JURGEN BENEKE
I started racing bikes in Germany in 1984. Road, Cyclocross and Track were all equally exciting to me and I quickly moved my way up in all the disciplines. When I turned sixteen I had to focus on one of the three events for me to join the National Team. For the love of mud and off-road riding, I chose Cyclo Cross. Eventually in the early nineties Mountain Biking became popular in Europe and I started racing Downhill. The skills from cyclocross racing combined with the strength and speed from racing for a semi pro road team ended up a perfect combination for early nineties downhill racing. After surprising everyone at the 1992 European championship with a 4th place finish I signed a pro contract the following year which led me to a long career in MTB racing. 1993 I won multiple world cup races and the overall. I ended up finishing second in the overall WorldCup in 1994 and 97, other highlights were Gold and Bronze at the X-games, Winner of the Kamikaze, Silver at the European Championships, Norba National Champion, etc…
Now that I am not racing for a living anymore, my priorities have changed a bit. I don’t participate in Gravity events anymore as I am still capable of going fast, but after breaking two vertebrae at the Mega Avalanche in Alpe d’huez (FRA) I realize that I have become a bit more fragile:)