Racing at the Limit — Ella Conolly on Fatigue, Worlds and Hidden Tech
<p class="">2025 was a season that looked incredible on paper for Ella Conolly… but underneath, it was anything but straightforward.</p>
<p class="">Ella was dealing with fatigue through much of the year, including at World Champs, where despite that, she still managed to finish second in the world.</p>
<p class="">We sat down to talk through her 2025 season in full, including racing on an unreleased Cannondale bike, and adapting mid-season to new RockShox suspension ahead of its official launch.</p>
<p class="">We also get into the changing face of World Enduro, the rise of new talent, and where the sport feels like it’s heading.</p>
<p class="">This isn’t just a conversation about results, it’s about what sits behind them: the compromises, the performance, and what it takes to stay competitive when things aren’t perfect. So sit back, hit play and check out this episode with Ella Conolly.</p>
<p class="">You can also watch this episode on YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@downtimepodcast" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.</p>
<p class="">You can follow Ella on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ella_conolly/?hl=en-gb">@ella_conolly</a>.</p>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="block-1a8ad112-64f1-4b39-97cd-016c01ae8a21">Podcast Stuff</h4>
<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Sponsoring Partners</h5>
<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Fox Racing</h5>
<p class="">Fox have just launched a fully updated Flexair range of jerseys, pants, shorts and gloves. Their lightest and most breathable gear ever. You can check out the complete range over at <a href="https://www.foxracing.com/">foxracing.com</a>.</p>
<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Loam Pass</h5>
<p class="">Picture this, over 70 epic mountain bike destinations across North and South America. Two free days at each, a third at half price, and no blackout dates. Just you, your bike, and an endless world of trails. Even better, there’s loads of new spots to explore this year, including Highland in New Hampshire and KRB in New Mexico.</p>
<p class="">Well that’s what you get with <a href="https://loampass.com/">Loam Pass</a>. For just $250, you unlock over 100 days of riding across top bike parks, shuttles, and trail systems. Whether you’re chasing park laps or finding hidden gems, it’s got you covered.</p>
<p class="">But don’t hang around, that early bird price ends May 1st 2026. Head to <a href="https://loampass.com/">loampass.com,</a> grab your pass, and start planning those road trips.</p>
<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Cannondale</h5>
<p class="">This episode is a paid partnership with Cannondale – check out the Bad Habit over at <a href="https://www.cannondale.com/en/bikes/mountain/enduro/bad-habit" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannondale.com</a>.</p>
<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Patreon</h5>
<p class="">I would love it if you were able to support the podcast via a regular <a href="https://www.patreon.com/downtimepodcast" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Patreon</a> donation. Donations start from as little as £3 per month. That’s less than £1 per episode and less than the price of a take away coffee. Every little counts and these donations will really help me keep the podcast going and hopefully take it to the next level. To help out, head <a href="https://www.patreon.com/downtimepodcast" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.</p>
<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="block-5ae144c7-14b5-4e04-b58f-3a001a2d5569">Merch</h5>
<p id="block-929c7cb8-a9b9-41a3-b887-07fc1e214914" class="">If you want to support the podcast and represent, then my webstore is the place to head. All products are 100% organic, shipped without plastics, and made with a supply chain that’s using renewable energy. We now also have local manufacture for most products in the US as well as the UK. So check it out now over at <a href="https://www.downtimepodcast.com/shop" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">downtimepodcast.com/shop</a>.</p>
<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="block-5ae144c7-14b5-4e04-b58f-3a001a2d5569">Newsletter</h5>
<p id="block-929c7cb8-a9b9-41a3-b887-07fc1e214914" class="">If you want a bit more Downtime in your life, then you can join my newsletter where I’ll provide you with a bit of behind the scenes info on the podcast, interesting bits and pieces from around the mountain bike world, some mini-reviews of products that I’ve been using and like, partner offers and more. You can do that over at <a href="https://www.downtimepodcast.com/newsletter/">downtimepodcast.com/newsletter</a>.</p>
<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="block-9cf194fb-0d65-4c18-b4d1-810b3588eb81">Follow Us</h5>
<p id="block-75941b02-1535-4d75-a3c4-de5805163dae" class="">Give us a follow on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/downtimepodcast/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@downtimepodcast</a> or Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/downtimepodcast" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@downtimepodcast</a> to keep up to date and chat in the comments.</p>
<p id="block-1ca2c366-5555-4870-8f84-8206ce834827" class="">For everything video, including riding videos, bike checks and more, subscribe over at <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/downtimemountainbikepodcast?sub_confirmation=1" target="_blank">youtube.com/downtimemountainbikepodcast</a>.</p>
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<p id="block-7c4d5400-53d4-4af1-a751-0f0534cb3cf2" class="">Our back catalogue of amazing episodes is available at <a href="https://www.downtimepodcast.com/episodes">downtimepodcast.com/episodes</a></p>
<p class="">Photo – Cannondale</p>
