QUIP-OFF WORLD CHAMP!

King of the one-liner Rob Warner commentates on his racing career, time on the World Cup mic and plans for the future in an exclusive interview

- Will Soffe

For most readers, Rob Warner will need no introduction. A regular in these pages since 1994, when he rode for Team MBUK, he was the first Brit to win a Downhill World Cup, and also took three National Championships titles. Known for his outspokenness and wild behaviour on and off the track, it was natural he'd end up in front of the camera, featuring on MTV, Bullseye, You Bet! and even making Anne Robinson laugh on The Weakest Link, before switching to the other side of the lens as a commentator for first Freecaster.tv and then Red Bull. With the World Cup broadcast rights switching to Discovery Sport for 2023, what's Rob going to do? We arranged to catch up with him to reflect on the past and hear about his plans.

Fine china and F-bombs

We meet Rob at PEMBREE's HQ in East Sussex (he's an ambassador for the British component brand), where he's excitedly rattling off questions, grinning and lighting up the room, despite a slipped disc. The plan was to go for a ride but he's put his back out riding motorcycle trials so we go for afternoon tea instead. How British! At the local tea rooms, Rob causes quite the stir. It's not just his 6ft 5in frame that's noticeable - he always has the volume turned up to 11 and his liberal use of four-letter words is unquashed even amid the china and doilies.

Our conversation begins with a bit of reminiscing about the early days. Rob tells us how he and his brother Rich grew up with a love of motorcycle trials, stemming from their dad.

In fact, Rob even appeared on the BBC's Junior Kick Start show, aged 13. Moto-trials remains a passion for him - "I love motorbikes more than anything!" - but mountain biking gradually took over, and he turned pro in 1993, aged 22.