Meet the riders and their rides

Giant’s Mckay Vezina is one of those riders who doesn’t make a lot of headlines. He hasn’t won any big races or titles, but he does compete in the Enduro World Series, and he may have a lot more influence on the design of Giant’s most aggressive trail bikes and downhill race machines than many of the other riders on the team. Mckay was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, but he now lives in Newbury Park, California, the same town where Giant’s U.S. headquarters is located.

Thanks to that proximity, he is regularly available for consultations, evaluations and testing of the company’s newest bikes. He’s also available when Giant’s marketing team needs a top-level rider for video and photo shoots.

Mckay is also an extremely personable rider, always ready with a big smile and a friendly attitude. He has outstanding skills in all types of riding situations, and he’s talented when it comes to sharing his thoughts and photos on social media, where he enjoys large followings on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Mckay was even utilized by the Mountain Bike Action staff a few years ago as one of our frequent test riders.

These days, Mckay has moved up to full-factory status on the Giant gravity team, competing for fame and glory in the Enduro World Series.

RIDER PROFILE

Name: Mckay Vezina

Nickname: Mac

Age: 22

Birthdate: October 22, 1995

Birthplace: Vancouver, British Columbia

Height: 5-foot-9

Weight: 180 pounds

Shoe size: 10.5

Helmet size: Large

Waist: 32 inches

Marital status: Single

Current home: Newbury Park, CA

House: Nope

Cars: None

Started racing: 11

Turned pro: 21

Racing specialty: Enduro

Favorite course (North America): Whistler

Most exciting race result: It wasn’t actually a win, but my first top-five stage result in an EWS was a huge achievement for me.

Favorite course (Europe): Finale Ligure or La Thuile, Italy

Favorite food: Burritos

Goals: Top five EWS

Heroes: Steve Smith

Favorite recording artists: Metallica, Slayer

Favorite movie: Depends on my mood!

Favorite hobbies: Coffee drinking and hanging out with friends

Favorite sport outside cycling: Formula One

Jobs held (other than racer): I worked as a receptionist, but that didn’t last long!

Most embarrassing moment: Too many to count!

Always takes on a trip: Coffee supplies and a camera!

What you would be if you were not a racer: I’m not really sure, but probably would try working in the bike industry in some way.

Mckay Vezina’s Giant Reign Advanced

1. Frame. “My trusty Giant Reign Advanced, size large, 160mm of rear-wheel travel.”

2. Shock. “Super stoked to be riding the new DVO Topaz 2, 200-psi main chamber, 200-psi bladder pressure, two volume bands positive chamber, two volume bands negative chamber, -6 rebound and 0 LSC damping.”

3. Fork. “Hand-built DVO Diamond, 110 Boost, 27.5-inch, 170mm travel, 135psi, +5cc oil in air chamber, -3 LSC, -3 HSC, -3 rotations OTT and -9 rebound.”

4. Tires. “Super-sticky Maxxis Minion SS 27.5×2.35-inch Double Down rear tire, 27 psi; Maxxis Minion DHF 27.5×2.5-inch Double Down Maxx Grip front tire, 25 psi.”

5. Inner tubes or tubeless system: Stan’s No Tubes sealant and valve stems.

6. Rims: Giant TRX WheelSystem.

7. Spokes: Giant TRX WheelSystem.

8. Front and rear hubs: Giant TRX WheelSystem.

9. Brakes: Shimano Saint BR-820; 203mm, Shimano RT-86 6-bolt rotors, front and rear.

10. Handlebars: PRO Koryak Riser Bar, 20mm rise, 760mm width.

11. Bottom bracket: Shimano XTR SM-BB94.

12. Grips: ODI Elite Pro lock-on.

13. Cranks: Shimano XT FC-M8000- 1, 170mm.

14. Chainring size: 34T.

15. Pedals: HT X2 DH-Race.

16. Chain: Shimano XTR. Changed prior to every race (weekly/biweekly).

17. Rear derailleur: Shimano XTR RD-M9000.

18. Front derailleur or chainguide: RP AM-G chainguide.

19. Shifters: Shimano XTR SL-M9000.

20. Brake levers: Shimano Saint BR-820.

21. Rear cassette: Shimano XT CS-M8000, 11-46T, 11-speed.

22. Saddle: Giant Contact Forward.

23. Seatpost: Giant Contact SL Switch dropper post, 440mm x 150mm travel.

24. Cables and housings: Shimano SIS.

25. Headset: Giant.

26. Water-bottle cage: Giant Airway Sport Side-Pull Cage.

27. Stem: PRO Koryak, 40mm, alloy

28: Head angle: 65 degrees

29. Bottom bracket height: 13.5″.

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THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO GET MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION