2022 Pinkbike Awards: Breakout Rider of the Year Winner

Dec 22, 2022 at 7:37
by Ed Spratt  
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Breakout Rider of the Year Winner

The Breakout Rider of the Year Award goes to someone who impressed us all this season and now has a target on their back as we head toward 2023.

This rider didn't have the momentum of previous world-level wins when they started 2022 but kicked things off with a bang taking wins at the first two rounds and never dropping below 3rd place at World Cups throughout the season. Given the massive breakthrough this rider had this season, we can't wait to see what they accomplish in the future.

Our 2022 Breakout Rider of the Year is...






Why she's the winner

Racing your first full season of World Cups as a Junior can be a pretty daunting task, let only one where you have just signed with your first factory team. None of this seemed to faze Gracey Hemstreet as she picked up a handful of World Cup wins while never dropping below third throughout the season. Despite never winning a World Cup before and only having raced the Maribor round in 2021, Gracey stacked up the wins with five across the season while also securing 2nd at World Champs. Gracey also achieved big things outside of World Cups securing a Red Bull helmet while competing at Crankworx Whistler.

While Gracey is leaving Juniors and facing the challenge of Elite racing in 2023 we can't wait to see what she is able to achieve.

Gracey Hemstreet

Gracey Hemstreet coming in hot taking both the win and the overall for the Junior Women.

Just a few too many mistakes today for Gracey Hemstreet trying to match Hasting s pace.

Two for two goes Gracey Hemstreet taming whatever is thrown at her so far.


Author Info:
edspratt avatar

Member since Mar 16, 2017
3,021 articles

20 Comments
  • 98 4
 There is something about a Canadian rider on a Canadian bike that really warms the mtb heart.
  • 191 1
 She get an Eh +
  • 31 1
 I think a Canadian website should give her some kind of award
  • 15 0
 Gracey Hemstreet Wins.. a lot of people's hearts over! So many young girls are going to see her racing and get stoked on riding. Awesome. Old farts like me get inspired because she's like a better version of our younger selves! Very deserving of the support she is getting.
  • 2 0
 @racecase: Well done! Wink
  • 1 1
 Traitor
  • 11 2
 This girl is gonna smash once she’s in elite. Her form and body position is unmatched by the top women.
  • 9 2
 Very deserving!
  • 3 1
 Good luck to her. She has been wining everything since 2018. But.. over 1 minute down on the elite women at some races whilst there were other juniors wining and podium contention in other categories. Hopefully she has a bright future.
  • 1 0
 My vote would have been for Ryan Pinkerton. First time traveling and on a factory team. No wins, but despite some mechanicals and a stacked field of Juniors, he killed it overall...even podiumed at the last event. Can't wait for the 2023 season! Braaap!
  • 6 1
 Great rider, making big jumps look effortless. Well deserved!
  • 4 1
 Wyn TV's favorite interview, lol.
  • 3 1
 Totally deserve it! Way to go Gracey
  • 3 1
 Congrats Gracey, what a season!
  • 3 1
 Very cool. Very cool indeed
  • 1 0
 Damn! The performance of these young female athletes always blows my mind. Someone to follow for sure.
  • 1 0
 Guess PB never heard of Emmy Lan.
  • 1 0
 Did Matthew Fairbrother won any pinkbike award?
  • 3 2
 Sic Air, Beautiful.
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