ancillotti archives

2008-08-05T14:57:00.000-07:00

The UK National Championships took place at Bala in Wales, a dry and dusty weekend saw great racing on the hill. The team walked away with a great set of results. Pete Robinson rode well to take 17th in Youth, Ali Wilson 12th in Junior. Paul Kemp 2nd in the Grand -Vets, Paul French made the long drive down from Scotland to take 4th in Veterans, Tom Deacon pushed hard for 6th in Elite, Expert rider Rich Thomas raced in Elite this weekend taking 20th.

Last weekend Pearce Cycles Summer Series Rnd 5 was at a venue classed as an old favorite; Hopton. Once again the weather stayed clear leaving a dry track for racing. Pete Robison took 13th in Youth, Rich Thomas 2nd in Expert and Tom Deacon stormed to 1st in Elite. Top racing well done guys!

2008-07-09T14:47:00.000-07:00

Latest updates from another two weekends of racing, first off a wet Caersws where Tom Deacon was flying the flag for ancillotti taking second in the Elite category.

Last weekend the UK's racers made the long journey up to Fort William for NPS Rnd 3. The team out in force putting in some great runs on one of the world's hardest courses. Jack Geoghegan took 9th in the super competitive Junior category.

Youth rider Pete Robinson went down in his race run but still took 23rd with a split elbow; after a few brutal practice runs which had already left him with a strapped up wrist and fingers. Rich Thomas was flying on track and put in a solid run to take a well deserved 3rd in Expert.

A big get well soon goes out to Will Leather-smith racing for the first time at the Fort a crash off the final jump in sight of the finish put an end to his racing, leaving him with a broken leg which has since been pinned and plated.

Photos Courtesy 0f: David Dower www.daviddower.co.uk

2008-06-18T11:23:00.000-07:00

We had a dry and dusty weekend track side for the fourth round of the Pearce Cycles summer series.

The track arguably the best in the country and certainly a rider favorite was running flat out fast, a perfect mixture of steep technical and open sections with some of the best berms anywhere. Some corners got a bit loose over the weekend but this just added to the fun.

Come Sunday's racing Pete Robinson took 5th in Youth with a cracking time. Rich Thomas was flying taking 1st in the Expert category. Elite rider Tom Deacon took a well deserved 2nd in a hotly contested final.

Things are looking good for the National Champs to be held at the same venue this coming weekend. Watch this Space...

Pics Courtesy of: David Dower - www.daviddower.co.uk

2008-06-10T13:21:00.001-07:00

We had some strong finishes by Team Ancillotti UK riders Jack Geoghegan and Tom Deacon at Fort Bill. The track was dry and dusty all week, the speed and roughness of the course was punishing on both riders and bikes leaving them battered and exhausted. It took superb bike skills and fitness to put in a good time.

Come Sunday race runs, Tom and Jack put in quick runs and tied on 55th with identical times of 5.11.07. Jacks time placed him 9th in the Junior standings this round. Well Done Guys!

2008-05-28T11:29:00.001-07:00

The place to be last weekend was Innerleithen in Scotland; many of those who stayed down south got wet very wet and spent time dreaming of the sunshine and racing action taking place further north. The track for those that made the trip was super steep dusty. technical and flat out fast. Perfect!

Over the weekends racing the team had some fantastic results all round Rich Thomas won Experts his first Expert win and a top result, Ali Wilson pinned it to take the Junior category win, with team mate Jack Geoghegan coming in 47th.

Pete Robinson came so close to a podium in Youth this weekend putting in a flat out ride for 6th (only knocked out of the top five after another rider had a rerun). Tom Deacon took 21st in Elite against a highly competitive field of top riders. Paul Kemp rode well for 15th in Veterans. Well Done Guys!

Pics courtesy of: David Dower www.daviddower.com

2008-04-30T09:07:00.001-07:00

A double header here for all you racing fans this week, last weekend saw the second round of the Pearce Cycles summer series at Hopton. A muddy course made things interesting but racing was still flat out. An even muddier finishing field was a challenge for everyone both in the morning and on leaving. Who else needed tractor assistance?

Sliding down through the greasy corners into the finish Rich Thomas put in a great run to take 2nd, new ancillotti signing Tom Deacon took 5^th in Elite in his first race on the new bike. Pete Robinson rode well earning himself a well deserved 6^th place in the Youth category, with Paul Kemp taking 12^th in Veterans.

This weekend was the opening NPS of 2008 at AE Forest on a track with a good mix of new and old sections which kept riders interested. Weather over the weekend made this another wet race spikes being the tyre of choice especially on the new sections towards the top of the course. Find your line and fight for grip!

Come race time Tom Deacon came 13^th in the super competitive Elite category; Rich Thomas found the conditions a challenge with a few slips which saw him ride to 42^nd in Expert. Pete Robinson was flying in his race run but a mistake in the last few corners before the finish saw him of the bike and into 24^th place.

