For the 2013 season expect to hear Rob Warner’s trademark voice-box breaking commentary singing the tune of Harry Heath, privateer on a mission as he takes on the world with the backup of some top companies.

Harry Heath – stylish, friendly and able to pull in the results. If you’re heading to the Fort William World Cup this year be sure to cheer him on (he’s the one in the tracksuit…).

Here’s the press release:

HARRY HEATH GOES PRIVATEER

With the race season kicking off, Pro-Elite Downhiller Harry Heath has set himself up as a privateer in 2013. Riding the stunning carbon Devinci Wilson and Dixon frames, Harry has gone about putting a package together that will allow him to have the right support needed to achieve his goals.

With further support from Renthal, Five Ten, Schwalbe, Gamut, Sapim spokes, Cyclestore.co.uk, DH osteopathy, Mojo/Fox Suspension, Madison Distribution and Haven Distribution.

“These are all companies I really want to work with and it’s awesome to know I’m on the best product out there… That was one of the biggest goals for me when it came round to making up a privateer deal – I had to be on the right tools to get the job done and I couldn’t be happier with my new bikes.”

Harry will be racing the full World Cup Series, British Downhill Series, British National Championships, and with the aim of securing a place on the GB World Championships squad for the event later in the year in South Africa.

Photo Credit: http://www.caldwellvisuals.com/

For More on Harry Heath: http://www.harryheath.com

We’ve been asking some of the sport’s up-and-coming riders what keeps them motivated to ride and train throughout the winter and so we come to Sam; a guy who grew up riding all sorts and racing downhill with ‘training’ coming naturally – it’s all fun to him.

Hope’s Sam Flanagan reflecting on another epic ride.
Photo © Sam Needham

I have never been massively into my training previously (coming from a downhill background), I do however have a lot of stamina and never seem to be able to give in no matter how much it is hurting! I went into last year’s enduro season after a winter of limited riding and no real base fitness, I built this up throughout the season which is definitely not the best way to go about things.

My main motivation to train is the drive to win that everyone who races feels as well as my love of riding. Sundays wouldn’t be the same without rambling up a big old hill and blasting down some epic singletrack with the boys in full on horizontal rain or glorious sunshine, the feeling when you’re nailing it down a big Lakeland trail is enough motivation for me!

My main goals for this season are to relax and have fun. The less pressure I pile on myself the easier the results seem to come. I would love to get some top 10 World Enduro Series finishes and front row of the Mega and Mountain of Hell so watch this space.

My love of riding as well as my new green blinged-out Hope Factory Racing Yeti SB66C. A new bike is the best way to motivate you to get out on those freezing cold snow filled trails! If I don’t get out on a bike of some kind at least once a day it feels like a wasted day. I also have a great group of mates and we all motivate each other to get out in all conditions and get wild.

Training for Sam is more about getting out on the bike whatever the conditions.
Photo © Sam Needham

I don’t currently have a trainer. However, I am reaching the stage in my training where it would be very beneficial. I feel like my fitness has reached a certain level and to get it to the next stage I need to look at modifying my diet as well as working out the best things to do to get the most from my training without over doing it and blowing out.

If anyone out there wants to help me out with a good plan I would be very grateful…

In terms of general riders and training I believe that people will start off riding with a view to doing it for fun but they will soon get the bug and drive to do well. Realistically there will only be a few that are willing to take it to that next level however; to not go out drinking or eating the wrong things and to focus on getting their fitness and results up.

5: What, if anything, are you doing differently this winter? 

The main thing I am doing differently this winter is working hard on my core strength and fitness in the gym using both weights as well as cardio. I have always been into my big epic rides that have known to zombify a few people who don’t come prepared for the distance and climbs…

Also if the bike hasn’t been carried at least twice during a Lake District epic then you’re doing it all wrong! Roadie miles are also a big part of my training this year; this hasn’t really played a part in previous years’ training. However, I need to step up the efforts and sprints to get the power up to get into beast mode on some of those big old flat-out pedalling stages at the enduro races. I have always enjoyed riding BMX as cross training and this is how I initially got into riding so this is still a big part of my winter regime.

This year I will be competing in all the UK Gravity Enduro series rounds, the European rounds of the Enduro World Series and the Megavalanche, Mountain Of Hell, selected Superenduros and hopefully some of the American races, dependent on my budget! It is going to be one hell of a year.

