Aaron Gwin to Miss the Maribor World Cup Due to Back Injury

Aug 12, 2021
by Ed Spratt  


Aaron Gwin has announced he will be missing the Maribor DH World Cup this week after an injury sustained during the second round of the US Downhill National Series at Mountain Creek.

The crash happened during practice for the race at Mountain Creek last weekend. In his social media video, Aaron explains that he was cruising on one of his first laps and as he got some air over a blind jump he spotted a loose rock that had rolled into the track. "I could see it as I was already in the air. It was too late. So I landed on it with my front wheel and had a big front flip off this ledge and kind of went from pretty high up to flat on my back pretty quick."

Currently, Aaron is back in California with his physios and preparing to hopefully come back to race the rest of the season and attend World Champs later this month.

bigquotesUnfortunately, I had a big crash at Mountain Creek last weekend and hurt my back and I will be missing Maribor this weekend. Flew back here to California pretty much straight away so I can be with my physio and the whole team here to try and get healthy again. So I'm PT every day, sometimes twice a day and I'm hoping to come back for Worlds, but we will see. Kind of taking it day by day now and I'm pretty sore and kind of got limited range. Obviously really disappointed, really wanted to finish this year strong.— Aaron Gwin - Instagram

We wish Aaron all the best with his recovery and hope he will be back racing soon.

Posted In:
Racing and Events DH Racing Injuries World Cup DH Aaron Gwin Maribor World Cup Dh 2021


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148 Comments
  • 294 44
 Damn, the battle for 23rd just got real.
  • 8 7
 Lol
  • 51 2
 Savage! But seriously, where did it all go wrong for gwinner
  • 19 2
 Damn, that's harsh.
  • 56 131
flag m1dg3t (Aug 12, 2021 at 4:52) (Below Threshold)
 @ctd07: Prolly right around the time where his ego got bigger than his abilities, or when he sold out. Not entirely sure. Might wanna ask Jesus?
  • 7 7
 @ctd07: got old
  • 18 34
flag danstonQ (Aug 12, 2021 at 5:09) (Below Threshold)
 @m1dg3t: Amen
  • 24 14
 @ctd07: kenda tires, TRP brakes
  • 28 9
 @ctd07: He needs to get off Intense!
  • 28 2
 @ctd07: Life wise,.well, he seems to be winning at that still. Racing, well, not everyone can stay at the top all the time like Nico did.
  • 37 0
 @cky78: Why? The incident clearly proves that it is better to stay on your bike than to come off.

Always sad to hear athletes become injured. Never laughing matter in my book.
  • 10 1
 @teamdoa: you mean Minnaar.
  • 9 0
 @teamdoa: Nico was out after 10 years. Burned his brightest, expected that level of fight of himself. Was out far before 30 years of age. Was like a SX great in that sense (Carmichael, Dungey, villipoto ) Once hunger diminished, he seeks new challenges, new ways to challenge himself as a sportsman. Truly an amazing athlete.
  • 35 0
 Rough. Dont forget he's currently the third ranked us rider overall in the UCI at 18th behind Dak(14) and Luca(15). Just saying, he not way off the back as some suggest. Its just that we're still used to him winning something crazy like 30% off all races he entered in the 20teens.

"Sometimes you eat the Bar, and sometimes the Bar eats you."
  • 10 0
 @ctd07:seemed to start when he broke his thumb a few yrs ago.
  • 1 0
 LOL
  • 16 2
 @ctd07: Gwinner hasn't been on pace since he got on a 29'er I don't think they fit his style at all & his results seem to bare that out.
  • 5 0
 @ctd07: 29rs and a smallish boat load of money
  • 9 7
 @m1dg3t: Atta boy, church shamin Whitey is so in.
  • 27 1
 Damn. Too many people not realizing karma is a thing that works over-drive in this sport... Not at all a good look to comment like this after a person gets hurt.
  • 8 0
 @robito: He needs to race Apollo Creed on the beach in SoCal...
  • 4 9
flag lifeofloon (Aug 12, 2021 at 9:13) (Below Threshold)
 @danstonQ: they can down vote as all they want but it started after he pulled the nine month tease of who is Aaron going to sign with next media campaign which screams at me, my ego is out of control.
  • 8 2
 @Assclapp: Ha. TRP brakes are some of the best out there. Try em and you’ll see.
  • 4 0
 @Darknut: I have always said that as well. He needs to go back to 27.5. I rant here on PB about him changes wheels when he was 1st. Why would you change 27.5 if its working for you?
  • 25 0
 @ctd07: Some of the best athletes in the world burn bright, and then get injured and are never quite the same. I have no idea what happened to Gwin. He did have a string of injuries in the last three years it seems. Maybe he’s not as interested in racing as he used to be. Staying on top of a pro sport isn’t easy, and the injuries take their toll.

