Fabien Barel: My Way… The story of his World Championship victories on Pinkbike
Fabien is undoubtedly one of the best Downhill racers of all time. In fact, he is exactly what it says on the tin. A Downhill Racer.
When Fabien entered the sport, there were no people like Aaron Gwin, on Gluten Free diets. The only diets there were are how much % lager you were drinking, and the only fitness training you’d do is on the dancefloor.
Fabien opened up a whole new way of looking at Downhill racing. His professionalism was un-paralelled. You’ve probably all seen footage of him at the top on his turbo going through his run with his hands. It’s things like this that make you a double World Champion.
I’ve been waiting for this documentary for a long time. Fabien and Steve Peat are probably the only two people I’d have the patience to sit down and watch a long documentary on because they’re so god damn good. The way these two dominated the sport for so many years is just unreal. I mean, Fabien took the route to retire at the top. Who knows how many years he could have gone on for, and Steve is still going!
Anyway, it’s a great shame that Fabien isn’t a part of the World Cup circuit any more. But he’s left his mark on the sport in more ways than one. As Dan Jarvis mentions in the film, what fitting way to leave the sport than his protégé picking up the silver medal at the World Champs in Champery.
-Tim
If you liked this post why not check out these?
- Fabien Barel Day: Part 1
- Fabien Barel heads to the UK for Mondraker Gravity this weekend!
- Euro Tripping – Les Deux Alpes