Thanks Sam.

You can follow Sam on instagram to keep up with how it is all going – @samfla 

www.hopetech.com

Tracy Moseley is back for more in 2013 and has a long list of sponsors backing her assault on the enduro racing circuit.

Here’s the full low-down from T-MO Racing:

[Worcestershire, UK] – After a successful inaugural year for T-MO racing in 2012, Tracy Moseley has finalised her race calendar
 for the coming year, and announces her list of sponsors, as she embarks on another full season of races in 2013.

2013 will mark the start of a new era for Tracy but also for the sport of mountain biking as Tracy will take part in the newly formed Enduro World Series (EWS).

Taking place over 7 races throughout Europe and North America, the EWS series will be Tracy’s primary focus.

“It’s going to be amazing to be part of the first ever international enduro series and to have the chance to race in a World Enduro Championship,” said Moseley. “This format is a huge goal for me this season.”

Tracy also plans to take part in select rounds of the UK Gravity Enduro Series and the UK National XC series as part of her training and preparation for the Enduro World Series. For a full calendar of events go to www.tracymoseley.com

Alongside Tracy’s racing she will also be slowly developing her coaching career and interest in helping the next generation of young female mountain bikers. She will host a set of events designed to provide an introduction to mountain biking to girls, and development platform for up-and-coming riders.

Long standing sponsors such as Trek and Oakley are joined by newer ones such as WildWolf and Osprey.

Tracy will receive continued sponsorship support from a host of well-known brands

Trek Bicycles will be supplying Tracy with a stable of bikes for races throughout the year. The Remedy and Slash will be her weapons of choice for enduro racing and the Superfly will be the bike for XC racing.

“I am really happy to be staying with Trek for another season and really look forward to bringing home some wins for them in the enduro world”, she said.

Bontrager stays on for open face helmets, wheels, tyres and some XC components. Tracy will continue to work with Bontrager on product development.

Tracy’s longest running sponsor, Oakley, is back for 2013 with on and off the bike eyewear.

Also returning is clothing sponsor Endura, who will be providing all of Tracy’s custom T-MO racing kit, as well as all weather riding gear.

Wildwolf are back as Tracy’s nutritional drink sponsor. 2013 will be an exciting year for WildWolf as they will be launching their range of sports drinks during the summer.

Deity also returns as Tracy’s handlebar and stem sponsor for enduro racing. Tracy has been working closely with Deity over the last 12 months and will be launching a T-MO signature enduro bar in the Spring this year.

“I can’t wait to see my very own signature handlebar, it’s been great working with Deity and I look forward to a great year ahead”, Tracy said.

Osprey will also be another important sponsor for 2013. Riders must carry all of their supplies during enduro races. Tracy is happy to have Osprey on board again with great products.

Also returning are Trixter, Fox Racing Shocks, and Shimano.

E*thirteen will once again be providing Tracy with chainguides, while RRP will be supplying mud guards.

And finally a new sponsor to Tracy’s line up is Urge helmets, who will be supplying Tracy with full face helmets for Enduro racing. “Urge have a great ethos behind the brand and also produce one of the most breathable full face helmets on the market. I am excited the represent the brand in 2013”, said Tracy.

For more information please go to Tracy’s website – www. tracymoseley.com.

For updates throughout the year visit Tracy’s Facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/tracymoseleyuk or Twitter – @tracy_moseley.

The smiling Frenchman is a sponsor’s dream and Canyon Bikes must be patting themselves on the back for the signing.
Photo © Markus Greber

Here’s the press-release:

FABIEN BAREL HITS THE TRAIL WITH THE CANYON FACTORY ENDURO TEAM

Koblenz, February 15^th 2013 

Since the beginning of the year there have been rumors, now it’s official: the French mountain bike hero and three-time downhill world champion Fabien Barel joins the Canyon Factory Enduro Team. Fabien Barel’s commitment is not only from a sporting perspective an excellent decision for Canyon. The Frenchman’s long experience in racing and as an educated engineer will greatly contribute to Canyon’s bike development. The 32-year-old has great technical experience and will be able to give a lot of input to the development team.

Barel putting his know-how to use already…
Photo © Markus Greber

This year, the Canyon Factory Enduro Team was founded and consists of five team riders. Fabien Barel is the figurehead of the team. That’s why Roman Arnold, CEO of Canyon Bicycles, has a high opinion of Fabien: “I am happy that Fabien is joining Canyon for the upcoming season. Together we will achieve great things. Fabien has proven in the past that his ideas are trend-setting. But also his character fits well with Canyon’s philosophy.”

It’s for sure that the other team riders Ines Thoma, Marco Bühler and Eugen Maxi Dickerhoff will get the profit of the talented world champion. We can also expect to see Scotsman Joe Barnes build upon his very competitive Enduro skills. Together with Fabien, Joe will form an unbeatable duo that will lead the Canyon Factory Enduro Team. During the Bike Festival Garda Trentino in early May, the new and enthusiastic team will face their first Enduro race while the highlight of the season will be the new Enduro World Series.

For Fabien Barel, this season will be an exciting milestone in his career. He said: “Debuting in the Enduro World Series with Canyon is ideal for this new challenge. This season will be great for both of us – I can tour with the Canyon Factory Enduro Team and at the same time share my experience to help Canyon going forward in the development of the Gravity sector. I sincerely look forward to the synergy that our mutual passion will drive into MTB.”

Fabien Barel will attend the Canyon Pure Cycling Festival in Koblenz on April 27th and 28th. As part of the Canyon season opener, the three-time world champion will hold an autograph session and meet his fans in person. In addition, there will be a guided Enduro tour with Fabien.

For further information, interviews and pictures of Fabien Barel and his teammates Ines, Marco, Maxi and Joe please go to http://blog.canyon.com, for details about Canyon visit http://www.canyon.com.

Casey Coffman in action.
Photo by Jeanette O’Reilly

Here’s the latest enduro team news from Felt:

Irvine, CA (January 29, 2013) – Felt Bicycles is pleased to announce an increased commitment to the fast-growing enduro mountain bike scene in 2013. Felt is sponsoring two U.S.-based athletes, Casey Coffman and Kyle Warner, to focus on major enduro races in North America. Both will have a quiver of Felt mountain bikes to choose from, depending on terrain and conditions, including the new Compulsion LT with Equilink suspension technology.

“We’re excited to be working with these two young riders,” said Felt Sports Marketing Director Doug Martin. “Being at the forefront of racing technology has always been vital to the Felt brand, and partnering with Casey and Kyle puts us in a great position in the enduro racing game. Our full-suspension bikes will help these guys achieve their goals, and in turn their feedback helps us continue to develop cutting-edge technology for this type of racing.”

Warner heads up a race program in Chico, California, called the Felt Young Guns. The 20-year-old has already posted some impressive results, including fifth at the USA Cycling Pro GRT event in Lake Tahoe, and tenth at the Mt. Hood round of the Oregon Enduro Series.

“My main focus for 2013 is the North American Enduro Tour,” Warner said. “I have been training my butt off all winter and I’m super excited to be riding with Felt again. Depending on the course, I’ll race either my 26-inch Compulsion LT or my 29-inch Edict.”

Coffman, a student at the University of Nevada Reno, has been racing Super D and enduro events on Felt bikes for the past two years. He posted some strong results last year, including third overall at the Fears, Tears and Beers Enduro in Ely, Nevada, and fifth in the omnium competition at the Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships in Angel Fire, New Mexico. This year he Coffman is focusing on the Oregon Enduro Series and the Big Mountain Enduro Series in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.

“2012 was a great year for me,” said Coffman, who also serves as the president of the University of Nevada Reno cycling club. “I learned a lot about training methods, bike setup and race strategies for enduro. I’m excited about this opportunity with Felt and can’t wait to race my new Compulsion LT.”

You can follow Coffman and Warner all season long at feltbicycles.com. And to learn more about the individual riders, you can follow Coffman at caseycoffmanracing.com; and Warner at feltyoungguns.com.

About Felt Bicycles

Felt Bicycles is a leading designer, manufacturer, and distributor of its own proprietary line of premium quality bicycles, framesets, components, and accessories.  The company’s U.S. office is in Irvine, California and its European office is in Edewecht, Germany.  Felt Bicycles is an internationally recognized brand with bicycles and products sold in more than 30 countries worldwide. Athletes on Felt products have won numerous events including World Championships, Olympic Games, ESPN X-Games, and other major national and international competitions. For more information about Felt Bicycles call (949) 452-9050 in the U.S., (49) 4405-928015 in Europe, or visit Felt online at www.feltbicycles.com or www.feltbmx.com.