Canadian Stevie Smith, one of the genuine stars of World Cup Downhill racing, died earlier this week as a result of a brain injury sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was 26 years old.

The tributes online have been noticeably abundant and frequent. Smith had a lot of fans out there and seemingly everyone respected and liked him.

Last night a video went up online by Rob Parkin. Entitled ‘A Tribute to Stevie Smith’, it is a very touching film that we urge you to watch.

On the face of it, it’s a fairly standard mix of race footage, feature film footage and local trail ripping. But Parkin has mixed in a few interview snippets and voiceover clips from Smith that really send this edit somewhere special.

“Bike riding fast is just what I like doing. Here at home I just really enjoy it so I’m not gonna slow down just to be injury-free and have a real boring riding life.” – Stevie Smith.

Ghost rider tribute at Ft Bill

During the same evening as this video went up an Instagram post from Connor Fearon appeared. Fearon’s post contained a suggestion for a tribute to Stevie Smith to happen at the next round the UCI World Cup Downhill at Fort William in Scotland.

Fearon’s idea is gathering momentum and looks like it may well turn into something. It’s going to be interesting to watch how the governing body, the UCI, handle all of this.

Stevie Smith Legacy Fund

Smith’s family have begun a Stevie Smith Legacy Fund at www.gofundme.com/23k7fus and donations will go towards assisting young athletes.

A Celebration Of Life will be held on May 21st at 1pm at the Vancouver Island Convention Centre, Nanaimo.