After more than a decade racing the World Cup, Laurie Greenland is getting back to what really matters. He’s shifting focus from full-time competition. He’s trying to find the joy in riding again. And in this new endeavour, the British rider has joined Canada’s Forbidden Bikes.
“I’ve got a real desire to experience a life outside of racing,” Greenland says in A Different Line, a new short film documenting the decision.
From Syndicate to something new
The news comes months after parting ways with the Santa Cruz Syndicate. He raced with them for four seasons. He was always a fan favourite and always a podium threat. But health challenges and the constant pressure of racing didn’t add to Greenland’s desire to ride. Now, instead of lining up every weekend, Greenland is linking up with a Canadian brand known for doing things a little differently.
Forbidden confirmed the signing this week, pairing Greenland with its high-pivot platform.
Why Forbidden made sense
For Greenland, the timing made a lot of sense. Burnt out from chasing podiums, he was simply looking for something different.
“I love racing, but I love riding bikes more. I just really didn’t want that to change,” he said. “The thought of stepping back was almost as daunting as carrying on. On the day, something inside me told me it was time to simply love riding my bike again.”
It makes sense that chasing race results for over a decade would get tired. Greenland’s reset includes this move to Forbidden. The partnership offers space for him to ride, to create and to contribute without the massive pressure of a World Cup calendar.
“It all comes down to a shared vision,” Greenland said. “I was super honest about where I was at and they liked my vision.”
New bike, new terrain, new role
Greenland has already put that vision into motion.
In a first video with the brand, he heads to New Zealand, pointing his new Forbidden downhill bike down steep, raw terrain. It is less introduction, more proof of concept.
“I’ve never had the opportunity to ride a high-pivot bike,” Greenland said. “I liked the idea of exploring a new platform. New beginnings, new platform, new vision.”
That exploration will continue on Vancouver Island alongside the Forbidden team, working on prototype development and testing.
Still chasing speed, just differently
Even without a race plate, not much has changed in how Greenland approaches a bike.
“If I have a DH bike, I want it to be the fastest version of that bike it can be,” he said. “Confidence equals fun.”
That mindset, built over years chasing marginal gains at race pace, is part of what Forbidden is tapping into. Greenland brings the kind of feedback that only comes from riding at the limit, and the brand is giving him the space to apply it.
“I am passionate about making bikes go fast and it hypes me up when I feel I’m being listened to,” he said. “It’s so cool to feel like you helped with a product.”
Not the end, just a reset
Greenland has not ruled out a return to racing. In fact, he expects it.
“I still know I’m capable of top 10 World Cup results,” he said. “We’re still figuring out how and when it will be, but I’m excited for that feeling when it happens. At my last two World Cups I had massive crashes. There’s no way I can leave it on that note.”
For now, the goal is simpler.
Ride good trails. Work on bikes. Find the spark again.