Monika Hrastnik: A Career Defined by Control — and One Last Ride on Hayes Dominion Brakes

Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada – October 2025

After a decade of elite downhill racing, Monika Hrastnik, Slovenia’s most successful downhill mountain biker, took her final start at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Mont-Sainte-Anne. Competing for AON Racing – Tourne Campervans, she brought her extraordinary career to a close with the same composure and precision that have made her one of the most respected riders on the circuit — and she did it all aboard the Hayes Dominion A4 brakes.

From her earliest seasons as a privateer to her podiums on the world stage, Monika’s defining trait has always been control under pressure — the ability to find speed and stability where others see chaos. That confidence starts with trust. For Monika, that trust has long been tied to Hayes Brakes, where every pull of the lever translates to instantaneous, measured braking power.

Monika Hrastnik: A Career Defined by Control — and One Last Ride on Hayes Dominion Brakes

Championship-Caliber Precision

In a discipline where milliseconds separate victory from defeat, braking is everything. The Hayes Dominion A4 has been Monika’s weapon of choice for good reason: class-leading modulation, flawless consistency, and a lever feel that’s unmatched in mountain biking.

Built around a four-piston design and crosshair caliper alignment, the Dominion A4 offers pinpoint precision that lets elite riders charge harder, brake later, and maintain control on the world’s roughest, steepest tracks. Its dual bleed ports ensure a perfectly balanced system and fade-free braking through endless descents — a feature riders like Monika rely on when the margins are razor thin.

Uncompromising Performance, Ride After Ride

For Monika, control is more than confidence — it’s a foundation for creativity. Across her 65 World Cup starts, 17 Top-5 finishes, and three European Championship titles, she’s proven that consistent performance is the real benchmark of greatness. The Dominion A4’s hallmark traits — unrivaled consistency, unbeatable reliability, and intuitive power delivery — have made it the perfect match for her deliberate, intelligent riding style.

Engineered with a carbon lever blade and titanium hardware, the Dominion T2 variant trims weight without sacrificing power. It’s a pure example of Hayes’ design philosophy: big brake performance in a lightweight package — every gram optimized, every movement purposeful. No gimmicks, no compromises.

A Legacy of Precision and Poise

As Monika rolled out of the start gate in Mont-Sainte-Anne for her final race, she carried with her more than a decade of history — three European titles, nine national championships, and a reputation for being one of the most technically skilled riders in downhill mountain biking.

But perhaps more importantly, she closed her career with the same tools and traits that defined it: calm precision, mechanical trust, and the ability to deliver when it matters most.

At Hayes, we couldn’t be prouder to have shared that journey — and to see her finish it with Dominion-level control.

Thank You, Monika

From your first start to your last finish line, you’ve shown the world what poise and precision look like at full speed. Thank you for trusting Hayes Brakes through the journey — for showing that true performance is built not on flash, but on mastery.

Congratulations, Monika — and here’s to the next chapter. You’ve stopped time for us more than once.

Hayes Brakes Power. Precision. Control. The choice of champions — from the first run to the last.