Narrowing a mega-talented field of male and female athletes down to three nominees would be tough enough if we only had to choose from one discipline. The magnificence of this sport, however, lies in its many facets. Before Pinkbike could begin the task of nominating athletes, we first had to narrow down the categories. World Cup Cross Country was a must. Race course designs were off the chart, rife with technical sections and grade change-ups that forced competitors to show up with their A-game or go home. No-question that downhill was a selection category, this is Pinkbike, after all. To seek out our third nominee, we compared stand-out performances from the 2016 freestyle and enduro calendar - which turned out to be the most contentious battle of this nomination process.
With the venues selected, all that was left was to figure out how one compares the courage, raw power and gymnastic ability of a freerider; with the predatory focus and trigger-fast acceleration of a downhiller; with the ability of a cross-country racer to lay down 500 watts at Vo2-max for over an hour while negotiating mud, roots, drops and rock gardens; and then there is the enduro competitor, who has to perform all of those skills at some point over two days of racing. In the end, it was easier than we expected - these three athletes were so outstanding that it would be difficult not to choose them:
The 2016 Nominees for Athlete of the year are downhill's Rachel Atherton, cross-country's Nino Schurter, and enduro's Richie Rude.
Dave Trumpore photo
Rachel Atherton's unprecedented winning streak began way back in 2015 after she placed second behind Emmeline Ragot at the World Cup season opener at Lourdes, France. From that point onward, the women's World Cup downhill series was a one-woman show. Riding for GT/Atherton Racing, Rachel won the remaining six World Cups and capped 2015 with gold at the World Championships.
Rachel and Atherton Racing then switched to Trek for the 2016 season, where she managed a clean sweep of all seven World Cup DH races and once again, rallied on to win the World Championships. That's fifteen in a row - on every type of race course and in every conceivable weather condition. Oh, and while she was on holiday from the World Cups, Rachel also bagged the 2015 and 2016 British National DH Champs.
Rachel and Atherton Racing then switched to Trek for the 2016 season, where she managed a clean sweep of all seven World Cup DH races and once again, rallied on to win the World Championships. That's fifteen in a row - on every type of race course and in every conceivable weather condition. Oh, and while she was on holiday from the World Cups, Rachel also bagged the 2015 and 2016 British National DH Champs.
Nathan Hughes photo
Michal Cerveny photo.
Bronze in 2008 and silver in 2012, Swiss phenom Nino Schurter put the Olympic gold medal in his cross-hairs at the outset of the 2016 World Cup cross-country season and did not flinch. As a warm up, Schurter won three out of six World Cups, bagged second overall in the series, and then won the World Championship XC in Nové Mêsto (his sixth). When he finally pulled the trigger at the start line of the Olympic XC in Rio de Janiero, he left no question about who was going to cross the line first.
Nino didn't win the Olympic cross-country event - he owned it. He danced across the boulders. He threw shapes over the jumps. He rode a real mountain bike, and he showed the world why we love this sport.
If you wondered why promoters put teeth back into their race courses, and why cross country suddenly became a must-watch event - you are looking at him, right here.
Nino didn't win the Olympic cross-country event - he owned it. He danced across the boulders. He threw shapes over the jumps. He rode a real mountain bike, and he showed the world why we love this sport.
If you wondered why promoters put teeth back into their race courses, and why cross country suddenly became a must-watch event - you are looking at him, right here.
Michal Cerveny photo
Matt Wragg photo
Until Richie Rude, the Enduro World Series was a pension plan for active elders who had recently retired from pro downhill racing. Like most of enduro's brightest lights, the 2013 Junior DH World Champion also transitioned from the World Cup gravity circuit - but at a much younger age. Richie had the skills, but few believed the 200-pound Yeti rider could get up to speed in a venue that favored leaner men.
So, Richie taught himself how to pedal, and in 2015, he earned his first EWS victory at Samoens, France, in a battle against the legendary Nico Vouilloz that came down to a final-stage shootout. Richie's long-awaited win set him on fire. He stormed to the overall title that year and came out swinging in 2016, dominating the first two races in South America, and then shrugged off a mid-season shoulder injury to earn his second EWS Series title. At only 21 years old, Richie's best years lie ahead. Be afraid.
