Katy MCGOWAN 2025 season
The 2025 race season for me in one word is, bittersweet.
After a really good winter of training I was excited to get back to racing and started off really strong with a win at the Scottish Downhill Association at Innerleithen.
Next up was a round of the IXS European Cup at Fort William. The infamous world cup track is always challenging but throw in some super windy Scottish weather and it was another level! Incredibly proud of my performance over the whole weekend and to come home with the win🥇
As with all seasons they have their ups and downs, but this season for me, felt like it turned after this point. I had a knee issue that unfortunately continued to get worse and NGL it was hard.
I continued to race but had to rest and rehab at every opportunity so there was no bike time (for fun or training) outside of the tape.
Despite no bike miles and barely anytime on my enduro rig, I really wanted to show up and see what I could do at British Enduro Champs, Dyfi. To add to the challenge of some awesome girls, it was also the hottest weekend ever!!! Stubborn/determined/competitive - whatever you want to call it, it worked! Super proud to win Enduro Champs 2025.
On paper, my best results from this season are Scottish Downhill Champion, Scottish Downhill Overall Champion and British Enduro Champion. But more than results, I’m proud of how I rode, have remained positive and developed as a person and athlete.
I also managed to head across the water and enjoy some proper sunshine! Travelling to new places and riding your bike is one of the best experiences that bikes has brought me.
I raced an IXS round in Les Ores and met some really lovely people. I then went across to Spain to race the European Downhill Championships and I loved it. The track had a bit of everything it was steep, it was fast, it was loamy, it was technical, one of my favourite tracks. I really enjoyed my experience out in Europe, everything is so different and all the girls are super fast!
Sadly I had to cancel my last few races due to the level of pain in my knee and on the advice of my physio. The next few months will be spent trying to resolve my knee issues so I can get back on the bike asap! In the meantime, I’m using the time to do what I can in the gym (and some school work 😆). I’m now even more determined to come back in 2026 as a Junior and hopefully have the opportunity to race some Enduro & DH World Cups 🤞🏻
Words: Katy McGowan