Video: Ben Cathro Returns to World Cup Racing in Episode 1 of 'The Privateer: Walk The Talk'

Mar 19, 2020
by Pinkbike Originals  





THE PRIVATEER: WALK THE TALK

EPISODE 1



It’s been a minute since Ben Cathro saw himself between the tape at a World Cup race. Recently, he’s been doing the business from the sidelines—talking line choice and race strategy to give fans a better understanding of the course at each World Cup round. But can Ben back up his race knowledge with his riding skills and get back onto the World Cup circuit? Can he walk the talk? We’re about to find out.

Video by sleeper.co.


We'd like to extend a huge thank you to all of the sponsors who supported this project.






The current situation surrounding future races is unclear due to threat of COVID-19. We’ll stay agile and create the best series possible while taking measures to minimize risk. We’re pulling for the race season to still take place in some way this year, and look forward to seeing Ben test himself against the best.

Posted In:
Videos Pinkbike Originals The Privateer: Walk The Talk Ben Cathro Sponsored DH Racing


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128 Comments

  • 307 0
 Ben Fucking Cathro is the new privateer!!!!!
  • 76 1
 Definitely feel like this was the people's choice! Didn't think we'd see it happen...so happy i was wrong.

Nothing against the last dude, but I think pretty much anyone who enjoys wc dh is at least a fan of Cathro if not a regular viewer of his track / line choice videos. Pros included.
  • 17 0
 Yes! He is so genuine and honest person. Great to watch!!! All the best for him.
  • 2 0
 Deymmmmmm man. Sick!!!!
  • 2 3
 Adam will never be replaced in our hearts, but... its Ben Fkn Cathro!
  • 139 1
 Ben, if there are no races I'd be interested in an analytical series on DH riding regardless.
  • 25 4
 Hope he does both series.. if there's a racing season... Let's all pray to the flying spaghetti monster god! All love Ben.
  • 6 1
 Analytical series on best line choices for squats and spin bike workouts in the living room.
  • 86 2
 I wish the there was some context to why the ramp test was set up in an empty room and was controlled using my iPhone! Haha. For a little background, I was in the process of moving into a new house... The is more furniture now and a better pain cave set up! Anyway, stoked to see this online and fingers crossed we get to do some racing soon!
  • 2 0
 And here I was thinking that pinkbike didnt pay you for this gig!
  • 10 0
 @mtb-jon: Pinkbike technically aren't. Ben is signed up the same as other riders on my programmes and has been since last year.
  • 3 2
 Man....that max heartrate though. Rab...you got work to do with him. Wink
  • 3 0
 I was wondering how come Wardells no got a telly for this? A no bad ftp for a slacker though.
  • 2 0
 @Bob-Agg: haha
  • 6 0
 @blowmyfuse: I have faith... I have faith... I have faith... I have faith... Wink
  • 6 1
 @blowmyfuse: Heartrate max is pretty fixed for an individual. It will stay the same regardless of how fit you are, you'll just put out more watts. Mine is very low whether I'm fit or out of shape.
  • 2 0
 @smithcreek: Yeah I know. Wardell understood it was a joke. In your mid-20s, seeing those 200+ bpm's makes one think back on how full of pure torque and testosterone we were though.
  • 3 0
 Just point them to the AC vid so you can prove you are making people fitter and not just wrecking their eyesight!!
  • 2 0
 Can you get Big Ben set up with a resistance set up on a stair set to really get gravity working as a DH trainer OR even mounted to the ceiling ?
  • 56 0
 Ben Cathro on pinkbike Hot Lap!
  • 3 0
 Wish they had a DH hot lap too
  • 39 0
 Thank you for supporting Cathro pinkbike. Looking forward to seeing where he and his team take this series. The first episode was already very entertaining! Also since I'm a bit of a data nerd, I'm hoping there are more data points like max watts that we can track over time to see his progress. As they say, the goals should be process based not outcome and I'd like to see more about what goals they select and how they track them.
  • 18 0
 Finally a proper set up to compete and a canceled season! Bummer man!
  • 13 0
 cannae bloody wait for the fort william Edit ! Cathro Podiums and everyone goes to the wild camping rave to celebrate . Max and Angus cutting shapes on the dance floor while cathro tells us about the local whiskey as 1000 hardcore mtb fans party like its 1999 . episode ends with sunday morning clip of cathro dry boakin in weathersoons trying to eat his full scottish with irn bru chaser
  • 14 0
 Off topic: how did tall guys manage to not fall off their bikes all the time before long-low-slack 29ers came around?
  • 4 0
 I know! He was SO tall on those frames from the past footage. LOL
  • 8 0
 Otb was a thing back then
  • 12 1
 Thought this last year that Ben should of been the Priveteer, some one will proper drive and determination and a good personality to boot, MO'N the beas ????????
  • 12 45
flag jimmythehat (Mar 18, 2020 at 7:28) (Below Threshold)
 He’s an ex pro so not a true privateer, doesn’t need any coaching or support, question is only is he still fast enough and can he train enough given his day job
  • 17 1
 @jimmythehat: A person can be a privateer without being a complete amateur. Every rider benefits from support! The more tasks that are offloaded - travel, media, equipment, contracts, etc. - the more time a rider can spend on training.
  • 7 1
 @jimmythehat: Current pros benefit from coaching and support, whether they have full-factory backing or not. Why would Cathro be any different?
  • 88 1
 Adam was a proper good experiment though, he was working a 9 to 5, had less experience, and felt like a much closer "us" put on the world stage, and in a discipline most of us could do, DH is not that discipline I believe (at least WCDH).

