Racing used to be the heart of downhill. But over the years, it’s become less and less attractive - especially for new riders. The reasons are clear: the traditional race format just isn’t fun anymore. Only the top riders make it through multiple rounds. Most people get eliminated after one or two heats, and that’s it. No second chance, no room for error. You either win or you're out, and luck plays way too big a role.

On top of that, there’s the financial side. Racing is expensive. If you want to be competitive, you need fresh wheels for every heat - and without a sponsor or a fat wallet, that’s just not sustainable. It’s no wonder riders are moving toward freeride: it’s more fun, more affordable, and less punishing.

We want to change that.

The Race Project is our vision to make racing exciting again - fairer, more fun, and more accessible. Here's how it works:

• Instead of single-elimination brackets, we start with time trials to seed everyone. Riders then enter a ladder system, moving up or down based on their results. You’re never eliminated - just constantly reshuffled into heats that match your performance. The better you do, the more points you score. Every heat counts, and every rider gets to race all day.
• Everyone rides the same wheels. At registration, each rider gets a set of exclusive wheels made specifically for the event - already included in the entry fee. No tire advantage, no pay-to-win. The fastest rider will be the one who adapts best and rides them to the limit.

We tested this concept at Marchaux Revival 2025 - and the results speak for themselves: fairer racing, tighter heats at all skill levels, and way more stoke. No one sat on the sidelines. Everyone got to race. And we’re just getting started.

This is The Race Project. And we hope to see it spread to more events in the seasons to come.