The Interview - Rob Warner
Issue 63 / Tue 25th Feb, 2020
A legend on two wheels who’s carved himself one of the most impressive careers in the industry, Rob still rips in the woods and gives us his opinion on the upcoming season too. Click here to get some Warner Wisdom!
Rob Warner is a man of many talents, or perhaps just one, riding bikes. Although maybe that isn’t really his true talent, perhaps being the entertainer is where his real skill lies. A vociferously passionate mountain biker, Rob has carved an incredible career for himself that has spanned the decades.
He can still shred better than most on two wheels, but it’s his appearances behind a microphone rather than handlebars that you might be more familiar with. His commentary on the DH World Cup has become so legendary one can’t really imagine what a race day would be like without it.
Always one to spot talent, Red Bull have been working with Rob for some time, shoehorning him into plenty of entertaining content, including his new project, Wild Rides. If you’ve not seen it, check out some of the videos in this piece, it’s certainly somewhere where the entertainer in Rob perhaps shines over his skills on a bike.
He’s recently signed with Vitus and seems to even be entertaining the idea of a return to racing on his E-Bike, it was high time then that we got in touch for a catch up!
You’ve arguably had one of the most colourful MTB careers in history, did you have any idea the pure pleasure of riding a bike would take you this far when you first swung a leg over one?
Thanks! No definitely not, It was quite something to find out I was ok enough on a bicycle to make a living, but then after that with the commentating and TV work it’s really been just a dream, I’m a lucky lad no doubt about it.
What is it do you think that has allowed you to create a career around mountain biking where others have fallen by the wayside and disappeared off into the corporate bone hammer?
I think it literally comes down to the fact that I talk a lot! Well that helps but without a shadow of doubt I’ve been in the right place at the right time. That’s how I got going with it really. I’ve worked hard on being a commentator though, this part of my career really excites me and a lot of that is seeing where it can take me, never had a career until now so it’s cool, I love it.
DH racing back in the day was very different to what it is now, does it sadden you that the sport has become so much more professional these days, has it lost some of its magic?
No not at all. I mean yes you don’t have some of the ‘characters’ we had back in the day, talent alone won’t get you to the top now, you’ve got to work and work insanely hard at it. The partying days are long gone, these riders are athletes in every sense of the word and to watch them race is a spectacle, I love this new ultra pro era we’re in, this is where we need to be as a sport.
We always have a sweepstake in the office for the World Cup Series who’s going to be your pick for the 2020 season?
Hard to imagine the French won’t be battling again, Loic Bruni and Amaury Pierron won all but two races last year in the world cup. Pierrron has gone back to 27.5” wheels, which is interesting and brave I’d say. Riders will have their days, but I expect it to be these two dominating again, let’s see what Gwinn can do if he’s healthy too, I’d say it’s now or never for the Californian.
Aside from who’s the fastest, who do you respect the most on the World Tour today, be it for the dogged determination or longevity…
Greg Minnaar, no question, one of a kind. Last year at 37 he came so close to breaking his own world cup wins record. GM is the man, the very last of an era gone by, but he’s very much part of this one, I can’t believe how he rides still, he’s incredible.
Your presenting career seems unstoppable at the moment, with a close relationship with Red Bull and the top-rated Wild Rides series last year being well received. What is it do you think that makes people warm to you on screen?
I really don’t know, I think they tune in to watch the racing not me! But I guess I know my stuff, I’m honest, try to say it as it is. I can be pretty out there too, I love life and bikes really are my life so maybe that comes across, I hope so.
What was your favourite experience from Wild Rides last year?
Late at night in a mud hut in a village called ‘Witch Craft’ in Lesotho with the ‘Chief Chief’ DayCee. Me and Matt Jones had got into our sleeping bags when in he comes for a chat. 14 wives and 64 children, the mans flat out, wants 60 kids before he’s done! Yeah that was brilliant, what a dude that man is, he had some stories to tell.
You’ve been a lifelong friend of Martyn Ashton, and we loved the Random Tandom video you both did together. Over the years you’ve had your fair share of injury too, but how does a serious one to a close friend like Martyn affect your outlook towards bikes and life?
It probably hit me harder that I thought, I mean it still does. It was really hard to come to terms with, probably because I grew up riding motorbike trials with Mart, and I know just how much he lives for riding. I sold my MX bike shortly after Martins accident, so yeah it did me for a bit. Martin’s an incredible character and I relish anytime I get to spend with now, except on that bloody tandem, that was deadly.
You’ve recently signed with Vitus Bikes, how did that come about and what’s the connection?
I got chatting to my good friend Nigel Page who runs the CRC Nukeproof team, he put me in touch with the Vitus marketing manager. One thing led to another and I found myself there in Rostrevor trying out the bikes. Nige had told me they were ‘stunning’ bikes and he was right, so nice to ride. The geometry is spot on, the suspension second to none, rider compartment is the best fitting I’ve had for years, for me it was a no brainer. Vitus must be mountain biking’s best kept secret
E-Bikes, yes or no…
Absolutely the best thing to happen to mountain biking since mountain biking, they are so good and the future no question, I’ll never be without one now.
What is in the diary for 2020, what can we expect to see from you?
A lot of talking, a lot of riding, got some series to shoot for Red Bull so I’m busy with that until the World Cups start. I might even race an E EWS this year; I’m really excited about 2020.
Thanks, Rob for taking the time!
It’s been a pleasure!
Videos
By Rou Chater
Rou Chater is the Publishing Editor of IMB Magazine; he’s a jack-of-all-trades and master of none, but his passion for bikes knows no bounds. His first mountain bike was a Trek 820, which he bought in 1990. It didn’t take him long to earn himself a trip to the hospital on it, and he’s never looked back since. These days he’s keeping it rubber side down, riding locally and overseas as much as possible.
