44Racing Rockstar Diamondback - Preseason Testing

44Racing Rockstar Diamondback, is made up from a mix of the UK’s fastest upcoming talent, across the 4x and DH disciplines. The team is backed by some big names for 2013 including Rockstar Energy UK, Diamondback Europe, Plush Suspension, Kore Components, Horizon Watches, plus many more. The team is managed by Christian Hatcher, a well known face on the UK race circuit.

For the second year, the team have made the trip out to Molini, Italy for some preseason training before the season starts in April. Molini is a sleepy village in the Italian Alps around 25km from the coast. It provides for some breath taking scenery and some fantastic tracks. The team were put up by Mark and Julie at Molini Freeride, these guys are offering a superb service which shouldn't be missed.


This year the team has got a great line up of riders who have proven they have superb potential through their results. For 2013 the team are backed by Diamondback Europe who are supplying the team with some superb bikes. Their Flagship DH8 Downhill bike, is the teams weapon of choice for the DH riders on the team.

The 44Racing Team bike kitted out with Fox Suspension, Kore components, Schwalbe Tyres -




Eddie Pugh, will be representing the team racing 4x this year, he took his Diamondback Sortie 3 out with him, which handled the trails perfectly. Team riders Nick Geoghegan & Joe Mallinson will be representing the team in Mainly DH and some 4x rounds.

Eddie With his Sortie 3 -

Nick and Joe with the DH8 Downhill bikes -

Upon arrival to Molini the weather wasn't looking great we have had some terrible weather out in Europe recently, luckily the weather was set to improve and it brought for some lovely weather.

Nick and Joe heading over to the uplift ready to hit Molini's finest trails.

The first day of riding we hit up the Triora Trail which looks down on Molini and finishes in the centre of town. The top of this track gives for some breath taking scenery.






Eddie and Joe allowing their personalities to show through and pose for the camera!


The following day, the rain returned in the morning and didn't provide great riding conditions. So the guys held out, made some adjustments to the bikes before heading out in the afternoon with the Italian sun shining down on the tracks drying them out nicely.

Eddie was killing it on his Sortie which took any abuse he threw at it.


The guys where now becoming more adjusted to the bikes and the conditions. On the final day of riding the guys were killing it, we did alot of filming for the edit which we will be coming soon, this included Nick taking a massive stack after overshooting a corner and almost put himself over the edge of a cliff!!


The trail we hit on the final day was named Enduro, which was very similar to the tracks in parts of the Uk with lots of slate, flat-out sections, loose corners and rock gardens.

The top of the track was nice and loose allowing the guys to get the bikes sliding about in to some of tight switchbacks and corners. It then opened up to show off some more stunning scenery with some large rocky and slate sections.








After a great week of smashing up the Italian trails, it was time to pack up and head back to the UK ready for the race season to start.


Keep an eye out for the edit coming soon!

A massive shout out goes to Mark and Julie at Molini Freeride for accommodating the team.


Massive Thanks to all of the Teams sponsors for 2013 -Rockstar Energy Drink -

Diamondback Europe
Kore-USA
Freestylextreme.com
Thor MX UK
Plush SuspensionTuning
Schwalbe
Horizon Watches
SpiralGFX
Fox Racing Shox
Contour Cameras
MoliniFreeride.com
Mojo Suspension
Etnies Europe

All Photos Taken by Matt Rowland.

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