So, Richie taught himself how to pedal, and in 2015, he earned his first EWS victory at Samoens, France, in a battle against the legendary Nico Vouilloz that came down to a final-stage shootout. Richie's long-awaited win set him on fire. He stormed to the overall title that year and came out swinging in 2016, dominating the first two races in South America, and then shrugged off a mid-season shoulder injury to earn his second EWS Series title. At only 21 years old, Richie's best years lie ahead. Be afraid.
Dave Trumpore photo
Three famous athletes, nominated from three different disciplines. It is often said that "It's the rider, not the bike, that matters." If that holds true, then "Athlete of the Year" is arguably the most prestigious of Pinkbike's awards. We will soon be releasing our year-end winners. In the meantime, the comment section is ripe, and we would love to hear your take on the top athlete of 2016. - RC
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dv65 0.059180
dv65 0.059180
That's why Rachel is my athlete of the year
; )
Not even comparable.
The last time i checked this wasn't Whistler BP Athelete of the year.
Or
Whats more difficult xc or dh.
What it was though, was an award for athelete achievement. Which in this case, i cannot see (regardless of Whistler ripper girls) anyone's achievements more outstanding than Rachels.
Rachel beat maybe 10 good riders at every race. She's obviously the best but the level is piss weak. If you don't take that into consideration then voting for anyone is pointless.
I fully recognise, and respect Nino, but sexism - and the genetic limitations created by gender aside, Rachels achievement is fundamentally ever so slightly superior within her elite field.
From a PB point of view there is a definite lean towards DH over XC though, which makes Ninos case a little harder to value - we simply don't get enough insight into him & his achievements as an athelete.....or i'm not paying attention....one of the two.
I think 2 gender categories would is a solid idea though.
World Cup Sweep..AND Worlds..Never been done and may never be done again..=AOTY!!!!
Incredible
Then I scrolled down and saw Schurter, and I was like, "Ooh yeah! Now it's a tough one."
Undefeated on the World Cup circuit vs. World and Olympic Champion... Definitely not an easy decision to make. Good luck, PinkBike!
How many gravity riders would plunge into a rock garden on a skimpy lightweight bike weary nothing but tights and still climb hills like a machine?
He is a beast.
If it's who I like the most then sadly it is none of the above. I do like them all but if you put Ratboy in there or Minaar then I would be voting for them.
For sheer Athletic dominance of the sport I will say Rachel.
But this year my mind isn't on the riders who've done well in their category. For some reason it seems overshadowed by the riders who've left racing or left the scene entirely. McGazza, Zarja, Mirra, Stevie, I'm sure I must have forgot some. And then some of the most iconic racers have left full time racing, ACC, Peaty and Vouilloz.These have been legends for decades, left this year. (I suppose Barel and Mosely left earlier right, I'm a bit lost there.) Has there been any other year in which something like this all happened?
Allright they, Rachels performance is amazing. Alongside what she's been doing for female racing in the UK (sponsoring, coaching etc). Then again I just simply haven't given the others enough attention to fully appreciate what they've done.
It's another world.
1. J. Clementz pure Enduro guy
2. J. Graves pure everything on 2 wheels off-road
3. F. Barel on pension plan (but raced enduro long before EWS exists)
4. R. Absalon pure enduro guy
5. N. Vouilloz already long retired from DH, and several years convert to Enduro. Not EWS related.
6. R. Wildhaber aka Megaman for winning so many Megavalanche
7. N Lau pure enduro guy
8. J. Nicoll I guess also enduro only racer
9. A. Craig ex-XC guy
10. J. Barnes ex-DH guy who turned to enduro before EWS
So 2013 EWS was for retired DH-ers? Well if yes, then they've had a bad surprised as I don't see many in the top ten. And down from 10 you get Nicolai, Lupato, Oton, Cure, Golay....
Now, Rude's domination is impressive. Especially at his age.
Seriously it's fine to answer, but the points were: 2013 + Retiring DHers.
Graves was more of a 4x guy (I know, second at worlds on... an enduro bike
As said, Barel and Vouilloz were already racing enduro at national level when there was no EWS yet.
Rude was not in EWS in 2013, not even talking about Mr Sam Hill.
That leaves us Tracy Moseley basically (Ok, I'll let you Barel as well though I think he had one year gap, so no direct transition). The very impressive Tracy Moseley. Couldn't have more respect for her, especially when she won in Finale making the trainings without shuttle. Wow.