MOVING THE NEEDLE : The Andrew Neethling Podcast

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.

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.

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.

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/

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.