Aaron Gwin is a two-time overall Downhill World Cup champion from Morongo Valley, California. He claimed his first title in 2011, winning a record five stages in a single season, and then defended his title the following year, with victories at Val Di Sole, Fort William in Scotland, Mont Sainte-Anne in Canada and Windham, USA.
His 2013 World Cup season was disappointing, but he did win the US Downhill National Championships for the fourth time, after previous victories in 2009, 2010 and 2012. He also appeared in ‘Aaron Gwin: The Fastest Man on Two Wheels’, in which he could be seen descending a mountain in Idyllwild, California at top speed.
Born on 24th December 1987, Gwinny started his cycling career on a BMX and was competing in national competitions by the time he was eight. He then moved on to motocross before finally switching to downhilling in 2008 after he was loaned a bike by good friend Cody Warren who encouraged him to compete in a race. He quickly experienced great success, securing a tenth place finish at the Mont Sainte-Anne World Cup race later that same year.
Much of Gwinny’s style and skills, particularly his whips and jumps, are a legacy of his days racing motocross, while his incredible ability to make smooth transitions from one obstacle to the next come from his time racing BMX. It all adds up to an amazing downhill racing package.