FREERIDE STAR HARRIET BURBIDGE-SMITH SIGNS WITH CANYON

Australian cycling prodigy to ride Canyon Stitched and Torque bikes in 2024, kicking off her season at Darkfast and Red Bull Hardline.

This January Canyon CLLCTV are bringing one of the most exciting freeriders in the world into their fold. Australia’s Harriet Burbidge-Smith, more commonly known as Haz, will be joining riders like Sam Soriano, Tim Bringer, Olivia Silva, Ryan McNulty, Kaos Seagrave and Fabio Wibmer in the Canyon CLLCTV freeride stable.

The Red Bull athlete, a two-time amateur BMX World Champion and an eight-time Australian Champion, will push Canyon’s bikes to the very edge of what’s possible – which is where the connection with Canyon’s product development team gets interesting for both parties.

Haz will be ripping the Canyon Stitched 720 and 360 bikes with their 'category 5' abuse rating for dirt jumps and slope, and a Torque long-travel rig for bike park days and big hits.

As well as tearing her way through rider leaderboards, the 27-year old is also hugely progressive about inspiring other riders to get into the sport, whether through digging or riding. “I grew up without opportunities or even knowing how to get into Freeride, so it was never a path until recent years. I’m determined to change that.”

Haz hopes to continue her progression camp to bring more women in to the sport, part of which involves digging, building trails and learning new features and progressing to learning new skills and tricks.

“Bike skills are really important but off-the-bike you can learn so much more that can improve you as a rider. It took me years to find a community and learn those things and I feel like I am still so new to the sport and continuing to learn so much. Having an opportunity to pass that on has been completely fulfilling to me, and having a sponsor who can values that is super important.”

Where her schedule allows, Haz will be a staple fixture at Canyon’s CLLCTV community events over the coming years, bringing her trademark energy and enthusiasm. Canyon CLLCTV is Canyon's community of global off-road riders, racers and ambassadors, with the goal of bringing riders together and encouraging more people to hit the trails, making Haz a perfect fit.   

Her 2024 kicks off her season With Darkfest and Red Bull Hardline before heading to New Zealand for Slopestyle, Speed & Style and Dual Slalom competitions at Crankworx Rotorua (March 16-24). This will be followed by all Crankworx rounds: Cairns, Australia (May 22-26), Innsbruck, Austria (June 12-23) and Whistler, Canada (July 19-28).

For more from Harriet Burbidge-Smith check out her Instagram (@Haznationbikes) or YouTube: (HAZNATION Bikes) channels.