THE WORLD'S FASTEST DESCENDER

DOWNHILL MAESTRO SAFA BRIAN TELLS MARIA DAVID HOW HE MASTERED THE ART OF DESCENDING TO BECOME FASTER THAN EVERYONE EXCEPT, PERHAPS, TOM PIDCOCK

- Maria David

MEET Safa Brian at a London bike show, where he is promoting his latest video Trust: Descending the Dolomites. The LA-based South African is best known for his work behind the camera, having gone viral in 2020 with videos of himself careering down Californian canyons. He is easy to spot among the cycling celebs. Tall and rangy, dressed in a herringbone sweater and jeans, his golden-blondedyed short, wavy hair contrasting with his natural dark stubble, he cuts a relaxed figure. Softly spoken and calm, the 38-year-old's laid-back demeanor belies his heart-in-your-mouth antics. "I don't consider myself to be a downhill bike rider, I just enjoy riding my bike," he says. "There are photos of me playing on bikes as a little kid. I've dedicated my life to cycling, and it's always taken care of me."

His real name is Brian Wagner, but everyone refers to him as Safa Brian - so we'll follow suit. "It's a full-time, 24/7 job," he says of his work. "I do everything: plan, produce, direct, edit, create, manage the channel, sign the contracts with sponsors, make decks, and propose ideas and projects. Still, it's a pretty awesome job, so I'm not complaining." Growing up in southern Africa, Brian started out riding mountain bikes. After moving to Australia in 2002, he became a bike messenger, subsequently working stints in London, Glasgow and New York.

He settled in Mexico City in 2012 and over the next six years became a successful racer in the Cycle Messenger World Championships and Red Hook crits. By 2018, he was ready to explore new options. "I just wanted to get out of the city. I was burned out with all the cars and the noise and pollution. Mexico City is surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, so I started exploring."