Jack Geoghegan looked quick and rode well to take 10^thin Junior, Ali Wilson came in 11^th just fractions of a second behind Jack. Paul Kemp put in a strong run for 15^th in Veteran. Well Done Guys!

Images Courtesy of : David Dower www.daviddower.com

2007-10-22T11:43:00.001-07:00

What better way to round of the season, but with a downtown race! a downhill race through the streets of a Penarth, Cardiff to be exact. A chance for all the riders to kick back and have some good clean fun and offered the chance to showcase the sport to the public by bringing the excitement of a mtb race right to their doorsteps!

In front of a cheering crowd of thousands Ancillotti team riders Matt Simmonds (Elite), Joe Smith (Junior) and Alan Blood (Veteran) put in flying runs taking the win in their categories after dominating the seeding. Matt's Elite race time of 1.18 was the fastest of the day. Co-factory Youth rider Pete Robinson took 15th. One thing you could not fault at this race was the atmosphere. Three top podiums places Well Done Guys!

Pictures Courtesy of: Fat Tyre mtb - www.fattyre.co.uk

2007-10-17T13:47:00.000-07:00

It was a dry weekend in Scotland for the NPS Finals; with a really loose, technical and flat-out fast track. The scene was set for some great racing.

Matt Simmonds continued his great run of results this year and went flat-out to take 4th in Elite earning himself 3rd place in the overall Elite series rankings. Fellow Elite Fergus Lamb came 12th on the day and 14th overall in the series.

Ali Wilson took a well deserved 3rd in Youth and 7th in the series. Co-factory Youth rider Pete Robinson rode to 18th on Sunday earning himself the points for 14th overall.

Junior rider Joe Smith (Winner of the last years NPS Series) had a good run for 7th and a well deserved 2nd overall in the series.

Rich Thomas flew down the track to earn himself 3rd in the super competitive Expert category and 6th in the overall. Veteran racer Paul French had a fantastic run for 1st in the racing; 2nd in the overall missing out on the overall series win by only one point.

Unfortunately Jack Geoghegan badly injured his ankle during practice and was unable to race to defend his series points lead; finishing 4th in the overall in the rankings. Well Done Guys!

2007-09-13T05:39:00.000-07:00

The last national before the worlds went down on a dry and dusty track in Wales, steep and loose was the name of the game here. With a few top riders sitting this race out to be fighting fit for the World Champs, it was anyones guess who would be on the top step of the podium this weekend.

Come Sunday when the dust settled we had Ali Wilson in 7th Youth, Co-factory rider Pete Robinson 10th in Youth. Junior rider Jack Geoghegan had a good run and took second place by only points of a second. Paul French was 1st in Veteran his third national win this year. Rich Thomas flew down to take 10th in the experts. Elite rider Matt Simmonds took a well deserved 9th with a solid run; his first time off the podium at national level this year.

2007-09-13T02:04:00.000-07:00

Well, what a week it’s been in Fort William, the biggest race of the season and the biggest mtb event ever held in the UK. The week started with bright sunshine but the days got progressively cloudier and wetter as the finals got nearer. With competition in XC, Trails, 4x and Downhill the days where going to be packed.

The Downhill track is well known for breaking both parts and riders, and as always was long technical and flat out fast, each run is a matter of physical endurance as well as bike skill with rocks, roots and ruts all looking to knock you off line, this and the sheer length of the course make it one of the hardest in the world. Taking a walk around the race site and the main pit area it was filled with stands from the all the top brands as well as all the national teams. Who’d have thought Israel had a Downhill team?

In between visits to the race site we also had time to play golf one day (the highlight being when Matt sent his club flying onto an island in the middle of the huge river near the golf course) a visit to the Wolftrax trail network at Llaggan (well worth a visit), and extreme hop challenge at the 4x on Friday evening (did anyone make the hop over the stream unscathed) Brian Lopes and Jill Kintner took top honors in the 4x.

Andy did a fantastic job of keeping Joe’s bike running sweet all week under sometimes less than ideal circumstances. Joe looked flat out in practice and qualified well on Thursday coming in for 13^th, skin suits where the order of the day as the strong headwinds on the open top section of the course would have lost any more conventionally dressed riders a good few seconds.

Come Sunday’s finals Joe put in the ride of his life; it was incredible hearing the 40,000 strong crowd roar, as he flew over the Nissan jump and into the finish straight. A well deserved 8^th place against stiff competition from the best junior riders in the World. Well Done Joe.

We now have a Scottish Junior World Champ; Rory Cunningham put in an amazing ride to bag himself the Gold. Racing in the Senior Mens category was intense. Sam Hill took the win with a storming run. Special mention goes to Fabien Barel second by only points of a second, an awesome ride in dreadful conditions, truly nail biting stuff to watch. He came in so close. Greg Minaar fourth, with a dislocated and broken shoulder again an incredible achievement.