He was great, I think people failed to understand that they were seeing the geniune effects that kind of life would take on most of us. Racers have to be in a good mood, with lots of energy, and be great ambassadors almost always, even if they are tired or filming the same thing for the 15th time. Adam was a great privateer, an excellent experiment, and now we get treated to more great content but that must be understood as something fundamentally different to our last "privateer".
  • 8 1
 @jimmythehat: I'm pretty sure Ben has never been a full "Pro"
  • 3 0
 Windrock Hot Lap @leadersean ?
  • 2 0
 Well, keep in mind that part of Cathro's "Day job" over the last few seasons has been editing video footage & producing internet content on nearly a daily basis while coaching, riding, reviewing, racing, procreating....

Now it would seem some of the video burden may be off his shoulders in the long term which can free huge chunks of time.?

Or maybe it'll just allow him to sleep.
  • 13 0
 Easily a top-five favorite MTB "TV" personality for me
  • 7 0
 I’d say top 1.
  • 2 1
 @pacificnorthwet: 1) Rob Warner, at least for me
  • 14 0
 Go Ben Cathro!!
  • 8 0
 I hope he does an after the race follow up to the inside line. That way he can report on, before the race coming into a section I thought I would do... but at race speed, I couldn't do that, and ended up doing something else... I hope we get to see that aspect of racing!
  • 8 0
 Nice video, good luck to the giraffe in 2020.

