Almost everyone knows of Laurie Greenland. He’s been one of the most exciting riders to watch in UCI Downhill, a former teammate with Jackson Goldstone, and is no stranger to the podium. However, earlier this year, he stepped away from racing on the UCI DH World Cup for the Santa Cruz Syndicate. When announcing his departure from the team, Laurie shed a little bit more light on the ups and downs he’s faced while racing. “It’s so easy to dwell on the negatives, at times it was exceptionally shit. But when all is said and done, the only feeling in the forefront of my mind is happiness. Watching the amazing folks around me simply live their lives has been the most inspiring thing ever.”
Can’t Have the High Without the Low
These highs and lows aren’t singular to a professional athlete; they’re something we all experience in life, and, as shown in his recent video, A Different Line, sometimes a pause and reset can feel counterintuitive, but can be exactly what you need to move forward.
This isn’t a retirement swan song. Far from it. It’s a “dreaming again” moment. Laurie is stepping back to move forward, looking to rediscover the raw art form of riding that hooked him when he was nine years old. He’s talking about missions, projects, and aligning with brands that see the bike as more than just a win-at-all-costs machine.
Fun > Racing
When announcing his departure from Santa Cruz Syndicate, Laurie shared the following thoughts: “Racing has had its little snippets of brilliance, but for the large majority, I didn’t feel myself – but, I’ve never been one to put all my eggs in one basket, and I’m proud of the diverse life I’ve sculpted for myself, not just as an athlete but as a human.” This feeling is exemplified in this short, raw, beautifully shot piece by Ollie Hamilton-Fox. Laurie opens up about a battle many of us can relate to: the “invisible injury.” We all understand a broken humerus or a shattered collarbone; you can see the cast, you can track the PT. But when the engine is running hot, and the mind is starting to fray, people tend to judge.
Laurie talks candidly about the “serious lows” and the pressure to be his “best self” when he simply wasn’t. It’s a heavy reminder that even the fastest pilots on the planet aren’t immune to the pressure.
Seeing Greenland lean into this new chapter and refocus the lens of inspiration to what really feels “right” is special. It paints a picture of an artist inside the athlete, and the balance that comes from doing what you love as a job. You can’t keep burning the same candle forever, and there comes a time to light a new one.
Big ups to Laurie and Ollie for putting this one together and spreading inspiration.