One thing we learned this week is that British Cycling team issue track suits are truly chavtastic so much so that on Sunday I brought Joe a gold chain with dollar-sign to complete the look. Sorry Joe but it had to be done! The team are on the road again to the next Worldcup in Maribor in Slovenia, watch this space for more news.

2007-08-15T05:38:00.000-07:00

Moelfre NPS was bright, sunny and flat out fast. With a good turnout of spectators coming down to enjoy the event at the most spectator friendly track in the UK. The track itself was super dusty and very loose in places but still blindingly quick, following almost the same route as previous years, with a few new features thrown in to keep things fresh.

From the start you flew down into some fast open corners over the rock drops and down and over the hip- jump before hitting the switchbacks and the long off camber section, where come race runs riders had to battle against a strong headwind, this led you down towards the finish where the cheering spectator’s watched as riders hit the step down and crossed the stream in the bottom section at speeds nearing 40 mph pushing their bikes suspension to the limit as they slammed into the compression shooting loose gravel and stones as tyres battled for grip, before getting on the gas for a short sprint to the finish.

Racing was incredibly close with many categories having only a few points of a second between the top finishers. The pressure was on for Jack Geoghegan who needed to podium here for his chance of a place on the British Junior team for the Worlds. Updated Selections will be announced later this week.

After some impressive seeding results by the team things where looking good for Sundays racing. When the dust settled team rider Joe Smith was 1st in Junior with an insanely fast run which placed him 7th fastest overall, Jack Geoghegan handled the pressure and rode to a well deserved 4th place on the podium, after racing with his ankle gaffer-taped up from an injury taken during Saturday’s practice. Co-factory rider Pete Robinson whipped it up for the crowds gathered around the last step-down flying down to take 17th in Youth.

Richard Thomas rode foot out and flat out taking 7th in the super competitive Expert category, only to be knocked down after a good spell in the hot seat. The Elite category really pushed this weekend riding close to the limit of what was possible on the track. Matt Simmonds continued his run of fantastic national results with a 5th place finish, Fergus Lamb pushed hard to take 19th. Well Done Guys!

2007-07-22T05:37:00.000-07:00

Whilst I was out riding in France, the rest of the team had a wet weekend for this years national champs. With rain in the weeks leading up and rain over the weekend itself. Rheola is a technical challenge in these conditions; the rutted and rooty wooded sections which make up the majority of the track become slick with no room for error.

The final section in particular 'star wars', was completely slick with mud and claimed many a victim as riders pin balled down through the gaps in the trees trying to keep on the right line.

In the Senior (Elite) category Matt Simmonds seeded in 2nd and come racing took third place on the podium earning himself a bronze medal. Fergus Lamb took 18th and Rich Thomas 25th

In Junior in the face of some very stiff competition Jack Geoghegan took 4th and Joe Smith took 5th. The Youth category saw Ali Wilson take a well deserved third place on the podium.

After dominating the Veterans category this season, Paul French crashed badly in his race run but managed to roll down the track to finish 7th. Co factory rider Pete Robinson had to sit this race out after a crash in practice left him with a bad strain.

2007-07-12T15:42:00.000-07:00

Well, I have just returned from the Austrian world cup. It was fantastic to see the amount of British riders there with so much talent. It was disappointing however to see how many of them are wasting their talent by not working hard enough to achieve what they are really capable of.

So many riders will ride their down hill bikes all day/everyday and convince themselves this is training. Sorry boys this is fun and is no preparation for racing at world cup level. In order to move from two and a half minute U.K. tracks to four minute plus tracks like the European tracks, riders have to work for your rewards and this necessitates hard training to build stamina.

Training has never been fun for any athlete and never will be. The old saying “No gain without pain” has been forgotten and the lack of training was embarrassingly obvious at the most recent race.

This is my tenth and probably final year involved in the sport and during this time Steve Peat has dominated the sport. This proves that he trains much harder than the younger boys who are trying to emulate his achievements. I can only remember seeing one rider of equal age beat him fairly and that was Tom Edwards at a Nambs race some years ago. Despite Steve portraying an image of a life style of beer and partying, the man works exceptionally hard for his achievements and at 32 there are still only very few boys who can say with pride (like Tom Edwards) that they have beaten him.

This proves that the majority of our super talented youngsters are idle when the question of training arises and things must change. They certainly will within my team.

Finally, after a few days of reflection I still feel as despondent as I did on Sunday. Looking on the bright side however I still had another opportunity to watch the fastest man in the world ride a bike downhill.

THE BOSS.

