Tracey Hannah to Stop Racing UCI World Cups After Lousa & Set New Goals

Oct 22, 2020
by UR Team  
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photo credit: Dave Trumpore, Gary Perkin and Ross Bell
Press Release: Polygon UR

Tracey Hannah announces that she will stop racing the UCI World Cup circuit after the 2020 season but will still keep competing.

Tracey is only putting a stop at racing world cups and will be taking part in other race series, fun events and do special media projects. So far over her world cup career, Tracey stood on the podium 43 times, grabbed six World Championships medals, one junior rainbow jersey, an overall elite downhill World Cup champion title, and maybe more to come in a couple of days.

Here’s what Tracey has to say:

bigquotesAfter 9 years racing for the UR Team I have decided to stop racing World Cups. It is not a decision I have taken lightly. I joined the team when I was 22 years old, Fabien took me on with no expectations and zero pressure. During my first year on the team I won the first round of the World Cup series in South Africa. I was having an amazing first season on a pro team. At the 6th round I crashed hard and was seriously injured, I broke my femur, collarbone and had some internal injuries. Within the same 12 months I would go on to break my collarbone 2 more times.

Ever since the moment I had a pro ride I have never wanted and never have given less than the best I possibly can. I have battled fear, injury, disappointment, insecurity, and failure to get up, keep going and be competitive for the podium. For the past few years I have had constant full time coaching and a weekly training schedule, most of my off season is spent “not doing” things so that I don’t get injured, sprain something or lose the ability to be able to perform 100% in training. It has come to the point where I am not in a place to give entirely everything in me to this level of racing anymore. It is an extremely high stress environment and I have high expectations and put pressure on myself at every single race to perform. To be one of the best in the world consistently takes meticulous weekly preparation that lasts over a span of sometimes, several off-seasons. Each season you learn something new, something that you only have the chance to train for during the next training time, every race you go into details about what went right, what went wrong and how can I better myself.

My ultimate goal in racing was to win a World Cup Overall Championship, I have done this and it is something I will never forget. I would have loved to win an elite World Title, each and every single World Champs I have raced I gave the most I could give on that day, in that run, for that moment. My World championship was Cairns 2017, even though I did my absolute best I didn’t take home the gold medal, but I felt the rainbow that day.

I have only ever been on one Pro team and the UR Team is it. It has been an amazing 9 years racing World Cups with the team, we have been through extreme highs and lows, injuries and strengths, great times and the worst times, we’ve shed many tears and much champagne. I am so thankful to Fabien for giving me a chance 9 years ago and never giving up when I went through the worst injury of my career, bad results and emotional lows, he is the hardest worker I have ever met and has been the best team manager I could have asked for.

Thank you to his wife Magalie, the second hardest worker I have ever met, thank you for being the most dedicated helper on the team. None of my results would have been a reality without teamwork.

Thanks to all the staff past and present for making our dreams possible. This is not the end, I will continue riding next season, 2021 marks my 10th year with the UR Team and we are working on a program where I will continue racing at more fun events such as all Crankworx disciplines, Sea otter dual slalom, Masters of Dirt and other popular events.

Hopefully the global health situation gets better and will allow me to engage with more riders and fans around the world. I'm also going to work on coaching to be able to transfer what I have learnt and help more riders to reach their full potential. Finally, I'm still planning on sending it and I'm going to work on some special media projects to show this aspect of my riding.

photo

photo credit: Dave Trumpore, Ross Bell, Victor Lucas and Jules Langeard

Here’s a few words from Fabien Cousinié, the team owner:

bigquotesIt has been a pleasure and an honor to be part of Tracey's career and see her evolve from a semi-pro racer to an international rider and team leader. I still remember like yesterday when I flew to Brisbane in 2012 to bring Tracey's first bike. She was working a full-time job, training hard after work, the whole city and trails were flooded and it was not a problem at all for her to go shred hard and film under the monsoon.

