Every year we pine for the World Championships to see who will be crowned with the rainbow jersey, but secretly we’re always just as excited to see the custom paint jobs that the racers kit out their bikes with.

This year is no exception and the racers have gone to town on colour schemes and anodised components to give themselves that little extra motivation for the race on Sunday.

Take a look below for our favourite custom World Championships’ bikes

Aaron Gwin

“Here she is!! I have no words, my new Worlds bike is the coolest, craziestbike I’ve ever had or seen. So many people had a part in making this thing happen, thank you guys, I’m blown away. I’ll post more detailed photos soon.”

Everybody is keeping an eye on Aaron Gwin this weekend but they’ll be unlikely to take their eyes off him when they see his stars and stripes Demo. We love the colour co-ordinated bars as well.

Rachel Atherton

“Rachel Atherton and her World Champs steed.”

Rachel has gone for a Union Jack themed bike that will match her National Champion sleeve, will she have a rainbow jersey to accompany it next year?

Troy Brosnan

“Worlds bike is on another level this year!!”

Troy Brosnan has gone for Aussie green and gold on his bike. It also comes complete with the SRAM gold ‘World Championship use only’ drivetrain.

Greg Minnaar

“And there she is… all dressed up in yellow for Worlds”

Flow like a butterfly, sting like a bee? Greg has excelled on the longer tracks this year so expect his yellow and black V10 to be well up the rankings at Vallnord.

Loic Bruni

“Last minute surprise here in Andorra World champs. Until this morning Jack was telling me we had nothing custom and the tadaaaam!”

Loic Bruni’s racing superstition is that he must have silver bars, no matter what bike he is on. Now he has a silver bike to go with them. This one comes complete with French red and blue.

Watch Yoann Barelli’s Megavalanche bike

Gee Atherton

“World Champs has well and truly kicked off here in Andorra, track is flat out and good fun to ride. Stoked to be running the number one plate this weekend! Can’t wait to get stuck in! Wet first day of training.”

Gee Atherton is the reigning World Champion and is wearing the coveted number one plate with pride. His bike is very similar to Rachel’s but we also like the custom IXS kit he’s wearing.

Connor Fearon

“When something is perfect and then it’s just a little better than that”

Connor Fearon has gone for a similar green and gold theme to Troy Brosnan, however his is a little more luminous. We love the little touches on this bike like the Aussie flags on the top tube and seat tube.

Brendan Fairclough

“Pair of tough guys right here! Both proud of our custom Gambler! Huge thanks to Scott and Kusthome bikes for the countless hours of  time and effort this year. Now time to thrash it in Andorra”

Brendan Fairclough has gone for an RAF theme with a roundel on the headtube – he’s even gone for coloured spokes! Hopefully he’ll be flying high this weekend.