2007-06-11T01:43:00.000-07:00

This weekend the Worldcup circus rolled into Champery, a new venue for the worldcup and home of arguably one of the hardest tracks in the world. Steep and tight only just begins to describe this track riding it clean in the dry took incredible skill and nerves of steel to negotiate the huge jumps, drops and off-camber roots. A true test for the world's best, be you a world champion or a worldcup newbie this track took no prisoners.

Joe Smith absolutley pinned his seeding run placing 12th and Matt seeded 20th. Jack Geoghegan hurt his back in practice on the unforgiving track (if you fell off you ended up falling a good few meters to land somewhere further down the mountain) and had to sit out the rest of the weekend.

Torrential rain hit the track at around 4.00pm leaving the course a near impossible mud chute quite literally, there was no grip anywhere, like riding on ice! Those who came down in the dry where sitting pretty whilst the top seeded riders had to slide there way down the track; did anyone manage to stay on for the complete duration? Stories of crashes and close calls where swapped back and forth in the pits.

Italian team rider Marco Millivinti qualified 31st and took a well deserved 21st place in the final with an unlucky crash on the big berms at the bottom of the course.

Riders came down coated from head to foot in mud. In some of the worst conditions and with a number of crashes and a mechanical Matt took 70th (Matt was in fact up on the leaders by almost 10 seconds at the split) and Joe 80th. Hats off to them both I know I could never ride anything like that even in the dry!

Images Courtesy of:

www.southerndownhill.com
Rob Jones - www.canadiancyclist.com
Paul Thomas - www.descent-world.co.uk

2007-05-28T09:32:00.000-07:00

Ae Forest in Dumfries is short, rocky and fast; starting out at the top with fast open single-track broken up with corners and small jumps before crossing the first road into the rock garden - a very quick section with a few drops and step up jumps leading you into the infamous coffin jump; a big do or die double at the entrance to the new final wooded off camber section filled with loose soil, tree stumps, open corners all crossed with roots.

Next up, the step down dropped riders at warp speed into two of the biggest berms in UK downhill racing before 'the elevator' ;the final steep slope down into the finish field which when hit at speed is impossible not to fly off landing anywhere up to fifteen foot further down the hill before a short sprint to the line.

We had a weekend of real contrast. Practice on Saturday was dry and bright but it wasn't to last: seeding runs were hit by a hail storm which made the track icy and slick; we awoke at our B&B (The lovely Cowan's Farm Guesthouse where we where made very welcome) to see the last of the overnight rain clearing but it had already made the track really greasy for the mornings practice. Luckily the rain held off for most of the day with the track beginning to dry out as each category rode down scrubbing off the mud the track got faster and faster before racing kicked off.

Whilst congratulating Si and Steve for all their hard work over the weekend we feel its necessary to point out that having the M.C burping down the microphone at what is supposed to be one the UK's premier mountain bike events isn't really on Mr. Paton!!

The rain came down again just before the Elites raced soaking the open sections of the track and making the top rock sections very tricky. When the mud settled:

In Elite Matt Simmonds flew down the track and onto the podium in 5th with Fergus Lamb taking a well deserved 13th. Joe Smith took 3rd in Junior with Jack Geoghegan just off the podium in 6th. Richard Thomas is back on it after injury putting in a fantastic ride to take 3rd in Expert.

Paul French continued his domination of the Veteran category taking to the top step of the podium in 1st place. Our Youth riders had some unlucky crashes after seeding well the day before. Ali Wilson who seeded 4th finished 8th and Stefan Thomas finished 11th. Co-factory rider Pete Robinson seeded 16th in Youth but an over the bars moment in his race run saw him finish 26th. Well done Guys!

2007-05-24T02:38:00.001-07:00

2007-05-09T07:12:00.000-07:00

Just a quick report today; the team had another great weekend at the second round of the Dragons. With the Sun beating down; the course was super dry and dusty and some flying times where being set. Veteran rider Paul French travelled down from Scotland to take the win.

Expert rider Rich Thomas took a well deserved seventh and Youth co-factory rider Pete Robinson took 12th. Well done guys!

Pics: David Dower www.jamesdower.co.uk

2007-04-24T13:33:00.000-07:00

The team had a great weekend all round at the first NPS race of the season. Four podiums - In Youth, Junior, Elite and Veteran. Veteran rider Paul French bagging himself the TFTuned £200 cash prize for the biggest winning margin of the day.

The track itself really sorted the men from the boys; four minutes of super steep roots, rocks and dust; with a technical top section which kept even the best riders on their toes. Followed by lower sections with large jumps and drops, the track got so cut up over the weekend but the times kept getting faster. Some riders were hitting the line into the lower woods at over 40mph, now that was an impressive sight!

The team where rolling on fresh rubber over the weekend; the brand new Nokian Shuttle proved perfect for the dry and dusty conditions check out Windwave.co.uk for more and we where all kept hydrated courtesy of our friends at Relentless Energy.

