Voting has now closed in MBUK's Rider of the Year awards, brought to you by Lezyne, with the winners set to be announced at our exclusive awards ceremony in Bristol next week.
We received no fewer than 457 nominations for our coveted awards and the expert panel had a tough time drawing up the shortlist.
These exceptional individuals have been put forward for all kinds of reasons – from success on the race track, hard work behind the scenes and skills on a bike to simply being all-round good people.
Voting was incredibly tight, with our panel shouting themselves hoarse over who should get the Lifetime Achievement Award.
While we can't reveal the winners just yet, here's a look at why our brilliant nominees made the shortlist, with some words from those who nominated them.
The category nominees
Rider of the Year 2024
- Tom Pidcock
- Heather Wilson
- Amaury Pierron
- Liv Taylor
- Louise Ferguson
- Sam Pilgrim
- Matt Jones
- Tahnée Seagrave
- Evie Richards
- Rónán Dunne
Newcomer of the Year 2024
- Lucy Downs
- Katie Charlton
- Ella MacLean-Howell
- Rónán Dunne
- Logan McMahon
- Ffi Pickstock
- Heather Wilson
- Liv Taylor
- Amelia Martin
- Charlie Aldridge
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Martyn Ashton
- Greg Minnaar
- Tahnée Seagrave
- Katy Curd
- Rob Warner
- Tom Pidcock
- Matt Jones
- Bernard Kerr
- Steve Peat
- Tracy Moseley
Rider of the Year 2024
We were looking for the mountain biker who’s had the most significant impact or made the biggest difference in 2024, whether through competing (amateur or professional), taking part in an event or adventure, leading a group or community, or any other contribution to the sport we love.
Tom Pidcock
- @tompidcock
- Age: 25
- From: Leeds, lives in Andorra
- Sponsors: Ineos Grenadiers, Red Bull
What a year for this man. After racing cyclocross over the winter, and then on the road – winning one of the prestigious Spring Classics – Tom didn’t begin his MTB season until May. He then won the Nové Město na Moravě World Cup, in the Czech Republic, by 32 seconds, before riding 226km home!
A month later, he joined the Tour de France and rode 13 stages, before withdrawing with COVID. Two weeks after that, he successfully defended his Olympic mountain biking title, despite having to fight back from a puncture.
For good measure, he took part in the road race in Paris, too, finishing 13th.
You said: “He deserves it for his ridiculous comeback in the 2024 Olympics and his mad overtake at the end of the race.”
Heather Wilson
- @heatherwilsonmtb
- Age: 17
- From: Scotland
- Sponsors: Muc-Off Young Guns
Heather has had an incredible year, winning four Junior World Cups in her debut season and becoming UK Junior national champion. Could she be a future world champion?
You said: “It’s her first season and she’s won every race… She’s a class rider and a really nice person.”
Amaury Pierron
- @amaurypierron4
- Age: 28
- From: France
- Sponsors: Commencal/Muc-Off, Monster Energy
After twice winning the DH World Cup series, Pierron fractured his neck and was left with long-term concussion symptoms. He made a triumphant return to racing this year, with back-to-back wins.
You said: “On his day, the best rider on the planet. Watching him ride is truly something.”
Liv Taylor
- @livshreds
- Age: 14
- From: Gloucester
- Sponsors: Madison Saracen Development Team
Also nominated in our Newcomer of the Year category for the second successive year, Liv made her first appearance in MBUK aged 11, sending an 8ft wooden ladder drop.
Three years later, she’s firmly cemented as one of the UK’s top young talents, winning the Juvenile category at this year’s National Downhill Championships.
We can’t wait to see her hit the World Cup circuit.
You said: “She’s a world-class downhill mountain bike athlete – aged 14! Incredible and awe-inspiring.”
Louise Ferguson
- @loufergmtb
- Age: 28
- From: Fort William, lives in New Zealand
- Sponsors: Intense Factory Racing
It’s been a great year for Lou. She’s proven her freeride credentials by becoming one of the first two women to complete a Red Bull Hardline finals run, and her race form with consistent finishes in the DH World Cup top 10.
She was looking good for the UK National Downhill Championships title, too, until binning it.
You said: “She deserves it for getting up twice and completing Hardline.”
Sam Pilgrim
- @sampilgrim
- Age: 34
- From: Colchester
- Sponsors: Canyon, TSG, Halo, GoPro, Swatch, Ergon, Goodyear, Motul
Sam’s a YouTuber with a difference – a former freeride world champion and dirt-jump star who now creates hilarious video content for more than two million subscribers – from running saw blades as wheels to sending it on the cheapest bikes he can find.
