THE FESTIVAL

@si_richardsongcn

A pro downhill racer of 14 years, ‘Donny’ is one of the strongest all-round riders out there. He’s raced across the globe at the very highest level for almost a decade, including several years racing alongside Marc Beaumont as part of Team MBUK. During his career he notched up numerous top 10 World Cup finishes and established himself as a competitive and stylish flat pedal thunderer. Since retiring from downhill racing he has switched his focus to Gravity Enduro, has taken 10th at the Megavalanche, and subsequently ratcheted up two British Gravity Enduro national titles.

@neildonoghue

Former Tour de France and Giro d’Italia finisher turned presenter and commentator Dan has been a professional road cyclist for the last 10 years, racing for teams such as the Cervelo Test Team and Garmin-Cervelo. He raced and completed the Giro d’Italia on two occasions and the Tour de France in 2010. In 2012 he rode for the IG Sigma Sport team, at the same time as combining commentary for ITV4, Eurosport, the BBC, and Rai.  Dan became lead presenter on GCN after an interview where he drank the rest of the GCN team under the table.

@daniellloyd1

@martynashton

James Lowsley-Williams (aka Hank) got into cycling fairly late at 16 years old but made up for it with gusto by taking to racing both on the track and the road. Eight years of flat-out racing on the British domestic scene with UK Youth and NFTO teams saw James teaming with GCN's ‘Head of Fashion’ Adam Blythe, who he helped in his 2014 Prudential RideLondon Classic win. A strong and loyal domestique and most recently captain at Canyon Eisberg, James led his team to victory in the British Tour Series before joining GCN – despite an aversion to staying rubber side down in the final corners (wet or otherwise). Despite this, we can hand-on-heart say that James is no stranger to pushing the limits – especially when it comes to said corners...

@jamesl_w

Born in Zimbabwe but now resident in the Isle of Wight, UK, Blake has travelled the world as a pro rider competing in the world’s premier dirt jump and slopestyle competitions. Despite his world-class dirt heritage, he’s an incredible all-rounder who is equally at home charging down mountain sides as he is pulling 360 tucks or flip-whips. Think fast and fun. But wherever his tyres take him, he does it all with an infectious sense of fun which is proof, if any were needed, that for Blake riding is a way of life.  Blake has also been a long-time friend of Martyn’s, having been a big part of his travelling extreme sports show – the Animal WD40 Action Sports Tour – touring the length and breadth of the UK.

@zimblake

@manonlloyd5

@payner25

@dr_oliverb

Jonesy started his MTB career as a downhill racer, having his first top-level taste in 1997 as a member of the GB World Championship DH Team. Having raced as an elite rider for many years, Jonesy also has two National Masters Championship DH titles under his belt, as well as the 2016 National Champion DH in his class and bronze medal in the 2016 World Masters Championships DH in Val Di Sole, Italy.

@jonesemtb