KEVIN COOK

Age: 34
Bike: Lapiere Spicy Race Team
Series: Enduro world series, UK Gravity Enduro, Welsh Gravity Enduro, Tweedlove Enduro, Pedalhounds Enduro, Ex Enduro, Ard Rock.

Background:

I never really got into mountain biking until 2015 I was more focused on my football career, but after getting a knee injury I decided to hang my boots up and I took a year out of sports altogether but something was missing I wanted another challenge. I was watching a mountain bike enduro video of the first ever enduro world series with Jerome Clementz smashing it down some crazy descents which was insane! At that moment I was hooked, it was what I wanted to do! In late 2015 I had my first ever race just to test myself and I found out I was pretty good, so from then on I focused on building my skills and fitness and started training again. In 2016 I did a full year of enduro but just wasn’t up to scratch, I still wanted to push myself to improve so I decided to carry on. In 2017 I met some really good friends who raced enduro and we started to train together every week. We pushed each other to go faster and this is where it all came together, I was finally getting somewhere. With a couple of podium positions and finishing in top 20s I was feeling pretty stoked. I feel in 2018 this is going to be my year! Racing in the enduro world series with the big boys is a dream come true.

Strengths and weaknesses:

– Weaknesses: Jumps and very steep downhill tracks.

– Strengths: My strengths are long peddling stages with sprints.

Where do I want to be in the future?

I would really like to coach young enduro or downhill racers and get them to a top level, where I am today. I think this is what’s going to happen but I’ll still be racing myself and don’t think I’ll ever stop.

JORDAN COLCLOUGH

Age: 19
Category: Junior Men
Bikes: Radon Swoop 200 Team & Bird Aeris 145
Series: Pearce Cycles, British Downhill Series, Welsh Gravity Enduro, Tweedlove & UK gravity enduro.

Background:

I always grew up messing around on BMX’s and I raced motocross for about 2 years, but I never did well with that. I came into racing downhill & enduro quite late, with last year being my first full season. The skills from my roots of BMX & motocross proved to be quite handy when I jumped onto a mountain bike. I raced a bit of everything last year just to get a taste of what I liked and where my focus should be. I raced a lot of enduros last year, and I surprised myself by getting a few podium results. But for 2018 my focus is on downhill, and I’ve done a lot of training over the off-season for it.

Strengths and weaknesses:

– Weaknesses: I’d say a huge weakness of mine is my mental mindset, especially when it comes to downhill racing. Downhill is definitely ALL or nothing, and sometimes I find myself forgetting that I’m in a race and just ride within myself. I need to be way more aggressive when I’m on track and push my limits.

– Strengths: I’m good at the steep, technical sections on track.

Where do I want to be in the future?

I definitely have the determination and will to be at the top of my game, whether that’s racing downhill or enduros. I’ve trained so hard over the over the off-season, but there’s so much more I need to work on. Sometimes I’m really tough on myself but I have to remember that I’ve only been riding properly for about 2 years and I’m competing with boys that have been doing it for much longer. I’m surrounded by really good people to help my progression, with that and my own determination I’m sure great things will come – I just have to be patient. I’d love to be on the World Cup circuits one day.

JOE CHILDS

Age: 15
Bike: Bird Aries 145
Series: Welsh Gravity Enduro, Mini Enduro

Background:

I have always been into sport even from a young age. Having a highly athletic family inspired me to push myself and to aspire to follow in their footsteps. I trained with a swimming club for 5 years and raced the occasional triathlon. I realised this wasn’t for me and was desperate to find a new passion. I went through a couple of sports and finally found mountain biking when I was 11 through a YouTube video and was encouraged by a friend who shared the passion.

Over the years I did a few low key cross country/enduro races and podiumed in them all. Things kicked off when I started enduro when I was 14 and I’ve made loads of progress since then. 2018 was my first full season but it came to a halt due to an injury, but I came back and managed to bag some decent results in the U19 category. Riding in the U19 has taught me a lot and I’ve had to up my game racing against young men. This has only been possible due to the amazing support of my teammates, friends and family, and I cannot wait to see what the future brings.

Strengths and weaknesses:

– Weaknesses: Jumps, confidence.

– Strengths: Peddling stages.

Where do I want to be in the future?

I dream to go big, but I know this going to require a lot of hard work and dedication which I am fully prepared to put in. But my main goal is to just enjoy it whilst going as fast as I can, and enjoying the amazing memories it creates with friends and family. I’m already buzzing for the 2019 season when I will be racing the national rounds for a new team (Recoil Suspension) and a new outlook on racing.

HENRY “HENNERS” WILLISON

Age: 15
Bikes: Airdrop Edit V2
Series: Welsh Gravity Enduro, BEMBA, Welsh Enduro, Racers Guild DH, Hiabike Mini Enduro, One Industries Mini Downhill, and my starter Crickley Flyers Flyup DH 417 Series.

Background:

I’ve been riding bikes since I can remember and have been biking properly since the age of eight. I only got into biking because my dad bought an old Whyte 46 off one of his friends and decided to take me and my brother out riding with him. I have always been into sport playing for rugby, football and cricket teams and I have always been an outside person who loves the outdoors which is mainly from living on a farm my whole life and having family with outdoor jobs.

I have massively come on in the past two years which have been amazing for me. I completed my first full season of racing in 2017 getting most top tens which really motivated for future races. I have really enjoyed the whole 2018 season which has been a massive learning curve going into the U19 age group, having to improve massively to match my competitor’s performance. This was only made possible by the lads I rode with who have challenged and motivated me to achieve my best, and more specifically my dad for pushing me to achieve my best.

Strengths and weaknesses:

– Weaknesses: Long pedal stages, race preparation.

– Strengths: Confidence, jumping.

Where do I want to be in the future?

My main goal is to hopefully create a career out of mountain biking and become the best I can be and to do this I will need to train hard and practise my weaknesses and improve my strengths. However, as long as I am always riding my bike and racing I will always be happy. Coaching younger riders also appeals to me because being a younger rider I understand how you need that little push and a bit of advice can make a massive improvement to your riding.