Laurie Greenland starts again from Forbidden: less World Cup, more riding true
The British rider isn't giving up racing, but he's changing his approach to rediscover the authentic fun of MTB.
Laurie Greenland is changing direction, but she's not slowing down. After more than a decade at the highest levels of downhill world, the English rider has announced his entry into Forbidden Bike Co., marking an important turning point in his career.
This isn't a farewell to racing, but a change of perspective. Greenland wants to return to mountain biking without the constant burden of the World Cup calendar, rediscovering the freedom that made him fall in love with cycling long before he reached the international podiums.
Who is Laurie Greenland?
For those who follow the downhill For years, Laurie Greenland has been one of the most established and respected names in the international paddock. Born in the United Kingdom, Greenland has built a reputation for an extremely aggressive yet precise style, combining raw speed and absolute control on the circuit's most challenging tracks.
His career really took off in 2015, when he won the UCI world title Downhill in the Junior category. From there came the leap to the elite circuit of the DH World Cup, where over the years he became a regular presence among the fastest riders on the planet.
Throughout his career he has raced for top-level teams, accumulating podiums, finals and important results in the most iconic stages of the downhill world, from Fort William to Val di Sole. Greenland has always been recognized as one of the most technical riders on the gravity scene.
Because it leaves the focus on the races
The decision to reduce his competitive commitments isn't due to a lack of results. In recent years, Greenland has remained competitive despite physical problems and several significant injuries in the World Cup.
But something has changed in the relationship with the bike.
“I love running, but I love cycling even more.”
A simple phrase that perfectly describes the moment he's living in. After years of training, travel, and constant pressure, Greenland has chosen to step back before competition turns passion into routine.
Forbidden and the return to the most authentic MTB
Landing in Forbidden seems perfect for this new phase. The Canadian brand is known for its independent and strongly oriented approach. riding, with bikes developed directly on British Columbia's most extreme trails.
For Greenland, this means more time on the trails, more creative freedom, and the chance to contribute to the development of future bikes. downhill of the brand.
Over the next few months he will be spending a lot of time on Vancouver Island with the Forbidden team, also working on DH prototypes and testing new setups.
New high-pivot bike: a technical revolution
One of the most interesting aspects of this transition is the move to a high-pivot platform, a technical solution that Greenland had never used in his career.
High-pivot bikes have become one of the hottest topics in the last few years. downhill modern thanks to their ability to absorb impacts at high speed and maintain greater stability on the roughest sections.
For a technical rider like Greenland, it represents a completely new challenge: learning new sensations, adapting the riding style and pushing the concept of controlled speed even further.
The competitive fire is still burning
Even away from the pressure of the World Cup, Greenland hasn't lost his obsession with performance. Setup, speed, and pushing the limits remain central elements of his riding.
The difference is that today you can live them at different times, without the immediate obligation of a result.
And this is where Forbidden's extensive experience in international racing becomes invaluable: every test, every feedback, and every technical detail can contribute to the development of the brand's future gravity bikes.
Will he return to racing?
The door isn't closed. Greenland himself hasn't ruled out a return to competition when he feels he's back on track.
After a few difficult seasons and several major crashes, the goal now is to rediscover the enthusiasm and pleasure of cycling.
Because sometimes, to really get back on track quickly, you have to remember why you started in the first place.
