What does it really take to manage a World Cup downhill team in 2025?

In this episode, Alan Milway, team manager of Norco Factory Racing and long-time performance coach joins Olly and Davi to unpack the chaos, structure, and behind-the-scenes secrets of running a top-tier MTB team. We dive into the logistics of back to back race weekends, what it’s like managing huge personalities like Danny Hart and Greg Minnaar, and the setup mistakes even elite riders still make. Alan also breaks down the impact of the new Q1/Q2 format, the $100K belt drive prize, and why Greg Minnaar continues to be one of the most relentless forces in the sport. From scouting new talent to controversial DSQs and what the sport really needs to evolve this one is packed!

Follow Norco Race Division: https://www.instagram.com/norcoracedivision/
Follow Alan Milway: https://www.instagram.com/alanmilway/ & https://www.instagram.com/milwayperformance

Alan sells performance products too at https://www.milwayperformance.com

BIG thanks to this episode's sponsors:

Pedros Tools → These are the best tools folks, no question. You can check out their range of bike specific torque tools, multitools and more at https://apex-dst.uk and use code theridecompanion for 15% off everything on site!

HipLok → Get 20% off the entire store with code RIDECOMPANION20 at https://hiplok.com/the-ride-companion (Offer excludes DX1000 D lock and AX1000, A1000 anchors)

WORX Tools → 15% off the full range with code THERIDECOMPANION: https://uk.worx.com

Support our long term partners:

- Marin Bikes: marinbikes.com/gb

- Focus Bikes: focus-bikes.com

- HUEL: Get 15% OFF with code 'RIDE' at huel.com/

- Hiplok: https://hiplok.com/the-ride-companion

- Nissan Vans: nissan.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/primastar.html

- Play Fantasy Downhill at The Race Companion:
theracecompanion.com
instagram.com/theracecompanion

- Get 10% off Troy Lee Designs with code 'theridecompanion' at saddleback.avln.me/c/OzduCWvjtcOr

- Athletic Greens: Get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs at athleticgreens.com/RIDECOMPANION

- Compex: Get 20% off with code ‘THERIDECOMPANION’ at compex.com/uk/

- Worx: Get 15% off with code ‘THERIDECOMPANION’ at worx.com

- LAKA: Get 30 days of FREE insurance with code ‘RIDECOMPANION30’ at laka.co

- HKT Products: Use code ‘PODCAST’ for 10% off the entire site.

Follow

Olly Wilkins
Instagram @odub_23
YouTube @owilkins23

The Ride Companion
Instagram @theridecompanion
YouTube @TheRideCompanion

YouTube clips and BTS channel @moreridecompanion
Get official Ride Companion merch, find old episodes and more theridecompanion.co.uk

📝 Contact Us & Business: https://theridecompanion.co.uk/pages/contact
Edited By: Doug Tucker, onlyflightdispatch.com & TRC Media House

#TheRideCompanion #mountainbiking #mtbpodcast

Tom Fuller is the co-founder of Image Design Custom and, the man behind the paint on some of the most iconic helmets in two-wheel sports.

From Red Bull Rampage and the UCI World Cup, to motocross legends and movie stars like Tom Cruise and Henry Cavill, his work has quietly shaped the visual identity of action sports for decades. In this episode, Tom joins us to share his journey from painting helmets in his dad’s garage as a teenager to running Image Design Custom, the UK’s leading custom paint house. We cover how a single airbrush sparked a lifelong obsession, getting his big break with Red Bull, painting 21,000 phone cases a day for Nokia, and why helmet design is still all about the details.
This is Kaos Seagrave like you’ve never heard him before.

If you’ve ever admired a custom lid or wondered what really goes into them, this one’s for you...

Learn more about Image Design Custom https://imagedesigncustom.co.uk

BIG thanks to this episode's sponsors:

- HipLok: Get 20% off the entire store with code RIDECOMPANION20 at https://hiplok.com/the-ride-companion (Offer excludes DX1000 D lock and AX1000, A1000 anchors)

- With all these pro rider insights you're going to want to recover like a pro too! Get 20% off with code ‘THERIDECOMPANION’ at https://www.compex.com/uk/

Support our long term partners:

- Marin Bikes: marinbikes.com/gb

- Focus Bikes: focus-bikes.com

- HUEL: Get 15% OFF with code 'RIDE' at huel.com/

- Hiplok: https://hiplok.com/the-ride-companion

- Nissan Vans: nissan.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/primastar.html

- Play Fantasy Downhill at The Race Companion:
theracecompanion.com
instagram.com/theracecompanion

- Get 10% off Troy Lee Designs with code 'theridecompanion' at saddleback.avln.me/c/OzduCWvjtcOr

- Athletic Greens: Get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs at athleticgreens.com/RIDECOMPANION

- Compex: Get 20% off with code ‘THERIDECOMPANION’ at compex.com/uk/

- Worx: Get 15% off with code ‘THERIDECOMPANION’ at worx.com

- LAKA: Get 30 days of FREE insurance with code ‘RIDECOMPANION30’ at laka.co

- HKT Products: Use code ‘PODCAST’ for 10% off the entire site.

Follow

Olly Wilkins
Instagram @odub_23
YouTube @owilkins23

The Ride Companion
Instagram @theridecompanion
YouTube @TheRideCompanion

YouTube clips and BTS channel @moreridecompanion
Get official Ride Companion merch, find old episodes and more theridecompanion.co.uk

📝 Contact Us & Business: https://theridecompanion.co.uk/pages/contact
Edited By: Doug Tucker, onlyflightdispatch.com & TRC Media House

#TheRideCompanion #mountainbiking #mtbpodcast

Kaos Seagrave joins Olly and Davi for one of the rawest and most inspiring episodes of The Ride Companion yet. From racing World Cups as a junior to flipping 90-foot jumps at Darkfest, Kaos opens up about the exact moment he walked away from downhill racing, the mental battles behind the scenes, and what it really takes to go full freeride.

He shares what it was like growing up alongside his sister Tahnee, how their family built FMD Racing from the ground up, and what it meant to be hand-picked for Deathgrip 2. We also dive into his dream of riding Red Bull Rampage, the challenges Europeans face getting invited, and why freeride gives him more purpose than racing ever did.

This is Kaos Seagrave like you’ve never heard him before.

BIG thanks to this episode's sponsors:

- - Invisiframe → 15% off kits, decals & more with code REFRESHANDRIDE: https://www.invisiframe.co.uk

- WORX Tools → 15% off the full range with code THERIDECOMPANION: https://uk.worx.com

- Laka Bike Insurance → 30 days FREE with code RIDECOMPANION30: https://my.laka.co/the-ride-companion T&Cs apply.

Support our long term partners:

- Marin Bikes: marinbikes.com/gb

- Focus Bikes: focus-bikes.com

- HUEL: Get 15% OFF with code 'RIDE' at huel.com/

- Hiplok: https://hiplok.com/the-ride-companion

- Nissan Vans: nissan.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/primastar.html

- Play Fantasy Downhill at The Race Companion:
theracecompanion.com
instagram.com/theracecompanion

- Get 10% off Troy Lee Designs with code 'theridecompanion' at saddleback.avln.me/c/OzduCWvjtcOr

- Athletic Greens: Get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs at athleticgreens.com/RIDECOMPANION

- Compex: Get 20% off with code ‘THERIDECOMPANION’ at compex.com/uk/

- Worx: Get 15% off with code ‘THERIDECOMPANION’ at worx.com

- LAKA: Get 30 days of FREE insurance with code ‘RIDECOMPANION30’ at laka.co

- HKT Products: Use code ‘PODCAST’ for 10% off the entire site.

Follow

Olly Wilkins
Instagram @odub_23
YouTube @owilkins23

The Ride Companion
Instagram @theridecompanion
YouTube @TheRideCompanion

YouTube clips and BTS channel @moreridecompanion
Get official Ride Companion merch, find old episodes and more theridecompanion.co.uk

📝 Contact Us & Business: https://theridecompanion.co.uk/pages/contact
Edited By: Doug Tucker, onlyflightdispatch.com & TRC Media House

#TheRideCompanion #mountainbiking #mtbpodcast