Having a rider as motivated and as committed as Tracey made it easy to keep pushing years after years. Tracey has impressed me with her ability to come back after so many injuries but also to learn how to avoid injuries in the last few years. I'm of course extremely proud of Tracey’s 2019 world cup title riding fast when she needed and staying healthy and focus through 8 rounds but I'm even more proud that we have been able to enjoy ourselves besides the racing, making memories for life from all our trips, parties and good times.

For 2021 I'm excited to still have Tracey on the team and working on a new chapter of her career! Knowing how competitive she is, I know she will still bring home some medals whatever she races and I'm also sure she will still show us how to ride a bike and share her passion like no-one else.

photo
photo credit: Gary Perkin, Dave Trumpore, Ross Bell and Victor Lucas

The future is going to be exciting and busy for Tracey!

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Author Info:
urteam avatar

Member since Mar 10, 2010
270 articles

114 Comments
  • 141 1
 I wish you all the best in the future and keep the wheels spinning. World Cup Racing will be missing out on one of the most friendly and chilled rider on the circuit without you. Good luck and loads of fun for all your projects.
  • 28 56
flag scary1 (Oct 22, 2020 at 7:57) (Below Threshold)
 I wonder if it’d be LESS pressure on everyone if they actually raced more than 6 races a year??
I get it that there’s all this working machinery behind schedules and logistics, but it’s frankly pathetic from a comparison to other racing sports, standpoint.
  • 22 5
 @scary1: You are contradicting your own statement as you evidently don't realize how complex it is to coordinate, fund and schedule a full WC season. Perhaps, if you would like to plan, fund and execute a few more races for the competing teams and racers, they might be interested. Look into it and get back to us.
  • 6 3
 @CaptainSnappy: What you say is true. That's why I hope double races become the norm. The planning for a double is more that a single race weekend for the organizers, but not by that much.
  • 10 0
 And congratulations to Tracy! She'll be missed at world cups, such a great rider and person. She is so easy to cheer for.
  • 3 3
 @scary1: I think the biggest reason (other then covid) that there are so few races a year is not down to keeping the bikes in functioning order , it's more to do with keeping the athletes bodies healed and functional. If there was a 20 rave schedule pretty much nobody would complete the entire season. Would make for some interesting podiums though......
  • 30 0
 @onemind123: I’ve done 20 RAVES on consecutive weekends , never did me any harm Smile
  • 6 12
flag scary1 (Oct 22, 2020 at 14:53) (Below Threshold)
 @onemind123: no offense , but that’s bullshit. If you think these guys/gals approach anything close to a full year of Supercross and Motocross, your crazy.
Enduro is way tougher on your body, yet somehow, there’s races all over the damn place.
I stand by my statement, it’s pathetic
  • 3 2
 @CaptainSnappy: yeah, boo hoo for the UCI coordinators. Like they want us in the first place.
  • 8 0
 @scary1: @onemind123: It doesn't have to be one extreme or the other. The World Cup prestige for DH racing has at times been used as a self defeating standard for venues. Other times, it's been venues not being truly creative in taking advantage of the monetary benefits a World Cup stop can bring. Sometimes, it's simply been logistics of the teams traveling to the venues.

I could be wrong about this, but I feel like the World Cup could benefit from ignoring some of the trade teams wishes when it comes to logistics. I don't know what goes into the plan, but the "Middle Ground" has seldom been chased. That middle ground would be to get the World Cup into a dozen different venues across the globe, ignore the trade team's desires to "map it out geographically to sync up for their travel convenience" and just stuff a DOZEN international venues into the year and let the racers and teams figure out their budget, travel & team logistics to make and/or skip venues, etc.

I firmly believe the World Cup could be help at 2 East Coast and West Coast North American venues, 1 if not 2 South American venues, a South African, Australian and as many European ones as possible and Ft. Bill.
Trade teams & regional teams would have to decide which racers to send to which venues and develop a plan to support racers in a uniform manner at each. It can be done and presenting the challenge to the industry to see who they send to battle would be one heck of an international chess match.

