2) Cedric Gracia, Leysin, 2000

Cedric Gracia is a name steeped in mountain biking history. One of the true legends of the sport, and one of the biggest winners of all time. Arguably one of his greatest wins was in the Leysin round of the UCI Downhill World Cup a full 15 years ago.

After winning qualification, Cedric was the last rider down the mountain on race day and knew exactly what he needed to do to take the top spot off the acclaimed Nicolas Vouilloz, who was the season’s world cup series champ. In fact, Gracia knew so precisely how to ride the track that he ended up winning by a massive nine seconds. Not bad, eh?

If you’re after even more Gracia madness, skip to 30 seconds into this highlights feature of the best moments from Red Bull Rampage:

4) Steve Peat, Canberra, 2009

The people’s champion, mountain biking pioneer, legend and all around inspiration Steve Peat finally claimed his first and only world championship win in Canberra, Australia in 2009. Safe to say there was a bit of a party afterwards.

Peat was far from the last man down. After he took the lead off Mick Hannah, there were still three men left to run. Three may not sound like a lot, but when those three are Sam Hill, Greg Minnaar and Gee Atherton, it’s certainly cause for concern.

Hill would end up more than two seconds off Peaty though, Minnaar a mere +0.05, and Atherton could only end up sixth. One of the most emotionally wonderful moments in the history of the sport!

5) Sam Hill, Champery, 2007

Champery certainly seems to lend itself to legend. Long before Danny Hart would whip his way into the history books though, a certain Sam Hill had cemented his status as a MTB hero on the track. It may have been in qualification, but the footage of Hill making his way down the muddy mountain and beating everyone else by 14 seconds is something that will never be forgotten. His third place the next day was arguably even more historic… and then there was this a bit down the line:

The next year? Sam Hill would have another one in Val di Sole. Racing down the mountain last, Hill was over five seconds up on leader Steve Peat at the first split, over six seconds up at the second split, and was on to sail to victory until he skidded out and crashed after a monumental jump near the end of the track. After that serious bail out? He still came third, just over half a second away from Peaty.

7) Andreu Lacondeguy, Red Bull Rampage, 2014

In the run up to Red Bull Rampage 2014, Andreu Lacondeguy had finished fourth place in the event three times in a row. Coming into Utah last year, he swore that this time around, he was either going home in last place or first – and he was right.

Lacondeguy dropped in from a giant cliff, showed some huge steeze and nailed some beautiful step downs which have lead his run to be called one of, if not thee greatest Rampage run of all time.

8) Rachel Atherton, Val di Sole, 2008

A mountain bike scene without Rachel Atherton at the forefront seems unthinkable these days, but it was really back in 2008 that she cemented her place in the history books, at the age of just 21.

Atherton had already finished third in the overall UCI world cup rankings in 2006, and chalked up a couple of wins across that season and the 2007 year after turning senior, but 2008 was really her year. Having already wrapped up the overall world cup title, she turned her eyes to the World Champs in Val di Sole.

No British woman had ever won the rainbow stripes in downhill before, but Rachel would claim both her and her country’s first on that day – by a stunning 11 seconds. A legend was born.

9) Darren Berrecloth, Crankworx Whistler, 2005

Mountain bike slopestyle was still in the heavy stages of progression back in 2005, but just then as it is now, Crankworx Whistler was still the centrepiece.

One of the most historic moments from the event to this day remains the run in which “The Claw” nailed a 360 over a 60ft road gap and rode away from it. The “360 heard around the world” set a new standard for slopestyle, and it’ll always be featured on any list of the greatest moments from Crankworx you’ll come across.

10) Chris Kovarik, Fort William, 2002

Fort William is one of the staples of downhill mountain biking. An iconic venue in the Scottish Highlands with a history which stretches far further than the treacherous trail itself. One notable star along that prestigious timeline? The time Mr. Chris Kovarik claimed the biggest downhill win of all time, beating the rest of the field by over 14 seconds, in 2002.

After taking a huge crash in timed runs at the start of the weekend and still chalking up a time close to the best recorded, Kovarik was confident come race day, and rightly so. He says that he wanted to get down the hill and out of the shitty weather as quickly as possible, and he did exactly that, smoking the rest of the field.

The Indestructibles, a new TV show sponsored by G-Shock, is coming soon to Dave.

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