Muc-Off launches competition to find the next generation of racing talent

Muc-Off, the global leaders in bicycle and motorcycle care and performance, are launching the Muc-Off Young Guns Academy.

Muc-Off and their Downhill Youth Race Team Muc-Off Young Guns are offering an exciting opportunity for UK-based riders aged between 12-15, to compete for three places on their academy team for the upcoming racing season, with one of those then being selected later in the year to move up and race as one of their fully supported athletes in 2024.

To get involved, the parents of aspiring racers need to complete a questionnaire and submit a video highlight reel to show off their kid’s skills on a bike; demonstrating why they deserve a spot on the team. From all the video submissions, a panel of judges from the team and Muc-Off will select an eight-strong shortlist of the riders who most impressed with their entries. Those shortlisted will be invited to attend an all-expenses- paid day at Bikepark Wales on April 13, 2023 to show off those skills in person. The session will also be an opportunity for the riders to get to know the team and spend some time riding with them and the coaches. This will help decide who are the best fit for the three highly coveted academy team spots.

Entries are not limited only to youngsters who currently race downhill or even own a mountain bike, the team are open to submissions from riders of all disciplines; from BMX to road; trials to track, what’s important is to show an enthusiasm for cycling and raw talent on a bike.

Alex Trimnell, CEO of Muc-Off, said: “Currently, not all kids have proper access to mountain bike racing; it’s an expensive sport and sadly inaccessible to many. This not only disadvantages kids who don’t have the opportunity to experience the incredible opportunities that the sport offers but also disadvantages the sport itself missing out on potential talent and the benefit of improved diversity and inclusivity. We are stoked that we are in a position where we can help try and change this.”

On joining the team, the three successful riders will be kitted out from head to toe in full team kit, including protection from Leatt, a full suite of bike care and maintenance products from Muc-Off, tyres from Schwalbe, casual wear from Stance and a host of other kit and components from team sponsors. They’ll even receive support and coaching from Downamics and Fit4Racing.

The riders will have the opportunity to train and race with the other riders at various events around the UK for the remainder of the 2023 season, after which one of the three will be given the opportunity to move up to become a fully supported rider, with training and racing bikes from Mondraker and the chance to work towards racing at World Cup level.

“We already have some incredible talent in the team, and we’ve worked hard to develop a group of young riders who we know, whenever they hit the dirt, will do their very best to be friendly, welcoming and inspire every other rider that they meet. The Muc-Off Young Guns Academy is about discovering new talent; and to provide them with a fantastic opportunity to improve their skills and begin their racing journey with the best support possible,” said Paul Bolwell, Muc-Off Young Guns Team Manager.

To learn more about the campaign and to submit an entry to the team, head to: muc-off.com/young-guns- academy