Fact is, we don’t know. I hate when people start throwing around terms like “selling out.” I don’t think these people understand — pro sports is a tough game, and even if you’re healthy and on top of it your whole career, you have a short period of time (10? 15 years?) to earn your money. And downhill mountain biking isn’t exactly the NBA or NFL. If you’re smart, you will maximize your potential while you have it. Nothing wrong with that.
  • 2 0
 @ReformedRoadie: he needs to be dragging firewood on a sled in knee high snow….or mud…rain
  • 1 0
 @ctd07: When he started changing teams....
  • 3 0
 @Viper13: he should've stayed with Yeti, eh?
  • 18 1
 Always amazing to read online what people probably wouldn't say to a person's face. . .but will write it for all the world to read. The internet is surreal.
  • 3 0
 @jeremiahwas: Cash me outside
  • 4 1
 @jeremiahwas: Guaranteed they would ask for a picture with him sooner than actually try to put him down to his face Salute
  • 7 4
 Asshole . Gwin is king and will always be faster than you
  • 2 1
 @iiman: He'd still do OK on a blacked-out TUES
  • 1 1
 @RefreshGarageRich: yeh that was definitely a turning point, surely such a minor injury couldn't be the end of the story thougg
  • 3 1
 @Darknut: I have my personal opinions about wagon wheels, undoubtedly quicker if you look at data with tunnel vision, from studying most of the wheel comparison timed data from reviews and teams etc they generally proved my personal experience, that being I found that the bigger wheels are harder to consistently place exactly where you want if you're a precise rider... e.g. on one section of trail I would always be 1" to the left of said rock every run with smaller wheels, with 29r I would be over the rock one run, 1ft to the left the next etc, still get down the trail in the end but not consistently, it is undeniable they do roll noticeably faster over chatter and grip well in corners.

I feel for highest level of dh this issue is only going to be exacerbated, most the timed run data shows one quickest run with 29" wheels but significantly more varied times than with smaller wheels, if you're pushing it 110% like the pros do, this gives you a slim chance of getting the fastest time of the day, but at the cost of a higher chance of missing your line and losing time or getting stood up, even crashing. I might be wrong but I feel like there's been a much higher incidence of major crashes with 29r wheels, and not really fair to say the level now is higher than ever - there's been more money and broader talent in the sport at other points in history.

So to summarise, I do think Gwin's precise, all-on-the-line riding style may be being hampered by bigger wheels, interesting to see he's switched to mullet as well.
  • 1 0
 @ReformedRoadie: He got “civilized”
  • 6 1
 @KK11: He's the same age as Brendog and I don't hear anyone complaining about him being old. All these keyboard commandos need to give it a rest. 99% of us couldn't even qualify for the elite womens DH race.
  • 1 3
 @ATXZJ: hey man. Just stating a fact. We all get old and it happens, so………

and yeah, I hear ya. zero desire to even qualify for something like that. Just saying man. Easy now…..
  • 1 0
 Back in 2008 Gwin was the new hot shit and Clay Porter was wondering whether Greg Minnaar was over his peak. Well, was he? I've seen similar reasoning about Sam Hill in this comment section. No reason to assume Gwin won't pull of a title here and there. Agreed Sam Hill has mostly been taking enduro titles in recent years but he did take a DH Worlds title when people were already doubting him (and he did podium on a DH World Championship more recently, on an enduro bike).
  • 2 2
 @ctd07: 29 inch wheels were his undoing. He's just not the same on the new wheel size.
  • 3 1
 @youseeus: I'll shame any religion. Regardless of denomination, or skin color. Way to be a racist. Typical Bible thumper LoL
  • 3 0
 @BeerGuzlinFool: ProTip: It's not the wheel size.
  • 4 4
 @danstonQ: Gwinn is still repenting/doing penance for his sins; Pride, envy, greed, lust, and gluttony. Wink
  • 1 1
 @m1dg3t: Wrong. Look at his performances since switching to 29. Not just the wheel size but the overall geometry of the new bikes. Just doesn't fit his style.
  • 2 0
 @m1dg3t: That's like blaming his performances on unicorn poop on the trail.
  • 3 0
 @BeerGuzlinFool: you mean like blaming the big man in sky for his early success? I mean if your going to believe he caused your success for believing in him you also have to believe he might want redemption for a follower not avoiding certain sins.
  • 1 1
 @BeerGuzlinFool: Exactly. Thoughts & prayers. Praise Jesus Wink
  • 3 1
 @lifeofloon: Gwin must be pretty special that God took time off from starving kids in Africa to ensure that Gwin had 1 of, if not the best, 5 years stretched in World Cup DH racing.
  • 5 1
 “The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.”