You'd get to see regional riders sneak into podiums when suddenly a trade team wants that spot and supports them legitamitely. The same 20 or so elite riders would have to hunt out the best places to garner points, RedBull would have to prioritize coverage at select venues over others, but that could lead to a 2nd or 3rd broadcast crew buying rights to a broadcast and deepen the money pool.

RedBull and UCI are literally constricting the World Cup pool of money by capping it with their own "capacities". Making it truly worldwide breeds competition all across the board and would give us a longer story to watch unfold.
  • 6 1
 @scary1: omg you have a different opinion I am so offended. Time to neg props you ;-p

I think the consequences of DH is potentially higher than supercross - DH you bail you hit a solid tree.....supercross not as much.

Enduro I don't believe they push AS hard primarily because they have to have a bit in the tank for the next stage? DH is more a "sprint" lay it all out or nothing?

I dunno, we seem to see more large injuries in DH vs enduro.
  • 5 0
 @Matt115lamb: how many glow sticks you go through with 20 consecutive raves?
  • 2 0
 @onemind123: @onemind123: The real reason, I am afraid, is much more pragmatic. It's the money. And we have to start from the very beginning, when a venue needs to pay solid beef to UCI. Then the venue has to pay for the organization, hire staff, etc... Then, eventually, we can consider the financial aspect of each team and physical aspect of each rider. It is much bigger thing than most of us think.
  • 1 0
 @Matt115lamb: You must have accidentally drunk from somebody else's water bottle to be able to endure that.
  • 2 2
 @onemind123: just about every local Mx race I’ve raced in involved a life flight helicopter (Not for me)and several practices have. Mx ended my dh career and almost ended me.
The level damage you can do to yourself is so much worse and much easier to get there on a dirt bike .
I don’t know if the injuries are more now than in the 26 er days. Bikes are so much easier to ride and the tracks are less tech but faster, so I could see less acl tears and more back/neck injuries, I guess. Still Moto is another level of injury imho.
  • 2 0
 @scary1: agree. Buddy hid from me for 4 weeks at his parents house after he broke both ankles casing the lander on a 90 foot triple not long after he'd raced in a few 125 East Supercrosses. Didn't want want anyone to even know he'd done it.

I don't know anyone in MTB that has completely shattered both ankles.

Oh...and he landed it. Didn't wreck. I quit moto to go to college. Todd Bennick (Dak Bennick's dad) came and rode our track and I tried to do some things he did and almost hospitalized myself. Moved on to MTB and blew my ACL right out of college racing Nationals at Seven Springs.

