An end of year round up and thank you.

Since the end of the racing year rumours have abounded as to who’s racing for who and what races will be happening and who’ll be providing what coverage, as the new year approaches we’re starting to hear the truth behind the speculation.

Probably the biggest and most widespread rumours have concerned  Brendon Fairclough and he has now confirmed he’s leaving Monster/Specialized to ride for the Scott 11. I hope he can keep going forward from his run at Champerey and be back on top form after all the trouble with his knee this year. Top rider, top bloke.

These photos may not be related to what I'm saying I just like them

Tracey Moseley has announced she is not retiring as some had speculated but is going to be broadening her horizons having achieved her goals at downhill by being World Champion and World Cup overall winner, she is looking to compete in other disciplines while still making appearances at world cup races through out the year “After 12 years on the World Cup downhill circuit and the achievement of all the goals I set for myself, I felt that the end of 2011 was a perfect opportunityto make a change in direction and pursue some new challenges.” (From traceymoseley.com) Great news from a great inspiration and ambassador for the sport.  

Also after 5 years the Atherton family are leaving Commencal for pastures new, current rumour suggests they will be riding for GT, this is backed up by the UCIs announcement of their elite teams for next season which does not feature the Atherton Commencal team but has GT in the same spot as the Athertons held last year (though to me this last point seems to be clutching at straws).

 Danny Hart has once again stomped the opposition but this time in a vote for ride of the year; his winning World Champs run in Champerey took nearly 60% of the vote leaving Road, Track and one lone Cross Country race (Annie Last) to share out the other 40+%. I saw one guy in my pub showing the video to his mates on his phone, when I collected glasses from the table and made a comment about Rob Warner they all looked a bit confused. I should also mention Mark Cavendish and his resounding win of Sports Personality Of The Year. While I often see road racing as the mainstream face of cycling I try to remember that it’s still not mainstream in the eyes of the general public.

Go on  lets watch it once more.

Hopefully this year’s results in the Tour de France, SPOTY and the video of Danny Hart going viral will push the sport into the limelight a bit more attracting new and bigger sponsors and increasing accessibility to viewing all disciplines.

Speaking of watching the sport, DH1, which I have previously said would be another race series hoping to offer the best possible viewing for at home audiences, has announced that it may not go ahead after-all. This is because Red Bull TV have announced they will be covering the UCI world cup series and will be providing what should be amazing coverage. Ray from DH1 has said he is considering the future of his planned series but can’t beat Red Bull and that no matter what this is a great step forward for the sport even if DH1 doesn’t go ahead. Full announcement here.

After the UCI ditched the 4X world cup series the teams and riders got together and as previously reported created a new world series which will be called 4XProTour and will take place at several of the World Cup Downhill weekends including Fort William. Great news for riders teams sponsors, organisors fans and those of us who volunteer year on year at the  events. Hopefully this first year will be a great success and lead to further growth in the discipline.

In terms of my own riding I would like to say a massive thank you to Architrail and Bristol Trails Group for all their hard work in making Ashton Court and Brunel Pump track up to such great standards that top riders from across the UK have come to ride them and turned Bristol into one of the foremost mtb areas in the UK, as unlikely as that may seem to many people. On top of this it has allowed me to ride different styles of trail from what I’ve been used to up in Scotland and greatly improved my skill and fitness levels in the last 6 months. I can’t wait to ride the trails at Leigh Woods in the new year now they’re open. One last thank you is to all the girls who ride at Ashton Court who by their sheer presence encourage me not to get off and push up hills and to generally try not to look as unfit and unhealthy as I am. 

Of course a MASSIVE thank you to everyone who has read any of my posts!

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!