He also has his own ORCHRAD merch and Pilgrips.
You said: “He deserves it for his quality riding and content production… His YouTube videos are fun to watch.”
Matt Jones
- @mattjonesmtb
- Age: 30
- From: Bedfordshire
- Sponsors: Marin Bikes, Red Bull, Helfare, Insta360
Matt’s branched out from his dirt jumping and slopestyle roots, covering the Dakar Rally for Red Bull, unveiling his Helfare Highway line, sending huge jumps at Darkfest, racing at Red Bull Hardline and even jumping over his house – something he’d dreamt of since he was a kid. In the process, he’s notched up several million views on YouTube.
You said: “Anyone who even attempts to jump over their house deserves my vote!”
Tahnée Seagrave
- @Tahneeseagrave
- Age: 29
- From: London, lives in Wales
- Sponsors: Canyon CLLCTV FMD, Red Bull
Tahnée seems to have finally put her injury woes behind her, winning a ninth World Cup (her first since 2021) and climbing to an impressive second place in the series rankings.
The former Junior world champion also sent the huge road gap at Red Bull Hardline Wales, and all in her trademark pink kit – something she works with her sponsors Fox to design.
You said: “She deserves to win, not just for coming back from serious injury, but for stepping up to win her first World Cup since 2021.”
Evie Richards
- @eviealicerichards
- Age: 27
- From: Malvern
- Sponsors: Trek Factory Racing, Red Bull
Evie finished an incredible fifth in the women’s Olympic MTB race, despite suffering a concussion three months previously.
“Today was the best day ever,” the former XCO world champion declared afterwards, through her trademark beaming grin. “P5 at the Olympic Games – I’ll take that!”
You said: “Evie’s constant smile is a breath of fresh air in the serious world of XC, and she's an amazing athlete – as she proved in Paris.”
Rónán Dunne
- @ronandunne_dh
- Age: 22
- From: Ireland
- Sponsors: Mondraker Factory Racing, Red Bull
This young Irishman has had an incredible 2024, with back-to-back wins at Red Bull Hardline Australia and the opening DH World Cup round in Poland, followed by another victory at Red Bull Hardline Wales.
That was capped off by bagging a coveted Red Bull helmet and sponsorship deal – an honour only bestowed on riders at the very top of the sport.
You said: “He’s a machine! He’s won two Hardlines in a year, plus a World Cup DH stage and is pure energy. Also, his career is only just starting!”
Newcomer of the Year 2024
We were looking for someone who wasn’t a big name in 2023, and maybe still isn’t. They don’t have to be young or new to the sport, but should be unfamiliar to most MBUK readers and must have done something this year that deserves recognition – or have broken through in a big way.
Lucy Downs
- @lucydownss
- Age: 28
- From: Exmoor
- Sponsors: Intense Cycles, Deity, Juice Lubes, Fist Handwear, Vittoria UK
Lucy hasn’t been riding long, but has quickly progressed to sending it at bike parks across the world.
“I’m stoked I tricked some jumps on Dirt Merchant [at Whistler] this year, when last year I couldn’t ride the line,” she says.
What are her next plans? “I want to do a no-foot can, and a backflip is on the list, too!”
You said: “She's shown huge progression and commitment, and makes inspiring content.”
Katie Charlton
- @katiecharlton08
- Age: 15
- From: Oxfordshire
- Sponsors: Cotswold Cycles
A former member of the MBUK-backed GT Viris team, Katie has been racking up regional wins, and set the fastest time in seeding (13-16) by an incredible 14 seconds at this year’s national series round in Fort William – all while working towards her GCSEs.
Next year, she hopes to step up to the World Cup circuit.
You said: “Katie deserves recognition… for her support of young female riders, and for her result at Fort William.”
Ella MacLean-Howell
- @ellamacleanhowelll
- Age: 19
- From: Pontyclun
- Sponsors: Team GB
Picked for Team GB after several top-10 XC World Cup finishes in the under-23 category, Ella was one of the youngest MTBers at this year’s Olympic Games, and rode brilliantly.
“I went in with no expectation, just to race with my heart,” she said. The young Welshwoman also won her class at the national championships.
You said: “Just being selected for the Olympic squad is huge, but even more so at her age!”
