Being a downhill mechanic isn’t just about keeping a bike running smoothly—it’s about trust, communication and understanding the fine details that turn a good run into a great one. Brett Ward is the mechanic behind Gracey Hemstreet. Working with one of the most promising young talents in the World Cup scene is no small feat, but Brett has found a rhythm that keeps Gracey performing at her best.
A big win at MSA
“Yeah, definitely a big event for Norco,” Brett says about the Mont Sainte Anne race. “All the big honchos were there, and for all three riders to be in the finals for the first time this year—it was a huge achievement. To have it all come together like that was awesome.”
This year has been full of firsts for Brett and the team. As Gracey’s full-time mechanic, Brett has been there every step of the way, ensuring her bike is dialed and ready for the intense demands of downhill racing.
Building trust
“This is my first year in downhill with her,” Brett explains. “I was in enduro last year, but I’ve known Gracey since we both entered the BC Cup downhill scene. I’ve seen her grow from being the only girl in her category to absolutely shredding it.”
Brett started racing the BC Cup downhill series the same year as Gracey in 2018.That long history has created a solid foundation of trust between the two. Having seen her evolve from a young rider to one of the top contenders in the World Cup circuit, Brett is learning what she needs to succeed.
Style
“She’s got a style that doesn’t really match anyone else her age,” Brett says, reflecting on Gracey’s unique approach to racing. “She rides with a lot of finesse and control, which you don’t see as often in younger riders.”
Brett tries to match Gracey’s style with the perfect mechanical support.
“Every rider is different,” he says. “Some riders are very focused and know exactly what they want. They’ve been doing it a long time. You see Greg (Minnaar) come back to the pits, he’s like, ‘we’re tinkering with this, this, this, I want to change this or I’m feeling this.’ He’s very precise. He knows his bike really well. Gracey comes back, she’s like, ‘yo, yeah, sick.’ Anything we can improve? ‘No, it’s great.’ So we’ve been working on that communication.”
The path to World Cup wrenching
Brett’s journey to becoming a World Cup mechanic started long before he met Gracey. “I started out working in a bike shop in…
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