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Southern Downhill is proud to announce its all new race team for 2011.

Racing is our business, be it writing about it, filming it, photographing it or actually doing it!

Southern Downhill has been a leader in mountain bike media since 2001 with us having our 10 year birthday bash on boxing day of this year.

The last two years have seen the website take a massive leap forward in design and content. The current home page is updated every day with all the latest news, videos, reviews and much more. This runs nicely alongside the number one downhiller’s forum of choice, the place to go as you know.

This year the race team has also flourished with more back up than ever before from our sponsors. The race team is very important to us as after all this is what it is all about racing and riding bikes

We caught up with the main man at Southern Downhill Mr Rob Lewis to find out some more about the new 2011 team.

With the website side of things booming Its pretty exciting to be launching a team backed by some of the best products and companies in the industry. This year we are going to be stepping up the media around the team, banging out some good results and spreading the word of Southern Downhill and our sponsors.

We have a crack team of guys this year who have bags of character and love racing their bikes. It’s great to be able help these riders out and put something back into the sport.

Southern Downhill Race Team 2011.

Sam Boardman

Worst thing about mountain biking?

Bad crashes has to be the worst, can’t think of much else. Sitting in the rain waiting for an uplift is also up there, but usually the fun of trying to stay on your bike on the ride down out-weighs it.

Best thing about mountain biking?

To me there are two best things, the first being the pure enjoyment you get from riding a bike, and the second being hanging with all your best mates while riding and having a laugh.

Favourite tracks?

Llangollen 09 NPS track, best track i’ve ridden in the UK. Secret tracks on pleney. Swiss national

Best team achievement to date? Placed 13th at two BDS last year

Long term goals or go with the flow?

Get into Expert next year and do some races abroad.

Age: 21Hometown: MidhurstRacing class: Senior

Will SoffeAge: 24Hometown: SwanseaRacing class: Expert

Favourite tracks?

Rheola, Taffs Buggy.

Best team achievement to date? Winning the Southern DH Championship at UK Bike Park and winning the Expert class of the MIJ DH series last year.

Best thing about mountain biking?

The feeling when you pin a turn or hit a jump perfect and meeting people who share a passion for biking.

Worst thing about mountain biking?Pushing up!

Long term goals or go with the flow?

I’m just happy riding and racing, happy if I ride well and have a good weekend; if I put too much pressure on myself I just end up not enjoying it.

Tom EvansAge: 21Hometown: MidhurstRacing class: Senior

Favourite tracks?

Llangollen 09 NPS track, best track i’ve ridden in the UK. Secret tracks on pleney. Swiss national

Best team achievement to date? Placed 13th at two BDS last year

Long term goals or go with the flow?

Get into Expert next year and do some races abroad.

Best thing about mountain biking?

To me there are two best things, the first being the pure enjoyment you get from riding a bike, and the second being hanging with all your best mates while riding and having a laugh.

Worst thing about mountain biking?

Bad crashes has to be the worst, can’t think of much else. Sitting in the rain waiting for an uplift is also up there, but usually the fun of trying to stay on your bike on the ride down out-weighs it.

Guy GibbsAge: 20Hometown: Norway/CardiffRacing class: Senior

Favourite tracks?

Best Kept Secret and Club Tropz

Best team achievement to date?

Before I was racing in Norway but this year i took 2nd place in senior at my first UK National.

Long term goals or go with the flow?

Go faster, have fun and maybe win some races along the way.

Best thing about mountain biking?

That summer feeling: being outside with friends, holding onto drifts and going flat out.Worst thing about mountain biking?

Injuries and having to wash the bike and kit in the dark with a head torch in the rain and cold.

Supported by

For 2011 the Southern Downhill Team riders will be piloting full on custom built Morewood Makulu race frames, the frame to go fast on!

Keeping the bikes rolling are the stunning Superstar wheel sets, these will be running the Evo Switch hubs on DH959 rims. Our team have some pretty fresh colour set ups, go check them out.

Maxxis tyres are providing the gripping duties so there will be no excuses on that front.

Spank components take up the controls with the Spike bar, stem and grips. You can also find us in Spank pit tents at events.

SDG only make saddles and posts, but they make the best. The I Beam set up is strong and light, a perfect perch!

Formula The One brakes are a work of art. These are beautiful and are totally functional in providing super power and modulation resulting in excellent stopping power.

Microshifts are taking care of shifting duties; these provide clean shifting at fantastic value for money. It might not be the norm but it does the same job and it does it well.

E13 cranks, chain device and chain ring working together in harmony. We know once these are fitted we can just get on with riding the bikes.

Rockshox Boxxer R2C2’s and Fox RC4’s provide the damping but the technicians at TF Tuned are supporting us with some fine TF suspension love.

The bikes have also taken a face lift with custom graphic from Regal; these give them a one off custom southerndownhill look. You can’t miss a Southerndownhill bike.

To keep the riders looking dapper and safe they have been kitted out with the latest protection from 661 and will be wearing custom made Southerndownhill Race Team jerseys from Cycle jersey

Bike Spec:Morewood MakuluRockshox Boxxer R2C2 – TF TunedFox Rc4 ShockSuperstar Evo Switch/DH959 WheelsetSpank Spike 777 barsSpank Spike Direct Mount StemSpank Lock on gripsAcros HeadsetFormula The One brakesMicro Shift ShifterMicro Shift MechE13 DH CranksE13 LG1+/SRS chain deviceE13 Chain ringSDG I Beam saddle and postSuperstar Seat ClampMaxxis TyresRegal Graphics

Soft goods:661 Evo/Fenix Helmet661 Raji Gloves661 Knee PadsOne Industries Carbon pantsTeam race Jersey by cycle jersey

SUPPORTING DOWNHILL RACING!www.southerndownhill.com