- Internet (Dawkins?)
  • 2 1
 @suspended-flesh: Prolly the late, great, IMMENSELY missed Christopher Hitchens.
  • 3 2
 @BeerGuzlinFool: If you say so. If he went back on YT he'd be scraping the same finishes together. He's done. Made his millions, got his "dumper with a view", and his plastic bimbo arm piece. Doesn't need results anymore. Just cashing cheques & banking interest!
  • 1 0
 @m1dg3t: right, and now look where he is.
  • 89 1
 Its not too late for Gwin to get into EWS
  • 19 35
flag ReeferSouthrland (Aug 12, 2021 at 2:43) (Below Threshold)
 For real, he would beast out on the EWS.
  • 3 5
 @ReeferSouthrland: how so?
  • 54 2
 @ReeferSouthrland:

I would love to see him ride EWS. But I would also love to see him become DH World Champ.
  • 8 23
flag ReeferSouthrland (Aug 12, 2021 at 3:40) (Below Threshold)
 @Muckal: By riding fast, were you born today mo?
  • 2 2
 @DutchmanPhotos: Ya could see him doing both like alot of riders are doing.
  • 28 0
 @ReeferSouthrland: ah, I see, thanks. Maybe that would help in DH, too. Someone should tell him.
  • 2 12
flag ReeferSouthrland (Aug 12, 2021 at 4:17) (Below Threshold)
 @Muckal: Now you're thinking?
  • 7 12
flag Muckal (Aug 12, 2021 at 4:39) (Below Threshold)
 @ReeferSouthrland: Murica first, I guess?
  • 5 5
 @Muckal: If you say so
  • 31 4
 You have to enjoy mountain biking to be good at EWS.
  • 16 1
 Qualifier: I am a huge Gwin fanboy. Likely makes me more critical as you feel cheated when he doesn't do good. Completely irrational but human and something that happens in any sport.

I would like to see:
- more structured team where his role is team lead, but as a racer and product developer and not team manager. ( hate to say it but a MARTIN WHITELEY style run team seem to be a balance that worked well )
- more expectations around him in terms of milestones, results, participation, events throughout the year (money is motivation)
- Immersed in ride culture. ok fine.. .just come and ride whistler bike part or do crankworx one year !! (FU Covid)
- Euro house. lol I listen to podcast. Euro is where it is at for World Cup. Fortunate/unfortunate. Be great to see a sub-divide of the series. Euro Cup / NA Cup as well as overall. Would allow proper development of athletes in geo locals to stage into full series and also gracefully move out of the top tier and continue to make a living/exposure, ... uh emm ... "live the dream" a while longer.
- maxxis tyres
  • 2 0
 @DutchmanPhotos: I’d love to see him deny himself drive an old Toyota ,live in a cabin without heat and train in the cold rain.
  • 66 0
 So cringey to read a bunch of clowns talk about how Gwin is done in the comments of an article about him hurting his back.

Maybe just wish him well? He isn’t going around acting like he is the man the beat, and has had consistently annoying injuries.

