Muc-Off launch Young Guns Academy – a competition to find the next generation of MTB talent

Muc-Off Young Guns Academy image
(Image credit: Muc-Off)

Muc-Off have launched an exciting competition for UK-based riders to compete for the opportunity to be selected to join one of the best mountain bike race teams – Muc-Off Young Guns.

There are three priceless spots up for grabs. Riders aged between 12 to 15 years exhibiting the best mountain bike riding talent and potential can be selected to receive a coveted place in the Muc-Off Young Guns Academy team. With one of those selected later in the year moving up to race as one of their fully supported mountain bike racers in 2024. 

Muc-Off full face helmet

(Image credit: Muc Off)

Riders from all disciplines are invited to enter with raw riding talent and enthusiasm at the forefront of the judge's selection process. To get involved, the parents of aspiring racers need to complete a questionnaire and submit a video highlight reel. The video reel allows riders to show off their skills and demonstrate why they deserve a spot on the team. 

Judges from the Young Guns Academy team and Muc-Off staff will then select an eight-strong shortlist of riders who impress the most. If you're one of the lucky eight you will all be invited to attend an all-expenses-paid trial day at Bikepark Wales on April 13th, 2023. The session will be an opportunity for the riders to meet the team and ride with them in small groups, as well as show off some of their skills on the trails. It will also help the team’s management decide who is most deserving of the three academy team spots.

Muc-Off academy rider at Fort William

Will you be the next Muc-Off young gun? (Image credit: Muc Off)

Alex Trimnell, CEO of Muc-Off said, "We are stoked to play a part in finding and helping the next generation of mountain bike racers carve out the best versions of themselves, both on the bike and off it."

Paul Bowell, Young Guns Team manager added, "We already have some incredible talent in the team, and we’ve worked hard to develop a group of young riders who we know, whenever they hit the dirt, will do their very best to be friendly, welcoming and inspire every other rider that they meet."

Muc-Off academy riders

The current crop of Muc-Off Young Guns (Image credit: Muc-Off)

The three successful riders going forward will be kitted out in full team kit, including Leatt mountain bike protection, a full range of Muc-Off bike care and maintenance products, some of the best mountain bike tires from Schwalbe, casual wear from Stance and a host of other kit and components from team sponsors. They’ll also receive support and coaching from Downamics and Fit4Racing. 

The riders will have the opportunity to train and race with the other riders at various events around the UK for the remainder of the 2023 season, after which one of the three will be selected to move up to become a fully supported rider, with bikes from the Mondraker MTB range and the chance to work towards racing at World Cup level. 

An incredible opportunity awaits the eight, three and then one lucky future Muc-Off Young Gun, grab your chance and enter at Muc-Off.com.

Paul Brett
Staff writer

Based in Edinburgh, Paul Brett is a staff writer for BikePerfect.com. He has been an avid cyclist for as long as he can remember, initially catching the mountain biking bug in the 1990s, and raced mountain bikes for over a decade before injury cut short a glittering career. He’s since developed an obsession for gravel riding and recently has dabbled in the dark art of cyclocross. A fan of the idea of bikepacking he has occasionally got involved and has ridden routes like the North Coast 500, Scotland and the Via Francigena (Pilgrim Route), Italy.


Current rides: Marin Alpine Trail 2, Ribble 725, Cube Stereo 160

Height: 175cm