Hannah Escott Speaker | Sports & PHSCE & Lifestyle & Careers & Women

Hannah Escott

Hannah Escott: World Series Champion Mountain Biker & BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award Winner

Hannah Escott is twice Fourcross (4X) Mountain Bike World Series Champion (2016/2019). She is also the founder of Burlish Bike Park- the UK’s first woman-led mountain bike park, which is currently ranked top 2 in England and top 4 in the UK. Her contribution to community sport awarded her a BBC Sports Personality of the Year title in 2024.

Hannah’s story challenges everything students think they know about success. At school, she was “bad at PE” complete with infamous tales of tennis balls gone wrong, long-jump spills, and moments best forgotten, she never stood out as sporty. Hannah cycled for fun and transport but laughed when teachers suggested she try mountain biking. With nothing to lose, she gave it a go and ended up racing for the Great British Cycling Team!

Fourcross is one of the most intense cycling disciplines: four riders racing head-to-head down steep off-road tracks filled with jumps, drops and technical features. The crowds gather in their thousands and their noise travels for miles. It’s fast, physical and unforgiving; contact is allowed!

At just 5 feet tall, in a male-dominated extreme sport, Hannah defied expectations. Her training started and continues in places familiar to many young people, local skateparks and pump tracks around Worcestershire and West Midlands, proving that elite pathways can begin anywhere.

Today, Hannah is found on the other side of the tape coaching and commentating at the national and world stage. She also runs her bike park and coordinates a team of coaches who deliver practical cycling sessions in schools. She says “I want all the riders to feel like rock stars!” and is passionate about creating opportunities for others, using sport to build confidence, resilience and belief. Her message to students is clear: you don’t need to fit the mould to succeed; you need determination, hard work, and the courage to try.

Testimonials from Teachers

"I had some really great feedback from all the kids, they loved it! The videos used were fantastic, I’ve never seen year 7 so engaged!”

– Teacher, Sandwell Academy

"The presentation was great and enthusiasm and story were really good. I heard really positive things about the practical session from both the students and staff and I know they all really enjoyed it. I think if you would maybe like to do something similar next year it would be perfect as a girls only session for both the talk and practical as I think your story resonated with a lot of the girls. I think your personal approach would really rub off."

– Rob Smith, Sandwell Academy

"I had some really great feedback from all the kids, they loved it! The videos used were fantastic, I’ve never seen year 7 so engaged!”

– Abigail Reynolds, Sandwell Academy

“Your presentation was really good, I know the students were talking about it and 4 cross for a while afterwards. It’s always good for the students to see new sports and activities that they can get involved in and it really kept their interest and got them excited”

– Lauren Shinner, Sandwell Academy

“She naturally relates to the pupils; they were amazed to hear she’s ridden the secret tracks they’ve built with dirt and shovels! I didn’t know they were so creative! She explained how easy it was to access other tracks close to their home. She made her life feel so accessible to them…and you know what IT IS!”

– Teacher, RSA Tipton

“It’s so hard to inspire our girls and motivate our boys. We have meetings all the time to discuss it. Hannah manages it in one hour! She explains how hard work can make your dreams come true.”

– Teacher, St Mathius Secondary School, Wolverhampton

“Hannah gave a talk in December, we had barely seen one of our boys since October but he has been in every day since! Hannah’s story started at school and that seems to have made a big impact”

– Teacher, RSA Tipton

"Fantastic and inspirational presentation, Hannah. You should be on the stage (as as well on a bike)"

– West Midlands Combined Authority Staff

"The most inspirational thing I've ever heard"

– Teacher, Wilden All Saints Primary