May 10/16 17:53 pm - Steve Smith Killed in Motocross Accident

Posted by Editoress on 05/10/16
 

We are very saddened to report that Canadian downhiller Steve Smith passed away earlier today after sustaining head injuries last week in a motorcycle accident. The accident took place when Smith was out riding motocross on old logging roads in the Dumont area to the northwest of Nanaimo, near his home.

Smith and another motocross rider, both injured, were discovered by mountain bikers, who called for medical assistance. Smith's injuries included head trauma, and his health deteriorated.

Steve Smith is Canada's most successful downhill racer ever, with three World Cup victories and the 2013 overall World Cup title (when he became the only Downhill rider to ever be voted Canadian Cyclist of the Year). After a series of injuries impacted the last two seasons, Smith came back with a second place in the opening round of the this season's World Cup. He qualified fifth in the second round a few weeks ago in Cairns, Australia, but flatted in the final.

Steve Smith (centre) with Atherton, Minnaar, Hill and Gwinn in 2013

Steve Smith at the top in 2013

Our best wishes to Steve's family.

Smith's team, Devinci Global Racing, has issued the following statement:

World Cup sensation Steve Smith passed away this afternoon after suffering a massive brain injury resulting from an enduro motorcycle accident in his hometown of Nanaimo, British Columbia. He was 26 years old.

"Today we lost a great person, who taught me about myself and influenced many," says Devinci Global Racing Team Manager, Gabe Fox. "Stevie was a fierce competitor, an honest friend and a rider who made me proud on countless occasions. I am honoured to consider him my friend for so long."

Smith hailed from Vancouver Island, where he sharpened his mountain biking skills on the rainforest trails of Mt. Prevost. A force on the Canadian downhill racing scene for years, he became an international household name in 2013 after pocketing World Cup wins at Leogang, Hafjell, and Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que. Those efforts culminated in the World Cup Overall Title the same year - downhill racing's ultimate achievement.

Smith is revered by fellow competitors and loved by friends, family and fans, who've been following what had been an explosive start to the 2016 season. Pushing past injuries that led to consecutive sidelined seasons, The Canadian Chainsaw was back in podium form this past April for the UCI WC Mountain Bike opener in Lourdes, France, where he finished in second place.

A driven athlete and fierce competitor, Smith was humble and grounded off the track. He was a notable influence on all young and aspiring Canadian gravity racers and others around the world. He was also a key mentor to friend and DGR teammate, Mark Wallace.

"I would not be anywhere on the bike without Steve," Wallace says. "Most importantly he taught me to be confident in my abilities, race my bike properly and take risks. As training partners, we pushed each other to the limit."

At home, in his close-knit Vancouver Island community, Smith was known as a consummate outdoorsman. This is where he spent time fishing, camping, and sinking birdie putts on the golf course. His spirit was infectious and inspirational. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his close family and those he positively affected. Steve Smith is survived by his devoted mother, Tiann, sister, Kara, his uncle, Eric, niece and nephew, Myla and Luke, grandmother, Judi, and girlfriend, Caily Schenkeveld.

His family remembers him as a great warrior.

"Steve was the most successful Canadian Gravity Racer of all time," Fox says. "His passing leaves a huge hole in our hearts here at Devinci."

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 21 at 1 p.m. at the Vancouver Island Convention Centre in Nanaimo, B.C. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the "Stevie Smith Legacy Fund" at www.gofundme.com/23k7fus;. Funds will be earmarked for a Tiann Smith initiative, assisting talented young athletes.

On a personal note; I have known Stevie for more then a decade, since he was a Junior, winning the Canadian title in 2005. He was a passionate and fierce competitor, but rather shy and soft spoken when talking with the media. In 2013, when he won the World Cup title with three consecutive victories, he pointed to his Mont Ste Anne win as the best of his career, saying " no question, winning on home soil is a dream come true". We sat down in Cairns just a few weeks ago, talking about how he was healthy and back at the top. He was excited to be back racing.

Below - 2005 winning his first national championship as a junior