After hundreds of nominations and thousands of votes, we handed out our first MBUK Rider of the Year awards supported by Lezyne at a special bash at our Bristol headquarters last week.
With no fewer than three world champions in attendance – Rachel Atherton, Charlie Hatton and Steve Peat – along with the likes of Laurie Greenland, Bernard Kerr, Tom Isted and Ben Deakin, the mood was buzzing as nominees, industry folk and members of the GT Viris team filtered into the venue. The free beer from Wiper and True didn't hurt either!
The reader-voted Newcomer of the Year award went to a visibly shocked Morgan Pickstock, while the judges picked the Athertons for the Lifetime Achievement gong, for their achievements both on the race track and off it (Red Bull Hardline, Dyfi Bike Park, Atherton Bikes).
After a quick break to watch an exclusive trailer for Brendan Fairclough's 'Deathgrip II' movie, followed by a Q&A with the man himself and the presentation of a special 'Brendan should've won Rampage' award, it was time for the big one – Rider of the Year. Winning the reader vote by a landslide, this went to Casey Gemma.
Pick up a copy of our latest mag – out on Friday – to find out more about our winners. Congratulations to them and everyone else who was nominated!
Pics: @thesecretstudio