I like that Ben is finishing his plank and George is on the floor... haha Georgie boy, fast and loose but canny train. Smile
  • 8 0
 The movie: Cathrovision!
Starring Adam Driver as Ben...
Coming soon!
  • 6 0
 I guess just like everybody else Cathro/Pinkbike needed to change plans and be adaptable without the WC season. At least it looks like he'll still be paid.
  • 33 0
 Yep, we're still paying him and we are working on a bunch of different ways to make lemonade out of this lemon of a season...
  • 17 0
 @brianpark: A wise investment on Pinkbike's behalf and this first video is very well edited and produced. Feels more relaxed and personal than the previous season, as well as showing Cathro's sense of humour.
The previous series of Privateer was fine with high production values, but felt a bit like it was trying to be a US (or Canadian) TV show with an element of manufactured drama. Nothing wrong with that, but this works better for me.
  • 6 0
 @brianpark: Perhaps just send him Strava KOM hunting if there are no races? Assuming we're not on full lockdown by next week.
  • 1 0
 @brianpark: No one likes lemon donuts, wonder what this isolation would have been like without the internet?
  • 7 0
 Awesome, looking forward to this while we wait for the season to commence.
  • 7 4
 Oh...the horrible irony. Good luck Ben. I hope the season kicks in again once we contain this bug and the world can get back to pinning it. China is already back online pumping out product to the world now that they used the market downturn to buy up most of our companies.
  • 8 1
 He should definitely be riding the Grim Doughnut.
  • 1 1
 oh definitely
  • 5 0
 Thanks to all the sponsors for making this happen. Can't fucking wait to see this go down. Now if Covid could fuck right off....
  • 6 0
 Human malware has put a spanner in the works
  • 1 6
flag aljoburr Plus (Mar 19, 2020 at 2:06) (Below Threshold)
 More like Human Hacking, did not spread round the world so quick by accident?
  • 2 0
 @aljoburr: it isn't a surpise that it spread so quickly.
  • 1 0
 @mtb-scotland: Indeed 600 flights out of Wuhan was normal.
  • 2 0
 we want to see the Benzo Mobile? That old jallopy of a rust bucket van was in desperate need of being consigned to the great scrap yard in the sky. Go Ben Go, am so cheering for you to have a blast and have an injury free season. Not fussed about your results to be honest, although a top 60 would be nice
  • 5 0
 Hope he got a 2 year deal given the whole season is likely gonna get canned.
  • 6 0
 Yes. Hell. Yes.
  • 5 0
 A partial remedy to the corona virus!
  • 1 0
 Hope the isolation training is going well?
A lot of changes going on, hope we can get some computer input, could still have virtual racing though, if can get all the rider with ZWIFT type set ups?
Come on Pinkbike could you get behind this idea, you guys have the skills to make it happen!
  • 1 0
 Damn son! Yellow arms are never a good sign. I had a similar crash where I pinned my arm between my body and the ground. Went for x-rays and got the all clear. After being at work for a week my entire forearm went yellow, went back for follow up xrays and oooohhh wow looks like you've fractured your radial head... 2 screws later...
  • 2 0
 It's probably just a difference in how they show emotion, but compared to the last Privateer, Cathro looks like he enjoys what he's doing immensely, even when it's challenging - I'll be rooting for him.
  • 4 0
 Flying my Cathro flag for 2020! "Make Gid, Great Again!"
  • 3 0
 So, did anyone think the "unknown guy" is Peaty? Flat top cap, SC V10... height... lol! So many connections.
  • 2 0
 Hope everyone stays healthy, going to try eating raw garlic, do not know if will help but quite sure will not make thing worse, but sure the elitism will have a cure?
  • 2 0
 Peel and cut a clove in half and put them in each side of your nose for 5 minutes. Your body will expel all bad germs from your body wth violent sneezing. This was China's secret weapon.
  • 1 0
 @radam25: Ben has a lot of talent, but training is greatly needed at level of racing now, but just staying healthy is priority now, even if we can get some world cups this year?
  • 4 0
 YEEESSSSSSSSS!
  • 2 0
 I was kind of hoping for another "normal" to be a Privateer, but this is the next best thing, let's go!!!
  • 15 0
 That's what we have Pinkbike Academy for. Smile
  • 1 0
 @brianpark: Taking it to the next level this year boys!!
  • 3 0
 This is frickin cool. Nice work chaps. Well keen to see more!
  • 1 0
 Daaaaaaamn this would have been good. Hopefully something cool still come out of it. If Cathro releases something im guna watch it!
  • 2 0
 Yeeeeeew!! Stoked for ya Ben! Looking forward to seeing you playin bikes and goin fast bud.
  • 1 0
 I have no doubt in Cathro riding skills , but he and his team are definetelly doing on of the best, entartaining videos out there
  • 2 0
 Dude rips so glad hes back. Stands a better chance than many at getting some bigboy results
  • 2 0
 Stoked on this series. Keep making episodes even if race season is f-Ed. Glad the sponsors stepped up.
  • 1 0
 Yoann is back and now Ben too! Just what I need to get me through the end of winter until riding season. Looking forward to these Privateer videos!
  • 1 0
 Looks as if SC are the got-to frames for taller blokes! + I want to see some end of season expenses - see how much this privateer lark actually costs!
  • 2 0
 I haven't even watched it yet, but yesssss!!
  • 1 0
 How are his friends not calling him "Benzo?" It's like calling a big dude "Tiny."
  • 2 0
 whats gonna happend about cathro vision if hes busy riding and racing ?
  • 2 0
 that's sick and all, but now we gotta wait a year to see him race
  • 2 0
 This was so well done!!! Can't wait for more.
  • 1 0
 Sick! Good luck Cathro, once the season finally gets started I will be watching Smile
  • 2 0
 0:58 had me laughing my ass off. i am pretty easy to entertain these days
  • 2 0
 So good. Sleeper videos are so good. Props
  • 1 0
 Well that made want to go ride my bike. Thanks boys. Looking forward to the series if it works out this year.
  • 1 0
 This is going to be best part about working from home. I hope the races aren't cancelled.
  • 1 0
 Well done Pinkbike, Ben and the team. Really looking forward to this series when it is able to get going.
  • 2 0
 PSYCHED!
  • 1 0
 Looking forward to this even before watching
  • 1 0
 Who's the Scottish Levy looking dude?
  • 2 3
 It’s Levy that didn’t have a single water bottle in his mouth since February. He started looking good and talk normal Smile
  • 1 0
 Ben, didn't you just get married?
  • 1 0
 yeah he did
  • 3 3
 Ben...wear full pads! DH bike = Full Pads, no matter what the kids are doing. Stay safe, looking forward to the series.
  • 1 1
 I didn't see the UCI listed as a sponsor....must have been an omission. Yeah, that's it.
  • 2 1
 RIP ADAM! but he had his chance ! Ben!!!
  • 1 1
 Ben Cathro Returns to World Cup Racing in Episode 1 of 'The Privateer: Walk The Talk'

