Advertise on podcast: MOVING THE NEEDLE : The Andrew Neethling Podcast

Sam Hill like you've NEVER heard him before. The legend joins Andrew Neethling for a rare, nearly three-hour conversation — opening up about his incredible career, the reality of retirement, losing his motivation to race, and what life looks like away from the World Cup circuit. Sam doesn't do many interviews, so this is a special one. We go back through the highs, the injuries, the World Championships, his move from downhill into Enduro, and the decisions that shaped one of mountain biking's most iconic careers. Sam also talks honestly about burnout, the challenges of stepping away from racing, the industry moving on, and finding a new purpose beyond competition. Plus, we get into his life in Australia, family, trail building, the riders he respects, and how he sees the sport today. Nearly three hours with one of the most understated legends mountain biking has ever seen. No big introduction needed — just Sam Hill, opening up. 🎙️ Moving The Needle Podcast with Andrew Neethling Presented by Monster Energy If you enjoyed this one, subscribe for more conversations with the riders and people who have shaped mountain biking. Pic Credit : Sven Martin

The 2026 World Cup season is DONE — and what a way to finish it. Asa Vermette is the 2026 World Cup Overall Champion after a dramatic final day in Lake Placid, with Jordan Williams pushing him all the way to the final run. At just 19, Asa joins a select few riders to win the World Cup overall in their rookie season. Luke Meier-Smith took his second straight Lake Placid World Cup win, while Lisa Bouladou claimed her first Elite World Cup victory in the women’s race. Vali Höll wrapped up another overall championship, while Hattie Harnden, Gracie Hemstreet and the next generation of riders continued to make their mark. Andrew Neethling and Wyn Masters break down the final round, the title battle, the pressure on Asa, Jordan’s incredible season, Jackson and Amaury’s difficult finish to the year, Lachlan Stevens-McNab’s rise, the changing guard in downhill and the biggest storylines from an incredible 2026 season.

Cam Zink is 40 years old — and he’s still chasing Rampage wins. In this episode of Moving The Needle, Cam opens up about the process behind continuing to compete at the highest level, what keeps him motivated, and the mental side of pushing yourself when you're no longer the youngest rider on the mountain. We talk about his approach to Rampage, the feedback loop that keeps him motivated, knowing when to push and when to walk away, and why Cam has no interest in simply taking a Rampage spot for the sake of being there. If he’s going to ride Rampage, he wants to genuinely believe he can win. A really honest conversation about competition, motivation, getting older, and what it takes to keep chasing something that still matters. Subscribe for more conversations with the athletes, riders and people pushing the limits of mountain biking. #CamZink #Rampage #MTB #MovingTheNeedle

Whistler delivered one of the wildest World Cups of the season. Asa Vermette took his 2nd Elite World Cup win, while home favourites Finn Iles and Jackson Goldstone somehow missed the final. Lachlan Stevens-McNab was flying before a tiny mistake took him out of the results, and 30,000+ fans turned the new Whistler track into an absolute madhouse. Andrew Neethling and Sven Martin break down the racing, the brutal conditions, the youngsters taking over, the massive crowds, the biggest crashes and everything else that made Whistler so special.

Kilian Bron has built a life around turning dreams into reality — from racing and winning the Mountain of Hell four times to riding some of the world's most incredible and dangerous mountains. Andrew Neethling gets inside Kilian's mindset, discussing his latest film Mirage, riding at over 6,000 metres, the years of planning behind these expeditions, fear, risk, freedom and the moments when things have gone seriously wrong. An honest conversation about adventure, pushing your limits and knowing where the line is. See his latest Film:  MIRAGE

World Championships delivered one of the most intense races of the season. Jackson Goldstone held his nerve to take the Elite Men's rainbow jersey after an incredible final battle with Lachlan Stevens-McNab, while Vali Höll once again delivered under huge pressure to claim the Women's title. Andrew Neethling and Sven Martin break down the racing, the crashes, Rory's insane scrub, the standout performances and the pressure of having just one run to become World Champion — plus the darker side of the huge crowds at Val di Sole. One race. One run. Two new World Champions. Episode presented by Monster Energy

