This week came the news that Intense were stepping back to focus on domestic racing, today, welcome Nukeproof Axess Racing.
Whilst it might only be a change of title sponsor, big things are happening. Intense withdrew from Europe and has now committed itself to domestic US racing. Nukeproof now step back into World Cup downhill racing as title sponsor of the now Nukeproof Axess Racing.
For Lou Ferguson, this will see a return to the Dissent that helped her become a legend.
Belgian Cycling Factory (BCF) announces today a huge step in the return to racing, with news that it will be title sponsor of the new Nukeproof Axess racing team forming ‘Nukeproof Axess Racing’, owned by Joe Breeden and managed by Olly Morris.
Nukeproof will be the official bike supplier to Axess Racing for the next three years, with the existing Axess rider roster retained, competing as an Elite Team in the UCI Downhill World Cups onboard the Nukeproof Dissent Downhill bike.
The 2026 rider roster consists of:
- Joe Breeden, Juanfer Munoz and Oscar Griffiths in Elite Men.
- Mille Johnset, Louise Ferguson and Milatul Khaqimah in Elite Women.
- Camden Rutherford in Junior Men.
The team has come to together at lightning speed says Clive Gosling from Nukeproof: “I started with Nukeproof in August and there was already a plan to go racing in 2027. I went to the World Cup in Les Gets to meet some teams, and I immediately knew with Joe and Olly that there was a window of opportunity to go racing sooner. The stars aligned and here we are; going racing at the highest level in the sport with a super rad squad for the next three years. BCF has it’s own wind tunnel at our Belgian HQ, so we’ll be getting the team in there over the winter to maximise position, components and kit to eek out those crucial seconds”.
Joe Breeden commented: “The progress Axess Racing has made over the last two years has been incredible, and welcoming Nukeproof on board as we enter ‘Stage 2’ of this journey is a massive milestone. It was clear from the start that Nukeproof is serious about racing; that competitive drive and pursuit for perfection is in the DNA of Belgian Cycling Factory. To win World Cups now, it is more important than ever to work with a brand that is committed to innovation and pushing boundaries, racing is so tight and you need to find every edge possible”.
The team will not only compete in World Cups but also events including RedBull Hardline, where Louise Ferguson made history in 2025 with the first women’s win in Wales, and RedBull Cerro Abajo where Juanfer Munoz is the 3X back-to-back series Champion, one of the team’s most successful riders.
The team is supported by the best partners in the industry; a full list of sponsors will be announced in January.
