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Video: Building Up From Being a Small Time DH Racer

Mar 16, 2015
by Jack Gill  
Views: 5,213    Faves: 43    Comments: 5


The 411 is a little peak behind the scenes of what it's like to be a small time Downhill racer. In this series we follow Zac Blackwell as he trains through his off season and eventually when he starts racing. Zac has only been riding for about 2 years, before that he had a strong Motocross career ahead before getting injured and being held back financially. He is not scared of going big, sideways or hitting sections wide open. Last year Zac did all the Pearce rounds and despite getting injured half way though the season he came 2nd overall in the Senior class, he then went on to win the last round of the BDS at Bike Park Wales. Specialized UK saw what a great season Zac had and have taken him on for 2015.

In this chapter we follow Zac as he goes through testing with Ohlins UK at P.O.R.C (Penshurst Off Road Club) then on to how he trains and how good it has been for him, and we end with him at Woburn Sands Bike Park where unfortunately he snapped his derailleur, cutting filming short, so we went to Pitch Hill a few minutes down the road from Zac's house.

Roosting turns up Pitch
Zac roosting a corner on his local trails

Zac scrubing a wet jump at sunset in woburn
Sunset Scrub in the winter

Zac laying the bike flat off a small road gap.
As you can probably tell Zac likes to go sideways, as well as going fast forwards


MENTIONS: @SpecializedUK / @sweetprotection



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21 Comments
  • 23 8
 Mr Charisma....
  • 11 1
 Sorry talkings not my strong point at all Iv never done anything like that before and all the talking was from the hip il be a bit more confident next time. Hope it didn't put you off watching chapter 2 that will when it's out.
  • 8 2
 Sorry talkings not my strong point at all Iv never done anything like that before and all the talking was from the hip il be a bit more confident next time. Hope it didn't put you off watching chapter 2 that will when it's out.
  • 7 1
 The riding does all the talking! Sick edit guys!
  • 5 1
 Who care when he can ride like that ?
  • 2 1
 Lets see your athlete vid then?
  • 2 4
 @numshi yes I'll show you my athlete vid... I'll tell you what it WOULDN'T BE AT F......ING P.O.R.C (Penshurst Off Road Club) THAT'S FOR SURE... That place is so jank its untrue... Testing Ohlins on a 30 second run you have to be kidding me..??
  • 2 0
 still waiting on this athlete vid...
  • 3 1
 Love this dude's style. Reminds me of the moto influence of some riders who inspired me when I was getting into bikes like Tim Ponting on Animal and Mark Weightman riding his BMW (any uk riders remember them from the late 90's/00's?)- so smooth. Hope you have a good injury free season Zac. Smile
  • 7 2
 Always got time of some pitch hill loam action
  • 6 0
 Gwin mk2 hollaaaaaaaa
  • 5 0
 Would love to try the ohlins cart up front. The ccdb is just so good.
  • 2 0
 Anyone else see hes riding with 40s with the Ohlins cartridge on his bike, but in the interview section the demo is fitted with boxxers?
  • 2 0
 Testing was done before filming all of this.
  • 2 0
 He's a top lad!! and skill for miles on a DH sled!, Top British MX racer as well, good luck Zac you deserve it!!
  • 2 0
 Another local boy rippin it up, considering how flat surrey is we have some serious talant on the pro circuits!
  • 2 0
 Nice work lads!
  • 1 0
 When's chapter 2? Loved this one
  • 1 0
 Last time I checked 2nd in the BDS isn't a small time DH racer!
  • 2 1
 Go Zac!
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