Welcome to The A Line Podcast, the ultimate XC mountain biking podcast for racers, coaches, and fans. Covering Short Track, Olympic, and Marathon disciplines, we dive deep into the riders and races, offering educational and entertaining insights into the world of cross-country mountain biking. Tune in for everything XC MTB!In this episode, I chat to Jay Cracknell, a Jersey-based rider who has been flying this year until an unfortunate burst appendix changed his plans. We have a brilliant discussion around how Jay has come up through the sport and what changes he has made over the last winter/season to really up his game.LinksJay CracknellJersey SportThe Cycle Centre JerseyRic JamiesonThe A Line PodcastEnd of Season Party TicketsBuy Me A CoffeeAlterra PerformanceAshley de Lotz

Welcome to The A Line Podcast, the ultimate XC mountain biking podcast for racers, coaches, and fans. Covering Short Track, Olympic, and Marathon disciplines, we dive deep into the riders and races, offering educational and entertaining insights into the world of cross-country mountain biking. Tune in for everything XC MTB!In this episode, I chat with Ric Jamieson, XC MTB Talent Development Coach at British Cycling. We discuss everything talent development, so this is a particualry good episode for young aspiring racers and their parents. That said, there is still plenty the adults can learn from it as well, as we discuss training and racing mistakes everyone makes and lessons that can be learned.So I hope you enjoy the episode and it can help you get more from your riding and racing.Links;Ric JamiesonPine Sport CoachingPine Sport Repair ShopThe A Line PodcastEnd of Season Party TicketsBuy Me A CoffeeAlterra PerformanceAshley de Lotz

Welcome to The A Line Podcast, the ultimate XC mountain biking podcast for racers, coaches, and fans. Covering Short Track, Olympic, and Marathon disciplines, we dive deep into the riders and races, offering educational and entertaining insights into the world of cross-country mountain biking. Tune in for everything XC MTB!In this episode, I continue chatting with the legend that is Steve James, so if you haven't already checked out Part 1 then be sure to do that first. As in Part 2 we discuss how he has had longevity in cycling, riding out the highs and lows of racing, focusing on the enjoyment and how he now makes a living having quit school to pursue cycling. LinksSteve JamesHope TechXCOMTB.comThe A Line PodcastAlterra PerformanceAshley de LotzCherry Campers

Welcome to The A Line Podcast, the ultimate XC mountain biking podcast for racers, coaches, and fans. Covering Short Track, Olympic, and Marathon disciplines, we dive deep into the riders and races, offering educational and entertaining insights into the world of cross-country mountain biking. Tune in for everything XC MTB!In this episode, I chat with the legend that is Steve James, we had so much to chat about we split the episode into two parts. Starting off discussing his time rising up through the ranks of XCO, to racing World Cups and how his goals and focus have changed.LinksSteve JamesHope TechnologyThe A Line PodcastAlterra PerformanceAshley de LotzCherry CampersXCOMTB.com

Join us as we break down all the action from the 2025 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series Leogang, covering both the XCC and XCO races. We’ll dive into key moments, course previews, hot takes and news. Hosted by our trackside correspondent Joe Curran and studio host Ashley de Lotz, giving you the A Line on everything that happened.We cover everything - from bike set up, race winning moves, tactics, strategic DNF's and more. Expect course insights, bold opinions and all the key moments that shaped the weekend.Whether you watched the racing or missed it entirely, this one gives you the full picture - direct from trackside to your ears.The A Line Podcast is the premier cross country mountain biking podcast, bringing you the best information and insights from the world of XC racing to help you improve your mountain biking performance and enjoyment.

We welcome back to the show Lewis Martin, unfortunately he’s a bit of a tough year dealing with some setbacks, but also some positives of a new team and new bike. Making this a great episode for anyone who loves riding and racing as we dive into his self coached approach, how he has been successful in getting support from sponsors and how he has been dealing with some injuries. There are sure to be some useful tips and advice to help you get more from your training and racing whatever your level.Unfortunately since recording Lewis is still not back in the game so we are all wishing him some healing vibes and looking forward to seeing him back racing soon.Links;Lewis MartinScott SportsVittoriaStudio VeloTORQWahooThe A Line PodcastBuy Me A CoffeeAlterra PerformanceAshley de Lotz

Join us as we break down all the action from the 2025 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series Nové Město na Moravě, covering both the XCC and XCO races. We’ll dive into key moments, course previews, hot takes and news. Hosted by our trackside correspondent Joe Curran and studio host Ashley de Lotz, giving you the A Line on everything that happened.We covered everything - from X to X. Expect course insights, bold opinions and all the key moments that shaped the weekend.Whether you watched the racing or missed it entirely, this one gives you the full picture - direct from trackside to your ears.

Please welcome to the show Will Gell, it is great to have Will on as not only is he a strong XC MTB racer but he is also works as a mechanic at BRINK on races bikes from recreational to those competing at the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series . Making him the perfect person to talk to about race bikes, giving insight to the technical side of mountain biking but in simple and practical terms that listeners can use to optimise their MTB bike set up.We discuss hot topics such what is a good weight for an XC MTB? Are hardtail MTB dead? Is Flight Attendant worth the money and much more. Making this a brilliant episode for racers of all levels to get the most from their bike.You can follow Will and his supporters, BRINK, Maxxis and Plush in these links.As race season is well and truly here so head over to XCO-MTB.com to stay up to date with all the latest race news. Tickets for the June Alterra Performance XC MTB Academy session go live on the 26th May, so be sure to sign up fast. Be sure to follow The A Line Podcast and Ashley de Lotz on Instagram to stay in touch and chat. Finally if the show has bought you some value and you would like to support it, please Buy Me A Coffee.

Today we sit down with friend of the show Amy Henchoz, to catch up on her training and racing. She is a phenomenal rider but unfortunately had a few issues and injuries over the past year, so we have a great chat about how she has overcome these and adapted her racing schedule.Making it a great listen for riders who may have experienced similar, or having their racing plans derailed and having to adapt their season.Despite these setbacks Amy has still had some mega results and is flying in 2025. Links to socials;Amy HenchozThe A Line PodcastSchwalbe TORQ Alterra Performance Ashley de Lotz

Today I chat with James Dilks, a Jersey-based athlete that has smashed his way up through the ranks and is now racing Elite in the UK and Europe. We discuss the challenges he's had to overcome due to living on a small island, as well as opening up about issues in his personal life.This combination of experiences and James great reflection makes for an interesting episode that listeners can use to help them over come barriers they may also be facing in both life and racing.In other news race season is well and truly here, so get yourself booked into the XC MTB Academy if you want help in levelling up your fun and performance on the bike. Links;James DilksBig Maggys Race TeamPine Sport CoachingThe Cycle Centre JerseyThe A Line PodcastAlterra Performance XC MTB Academy Buy Me A Coffee