Ten Years Full Circle:
GDL Grand Final Lights Up China — And the Next Generation Takes Over
Ten years ago, when the GDL Downhill Series was just an idea and a rough ribbon of dirt cut into a Chinese hillside, mtbmagasia was already there. From the very first race, we were on the ground — helping to shape the event, supporting organisation, sharing international know-how, and contributing ideas that would help a young series find its direction.
Mesum Verma of mtbmagasia riding at the very first "GDL" Race back in 2016 at the Zilian Downhill Race in Chaozhou.
A decade later, standing at the GDL Grand Final in Zhongshan, it’s impossible not to feel how far Chinese downhill racing has come.
From December 5–7, the 2025 GDL Mountain Bike Downhill Series Grand Final wrapped up in spectacular fashion at Daray Mountain Bike Park, Zhongshan. Organised by the Guangzhou Downhill Cycling Association and operated by Guangzhou Juneng Sports, the event brought together elite riders from China and abroad for three days of high-speed racing, technical challenges, and full-throttle progression — all on one of the country’s most demanding tracks.
This wasn’t just another race.This was a 10-year milestone.
A Decade in the Making
At the opening ceremony, Chen Minying, founder of the GDL Series and president of the Guangzhou Downhill Cycling Association, summed it up perfectly:
“This final is not only the end of a season — it’s the end of a decade, and the beginning of the next chapter.”
Ten years ago, downhill MTB in China was niche at best. Small rider numbers, limited infrastructure, and few competitive platforms. Through constant iteration, rider-focused organisation, and relentless commitment, GDL has grown from a regional race into China’s benchmark downhill series, producing young riders now capable of competing on the international stage.
And the mission remains unchanged: athletes first.
Listening to riders, refining race formats, improving tracks — not just building races, but building a community.
World-Class Racing, World-Class Approval
One of the strongest signals of GDL’s international standing came from its guest star:
Red Bull athlete and former UCI Downhill World Cup & World Champion, Brook Macdonald.
“This is my first time racing in China,” Brook said.“I honestly didn’t expect this level — the rider depth, organisation, track design, media, everything. This event is on par with many national championships worldwide, and not far off World Cup standards. It’s incredible to see.”
High praise — and well earned.
Tracks That Separate the Fast From the Fearless
The Grand Final used Daray Mountain Bike Park’s Black Line and Blue Line, delivering two very different personalities:
Black Line: steep, raw, unforgiving — featuring the infamous rock garden that became the defining technical challenge of the weekend
Blue Line: fast, flowing, relentless — where average speeds pushed beyond 40 km/h
Race distances ranged from 1,750 m (Elite DH) to 2,000 m (TRP Open & TINYROCK Kids), demanding not just skill, but mental endurance as braking bumps and blown-out lines evolved with every run.
By race day, the mountain had teeth.
Stars, Speed, and Serious Style
Quanlin River MTB Park was buzzing. Lift lines packed with riders. Spectators lining key sections. Cameras rolling.
The rider list read like a who’s who of Asian downhill:
- Brook Macdonald (NZL, Red Bull)
- Jiang „Dan“ Shengshan (“Asia’s No.1”)
- ATO Hiroshi (JPN)
- Kita Yuya, Asian Youth Champion
- Cai Jiling, China’s leading female rider
- Connor Leov (NZL)
GDL has always been more than a race — it’s a reunion, a party, a shared culture — and seeing familiar faces return year after year is part of its magic.
On track, the action delivered.Brook’s precision through steep rock sections was textbook. Jiang „Dan“ Shengshan answered with aggressive pace, razor-sharp lines, and zero hesitation. Jumps were sent. Corners railed. The crowd roared run after run.
Innovation On and Off the Track
This year’s Grand Final also pushed media coverage forward.
A hybrid live broadcast combined fixed cameras on key features with FPV drones chasing riders through corners and over jumps — giving fans an immersive, rider-level perspective rarely seen in downhill coverage.
The result?Record online engagement, nonstop live chat interaction, and nationwide attention.
This is what modern downhill coverage should look like.
Racing for Everyone — From Kids to Kings
Across four competitions in three days — Elite DH, TRP Open, TINYROCK Kids DH, and the JAVA Whip-Off — GDL showcased its inclusive vision.
The JAVA Whip-Off became a fan favourite, with riders throwing stylish, creative shapes while Brook Macdonald jumped in as a judge — proof that fun still belongs at the heart of racing.
Meanwhile, young riders showed fearlessness well beyond their years, underlining the depth of China’s next generation.
The Results That Made History
In the headline Elite categories, Jiang Shengshan delivered a career-defining performance:
- Shantuo Elite DH – 🥇 Jiang „Dan“ Shengshan (2:37.910)
- TRP Open U39 – 🥇 Jiang „Dan“ Shengshan (3:00.293)
Beating Brook Macdonald in both categories, Dan claimed his first-ever GDL Grand Final title since joining the series in 2017 — making him the undisputed standout of the weekend.
Other highlights:
- TINYROCK U8 – 🥇 Liang Xiaoyou
- JAVA Whip-Off – 🥇 Chen „Kimi“ Junxi | 🥈 Lin Zhengan
Reflecting afterward, Dan said:
“The Black Line was brutal. Every run felt different as the track broke down. The Blue Line was pure speed — over 40 km/h average. Every GDL Final is unforgettable, and seeing how fast the young riders are progressing is honestly inspiring.”
Ten Years Down. The Future Wide Open.
The 2025 GDL Grand Final wasn’t just a race — it was a snapshot of how far Chinese downhill has come. From rough beginnings to professional tracks, international stars, innovative media, and a rapidly growing rider base, GDL’s ten-year journey mirrors the rise of the sport itself in China.
And having been there from the very first race, mtbmagasia is proud to witness — and continue supporting — what comes next.
If the past decade was about building foundations, the next ten years are about going faster, higher, and further than ever before.
We’ll see you on the hill.
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