Anna Newkirk on Her First Career Win

North American DH racers are collectively having their best season in a long time, and Anna Newkirk is a big part of that success, notching her first career win — the first by an American woman in 23 years — and currently sitting fourth in the overall standings.So we brought Anna back on the show to talk about her phenomenal weekend at Lenderheide, where she qualified first and repeated the result in finals; her injury-interrupted 2025 season and returning to form; managing the pressure of racing, and how to ride at the limit; and a whole lot more.Note: We Want to Hear From You!Please let us know if there’s a topic you’d like us to cover or a guest you’d like us to have on Bikes and Big Ideas. Email us at [email protected] to weigh in.RELATED LINKS:Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s GuideGet Our Free Newsletter & Gear GiveawaysGet Yourself Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:First career win at LenzerheideQualifying first & the resulting pressureKnowing when to push vs. aiming for smooth and safeQualifying format & changes to World Cup DHUpcoming Juniors & growing North American momentumUSA Cycling & developing DH racersJoining Frameworks & the benefits of a factory teamGoals for the rest of 2026CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:The Blister VaultBlister CinematicCRAFTEDGEAR:30Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.