Words Lester Perry
Images Sven Martin
For most people, life is split into distinct chapters. The pages turn as we transition from one chapter or season to another.
As we grow and develop, some of these pages turn for us with the structure of life: we’re born, school begins, school ends, real life begins, and eventually death comes. We have little control over each end of our lives; those chapters are chosen for us. The middle part – the meat-and-potatoes of the story – is ours to write: a new town, a new job, relationships. Generally, we have some control over what happens in this part of our lives.
Elite mountain bikers have chapters, too. Some they choose, some are chosen for them. The start of a career is chosen, perhaps gradual at first, but eventually a page is turned, and they become serious about the sport as a career. Full-time training, full-time recovery, sponsors and, if they’re lucky, a long and enjoyable career. Some choose to go out on top; others have the choice made for them by injury, a lack of sponsors, or factors they simply can’t control.
Matt Walker, AKA ‘Waxer’, a 35-year-old downhill and enduro mountain bike racer, now based in Queenstown, knows all too well about chapters; his life and career have many. Although he’s only partway through writing his story, the tale so far is an interesting one, full of twists, turns, victories, and failures.
In August 2025, Matt announced his retirement from the top level of the sport and in doing so completed the chapter of his elite-level competitive career.
Chapter 1 – The Beginnings
Originally hailing from Kawerau, a small logging town in the Bay of Plenty, Matt began life on two wheels, fanging around on a BMX. His sister, Sarah, saw Matt having a good time on the bike and wanted a piece of the action too. She dove headfirst into the BMX world, eventually working her way to the top of the sport and the Olympic podium. While Sarah stuck primarily with the little wheels throughout her career, Matt graduated to big wheels and chased the MTB dream.
Gravity was his focus, and by 2007, his BMXesque style stood out amongst his competitors. Matt’s fluid style and effortless flair were always a target for photographers at races. A mid-pack finish in the U19 National Downhill Championship in January on the infamous Fringed Hill, Nelson, had given a taste of success and he wanted more. In the following twelve months, Matt had jumped the ditch a couple of times, claimed a podium at an Aussie National Series round, and hit the ground running in 2008 with a third-place finish in the U19 Downhill National Champs at Long Gully, Wellington.
“My best memories are probably from some of the early NZDH and national series days, road tripping around NZ with mates, getting up to mischief and riding lots of bikes. There were so many good tracks, and the scene was just full of good people. A lot of them I’m still really good mates with now! We are lucky here in NZ with the culture of riding and type of people it attracts. After travelling the world to ride, I see just how lucky we are here in NZ to have so many worldclass places to ride right on our doorsteps.”
Chapter 2 – The OE
In 2008, a new chapter began as Matt headed to Europe to chase the World Cup Downhill Series. It was the classic Kiwi OE, with a competitive twist – chasing downhill and fourcross races. Like most Kiwis who followed that path, the first season racing on the world stage was a tough one. The learning curve was steep, and the results were unheard of.
“I learnt Europe was a big change, mentally more than physically. I found it hard to ride how I knew I could. It’s far too easy to put extra pressure on yourself, and it means you ride tight or overthink some of the basics. Figuring out how to deal with the mindset and the pressure of being on the world stage took me longer than I wanted, but I got there in the end!”
In the years following that first European stint, Matt became a mainstay at races throughout NZ but also jumped the ditch regularly to mix it up in Australia. Good results were sporadic for a couple of years following the first World Cup campaign. By 2011, though, he was on the podium more consistently, and whenever the National Series visited his then-adopted hometown of Rotorua, he was a sure shot for a win, or at least a podium.
By 2013, Matt was ready to take on the World again. Together with a handful of mates, now known as ‘the Vanzacs’ (because of their trans-Tasman makeup), loaded a van and hit the road, crossing the continent chasing races and the best riding they could find. Christened ‘The Marae’, the van had its name written across the front in black masking tape. ‘The Marae’ became a meeting point for privateers squatting in the pits of World Cup venues. Times were good, riding was loose and fun times were many, as were the tricks they learned to maximise their dollars while living on the road.