On Saturday's seeding we had Matt Simmonds flew down the track to seed third on the same second as Steve Peat and Gee Atherton with Joe Smith seeded fourth in Junior. Our other factory riders put in some strong runs to seed highly in their categories.

Come Sunday (Race Day) Matt stepped up and put together an awesome run to take fourth in Elite just behind Marc Beumont, Gee Atherton and Steve Peat, a line up which wouldn't look out of place at a World Cup round. Elite rider Dave Young was flying all weekend but came unclipped in the final section of track; catching his foot between the bike and the tyre stopping him painfully, he got back on to finish in 25th. New Elite Fergus Lamb had a strong run to take 18th.

Joe Smith racing on a borrowed bike took fifth in Junior closely followed by new team rider Jack Geoghegan who still posted a time fast enough for seventh; despite an unlucky crash on the flat grassy corner within sight of the finish line. Paul French took 1st in Veterans with a time 14 seconds up on the rest of the field. Expert rider Richard Thomas took a well deserved 26th place; back on the bike for his first major race of the season after a year out recovering from a horrific injury he sustained whilst racing abroad.

Stefan Thomas was on the podium placing fifth in Youth and Alistair Wilson seeded fifth the day before suffered a few unlucky crashes in his race run placing ninth. Co-factory rider Pete Robinson had a good run to take 20th in Youth at his first ever National event. Well done Guys!

2007-04-15T08:33:00.001-07:00

Team Ancillotti UK is the largest and arguably one of the most successful teams on the UK and European Downhill circuit. Were very lucky to have had some seriously talented riders on the team over the years and this year is no exception.

Team Manager Andy Ayres works on one of the bikes

The guys on the team are away racing almost every weekend at home and abroad and show amazing commitment and consistency, if you think about it in a sport which is both dangerous and physically demanding on both body and bike, where a crash which costs you a fraction of a second can be the difference between first and second place. Downhill is a sport where you also have to be mentally strong, and to come out with podium winning performances weekend after weekend is quite something.

Rich T Fort William WC Practice 2006

However this is what the team often achieves with help from our sponsors who provide us with some of the best equipment out there and support team who go to great lengths to make sure the bikes are always running sweet.

Team Pit Area at the National Champs

We are also committed to helping bring forward younger riders alongside the guys on the full team, we help out other young-up and comers through co-factory sponsorship deals with the astonhill junior development programme. Our belief is that riding should be good fun, podiums are great but are not the be all and end all of riding or what the team is all about. We are also committed to helping the guys fulfil their own personal goals on the racing front.

So there you have it a strong, talented and motivated team backed up by a hard working support crew, a winning combination.

Joe Smith Top of the Podium

2007-04-15T08:32:00.004-07:00

Support Team

Bill Henson- Team Principle

Andy Ayres- Team Manager

Paul Kemp- Team Mechanic

James Marriott- Public Relations

2007-04-15T08:32:00.003-07:00

Jack Geoghegan

Age:16
Lives: Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
How long have you been riding for: Since September 2004, 2 and a half years.
What was your first race: AstonHill DH3, September 2004. I finished 3^rd place.

What first got you into mountain biking: My brother Nick got me into it as he was going to do it for training for motocross, then it snowballed on from there.

Who’s your favourite rider, and why: I don’t really have a favourite rider, I like a lot of different riders quality’s, like Sam Hill’s “Do or Die” approach to racing, Steve Peat’s coolness and always knowing his next move and Minnaar’s consistency.

What’s your favourite place to ride in the UK, and why: Fort William because it’s so hard to hit perfect every run and is so physically demanding.

Favourite place to ride internationally, and why: Morzine because it’s the only place I’ve ridden internationally!

Where do you see yourself in five years time: Hopefully a big name on the world cup scene and representing GB at the Worlds and European rounds.

Likes: Curry.
Dislikes: Mechanicals on race runs.
Who do you admire: Ricky Carmichael.

How do you prepare for a race: It’s about getting the balance between riding enough and resting enough. I train hard the week before a race then ease of into the race.

Other Hobbies: Motocross, swimming.
Favourite Food: Curry.

Any Shout-outs: Mum, Dad and brothers for all there support, Ian Warby for all his help and support and Bill for giving me the opportunity to ride Ancillotti and Andy for keeping my bike in great condition!

Racing Highlights

1^st Aston hill series overall
2^nd Fort William NPS finals
3^rd overall Dragon series

2007-04-15T08:32:00.001-07:00

Paul French

Racing Highlights

Masters European Champion
Scottish DH Champion 2005

Coming soon...

2007-04-15T08:31:00.002-07:00

Richard Thomas

Lives: Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset
Age: 18
Nationality: English
Height: 6 foot

Favourite place to ride in the UK: Mynydd Du
Favourite place to ride internationally: Shladming, Austria
First stared riding: In 2000 when I got snarled into it by some other local lads I met in secondary school.

