# Andrew Neethling Brings Mass-Start Banter, World Cup Bench Racing & DH's Biggest Debates

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-ride-companion-1105810/andrew-neethling-brings-mass-start-banter-world-cup-bench-racing-dh-s-biggest-debates
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-ride-companion-1105810/andrew-neethling-brings-mass-start-banter-world-cup-bench-racing-dh-s-biggest-debates.md
Podcast: [The Ride Companion](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-ride-companion-1105810)
Published: 2026-06-24T11:07:00+00:00
Episode link: https://thehktpodcast.libsyn.com/andrew-neethling-brings-mass-start-banter-world-cup-bench-racing-dhs-biggest-debates
Audio file: https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/p19512/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/thehktpodcast/TRC249_NEEDLES.mp3?dest-id=661415
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-ride-companion-1105810/episodes/andrew-neethling-brings-mass-start-banter-world-cup-bench-racing-dh-s-biggest-debates
Duration seconds: 7110

## Resource

Andrew 'Needles' Neethling joins The Ride Companion for a full race-chat episode covering the current state of World Cup downhill, the brutal new qualifying format, Luca Shaw missing finals after winning a World Cup, Finn Iles' incredible back to back wins, Anna Newkirk's breakout victory, team pressure, privateers, broadcast storylines and what downhill needs to do to grow. We also get into Andrew's wild Mountain of Hell experience, his unofficial top-10 before a controversial DQ, arm pump, bike setup for mass-start racing, World Cup salaries, team dynamics, Warner's Race Companion and why downhill racers are basically modern-day gladiators. - Don't forget to book your ticket to TRC Live on 31st of July, details here: https://www.haslemerehall.co.uk/sales/genres/events/the-ride-companion---bike-nigh - Get early access & ad-free episodes → https://www.patreon.com/theridecompanion Episode Sponsors:- - Looking to book an RV or a camp site for an EPIC adventure? Check out our new friends at https://www.outdoorsy.com and enter code RIDE at checkout to remove all service fees! - Mudhugger → Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at https://www.themudhugger.co.uk - invisiFrame: 15% off with code REFRESHANDRIDE at https://www.invisiframe.co.uk You can also support our long term partners: Marin Bikes → marinbikes.com/gb Focus Bikes → focus-bikes.com SRAM: sram.com/en/sram adidas FiveTen: adidas.co.uk/five_ten invisiFrame: 15% off with code REFRESHANDRIDE at invisiframe.co.uk Troy Lee Designs → 10% off with code theridecompanion at saddleback.avln.me/c/OzduCWvjtcOr Manta Sleep → 10% off with code theridecompanion tinyurl.com/theridecompanion HUEL → 15% off with code RIDE: huel.com/ Mudhugger → Get 10% off with code ridecompanion10 at themudhugger.co.uk Compex → 20% off with code…

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