Chapter 3 – The step up
In 2016, at age 25, Matt signed with the Cube Global Squad team, alongside Greg Williamson from Scotland. The duo targeted World Cup downhill races, Crankworx series events, European Cups, and some Enduro World Series (EWS) races.
Crankworx Rotorua 2016, the first round of the global series, was a big moment for Matt. Solid results over the week, including a win in the Crankworx Toa Enduro, had him finish the festival leading the King of Crankworx competition.
A month later, Matt was again on the podium, this time in 2nd place at the EWS Rotorua, finishing between Kiwi brothers, Wyn (who won by three seconds) and Eddie Masters in 3rd, roughly three seconds behind. A historical Kiwi 1-2-3 at a worldclass event, the trio beating the world’s best.
Unfortunately, before Crankworx round two, where he would defend the ‘King’ lead, injury struck and he was out for some time. A broken finger required surgery, then he was back on the bike and crashed again, breaking a collarbone. He came back from that, then soon after, it was a broken shoulder blade sidelining him. Matt’s resilience, mental strength and neversay-die attitude kept him fighting through all the injuries of his lengthy racing career.
“Some of the biggest challenges were returning to racing from the smaller, ‘stupid’ crashes that you get injured from. At least when it was a proper hugey, you almost feel like you deserved the injuries, but when it was a small awkward crash that sidelines you for a while, it definitely reminds you how easy things go wrong and I found that it made me too cautious when coming back into racing, which can be so frustrating.”
“It’s funny ‘cause I would tend to come back really strong and focused after a big injury. First race back from a full season off after a knee reconstruction, I got a 4th at an EWS. Then the season after a shoulder surgery and breaking my neck, I won a round. The worst for me were probably the ongoing niggling injuries that just impacted my racing, but I didn’t want to sound like it was an excuse, so I just sucked it up. One season it got to the point where I had a shoulder that would just dislocate while riding and racing. It would be super frustrating to have these things impact my ability to take chances or ride how I’d want to, but I learned to deal with it and was lucky to have a good support network when I got home to get surgeries booked in and done. But, it meant I didn’t get to race much in NZ which was something I always wanted to do more of!”
Finally, not long before Crankworx Rotorua 2017, Matt was finally back on the bike training again. A win in the Air DH and consistency across the other events saw him again leave the event with the King of Crankworx crown atop his head. Matt’s dominant performances across all formats confirm that he’s one of the best on a bike, regardless of what event he’s lined up for.
“One of my proudest moments was in 2018 when I gambled on myself, and it paid off. I’d done a few urban races and gone pretty well, and I knew prize money was great at them. I didn’t have enough money at the time for flights and couldn’t get any brands on board to help me get there. So, I sold my van for plane tickets to Chile for the Valparaiso street race. I went there broke, knowing I needed a 4th or better to cover my flights and buy a car again. Had an insane trip, made a few mistakes in the finals, but still got 2nd, so covered my flights and a van upgrade when I got home!”
Chapter 4 – A career cemented
At the start of 2019, Matt added to his story, signing with Pivot Factory Racing and joining Kiwi Eddie Masters to race a mix of EWS and Downhill races across the globe. Factory support, a proper pit setup and a bunch of mates to travel with: the dream!
By 2019, Matt’s best results were coming from EWS races. This racing style played to his many strengths, requiring an obscene level of skills and bike handling, but also a huge level of athleticism, all managed by a cool head; all things Matt has in spades. Although he was excelling at Enduro, he was still racing World Cup downhill and even though his results weren’t as strong, he was generally still qualifying for the finals – a feat in itself.
Red Bull Hardline, in Wales, offers up one of the gnarliest courses on the planet. In 2019, Matt was selected to ride, finishing 10th while his team manager, Bernard Kerr, took the win. A huge day for Pivot Factory Racing!
“Looking back at the highlights (of his career), for sure ticking off Hardline and some of the EWS adventures that we had were massive. Huge days on the bike where you weren’t even sure you were going to be able to finish the race, going to crazy locations and riding, then racing some of the best tracks I’ve ever ridden. But I’d say the highlight has always been the mates I got to share it all with. There was always a good, strong Kiwi crew, which meant even if the race didn’t go so well, there was always a good time to be had!”
