Name Rónán Dunne

Age 23 Years

Nationality Ireland

Discipline Downhill

Awards

1st UCI MTB WORLD CUP - 2024 Bielsko Blaia

1st RedBull Hardline - 2024 Wales

1st RedBull Hardline - 2024 Tasmania

2nd UCI MTB WORLD CUP - 2023 Snowshoe

4th UCI MTB WORLD CUP GENERAL 2024

4th UCI MTB WORLD CUP - 2022 Snowshoe

4th RedBull Hardline - 2022

5th UCI MTB WORLD CUP - 2024 Loudenville

x3 IRELAND NATIONAL CHAMPION

HISTORY AND MOTIVATION:

How did you get started in the downhill world?

I started off doing motor trials at the age of 8 and after doing that for a few years and blowing up many engines I decided to get into MTB at 13 and race local races and got hooked straight away.

When did you start racing?

2021 was my first proper year of world cups.

TRAINING AND PREPARATION:

What’s your training routine to prepare for downhill competitions?

In the off season a usual week would consist of: 3 full body gym days and cardio, and I would try get in 3-4 days of DH riding ,2 days of enduro pedalling and maybe 1-2 days of motocross. And then closer to the races it’d be more specific DH riding.

CHALLENGES:

What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career so far?

At the start, as a junior, it was the lack of support as I was a privateer and didn’t have a team or mechanics which made it super difficult to compete, but it was a part of the process. Then in 2020 I wasn’t allowed to race as I wasn’t on a factory team (per cycling Irelands rules) which was tough coming into my first year as an elite as I wasn’t sure if I’d have the experience. And then probably breaking my wrist halfway through the 2023 season.

TECHNIQUES AND STRATEGIES:

How do you mentally approach a big competition?

I usually hype myself up as much as possible and I believe going 100% is the key but sometimes it ends in success or the ground.

PLACES TO PRACTICE DOWNHILL:

What’s your favorite place to practice downhill and why?

For home, it would be Djouce woods in County Wicklow which is a track right beside my house, and abroad would be Dyfi bike park in Wales, or Andorra.

What’s your favorite downhill trail and why? The Redbull Hardline track in Wales! In my mind that’s a proper DH track and the adrenaline off it is insane, it pushes the bike to the limit and the rider too.

INFLUENCES:

Is there a downhill racer or athlete you admire who’s influenced your style or your career?

Amaury Pierron would be a huge one. Just his all-out approach to racing, and aggression and love for winning is insane. And then also Josh Bryceland for his riding style and just about having a good time.

ADVICE FOR BEGINNERS:

For those starting out in downhill, do you have any key tips or recommendations?

Trust the process and have fun with it. If you’re giving it your 100% in training the results will come, and whether you’re succeeding in races or not it’s important to just have fun riding.

CAREERS AND GOALS:

What are your goals and aspirations for the future in downhill?

To win a World Cup, and just to be known as an all-round sound lad who just likes going fast on his bike.

Are there any specific races you have in mind that you’d like to win?

Probably Les Gets 2024 World Cup just for the insane crowd or the Champéry World Champs.

Dates

Race Calendar 2025

Date	Race	Location
16 - 18 May	World Cup	Bielsko Biala
30 May - 01 June	World Cup	Loudenvielle
05 - 08 June	World Cup	Leogang
20 - 22 June	World Cup	Val di Sole
03 - 06 July	World Cup	La Thuile
09 - 13 July	World Cup	Pal Arinsal
21 - 31 August	World Cup	Les Gets
04 - 07 September	UCI Mountain Bike World Championships	Crans-Montana
18 - 21 September	World Cup	Lenzerheide
03 - 05 October	World Cup	Lake Placid
09 - 12 October	World Cup	Mont-Saint-Anne