Sure, he has refrrenced Jesus a few times and isn’t performing up to his old standard, but give the guy a break lol....he’s one of the best at the sport we (well the non outsiders) love.
  • 5 0
 You've turned over a new leaf. I like the new you. :-)
  • 27 2
 I honestly don't even see the issue with him mentioning his faith anyways. It's not like he needs to hide who he is to appease a few angry bigots.
  • 6 0
 lots of people seem to like kicking someone when he‘s already down… real heroes, especially while hiding behind their nicks!!
  • 7 0
 Sadly it feels like the world has really changed for the worse over the last year. Never seen so many negative people and people wishing pain and suffering on each other. Wtf happened to us all?
  • 7 3
 @CanyonCruiser: should be no issues, but for some reason white dudes in sports get shit for discussing their faith.
Meanwhile a fc load of African American athletes thank Jesus left and right nobody cares. People suck.
  • 3 4
 @youseeus: The athletes most notorious for thanking Jesus are the dumb motocross racers. Oh wait..
  • 1 2
 …I agree, he has had some Intense injuries holding him back.
  • 41 4
 Gwinjured again Frown
  • 18 0
 He is a very nice person and speaks very well. I hope he recovers fast and gets back this season. We are lucky to be able to see Gwin and Minnaar still at it, let's hope it continues. For what it is worth I think it might be good to see AG off Intense. Not hating on Intense but something is off, he was wicked fast on the YT in his last race with YT. He didn't forget how to be awesome over one winter.
  • 5 0
 As a Gwin fan, I have agree on the Intense point. Seems he just never has gotten his groove on that platform even with unlimited flexibility within that suspension design to have any geometry he wants.
  • 2 2
 Yeah, but who's going to get him instead, both Trek and Spech are already sponsoring World Champions, go back to Yeti? Or give a try on Giant maybe... i dont know how many bridges he burnt and that age doesnt help either.
Dont get me wrong i want him off Intense Asap...
  • 4 0
 It's the 29er wheels not Intense. He needs to go back to 27.5.
  • 7 1
 @Narro2: I think Gwin got caught out with YT at a very late stage. If he had a proper timeline to put a package together I'd imagine someone as professional as him would have some decent options. Even without current results, his statistics, super professional nature and large fan base make him a serious asset to any team. He doesn't necessarily need to win, or even be top 10, he'd still be a massive draw. A Yeti DH bike with Gwin onboard would be unreal! As regards bridges burnt, Gwin seems like a real professional and I'd imagine that tough negotiations and team moves wouldn't be a cause of any lasting bad blood, it's just business. Plus Gwin is not going to have trash talked anybody or any product. Remember the snapped crank, people were taking issue with the mechanic being blamed, but you can be sure every single person in the industry saw a different picture, that of a supreme athlete and mechanic shielding a product from criticism. As for the mechanic, I'm sure he was well onboard and well respected for protecting the product. I absolutely refuse to believe Gwin isn't going to be back in top ten. Every pro rider knows just how insanely fast Gwin is. I could understand if he was inconsistent but that platform just isn't working for him, the unreal speed and skill of Gwin is being blunted somehow, and I definitely don't think it is because he is married now, the man is the consummate professional, he'd not lose focus in his professional life just because of that.
  • 6 0
 I would agree that something isn't right with Gwin on Intense. You could argue that Niko is also fallen off the pace as well. I wonder if the issue is with unlimited input and customization of the frame he is so busy mentally and physically chasing the "perfect bike" instead of just adapting to what the bike is.
  • 1 0
 @bman33: it could be because he’s gotten everything he wants..
  • 1 0
 @nermol: exactly!
  • 2 0
 @scary1: Careful what you wish for Smile
  • 1 0
 @nermol: true, maybe it just is too much if a diversion and never settling on a final version. My thoughts are that, as can often happen, they got sucked along trying to make the bike work by changing geometry and sizing but after too long they realised it just isn't working and they either need a blank page fresh start or they need a new team working on the bike.
  • 1 0
 I believe I read somewhere (so obviously quoting facts here) that Jack Moir had issues with the intense dh bike as well, and he's been smashing it after switching to canyon, cant blame it on vpp though
  • 19 0
 Heal up soon. Hope you make it to worlds.
  • 19 6
 Such a good rider making it it look so simple, however Age is creeping up on him more and more, it would be great to see him win world champs and tick all the boxes…the race against the age clock is ticking, it took peaty to do it at the age of 35 so there’s still time yet gwinny lad…
  • 80 1
 Tell that to Minnaar
  • 25 4
 @justanotherusername: Well Minnaar proves year after year that he is a complete alien ! But for the majority of riders, he's right, after 35 years their body (and probably mind also) starts to slow them down. That's not weakness, they just found new ways to live their passion outside of the tape ! Smile
  • 15 3
 I hope he wins the world champs. It would cap a glorious career.
  • 8 9
 @Aksel31: he’s 33 and most riders are done by 27 as a top five threat.
