Tahnee Seagrave is back on top, but it wasn't always so easy.
Words by Beka Stephan 
British downhill standout Tahnee Seagrave is back on top. This past weekend in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, she claimed the first UCI Downhill World Cup win of the season with a blazing 3:34 run—a stunning victory after a long, grueling battle with post-concussion syndrome.
It’s a comeback story that hits deeper than the results sheet. After a devastating crash in April 2022 left her with a severe concussion, the road back wasn’t just about physical rehab—it was about rediscovering life itself. Once a fixture on podiums and a dominant force on the circuit, Seagrave suddenly found herself unable to ride, socialize, or even be alone. She described the experience as “drowning while still breathing,” trapped in a fog of exhaustion, anxiety, and sensory overload.
Despite having endured broken bones and spinal injuries in the past, this time was different. Recovery didn’t follow a set timeline, and the pressure to bounce back quickly only slowed her progress. “I kept setting goals and kept missing them. It felt like I was failing myself over and over again,” she shared.
Only after stepping away from racing entirely did the healing begin. “As soon as I let go of expectations and stopped identifying as just a racer, I started to feel better,” she said. It took months of rest, mental health support, and relearning how to live without burnout, but eventually, she found her way back to the bike—this time on her own terms.
Her victory in Poland isn’t just a win—it’s a symbol of resilience, growth, and the importance of prioritizing long-term health in a high-risk sport. Seagrave’s return sends a powerful message to women in mountain biking: recovery isn’t weakness, and stepping back can be the first move forward.
With one World Cup win already secured, Seagrave’s season is off to a flying start—and no matter what happens next, her biggest triumph may already be behind her.
With Tahnee securing first place at Bielsko-Biała, American rider Anna Newkirk came in second, with Nina Hoffman from Germany in third. French rider Camille Blanche placed fourth, with defending World Cup Champion Valentina Höll from Austria in fifth.
The next race in the UCI DH World Cup circuit takes place in Loudenvielle-Peyragudes, France from May 30-June 1.