Rónán Dunne
- @ronandunne_dh
- Age: 22
- From: Ireland
- Sponsors: Mondraker Factory Racing, Red Bull
Rónán may already have been a familiar face to avid race fans – having climbed the downhill and enduro ranks at home in Ireland, then notched up DH World Cup podium appearances in 2022 and 2023.
However, 2024 was his breakthrough year, winning both Red Bull Hardline events, not to mention the opening World Cup round, as well.
You said: “He’s so young, yet so good, winning a World Cup race and both Hardlines.”
Logan McMahon
- @senditmtbkid
- Age: 13
- From: Cheltenham
- Sponsors: Spa Riders
A regular on the regional race circuit, Logan has been climbing the ranks this year, with a top-10 finish at the first Pearce round.
He’s an ambassador for Cyclists Fighting Cancer (CFC) – a cause close to his heart, after his brother had a tumour removed.
You said: “Logan’s been through a lot and has proved that bikes are the perfect cure. He shreds!”
Ffi Pickstock
- @mtb_ffi
- Age: 13
- From: North Wales
- Sponsors: Race Face/Silverfish UK, Mudhugger, Antur Stiniog
Ffi Pickstock is just as talented as her sibling and our 2023 winner, Morgan Pickstock.
The first female rider to hit the jumps of Dirt Wars UK – on a £200 bike – she’s also had top results in BMX freestyle and won her first DH race.
You said: “The sickest person on two wheels! Lovely, kind and always wanting to help.”
Heather Wilson
- @heatherwilsonmtb
- Age: 17
- From: Scottish Highlands
- Team: Muc-Off Young Guns
Heather was nominated in this category last year, too, as a three-time national champion in her age category.
However, she’s taken things to a whole new level in 2024, joining the Muc-Off Young Guns team, making the big step up to Junior World Cups and winning no fewer than four rounds in her debut season.
You said: “She dominates national DH and is now aiming higher. It’s her first World Cup season and she’s podiumed at every round.”
Liv Taylor
- @livshreds
- Age: 14
- From: Gloucester
- Sponsors: Madison Saracen Development Team
Fourteen-year-old Liv has won every downhill race she’s entered this year and has just been crowned Juvenile national champion.
She's also nominated in our Rider of the Year category.
You said: “The youngest girl to hit every big jump line in the UK… she’ll get to the top, with her determination, hard work and rad style!”
Amelia Martin
- @amelia_martin_mtb
- Age: 15
- From: Nuneaton
- Sponsors: The Trailhead Bicycle Co, Marin Bikes, Shimano UK, Insta360, Madison, HUNT, Troy Lee Designs UK, Juice Lubes, NP Strength & Conditioning
Amelia Martin has picked up tons of sponsors this year, while finishing second at her first National Downhill Series race (13-16) and the UK National Championships (15-16), and winning a round of the Pearce DH Series (13-18). All this despite a gnarly crash at Caersws in May.
You said: “She was in hospital, then came first and second in her first races back.”
Charlie Aldridge
- @charlie_aldridge1
- Age: 23
- From: Perth
- Sponsors: Cannondale Factory Racing
MBUK first featured Charlie in 2019, in our ‘First Blood’ feature about up-and-coming riders.
Since then, he’s been rising steadily up the XC results sheet, winning the 2019 Junior and 2023 U23 World Championships.
However, he won’t have been familiar to most non-race fans until his Olympic debut this summer, when he went hard from the start, mixing it up with the biggest names in the sport.
“I raced from the front and gave it all I had,” he said. “I couldn’t be happier with eighth place.”
You said: “Charlie didn’t get the attention he deserved – eighth place is incredible for an U23 rider!”
Lifetime Achievement Award
The winner, chosen by our judges, will be a veteran of the sport and someone who’s regarded as a legend in the world of mountain biking.
Martyn Ashton
- @martynashton
- Age: 49
- From: Port Talbot, Wales
- Sponsors: N/A
Martyn first came to our attention in the mid-90s as half of the super-talented ‘two Martins’ trials duo with Martin Hawyes.
The pair were regulars on the pages of MBUK, and immortalised in the Getta Grip, Chainspotting and Dirty Tricks and Cunning Stunts videos.
He went on to run the successful Animal Bike Tour, before going viral with his Road Bike Party YouTube edit.
Then, in 2013, tragedy struck when Martyn damaged his spinal cord in a fall at a demo show and was left paralysed.
He’s managed to return to riding with the aid of adaptive bikes and is now a presenter for GMBN.