My first race: Was an NACC events race at ashcombe near Exeter, I hadn’t been riding long but I was hooked from the start. I haven’t looked back since.
Favourite food: A good old fry up.
Dislikes: People who don’t know how to have fun, scally’s in collage, training and losing races because im slack at this.

Likes: Racing, winning, going on long enduros with friend’s when it’s wet, driving, going to new place’s abroad, the smell of aviation fuel, listening to music, spending time at home doing nothing and chilling on the beach when I’m free in the summer.

Other hobbies: Hotties, Motocycles and I suppose the occasional party.
Who do you admire: Anybody who overcomes odds.

Racing Highlights 2005

2nd National Championships 2005

2 top 50 placings at World Cups

Dragon DH Wins and Podiums

4th National Points Series Overall

Shout-outs

Thanks to parents and grandparents for their support, Bill Henson for making the last few years possible, Neil Gooding at rush racing and the local riders who got me into riding.

Cheers Rich

2007-04-15T08:31:00.001-07:00

Fergus Lamb

Racing Highlights

SDA Series Champion 2006
2nd Scottish DH Championships 2006

Coming soon...

2007-04-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

Dave Young

Racing Highlights

2006 Scottish DH Champion
2nd Elite Overall SDA Series 2006

Coming soon...

2007-04-15T08:29:00.004-07:00

Matt Simmonds

Lives: Telford, Shropshire
Age: 19
Nationality: English
Category: Elite
Height: 6.2 feet
Favourite place to ride in the UK: Ercal woods 5 minuets from my house.
Favourite place to ride internationally: Morzine, Les gets France.
First stared riding: when I was about 12 riding bmx jumping of kerbs and little jumps we would build behind my house.
My first race: my first ever race was in the juvenile class racing onboard a hardtail at a midlands super series round at eastridge Shropshire I finished 8th after that I was hooked.
Favourite food: jacket spuds and pasta with beans and cheese.
Dislikes: people who knock down my jumps, mud and rain, when you get dog crap on your tyres, punctures to.
Likes: Sunshine, chocolate, riding/racing with mates. building new trails and seeing who’s going to jump them first, listening to tunes off the new bike DVDs and watching them of course.
Other hobbies: The only other thing I do part from riding bikes would be going swimming, I really need to buy a mini bike for this winter. I cant get enough of riding bikes I love it, always riding.

2005 Racing Highlights

British Junior National Champion
British National Series- 2nd

Shout-outs

Thanks to my dad mum and brothers for there support and to Bill Henson from ancillotti who ill be riding for this year. Lets hope for a good year

Thanks Matt.

2007-04-15T08:29:00.003-07:00

Jules Coventry

Nationality – British
Category: Master Women
Lives - Northamptonshire, United Kingdom
Born - Beverley, Yorkshire, 24th February 1975
Years racing - six, started in 2000. Riding XC since 1997.
Favourite UK track - Innerleithen, Scotland. Its got a little bit of everything!
Favourite International track - Schladming, Austria. What a blast!

Important things in life - Happiness, passion, ambition and love! My family, my friends, my bike and my iPod!
Likes - Smiling, music, kicking through Autumn leaves, cold noses, log fires, sunday roasts, beautiful views, summer rain, dancing, the first cup of earl grey tea after a long winters training ride, driving to the trails after work!
Dislikes - Spiders, peaches (because they remind me of spiders!?), putting the clocks back, indecision, dark wet winter days, headwinds, spearmint chewing gum…!

2005 Racing Highlights

British National Champion
European Champion

UCI World Cup Series – 45th
British National Series – 3rd

Jules Story…

Mountain top….. Summertime…… lush green. Clouds clinging gently to the highest peaks. Take big breaths of cool, crisp air deep into your lungs, close your eyes, feel the moment. Appreciate the silence, anticipate the descent that lies ahead in this amazing playground nature has created. For a moment the world stands still, time ceases to be a factor in your life. Treasure this moment, store it in your memory bank……click….picture perfect! Make your final adjustments, focus your mind, focus your body, move into the start gate. Take one last deep breath and as the beeps go grasp gravity by the hand and launch into the race run your dreams are made of!!!...........

I guess Id have to say the adrenalin buzz first got me into downhilling, and its the quest for that ever elusive “perfect run” that keeps me coming back for more, time and time again. Wherever Im riding in the world, its the same deal, a girl and her bike on a mission to rise to the challenges gravity throws her way. Constantly pushing the limits and moving back the boundaries in an attempt to go bigger, faster, harder. I dont always get away lightly though! My determination to keep up with the guys has given me my fair share of crashes and broken bones, resulting in an impressive collection of scars and metalwork! All in a days work!