Just tell myself that if I had stuck with moto instead I'd be invalid.
  • 1 0
 @blowmyfuse: yeah, my final wreck was concussion, shattered ankle in 6 places with a plate and 16 screws, shattered left wrist, scaphoid, total ligament tears , and a punctured lung.
And , not on a 90ft triple... lolSmile .
Still deal with it every day almost 10 years later. I got plenty hurt on dh , it’s just not the same level of violence . Glad your on 2 feet!
  • 113 0
 Thank you for inspiring all of us bud with your talent, drive and big smile! Always looked forward to your interviews and can’t wait to see what you’re gonna do next. Much love Tracey!! You rock!!
  • 4 0
 Was always my #1. She's the best!!
  • 9 0
 Will miss the awkward chemistry in interviews with WynTV
  • 2 0
 @ctd07: Haha, those were great too!!
  • 66 0
 Best of luck. One of the best female racers to ever ride a bike!
  • 7 0
 Good Luck Tracey.
  • 18 4
 One of the best racers to ever ride a bike. Wink
  • 59 1
 Please race the EWS for a few years! Smile
  • 3 1
 SECOND!
  • 2 2
 would be neat to see her do a couple more world championships as a one off if she's not taking a spot away from a more deserving rider at the time.
  • 22 3
 I feel like people underestimate how physically demanding the ews is. it's not just about pure downhill speed the conditioning those riders have is insane and isn't a retired downhillers sport anymore. Plus the women's field is actually pretty deep so you cant just view it as stepping in for a race here and there and winning some money. she might do a few in the future but to think you can retire from dh and just move to ews because it will be easier or less stressful or require less training is not realistic
  • 9 2
 fuck enduro. its probably more stress overall and possibly more physical. let her ride for fun.
  • 8 10
 @grundletroll: lmao top tier dh riders can easily show up, enduro hasn’t become any more physically demanding than it ever was
  • 3 2
 @grundletroll: I guess recent converts like jack moir have struggled with the transition hey?
  • 4 1
 @russthedog: did he retire and say that he wants to have less stress, train less, and have less pressure like Tracy did? Tracy is retiring, not just switching to a different category. My point isn't that dh riders cant do well in ews it's that its not a place where retired riders can just go and hope into here and there and expect to podium
  • 53 1
 Every single bit of media I have seen of her has only projected what a genuinely lovely person she is. Ill never forget her 'singing on a downhill run' video. I still use that tip on gnarly tracks. More power to her!
  • 1 0
 Was thinking the same thing - best advice ever and such a genuinely lovely person. Thanks Tracy, you will be missed on the world cup circuits! Time to compete in the EWS!
  • 30 0
 Tracey and Mick are 2 of the most talented riders from North QLD. Both have unbelievable drive, determination and skill. All the best in future endeavours Tracey and hope to see you at a few more home races.
  • 25 0
 Best of luck, Tracey. A true class act and someone who has been very easy to cheer for.
  • 22 1
 I will just say this - I hope my 10 year daughter grows up to be like Tracey Hannah. Not much chance she'll be a preternatural mountain biker like Tracey, but if she has Tracey's determination, work ethic, since of humor (looking good on that front) and generous personality, that will be a huge win.

Tracey has always been my favorite racer (tied with Peat!) and I finally got the chance to meet her last year at Snowshoe and she was (as expected) so gracious and fun to talk to, despite just winning the overall by the thinnest of margins. I could tell she was mentally exhausted from all the pressure she had trying to fend off a hard charging Marine Cabirou for seemingly half the season. But again, she made time for fans and well wishers. Polygon could not have a better representative and I look forward to her future endeavors and hope to say hey again some day at Whistler.

Congrats on an epic career and all the best to Ms. Hannah!
  • 18 0
 Good Luck Tracey, you have absolutely killed it in the last few yrs i have seem you race. Enjoy whats to come! Cheers!
  • 11 0
 I got to see Tracey absolutely destroy at steep, technical section of Mountain Goat trail during the Winter Park EWS a few years back. That was the moment I became a Tracey Hannah fan. Several pro men were sessioning the same section and she came through with more speed than anyone. I'll miss seeing you ride at WCDH, but wish you all the best in your next life adventures.
  • 15 0
 Legend.
  • 7 0
 ... Wait for it, dairy!
  • 1 0
 @lehott: But I'm lactose intolerant Frown
  • 11 0
 Now you can join the rest of us and just have fun ridin' bikes!
  • 4 0
 Yeah, she just wants to ride with less pain and pressure all the time. I don't blame her. This covid business has given us all time to slow down and get perspective on what is most important in life.
  • 2 0
 @7hhuman: Perspective: Riding more is fun! Of course just riding for fun is also more fun.
  • 8 0
 Dang this hits like a truck Tracey is one of the coolest people on the circuit! It always a good feeling seeing her on the podium, and her determination is inspiring! Your WC presence will be missed!
  • 7 0
 So sad to hear, but absolutely understandable. She was one of my favorite riders and always a fun to watch, riding on the edge so many times. I was happy that she won the overall last year, she deserves it so much and was one of the best so many years. True legend, all the best for the future!
  • 6 0
 F in the chat. I loved watching Tracey race downhill and I think she's always brought a lot to the women's field that will be sorely missed. I am thankful for witnessing some great riding and style by her and the influence she had on other riders!
  • 6 0
 I've been watching bike videos with my daughter since she was a few days old. She'd hold my fingers like they were handlebars and we'd follow the terrain in the videos. Since she was old enough to recognize and repeat the names of riders the person she's been a fan of is Tracey Hannah. As she's grown up we've watched videos of Tracey and used them to talk about riding technique. She's 10 now and starting to go DHing with me. Thanks Tracey for inspiring my daughter and helping us have this wonderful relationship through riding.
  • 7 2
 I guess we all need to find a new favorite rider in the women's field? Damn.

