Louis Ferguson, Joe Breeden and more sign to Nukeproof as the brand announces its return to racing

After closing with the end of Chain Reaction Cycles, 2025 has been an incredibly exciting year for Nukeproof. Not only is the brand back and already offering new bikes in the form of the Reactor, but the brand has announced its return to the downhill circuit for 2026, and it’s signed quite the rider roster.

Backed by Belgian Cycling Factory, Nukeproof will be back racing in 2026 with the Nukeproof Axess Racing team. The brand isn’t doing things by half either, as the team is owned by none other than Joe Breeden, and managed by Pro Ride MTB owner and coach to the pros, Olly Morris.

Signing a three-year deal, Nukeproof will be supplying Axess Racing with its Dissent downhill bike. That three-year deal also includes the rider roster, and that’s where things get even more exciting.

The first-ever female winner of RedBull Hardline makes up the Elite Women’s roster, alongside Louis Ferguson, Millie Johnset, and Milatul Khaqimah. Acess Racing owner, Joe Breeden, will be racing alongside three-time RedBull Cerro Obajo champion, Juanfer Munoz, with Oscar Griffiths rounding up the Men’s Elite squad. Representing the Junior Men is Camden Rutherford.

Joe Breeden comments, “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.”

Nukeproof’s Clive Gosling adds, “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 its 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 eke out those crucial seconds.”

As well as World Cups, expect to see the new Nukeproof Axess Racing team compete at RedBull Hardline and RedBull Cerro Obajo.

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