Japanese trials rider that is pretty good at bikes joins Red Bull.

Japanese mountain bike trials rider Ayato Kimura has been rewarded for years of hard work:

at the Red Bull Downtime in Nagano, Japan, none other than mountain biking legends Loic Bruni and Brook MacDonald surprised Ayato with his brand-new Red Bull helmet.

The surprise was flawless: under the pretense of conducting an interview with downhill legend Loic Bruni about his home country, Ayato was invited by his and Loic’s bike partner, Specialized, to the Red Bull Downtime DH race in Nagano. At the end of the conversation, joined by Brook MacDonald, Loic suddenly handed Ayato the downhill helmet he had been holding throughout the interview. It was only then that the 20-year-old Japanese rider realized this wasn’t Loic’s helmet but his own, marking his official induction into the Red Bull family.

"I didn’t see it coming at all. I came to Red Bull Downtime to interview Loic and Brook, and suddenly I’m holding this helmet in my hand. It took me a moment to realize it was actually mine. This is a dream come true for me. I can’t wait to take on new challenges and create sick videos with Red Bull. Huge thanks to my family, friends, and everyone who has supported me,” said Ayato Kimura.

"We’re confident that Ayato will have a huge impact on the Japanese bike scene, and we’re thrilled to embark on this exciting journey together!” said Kota Ishizaki, Red Bull Japan Marketing.

For Ayato, the Red Bull helmet is more than just a reward for hard work – it’s also a soothing for the soul: after a riding accident left him with a complex fracture, Ayato is still recovering from his crash and itching to get back on his bike and next time with his Red Bull helmet.

"The Red Bull partnership marks another milestone in Ayato’s promising career as a professional mountain bike rider, and we at RASOULUTION are happy to have him amongst our athlete roster. Ayato has already made a name for himself, with prominent riders like Danny MacAskill and his mentor Tomomi Nishikubo following his progress in awe. We’re thrilled for Ayato and firmly believe that this partnership will open even more doors for him. He truly deserves it,” said Tarek Rasouli from Ayato’s management team, RASOULUTION.

Ayato Kimura’s signature discipline is best described as MTB trials, a fusion of urban freeride, street trials, and competition trials. In addition to his successful social media presence and live shows, Ayato made waves earlier this year with "Tropical Vibes – Ayato’s Way”. This video showcases his unique style, blending technically demanding trials riding with rugged freeride and downhill elements, underscoring his passion for the sport and his willingness to push the limits.