Neuner and Anhder Named 2026 Red Bull Rookies
The mountain biking association honored Michelle Neuner and Damian Anhder for their breakout 2026 performances.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Cycling
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Michelle Neuner and Damian Anhder have been crowned the 2026 Red Bull Rookies of the Year by the Freeride Mountain Bike Association. The accolade recognizes top-performing emerging talent in the sport based on results from sanctioned events.
Why it matters
The award serves as a formal entry point for rising stars to transition into the highest professional tier of mountain biking. Winners gain a competitive edge by securing a coveted wildcard entry into the 2027 Slopestyle Super League series.
Michelle Neuner led the 2026 standings with 1,840 points, while Damian Anhder secured his title with 1,271 points. These totals were calculated from the top three results across FMB-sanctioned Bronze, Silver, and Gold events.
The players
Michelle Neuner
She is a professional mountain biker who secured the 2026 Red Bull Rookie of the Year title.
Damian Anhder
He is a professional mountain biker who earned the 2026 Red Bull Rookie of the Year honor.
Freeride Mountain Bike Association
This governing body manages the FMB World Tour and oversees the professional mountain biking circuit.
Johanna Nussbaumer
She captured the inaugural championship title of the Slopestyle Super League in 2026.
Ayden Siebenaler
He is a competitive mountain biker who finished the 2026 season with 1,157 points in the rookie standings.
The details
Recipients of the Rookie of the Year title receive a professional FMB World Tour license, a trophy, and a guaranteed spot in the inaugural event of the 2027 Slopestyle Super League. The Slopestyle Super League was introduced in 2026, effectively replacing the previous Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championships as the sport's premier circuit.
Timeline
The 2026 award period determined the winners based on their performance throughout the season.
Winners are set to compete in the 2027 Slopestyle Super League season.
Season Trajectory
The transition to the Slopestyle Super League in 2026 has reshaped how rising athletes like Neuner and Anhder qualify for elite competition. This new pathway replaces the legacy Crankworx circuit, creating a more direct link between rookie-level performance and championship-tier events.
The win guarantees Neuner and Anhder a wildcard slot in the first 2027 Slopestyle Super League event, providing them an immediate opportunity to accumulate world ranking points. This shift significantly impacts the 2027 field, as these newcomers will now compete directly against established pros for early-season standing.
The takeaway
The recognition of emerging talent underscores the importance of consistent performance in FMB-sanctioned events for those aiming to enter the professional circuit. Aspiring riders should note that success across multiple event tiers is now the standard requirement for securing a professional license.
Further reading
For more on the latest trends in the professional circuit, visit the Cycling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pinkbike.
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