We are excited to welcome our latest addition to HUNT MTB team for the coming season. The 2023 E-MTB National Champ is known for dominating E-bike races and tearing up trails alongside her trust canine companion. Join us in welcoming Alexia Desile to the squad for 2024.
E-Bike Champ Alexia Desile Joins HUNT MTB
E-Bike Champ Alexia Desile Joins HUNT MTB
Where are you from and where do you live?
I am originally from Brittany, France and I now live in Kent, England.
Who do you ride for?
I ride for Niner Bikes but I am also lucky enough to be supported by other amazing brands like Giro Cycling, Pembree UK and HUNT Wheels.
What has been your career highlight so far?
Getting 2nd overall at the Ebike World Tour and winning 2023 British champs in the Ebike category.
Do you have a favourite place to ride? Why do you like it?
I would say the Alps for its incredible landscape, scenery and variety of trails.
Biggest crash?
There's been a few...but the one I remember the most was at the Bulltrack in Crowborough a few years ago. I ran out of talent and did a dead sailor on one of the big jumps. It hurt a lot but luckily I walked out of it with just a few scratches and scars.
I am super excited to join the Hunt Wheels Team for the 2024 season. It is such a great company and the people are amazing. I have been testing the wheels for a little while already and they feel great. They have a wheel for everything, from ebike to enduro and even gravel or road which is perfect.
My goals are to enter a few races in the analogue category as so far I have only been racing Ebikes. I would also like to enter some adventure style races as a challenge.
Wheels have a huge impact on riding performance; riding with Hunt means that I get to ride with some of the best wheelsets in the industry and I’m exciting to see that reflected in my results in the upcoming season!
Jumps or corners?
It's a hard one but I would still say jumps, although berms and loamy corners are amazing.
What's the most difficult thing about being a pro mountain biker?
I probably wouldn’t class myself as a pro rider as I still have a full-time job on the side. That said, this makes it even more challenging for me to find time to ride and train as much as I would like.
What is your best memory of riding so far?
Taking the start of the E-megavalanche as the only female on the start line amongst 130 men.
What are your goals for the coming season?
My goal is to take part in more adventure races abroad and in the UK, as well as take part in more races on my analogue bike.
Which bikes are you riding now? What is your go to bike?
I am riding a Niner WFO 9 RDO, WFO E9, Vaast Gravel bike for training, Saracen Myst on the DH tracks and my jump bike for pump tracks and skateparks. The WFO 9 RDO is my favorite right now as I am rediscovering riding an analogue bike and I love it!
What's your favourite part of your bike?
My wheels - when you see some of the terrain we put them through, you need to have full trust in them.
Who is your riding hero? Who inspires you?
Rachael Atherton. She is an amazing rider and I admire how she tackles life from work to having a baby and coming back on the world DH scene which is so competitive.
When you are not riding what do you like to do?
I love riding my motorbike, kitesurfing and snowboarding in the winter. I also try to always find time to spend with my friends and family.
Do you have any pet peeves?
Knee pads that slide down during your ride.
On a scale of ‘not fussed’ to ‘only perfection’, what’s your bike servicing like?
It would be close to “only perfection” as I hate to hear any small noises coming from the bike when I ride. I’m a bit meticulous when it comes to cleaning my bike too!
If you could choose one superpower what would it be?
Teleportation would be the one! It would mean I could be anywhere in no time. Imagine clicking your fingers and being in Whistler with your bike.
And finally...what would your warning label say?
Warning - will become very grumpy if cold and wet!