Les Gets delivered one of the wildest World Cup weekends of the season. Max Alran claimed his first Elite World Cup win, Hattie Harden took the women's victory, and the weekend ended with absolute chaos as fans rushed into the finish area. Theo Erlangsen joins Andrew Neethling to break down all the biggest stories from Les Gets — the racing, standout performances, crashes, the atmosphere, and what these results mean as the World Cup season heads towards its final rounds. Another wild one from Les Gets. Episode Presented by Monster Energy

Graham Agassiz has been one of freeride mountain biking's most influential riders for nearly two decades, but this conversation goes far beyond big jumps and Rampage. Andrew Neethling sits down with Aggy to talk about the golden era of freeride films, the evolution of social media, Red Bull Rampage, founding the FEST Series, devastating injuries, losing close friends, becoming a father, and how his definition of success has changed over the years. They also dive into his upcoming film Made by Mountains, why the mountains continue to inspire him, and the lessons he's learned about fear, risk, mental health and building a meaningful life beyond competition. Whether you're a lifelong freeride fan or simply enjoy honest conversations about growth and resilience, this is one you won't want to miss.

Vero Sandler has become one of the most influential riders in women's freeride mountain biking, but her journey started on the World Cup downhill circuit. In this episode, Vero joins Andrew Neethling to talk about walking away from racing, discovering a passion for freeride, helping pioneer opportunities for women at events like DarkFest and Rampage, and why finding balance has been the key to a long and fulfilling career. The conversation also dives into fear, burnout, concussions, meditation, progression, and what the future holds for the next generation of female freeriders. Whether you're a racer, a freerider, or simply love mountain biking, this is an honest conversation about following your own path and redefining success.

Blake Samson has lived a life most riders have never heard about. Before becoming one of mountain biking's most recognisable presenters and content creators, Blake grew up on a farm in Zimbabwe before his family fled the country and started again in England with almost nothing. In this episode we dive into that incredible journey, his rise through professional freeriding, life behind the scenes at GMBN, content creation, burnout, and what it really takes to build a career in the bike industry.

Clemens "C-Dog" Kaudela joins the show to share the story behind DarkFest's biggest jumps, his engineering approach to building world-class freeride features, lessons from Rampage, and why big air mountain biking continues to evolve. It's an inside look at one of freeride's most creative minds. Sponsors:  Supported by Kenda Tires EU  Episode Presented by Monster Energy

Jordan Williams continued his incredible form, the level of racing reached new heights, and qualifying proved once again that simply making the finals is becoming one of the toughest challenges in mountain biking. On the women's side, Vali Höll strengthened her grip on the overall, Gracey Hemstreet bounced back with another podium, and Sasha Earnest continued her impressive rise with back-to-back podium finishes. Sven Martin joins Andrew Neethling to break down everything from Andorra, including Jordan's incredible pace, the evolution of World Cup downhill, Specialized's dominance, the brutal qualifying format, the biggest storylines from the women's race, and the behind-the-scenes insights the TV cameras never capture. If you enjoy these race review episodes, don't forget to subscribe

The La Thuile World Cup delivered one of the most demanding downhill races of the season. Jordan Williams finally claimed his first Elite World Cup victory, Vali Höll returned to the top step, and the depth of the field continues to redefine what it takes just to qualify for a final. This week I'm joined once again by Alan Milway, fresh from the mountain, to break down everything that happened in Italy.

British downhill racer Ethan Craik joins the podcast to share his journey from Junior World Cup Champion to one of the sport's most exciting rising talents. We dive into the injuries that threatened to derail his career, the mindset behind his comeback, life with the SCOTT Downhill Factory Team, and why he believes his best racing is still ahead. A fascinating conversation with a rider who's quickly becoming one to watch on the World Cup circuit.

The 2026 World Cup Downhill season rolled into Lenzerheide, and once again the Swiss classic delivered some of the tightest racing of the year. Wyn Masters joins me for another edition of Bench Racing as we break down Finn Iles' second consecutive World Cup victory, Anna Newkirk's incredible journey from privateer racer to World Cup winner, and a race where the smallest mistakes carried massive consequences. We dive into the growing debate around the qualifying format, Jackson Goldstone's return to form, the riders who thrived under pressure, and why Lenzerheide remains one of the most demanding tracks to race on the entire circuit. Bench Racing is your go-to source for technical analysis, insider perspectives and post-race debriefs after every World Cup round. Tune in for one of the deepest dives into downhill racing anywhere in the sport.