  • 1 0
 @justanotherusername: boom!
  • 12 1
 @Aksel31: Greg is addicted to racing. He has said this. As long as he has that he will remain competitive. He's in excellent physical shape, has +20yrs DH experience, and is still hungry enough to put everything in to every race run.
  • 2 14
flag jaame (Aug 12, 2021 at 4:29) (Below Threshold)
 @m1dg3t: wishful thinking. He can be dedicated to racing at 76 years old and he’s not going to win. Even at 40 it will be very, very difficult for him to get results
  • 15 3
 @jaame: I didn't say dedicated. I said addicted. Small difference. LoL Greg is 40 now. Obviously at 76 he wouldn't have WC Elite speed, but he'd prolly still be faster than 90% of the planet.
  • 2 0
 @justanotherusername: Greg is awesome, but in DH he’s the exception not the norm. Just because he’s pushing 40 and still on his game doesn’t mean everyone can do that.
  • 2 0
 @sino428: I won’t be the one to decide how long a pro rider is able to stay in the mix for, only time will tell, or pink bike maybe….
  • 1 0
 @m1dg3t: I thought he was about 36 to be fair. Whatever. Let's see how many more wins he gets. I hope he can keep winning forever.
  • 1 0
 @sino428: It’s just like Tom Brady. The guy is an anomaly. Age 35 is usually pushing the upper age limit in elite sports. People slow down. They can’t do it forever.
  • 1 0
 He'll be spotted on his eBike more often from here i'd say
  • 3 0
 @justanotherusername: GM has won world championships 3 times, his last been in 2013 making greg 32 at the time.
Comparing him to Gwinn now who is 33 and not a world champs win, my point being to see AG win it and tick that box would be amazing.
  • 1 0
 @jackbenn8: Thats crazy. I did not realize its been 8 years since he last won it. I would have sworn he won one in the last 4-5 years.
  • 1 0
 @sino428: Bruni has almost had a monopoly on it since 2015
  • 1 0
 @jaame: Guess who's the new world champ
  • 1 0
 @BeerGuzlinFool: who is it?
  • 7 0
 Aaron got on the lift with me for US Nationals practice while I was out there working photos, and he was the humblest, most down to earth legendary athlete I've ever met. He only spoke highly of his competitors and asked me a lot about my work, which was awesome. Hoping he's back on his feet quick.
  • 4 0
 Damn. I feel like DH at the top level has a huge element of luck to stay health and uninjured or at least healthy at the right times in the season. Makes Gwin's multiple winning years in a row and Minaar's forever career seem so impressive. Other top riders like Bruni and Pierron are out with injuries every other year.
  • 2 0
 I just did my back in as well. Under slightly different circumstances though, I've been painting ceilings for the last few days though.
  • 4 0
 THORt he might be injured...
  • 3 0
 He needs to get a Foes Hydro and truly smash the hill to bits!
  • 3 0
 Healing vibes and speedy recovery+RESPECT!
  • 4 2
 He woke up from the bed slightly different ?
  • 3 0
 NO BACK PROTECTION ?
  • 3 0
 Get well soon
  • 2 0
 Back pain? Finally something Gwin and I have in common!!!
  • 9 9
 Did he really need to push out that other dude from world champs? I dunno…
  • 9 9
 He's Aaron Gwin. Of course they'd kick someone off of the team to fit his name on the list. Fair or not, Gwin's name still sells and in America if you can sell you can win!
  • 16 1
 Why was Dooley who is ranked 109th picked over Gwin who is ranked 18th in the first place?
  • 6 1
 If that’s the case why was Nik Nesteroff who ranks 169th picked over Austin Dooley. @BigEvil:
  • 4 0
 @m1dg3t: was it fair? How would it not be fair to included Gwin on the US team for world champs? He may not be what he was but he’s still one of the best riders from the US. I’m not sure who (if any) got bumped to put Gwin on, but whoever it was is no where near as good as him.
  • 2 4
 @Bensmith1979: because Nik is better
  • 2 0
 Not according to UCI rankings or results this year @nvranka:
  • 2 1
 @sino428: he missed the deadline, which says a bit about his attitude.. and now hes out of competition altogether.. so pretty much anybody is better now.. well maybe he will recover and it will be fine, lets see
  • 1 0
 @Bensmith1979: That's a great question, I would love to know how the hell USAC came up with their list. It seems they are not following their own rules.

Norton is first selection under criteria 4 (National Champ) Shaw, Gwin and Mullaly second, third and fourth selection under criteria 5 (Top 50 UCI overall). The way I understand it these are automatic selections and do not need to petition. The rest fall outside of criteria and need to petition.
  • 1 0
 @Bensmith1979: lmao
  • 1 0
 No injury report on his bike?
  • 1 0
 @skill7 Thx for labeling your joke. I needed that (laugh)!
  • 1 0
 Well that sucks. Get well soon, can't wait to see you tear it up again!
  • 1 0
 Get better im looking forward to it amen!
  • 10 13
 Even all the Gwin fans must except now that he is done at the top level. The rest of the field caught up and with age and injuries taking the toll he is with out doubt in decline.
  • 7 4
 He has been since 2016, which was five years ago. I still want him to win the worlds just once. He won’t, but I would love it if he did.
  • 5 1
 @jaame: That 2017 season tho
  • 1 1
 I don't know if he is done at the top level, but I agree there won't be many, if any, more wins.
  • 2 2
 Jesus did not want Gwin to race Maribor.
  • 3 6
 Not been on his knees enough
  • 1 3
 Aaron who?
  • 2 5
 Who?
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