Team Ashton Diamondback rider Ben Savage took 1st place in the Speed-Trial contest in City plaza, Hong Kong. Ben used his amazing fitness to take the win by three seconds from Japanese rider and World No2 Kazuki Terrai.
The win comes at the perfect time as this stop was on route to the final round of the Biketrial World Championships in Japan. Ben won the World Biketrial Championships in 2006 and a win this weekend in Japan is certainly on the cards.
Both Sam Pilgrim and Martyn Ashton were on ‘Tour duty’ this weekend. The busy schedule reached Norwich, Ipswich and Oxford with difficult weather making proceedings testing at times.
“It was an amazeing day in Norwich, the weather made it extra special; it was forcast to rain but we had blue skies all day? That weather did catch us in Ipswich but we knuckled down and still put on some great shows that got the wet crowd going.
The shows are awesome fun this year, the Animal Relentless Bike Tour has reached a new level in 2009. I wish there was a Bike Show World Championships; we would be in with a shout for the top spot!”
Martyn Ashton
“It was a well good venue in Norwich, the store really supported us and we had a great time. It felt like a liitle ‘Bike Tour’ stadium arena, it was ace!”
Sam Pilgrim
Team Ashton Diamondback rider Sam Pilgrim took first place in this weekend’s Addidas Slopestyle event in Saalbach, Austria. This prestigious event attracts the world’s best extreme MTB riders and the course is always one of the most challenging of the year. Sam decided against running rear suspension for this event, choosing to ride his prototype Team Ashton Diamondback Dirt Jump frame instead, he has been winning everything on this bike and the confidence he has in this bike really showed. Sam’s winning run included a one-foot X-up flip onto a huge box followed by a 360 drop off. At the bottom of the course Sam nailed a double Tail-whip in both runs to secure victory.
“I’m so chuffed with the win. I am really enjoying my bike at the moment and I guess that is showing at the contests. All the other guys rode really great so to place 1st was really cool”
Sam Pilgrim
Also this weekend; the UCI World Cup Trials Championship made it’s way to Belgium and Team Ashton Diamondback rider Ben Savage travelled with high hopes of making the 8-man final, continuing his good form of late. After quarter finals ben looked in great position and was expecting big things, unfortunately the train came off the track in the Semi-final and the UK’s no1 just missed out, Ben tied with two other riders for 7th place but the most cleans rule went against him and he ended up 9th. Still a great performance from the 2008 British Biketrial and UK National Champion who is now consistently proving his top ten status at the UCI International events.
“I’m disappointed with the result because I know I’m capable of troubling the top five at this level. Still my year has been amazingly successful thus far, I’m confidant of some more big results in the up coming events.”
And finally…
Martyn Ashton was on Bike Tour duty this week with four dates all over the south-west of England. Salisbury’s Market square was the first venue and it was a great start to the gruelling four day stint for the Animal Relentless Bike Tour Team. The hundreds of visiting tourists were treated to spectacular displays all through the day. The Tour then made its way to Plymouth that evening for the shows on Saturday. Plymouth is always a great venue and this year was no different; huge crowds and Sunny skies greeted the riders who enjoyed the extra space that Plymouth can offer, the run in to the Jump box meant the guys could go really big with the tricks. From Plymouth’s huge space to the tiny venue in Taunton, this show is compact and there was only space for Martyn to do Trials riding but he came up with a great routine to entertain the expectant crowd, the weather also closed in near the end of the day, thanks goes to all the spectators who braved the weather and came to support the tour. The final day was in Weston Super-Mare and it was great to get the Jump box back in action; The day went off really well with huge crowds enjoying some sick riding from both Martyn and guest Dirt Jump rider Blake Samson.
“It was a very tiring leg of the Tour; the routing of travelling, building up, riding and then braking down the equipment then travelling again takes it’s toll. However I think that is what the Tour is all about, getting out there and working hard to bring some exciting shows to places that it’s not expected.”
Sam Wins again!
We have just received great news from Team Ashton Diamondback rider Sam Pilgrim. This win comes at the prestigous Addidas Slopestyle contest held in Saalbach, Austria. We will update with pictures on our return (Tuesday). For now check out the coverage at www.addidas-slopestyle.com