In 2022, Matt teamed up with friends Charlie Murray and Ed Masters to chase the ‘Trophy Of Nations’, competing against 27 other nations for the coveted title. Riders tackle the course as a team of three, all riding together on the trail. The Kiwis sealed the deal and came out on top!
The EWS Val De Fassa round in 2023 was where Matt stamped his authority at the top of the sport. He won the race overall, taking the final two stages on the way to the top step of the podium. While others faded in the heat of the monstrous day in the Italian mountains, he only got stronger – another historical moment in NZ mountain biking involving Mr Walker.
Chapter 5 – The wind down
It’s no secret that the last few years have been challenging for Matt. Remaining at the top became increasingly difficult, even outside of the injuries.
“The depth of talent and level of commitment needed to be competitive is insane. Today, you need to put in some serious work on fitness, bike setup, mental approach and all the little things in between, just to gain 0.1 of a second here and there, because every bit counts! When you’re on the right side of those time gaps, you’ll be thanking yourself for not giving up on those intervals during training.”
Now he’s moving on from the sport, Matt has a few thoughts on the state of affairs in World Cup Downhill and Enduro:
“I’d like to see the top end go back to more riders and racers involved each week in Downhill. They are trying to make it very “elite”, which I get in a way, but the sport itself is too varied to have only 20-30 guys racing. As it is, someone could podium one week, not make finals the next, but if more riders were allowed to learn by racing in conditions or on a track that may not suit their current skill set, it can benefit and grow. Not everyone is going to nail it on the first try. Some need time to learn and adapt!
“Enduro needs to get out of the shadow of being at DH venues and go back to what made it great to be at, and great to watch. New venues, great tracks, good racing and lots of variety. I find it frustrating; they had the formula and it was booming, the industry supported it, the riders loved it, now it feels like they (the organisers) are taking the easy option, cutting corners to save some spending. I do have high hopes for enduro making a good comeback, and at the end of the day, it’s what 90% of mountain bikers do, so it should be everywhere.” Between working on various car projects in the garage, Matt’s been focusing on building a life with riding still as part of it, just not all-consuming.
“I’ve had a few months off the bike and social media, but getting back into it all now! A goal with retiring was to turn bikes into a hobby again, which means riding for fun and because I want to, not because I have to. Lately, I’ve been riding heaps and enjoying it more than ever! As for work, I have just started working towards my commercial helicopter license, so I will see where that takes me!”
Matt has confirmed his status as a legend of the sport in NZ and although he’s often flown under the radar, he’s been going about his business and getting the job done. When adversity struck so many times, he just put his head down and got on with the job, bouncing back thanks to his mental strength and resiliance. No doubt these are all things he’ll draw on as he continues to write the next chapters of his story.
We got in contact with Matt’s longtime teammate and friend, Eddie Masters, to get some thoughts on him:
One of my all-time favourite Matt Walker stories is from 2013. We were travelling together in our van, ‘The Marae’ and had ended up at the IXS Cup in Pila. Funnily enough, Wax was riding for Pivot NZ at the time and so was my brother, Wyn. During practice, Wyn managed to break his mech hanger and didn’t have a spare. Kiwis being Kiwis, we hatched a plan that Wax would fake a crash and DNF the seeding run while Wyn would seed at full pace, and that way Wax would come down first, and Wyn would be near the end, meaning both could share one hanger. Wax’s ‘crash’ was pretty spectacular! Right at the finish, he slid out after the last drop, spinning multiple times and then proceeding to collapse, needing assistance off the course. The plan worked to perfection, and on race day, Wax dropped in first and put down a heater. He sat in the hot seat right up until the last few riders. Deleting about seven Red Bulls in the process, whilst wearing a novelty sombrero, he ended the day in second place and took home a decent pay cheque – but, more importantly, a funny story that has stood the test of time.
It’s been an absolute pleasure to spend the bulk of my career travelling the world with Wax. We managed to ride the fine line of fun and fast for so many years, and I honestly think that neither of us would have made it so far or hung on for so long if it weren’t for being teammates. Holy shit, we have had some laughs, and those moments on and off the track are memories that will last a lifetime. One of the best to ever do it, and most definitely one of the best to do it with!”