not this year he doesnt!
  • 1 0
 Nothing from two weeks back?
  • 1 0
 Need him on my fantasy team!
  • 1 0
 Erm no he doesnt theyve all been cancelled lol
  • 1 0
 So, I’m guessing line choices should be pretty dialed.
  • 1 0
 This is a series that I am stokedddd for!!!
  • 1 0
 Would that 400 watts be max aerobic ? I Thought that would be anaerobic ?
  • 1 0
 It’s called a max aerobic power test because the test is done aerobically from the beginning and ends at the max capacity of the riders aerobic system. There will be a contribution from the anaerobic system (these systems don’t simply switch at a given power output) but the main contribution will be via aerobic energy pathways. It is a power output that corresponds to the maximal oxygen consumption intensity. It’s a great way to determine Vo2 max with the correct equipment.
  • 1 0
 Bloody greeeaat ????????????
  • 1 0
 he's gonna get the Grim Doughnut
  • 1 0
 Riding a V10 and not a Grim Donut?! WTF Pinkbike?!
  • 1 0
 "Cathro, you son of a b****... I'm in"
  • 1 0
 HELL YEA!! So stoked about this.
  • 1 0
 This is fucking amazing! Nice work Ben and Max!
  • 1 0
 Nicely done pinkbike, outstandingly good call on Ben for privateers!
  • 2 0
 300 watts FTP!! Damn!!
  • 1 0
 Would be nice to see more about that healthy eating.
  • 1 0
 Should our to PB for being the Netflix of mtb
  • 1 0
 YYYYaaaaassss Cathro, 'mon lad!
  • 1 0
 All the best!!!
  • 1 0
 29,5" yeaaah
  • 1 1
 Pretty interested in this ????????
  • 1 0
 Yes!!!
  • 1 0
 Bloody Greeeaat.
  • 1 0
 Long live Ben Cathro!
  • 1 0
 Awesome!!!
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