You said: “He got paralysed from the waist down and still rides… He’s very funny on the The Dirt Shed Show.”
Greg Minnaar
- @gregminnaar
- Age: 42
- From: South Africa
- Sponsors: Norco Race Division
The GOAT has 23 World Cup wins and four World Championship titles to his name, and isn’t slowing down, placing third at this year’s Les Gets World Cup.
You said: “He’s over 40 and just got another World Cup podium… on a really wet and muddy track!”
Tahnée Seagrave
- @tahneeseagrave
- Age: 29
- From: London/ Wales
- Sponsors: Canyon CLLCTV FMD, Red Bull
Tahnée’s won nine Elite World Cups, taken part in freeride events such as Red Bull Hardline and Formation, and has helped raise awareness of concussion after a brutal crash in 2022.
You said: “Watching her do the road gap at Hardline Wales made me want to push myself.”
Katy Curd
- @katycurd
- Age: 35
- From: Forest of Dean
- Sponsors: Privateer, HUNT, DMR, Troy Lee Designs UK, Crankbrothers, Mudhugger, Bikemo, TF Tuned
Britain’s most successful four-cross racer, Katy won the 2014 world champs and six 4X Pro Tour races.
She also took the British Downhill Series overall title in 2010 and followed the DH World Cup circus for a few years, bagging several podiums.
These days, her focus is on coaching, but she’s still a regular at regional enduro races.
You said: “Katy’s 4X success flew under the radar. She’s a great rider and lovely person.”
Rob Warner
- @robwarner970
- Age: 53
- From: Henley-on-Thames
- Sponsors: Giant, TLD, Melon
The first Brit to win a DH World Cup (1996) and a three-time national champion, Rob is now the de facto face and voice of MTB.
You said: “Just a powerhouse on the MTB scene as a rider and host of Red Bull videos.”
Tom Pidcock
- @tompidcock
- Age: 25
- From: Leeds, lives in Andorra
- Sponsors: Ineos Grenadiers, Red Bull
This year alone, Tom has defended his Olympic MTB title and won the only XC World Cup he’s entered, racing the Tour de France in between.
It’s his skill on a bike that endears him to MTBers, though, as evidenced by his nail-biting, last-minute, inside-line overtake in Paris and his declaration that if he could only have one bike, it’d be a downhill bike.
You said: “He’s still young but has already earned a lifetime of top results.”
Matt Jones
- @mattjonesmtb
- Age: 30
- From: Bedfordshire
- Sponsors: Marin Bikes, Red Bull, Helfare, Insta360
This former slopestyle star (X Games, Red Bull Joyride) turned YouTuber still likes to get out of his comfort zone and push his limits at events such as Red Bull Hardline Wales, alongside running his Helfare clothing brand.
You said: “He puts out content at a high level… It was great to see him compete at Hardline.”
Bernard Kerr
- @bernard_kerr
- Age: 33
- From: Surrey
- Sponsors: Pivot Factory Racing, Insta360
A triple winner of Red Bull Hardline, Bernard’s also taken on Red Bull Rampage, racked up eight World Cup podium finishes and nurtures new talent via the PFR Next Gen squad.
He’s got nearly half a million followers on Instagram and 128,000 YouTube subscribers.
You said: “He brings the World Cup closer to the fans, while competing, too, and being a voice of the riders to the UCI… A top ambassador for MTB.”
Steve Peat
- @stevepeat
- Age: 50
- From: Sheffield
- Sponsors: Santa Cruz Syndicate, Fox, Maxxis, Shimano, Burgtec, Stif, Reserve Wheels, OneUp Components, Chris King, Peaty’s Products
If you don’t know who Peaty is, are you even a mountain biker?
The big man from Sheffield racked up 52 World Cup podiums, 17 wins, three series titles and a world championships gold medal in his downhill-racing career, and continues his involvement in the sport through work with the Santa Cruz Syndicate team and Peaty’s Products.
You said: “He’s done so much for the sport over the years and continues to do so. Always friendly and happy to chat. A true legend of the sport”
Tracy Moseley
- @tracy_moseley
- Age: 45
- From: Malvern
- Sponsors: Bosch, Trek Bikes
After winning two World Cup series titles and the world champion’s rainbow stripes in downhill, Tracy went on to rack up three more world titles in enduro, while helping to mentor the likes of Hattie Harnden and Evie Richards, and continues to compete on the e-enduro scene.
You Said: “She inspired riders like Evie and Hattie, coaching future stars, and is still riding at a high level.”
