AON Racing partner with Trash Free Trails for a second year in an effort to showcase the positive impact of mountain biking.
With the first downhill World Cup of the year ahead, Trash Free Trails go into their second year with AON Racing, now unique for more than just the bikes and talent, but they’re also now the only Trash Free Race Team.
After a debut season bubbling with growth, determination and perseverance, AON Racing seek to make their second year unforgettable both on the course and in the pits, as they work with environmental not-for-profit to claim the title of the world’s first ‘Trash Free Race Team’.
Known for their pioneering approach, the team headed by Reece Wilson seek to show how elite sport can be an uncompromising force for good. All of AON Racing’s athletes will use their platform to encourage fans to take up litter picking, showcase easy swaps for reusable kit, and even host clean ups at some of the World Cup’s most iconic locations.
The partnership is part of TFT’s’ ‘Trash Free Races’ initiative, which encourages outdoor sports events to reduce their impact and promote tackling litter as a collective effort from attendees, organisers and sponsors.
For a race team like AON, the partnership is about more than green marketing. With the ecosystems that host mountain biking systemically under threat from changing climate and the impacts of plastic and single-use pollution, the team are unified in the need to educate fans, encourage action, and show how mountain biking can go hand in hand with environmental stewardship.
“As elite riders we’re fortunate to see and experience the best trails the world has to offer,” says AON Racing’s founder, Reece Wilson, “but that also means we firsthand see the impacts of litter. Through our partnership with Trash Free Trails we’re taking responsibility, and hopefully showing to riders of all levels that there’s more to be done to give back to these amazing places.”
With elite sport events notable for high levels of litter and a reliance of single-use products like plastic water bottles, takeaway food packaging and merchandise, Trash Free Trails believe that through the example the AON Racing team set, spectators will be inspired to take more ownership and transform the culture at outdoor race events.
“Riders like Reece, Henry, Hattie and Stan aren’t just incredible athletes – they’re also inspiring individuals to hundreds of thousands of riders across the world. As the best mountain biking has to offer, they set the precedent for how we behave on and off the bike. We’re so proud to be partnered with AON Racing and Net Performance, and be showcasing how mountain biking can give back to trails across the world, so up and comers learn to do the same too.”