Sounds like the right decision, at the right time, and that she's moving on to other great bike things, but us fans are going to miss her on the WC circuit.
  • 2 0
 If Pom Pon can stay healthy for a whole season she's tough to beat. Caribou is exciting to watch smash lap times too.
  • 5 0
 Had the pleasure of meeting and chatting to Tracey in the Polygon pits at Fort Bill last year, after her race run. Can honestly say that she’s every bit as cool and easy going as she appears in the countless videos she’s done.

Also happens to be one of the very, very best riders out there, too.

Very best of luck for your future adventures, Tracey
  • 4 0
 Amazing rider, gutted it out after tons of injuries. Just enjoy your life now and do whatever you want. I always cheered for you because you were the diminutive little underdog that just kept coming back. Just when we thought the injuries had done you in, there you were back out there shredding it and getting back on the podium. Take your gift and grit and do whatever makes you happiest. Good luck at your last UCI event.
  • 5 0
 Last week end race showed that the female yougsters are pushing hard like crazy. Her experience will be valuable for a lot cie
  • 5 0
 Has to be my favourite female rider! Always rooting for the Hannah famalam! Best of luck in the future Trace, ya wee belter!!
  • 3 0
 Classy, honest, relatable, wicked rider... will be sad not to see her at the races but I hope she does a whole bunch of awesome stuff and has a smooth transition out of world cups.
  • 2 0
 I think I've cheered for Tracey ever since several years ago I read about how she was working big machinery construction jobs to pay for biking. I've always thought she worked really really hard and deserved every win she got. Always been a fan.
  • 4 0
 Good Luck for the future. It was great to watch you battle at the world cup level.
  • 2 0
 Her interviews over the last few weeks seemed a little off of her normal driven platform. It was almost like you can go back and see it in her eyes a bit. Fantastic run and best of luck on future adventures!
  • 3 0
 Gutted as she was one of my favourites and she definitely took the hits for the sport, really hope she keeps on the mtb scene. Good luck for the future.
  • 3 0
 Its always been great watching you race Tracey, best of luck for the future and I look forward to seeing you continue to send it!
  • 5 0
 What a rad person! Thank you Tracy!
  • 4 0
 It sucks for us WCDH fans but congrats to her and looking forward to seeing what events and races she does in the future!
  • 5 0
 Class Act, Legend and inspiration.
  • 1 0
 In 2017 I purchased a polygon bike. The bullying from my YT and Santa Cruz equipped riding "mates" was intense. Almost unbearable. Tracy's run at the Cairns world champs brought polygon respectability and I was able to enjoy riding of my bicycle in relative peace. Thank you Tracey Hannah.

Also, the epic battle of the 2019 overall was compelling. Captivating. Tracey vs Marine was the main event for me that year. Short film material surely...

Who will I barrick for now in the women's? Not the wicked french! No. The tea sipping pommies? Never! But who from the southern hemisphere is up around the women's podium...
  • 1 0
 Tracey has been my favorite rider on the WC circuit for as long as I can remember her being on the circuit. I'm sad to see her stop, but happy for her choice! Really hope she continues to do rad things and to see more of her in other arenas in the future.
  • 3 0
 The epitome of class! Best of luck Tracy And thanks for all the memorable racing!
  • 1 0
 Reached the very top and dropped the mic: fair enough! The women's field became really competitive over the last few years, and Tracy was a big part of that, shame to see her go but the tiking seems right
  • 3 0
 WC’s won’t be the same! What an exciting new chapter though, all the best Trace!
  • 1 0
 Morewood pinkbikes, those were the bikes!

