Getting to Know Bryan Regnier
When you talk to professional enduro racers about what they'd like to accomplish and achieve in their careers, they don't always talk about entering the Red Bull Rampage. In fact, they don't, but then there aren't many professional enduro racers like Bryan Regnier. This ever stylish Frenchman is never far from the photographers lenses, exploiting his innate ability to effortlessly throw his bike around while carrying a ridiculous amount of speed. But speed and indeed style, are two things Bryan has in abundance. With a background in motocross racing, Bryan's only struggle is knowing when to stay off the throttle, but with his eyes set on the hallowed slopes of Virgin, Utah, there's no chance of that happening anytime soon...
Who is Bryan Regnier?I am just a rider, riding my bike every day and enjoying every second of my life… apparently it is fancy or extravagant and maybe excessive, but really, it’s a simple life. You know, ‘Mad Dog Boris’ calls me the ‘enduro free-racer’, what-ever that is, ha-ha!
Where are you from and where do you live?I was born and raised in the south in France, near to Marseille and I still live there now. I love my place, I love the mood here, the riding, the food, the weather. The South of France has it all!
Who do you ride for?I ride for fun and for living life as fast as I can with a huge smile! I also ride for the best brands out there: YT Industries, Troy Lee Designs, SRAM, RockShox, Michelin, Smith Optics, Dirty Saddle, On Energy, USWE, SOK, Birzman Tools and of course, Sensus grips.
Where are you happiest?Just before sending a huge jump, you know just when you are about to s**t your pants…you know that feeling, right?
What’s been your favourite race venue?It would have to be the Chilean EWS from two years ago and all the mass-start Megavalanche’s too!
Where are your favourite trails?Hmm, that’s a good question. I don't know, maybe all the Blackcomb trails near to Whistler - man those trails are amazing.
What are your strengths?I'm from a motocross background, so I am not scared to send a big stuff! And the faster the track and the steeper, well, that’s always better too…
What are your weaknesses?The f**king long hard climbs you get during the EWS races… F**k, I hate those!
What’s been your worst crash over the years?Maybe three weeks ago, on my home trail. I tried to jump over a little cliff and I came up short, falling in this big hole… That was a bad crash!
What’s been your luckiest escape?What are you talking about? My life is the “luckiest escape”, ha-ha! Thank god too!
Which bike from over the years, conjures up the best memories?My YT Industries Capra - this bike is like my girlfriend! I love it and it follows me around the world…
What bikes are you riding right now?YT Industries Capra. The best bike in the world!
Who’s your favourite rider?I don't know, maybe Semenuk or Fairclouch? I like riders who have style - just being a fast rider is not enough!
Who or what inspires you?Motocross for sure, guys like Josh Hansen and Cole Seely… Oh and style first bro and then the Red Bull Rampage.
What do you enjoy doing away from bikes?Surfing, climbing... All the adrenaline sports, but then I would really like to try all the sports out there.
What are you listening to right now?Everything, I love music! Old Mobb Deep, Nas, Rolling, The Raconteur, Marley… So much good music out there!
What’s your favourite TV show?Californication of course. I love Hank Moddy - this guy just doesn't care about anything!
What’s your favourite non-bike website?Maybe, Le Big USA (Frech language motocross site covering the US scene) or the weather webcast to check if it’s gonna be the good day for riding, shaping trails and jump, or just chilling ha-ha!
What’s your favourite motto or saying?"Ca biche!" It's a French expression, it's like saying, “it's rad!” That or "f**k yeah dude!!!" I say that a lot too...
What grinds your gears?I don't know, maybe doing the office paperwork - I hate that… Oh and I really hate those f**king enduro cheaters.
What makes you happy?Sending a huge jump or listening to some good music with a beer or a glass of red wine, French style!
If you weren’t a pro mountain biker, what would you be doing?A pro surfer of course! Traveling and surfing the best waves... That's in the heart!
If you were in charge of the sport, what changes would you make?Maybe stricter rules during the EWS, trying to help the athlete more because our sport, especially here in France, needs more visibility.
When you hang up your racing shoes, how do you want to be remembered?To be a pro rider is the best thing ever; traveling, meeting new people, experiencing new cultures… I guess I want to remembered as the happiest man in the world!
What does the future hold for Bryan Regnier?I want to keep going and maybe do some freeride events… I can't stop my career until I've competed at the Red Bull Rampage either, so watch this space!
MENTIONS: @YTIndustries / @SramMedia / @troyleedesigns / @rideSOK / @michelinofficial
Author Info:
Member since Jun 8, 2005
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
"I ride for fun"
Couldn't have said it better! What a legend!
... Oh and I really hate those f**king enduro cheaters.
Care to expand on that?