lot of hard work to compete at their best in the competition.
What stood out to us most were these privateers’ dedication to their craft and passion for the sport. Each one had a unique story about their favorite thing about their bike that showcased their resilience and spirit that drove them to take on the challenges of competitive downhill mountain biking.