I am known not just for my results and dedication, but also for my enthusiasm and commitment to the sport and its future. I am keen to put back in to the sport all that I can. For the past three years I have been able to offer support for a number of younger riders from their first experiences of riding downhill with the Aston Hill Junior Development program through to their first national race. I am currently the Rider Representative for British Cycling, a member of the Mountain Bike Commission and am training to become a fully qualified club coach.

Outside of riding bikes, Im pretty much game on for trying my hand at anything else! I can ski, snowboard, ride horses, climb rocks, Ive had a go at windsurfing and raced yachts! You can guarantee whatever Im doing and however Im doing it there will be a lot of laughter and plenty of fun. Life is no dress rehearsal – live it!

To find out more check out, www.jules-coventry.co.uk

2007-04-15T08:29:00.001-07:00

Stefan Thomas

Nationality: English/British
Category: Youth
Age: 15
Height: 6.0 feet
Lives: High Wycombe and Bedstone College, Shropshire
Favourite place to ride in the UK: Cwmcarn, 10 minutes from my grand parent's house. Favourite place to ride internationally: Never been abroad riding - yet!

First started riding: when I was about 3 riding a Raleigh Jungle around the woods with my dad.
First race: my first ever race was in the juvenile class racing onboard a hardtail at a Midlands Winter Series round in Jan 2005, at Hopton, Shropshire.

Favourite food: Pizza
Dislikes: Punctures, swimming and sitting at home with nothing to do.
Likes: Eating and going out with mates.
Other hobbies: Rugby, cross country and street riding with my brother

2005 Racing Highlights

Juvenile Midlands Champion

2006 Racing Highlights

Youth Midlands Champion
3rd Youth Bridgnorth, TwentyfourSeven Downtown Race

Shout-outs

Thanks to my dad mum and brother for there support.

2007-04-15T08:28:00.001-07:00

Alistair Wilson

Age: 15
Category: Youth
Height: 5ft 9
Lives: Tillicoultry, Scotland
How long have you been riding for: From when I got my first bike at the age of 4 and racing downhill for two and a half years.
What was your first race: My first race was round two of the SDA at Dunkeld in 2004 riding a Santacruz Bullit where I came 13th.
What first got you into mountain biking: I enjoyed going out on the bike from a young age and it just grew from there.

Whats your favourite place to ride in the UK, and why: I like to ride at Fort William when I get the chance because I enjoy riding the fast technical sections and the gondola is always a bonus.
Any races you have really enjoyed: I really enjoyed racing at Caersws this year because the track was really dusty, fast and had lots of jumps. It was also the second time I had raced an ancillotti which was great fun.

Favourite place to ride internationally, and why: Definitely Pleney, Morzine because of the variety of tracks and the hidden technical courses.
Where do you see yourself in five years time: Hopefully doing well on the world cup circuit!
Likes: Dusty tracks, technical courses, going out with mates, music, having a laugh, riding my bike.
Dislikes: Mechanicals during a race run, crashing, mud, stacking the dishwasher.
How do you prepare for a race: Try and get out on the bike as much as possible before a race and check the bikes working well.
Other Hobbies: Swimming, football, music.
Favourite Food: Stir fry

Racing Highlights

Scottish Champion 2005
3rd National Champs 2005
2nd Overall SDA 2005

Shout-0uts

Yeah, thanks to my dad for taking me to all the races and mum and dad for their support and encouragement.

2007-04-15T08:27:00.000-07:00

Joseph Smith

Lives: Abermule, Nr Newtown
Age: 16
Category: Junior
How long have you been Riding for: Most of my life, racing since 2003.
What first got you into mtbing Riding around the woods with my Dad
Favourite place to ride in the UK and why: Bala, because of its mixture of fast sections and tech sections
Favourite place to ride internationally and why: Les Gets and Morzine, because of all the secret tracks. It’s the only place I’ve ridden in Europe.

Whos your favourite rider: Needles (Andrew Neethling), because he can ride most disciplines with more style than most.
Where do you see yourself in five years time: Hopefully racing all rounds of the world Cup and representing Britain in the European and World Champs.
You race almost every weekend, how do you prepare: Just ride as much as I can, which is hard because of school.

Likes: Riding and Racing, technical tracks, building tracks, messing around on my BMX and mini bike, skiing.
Dislikes: Not riding my bike, coming 2nd, breaking things.
Other hobbies: BMX, Mini bike, Skiing when I get the chance.
Favourite food: Steak and Ale pies and pasta.
Who do you admire: Ricky Carmichael, Nico

2006 Racing Highlights

2006 British National Points Series Champion
2006 British National championships 2nd
2006 24/7 youth Downtown Winner

2005 Racing Highlights

2005 British National Champion
2005 British National Points Series 2nd
Represent Great Britain in 2006 Youth European Championships.

2003-2006 Welsh National Champion

Shout-outs

Thanks to my Mum, Dad and sister for all of their support over the last few years. Andy and Steve for always sorting my bike out and supporting me, and of course Bill Henson for giving me the ancillotti ride and for all his help.

