The district of Malvern is surrounded by countryside. Some say that if you venture to the high points of the Malvern Hills, you can find the best views in England: dark green and orange panoramas interrupted only by quaint clusters of houses and cottages. For mountain biking, the hills are a playground. Trails weave up and down muddy banks like the tracks of a rollercoaster, perfect training ground for honing skills and getting a healthy adrenaline boost for good measure. It’s no wonder, then, that so much off-road talent comes from this small but special area of English countryside.
Tracy Moseley is one rider who has become synonymous with the Malvern Hills. The British woman grew up on a rural farm in Malvern and got into cycling alongside her brother as they both rode bikes for fun. When Moseley got the chance to race for the first time, her talent was immediately clear: the trails and mountain bike community in Malvern had a future star in their ranks.
For 11 years, during which she became a world champion in the discipline, Moseley raced downhill professionally, setting an example for all of those watching her back home in Malvern. When she believed she had accomplished everything in downhill racing, Moseley wasn’t done with the sport, however. In 2011, professional enduro mountain biking was evolving, so the British woman decided to give it a try. Within one year, Moseley was racing in the World Enduro Series and challenging for victories at the highest level – a testament to her natural talent in the sport, Within three years, she had three more world titles.
But Moseley’s personal achievements on two wheels don’t tell the full story of her contribution to the sport. Both during her career and now she is retired, Moseley was instrumental in encouraging participation in mountain biking and being a mentor to the next generation, helping the likes of former UCI short track and cyclo-cross world champion Evie Richards to success in the sport.
“With Evie, to have seen someone who was 14 or 15 years old get to cycling and see that transition, and actually be there when she won the World Championships on the sidelines cheering was special,” Moseley says, speaking a few moments before being inducted into the British Cycling Hall of Fame as recognition for her contribution to the sport. “This year, when she won the short track, I happened to be there at that Worlds as well. It was amazing just to see that transition from…