BRISTOL, UK — A teenage mountain biker from Long Ashton, Bristol, is preparing to compete on the global stage after being selected to represent Great Britain at the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Championships in Poland.
Sixteen-year-old Max Lewis will travel to Bielsko-Biała in southern Poland this week ahead of the season-opening competition, which takes place in the Beskid Mountains from May 16 to 18.
Max began mountain biking just four years ago, riding the trails at Ashton Court at the age of 12. Now, he’s set to race alongside the sport’s elite.
“This is my first World Cup,” Max said. “I’d love to win one and turn it into a career, but for now, I’m just going to enjoy the experience.”
Though excited, Max admits to feeling some nerves. “World Cup tracks are a lot more intense than local trails. They’re fast and technical, with big drops and gap jumps. It’s definitely scary,” he said. “Only the fastest riders in the world take part.”
Max’s passion for downhill mountain biking began when he got his first proper bike. Since then, he’s risen quickly through the ranks, earning his place on the national team.
“Last season, I stayed consistent, built up my skills, and put in some fast race runs,” he said. “That’s helped me get here.”
Competing at high speeds — sometimes reaching up to 50mph (80km/h) — comes with its risks. Max has suffered several injuries, including a serious crash where he broke both arms after hitting the back of a jump. Still, he remains undeterred.
“That’s part of the sport. It’s a lot of fun, but you have to accept the dangers,” he said.
Max trains regularly on local trails around Leigh Woods and Belmont Hill and credits the quality of those routes with helping him improve his skills.
“I’ve been very lucky to have access to such amazing trails near Bristol,” he added.
As he heads to Poland, Max Lewis carries both ambition and enthusiasm — ready to test himself against the best in the world.