2007-04-10T07:19:00.000-07:00

Only a quick report for you this week from the first round of the Dragons; Abercarn was dry, steep and dusty offering the perfect course and the perfect conditions for an awesome race. If you like your tracks rough and loose. The team had a great weekend with some brilliant results all round. New team rider Stefan Thomas riding his ancillotti properly for only the second time; took a well deserved third place in Youth.

Joe Smith took second place on the Junior podium and Matt Simmonds rode against some stiff competetion to a fifth place in Elite. Co-factory rider Pete Robinson also put in a strong run on his 'favourite track' to bag himself sixth place in Youth. Well done Guys!

All images Copyright James Alexander www.james-alexander.fotopic.net

2007-03-19T14:26:00.000-07:00

Matt Simmonds and Joe Smith travelled abroad to Gouveia in Portugal for the first Maxxis Cup international race of the season. With a start list full of big name riders; which wouldnt have looked out of place at a World cup round, the race saw some fierce competetion. The guys did fantstically well. Joe still nursing an injury to his hand took third in Junior whilst Matt put in an incredible ride which placed him 18th in the Elite.

The new track at Hopton was awesome; steep and fun, it started off tight and twisty with technical woods at the top featuring a tricky road jump onto a rooty landing. From the halfway point the course opened up to become fast and bumpy with lots of small jumps and drops before long sweeping berms led you down to the final straight with a loose rock garden which saw the odd crash before the final short jump to finish field.

This final round of the winter series saw a good turnout of riders, the track was nice and dry but the weather was a real mixture snow one minute bright sunshine the next but racing as per usual was fast and close. Team rider Stefan Thomas took a well deserved third place in Youth and in the series overall Co-factory rider Pete Robinson (Pictured above) rode hard to take tenth. Jack Geoghegan was flying and put in a strong run bagging himself a second in Junior behind Sam Dale.

2007-02-27T12:03:00.002-08:00

The first round of the ever popular Pearce cycles winter series kicked off at Hopton last weekend. Would you believe the series has been running for seven years now!! With a huge turnout of riders the stage was set for some fast paced racing. The new forestry commission uplift regulations were in effect so transport suffered a few small teething problems.

Conditions over the weekend were very muddy with many a vehicle needing a tow to escape the churned up finishing field come the end of the day. Up on the track and in the woods it was carnage; areas of grip for your tyres were few and far between; in places braking was out of the question as your momentum was all that was keeping you upright. The over night rain made the roots super slick and the mud wet and loose resulting in technical sections of the track becoming almost impossible to ride clean but great fun to attempt.

Joe Smith suffered a slip on some roots further up the course which knocked him off line, but was flying foot off and flat out into these final woods; earning himself a spot on the podium in second place with an insanely fast time of 3.18 only fractions (0.796 to be exact) of a second off Sam Dale in first. Fellow Junior rider Jack Geoghegan (astonhill/ancillotti) pushed hard but a slip saw him cross the line in 9th.

A special mention for Pete Robinson racing for the first time in Youth. Against some stiff competetion he put in a very strong ride; at one point crossing the line in first, but come second runs unlucky crashes saw him bag a well deserved 18th. New team rider Stefan Thomas used his local knowledge for the best and took a well deserved fourth in Youth with an impressive run time of 3.35.650.

Nick Geoghegan and Matt Kemp (astonhill/ancillotti) are racing in the super competitive Expert category this year and were looking good all weekened, Nick pushed hard in the tricky conditions taking 12th. Matt smoothed his way down the track to 14th with a time of 3.41.921.

Well done guys for a fantastic weekend of riding, roll on the next race in the series at Bringewood in only a few weeks time.

2007-02-27T12:03:00.001-08:00

The race this weekend was rather special. It's not everyday after all that you get to rub shoulders with two times world champion Fabien Barel and fellow countryman Julian Camellini who'd come down to get some mud training under their belt's and enjoy some fantastic english racing. Well they certainly got mud; luckily the tracks at Bringewood are all firm rider favourites whatever the weather and some super fast times were being set from the word 'go'.

First off a big get well soon to Joe Smith; a really nasty crash first run down left him with a fractured wrist, but didn't stop him pulling a huge tabletop whip off the finish jump posting a time still good enough for 16th place. Jack Geoghegan put in a solid run to bag a well deserved 5th with a time of 2.40.241

In the super competitive Youth category Stefan Thomas put in a really strong run to take 3rd with a time of 2.37.741. Nick Geoghegan rode hard and despite having a run he described as 'not great', took 9th in Experts. Matt Kemp was riding well but a few unlucky crashes in his race runs saw him take 21st.

Well done guys, see you all down at the third round next month on a brand new course at Hopton.

2007-02-27T12:00:00.000-08:00

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2007-02-27T11:50:00.000-08:00

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