It's clear to see that the girls aren't racing, right?
I've always thought that there's a unique relationship between friends who race. I also knew I really wanted to have a go at making an MTB edit, and this concept of mates who race seemed like a good idea to base it round.
As mountain bikers we meet some of our closest friends on the racetrack. Practising together, sharing tips on lines, set-ups and the best kit to make ourselves go as fast as we dare at the same time as secretly gauging the other persons speed and form. When the countdown starts we want nothing more than to beat each other to the finish line, yet we celebrate equally happily whoever emerges victorious. The women's category in pretty much any MTB race discipline epitomises both this close bond and fierce rivalry as the group is so small. There may be only 10 ladies to 300 men at any given event.
I'm lucky to have a few of racing friends and they were happy to meet up for some winter riding before our lives head in different directions next year, Claire Bennett into the world of elite racing, Rachael Gurney into the European scene and Cat (behind the camera) into motherhood. I count these two ladies and a lot of the other girls on the UK Enduro circuit amongst my good friends now, even if I do secretly still wish I was as fast as they are on my bike. The community is growing and is such a fantastic family that I'm pleased and proud to be part of! I'd like to thank them and all the people that race for a fantastic year and especially Claire and Rachael for indulging me and letting me film them for a few days, I hope they are pleased with the result, I think they look pretty amazing!
Claire is colour coordinated with the best of them, but beyond this important fact she's a shredder. In what was her first proper year of racing on the UK Enduro circuit she has blown most of the competition out of the water and will be racing in the ranks of the elite girls next season, a big step up and one I know she will meet head on.
Not to be outdone Rachael also dazzles, matching her bike! It's been a tough year for Rachael, with multiple injuries keeping her off the bike and the racetrack. Some pretty fierce determination, which I have witnessed first hand, has kept her going though and as she heads off to NZ and then on to Europe next year she's going to come back faster then ever I think.
Claire and Rachael would like to thank their sponsors for all their help this year and for all the support in the future.
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