www.pinkbike.com/news/Tracey-Hannah-Bike-Check-Val-di-Sole-2012.html

I have the same Makulu in red, still rides like a beast.
  • 1 0
 Seems like a good choice, don't they say "always leave them wanting more"? And I assume there will still be Tracey Hannah interviews to look forward to. Congratulations.
  • 1 0
 We love you Trace start racing enduro world series if you want, nice to take some time off from the mines eh? Come visit bellingham and have fun!
  • 3 0
 great career ..your are a great athlete and female racers ...good luck xxx
  • 4 0
 Tracy 4 president
  • 3 0
 Good luck on the next chapter!
  • 3 0
 Amazing human! Lets see what else you are gonna bring us! Thank you!
  • 3 0
 Incredible career! All the best!
  • 3 0
 I'm going to miss watching her race. Always a favorite!
  • 1 0
 Thank you Tracey for being awesome, I wish you many more podiums in the future. Good that you're not leaving the scene but just changing focus. Stay happy and healthy!
  • 2 0
 Lets hope Lousa goes ahead and Tracey gets to round off her WC career in some dust with a Podium!
  • 1 0
 All the best for the future littletrace. Look forward to seeing you smashing the EWS (or whatever future endeavours you undertake)
  • 1 0
 Good luck Tracey. Looking forward to enjoying to see you riding other events!
  • 1 0
 So on average Tracy would compete against 20 other people for a world title ? What a joke Smile
  • 2 0
 You're a fookin' Legend, Tracy!
  • 1 0
 The best vocals on the circuit. I can't resist a woman with a Queensland accent. Best of luck in all future endeavors.
  • 1 0
 Congratulations! I hope we all get to a point in our careers where we can pick and chose how we go about our bidnezz.
  • 1 0
 Bummer, there'll be less excitment in DH Wolrd Cup. Hope to see you competing in EWS though. Wink
  • 2 0
 an even harder regiment in my opinion than a few 4 minute DHs
  • 2 0
 So Tracey, you gonna drive that monster digger again? Good for you.
  • 1 0
 All the best in the next chapter of your life, it’s been awesome watching you giver shit! Cheers!
  • 1 0
 So. Much. Respect. Thank you for pushing so hard and for all the inspiration because of it.
  • 1 0
 Heard the rumor of a big change for the UR team I was on Sick Mick retirement but this for Tracey really surprises me!
  • 1 0
 I saw it on vital as well. If mick and Tracey are both retiring the team as it is would be finished. I hope they keep racing, they bring a lot to the circuit!
  • 2 0
 Take notes Madison Saracen
  • 1 0
 I would not be shocked to see more racers switching to Crankworx and EWS in the next few years. both seem more fun
  • 2 0
 Enjoy your next adventure, you where always a hero !
  • 1 0
 Thanks for all the exciting race moments over the year #TraceyHannah! Wishing you great new adventures going forward.
  • 1 0
 Thanks for all of the exciting race moments over the years Tracey Hannah! Wishing you great adventures going forward.
  • 1 0
 that's a sad news. Please add the picture of her with Troy Brosnan as kid, is so cool!!!
  • 1 0
 Such a cool person and amazing character, keep them rolling!
  • 1 0
 Thanks for all the memories Tracey .you have made Aussie DH very proud .
  • 1 0
 noooo...you deserve that world champ for sure. Anyway best luck for you.
  • 1 0
 We're gonna miss you girl, always great to see you ride your bike!
  • 1 0
 it's so we can start our love affair
  • 1 0
 Get a real job Smile
  • 6 6
 Well damn. That sucks. 2020 keeps on chuggin.
  • 11 1
 This may suck for you, but she’s doing what she can to live her best life. I’m happy for her
  • 7 0
 @Mntneer: Well yeah. Of course it’s great for her to do what’s best for her. What I meant was it’s a bummer not to have her on the World Cup circuit anymore.
  • 1 0
 Go for it Tracey !
  • 5 4
 she is Gorgeous
  • 1 0
 43 podiums!
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