Liam Clement (19), Enduro Mountain Biking Athlete from Scorton, Near Richmond, North Yorkshire, is very grateful to have the continued support of Newton Aycliffe based Polyolefin Sheet Extrusion company Primex European Division for the 2024 season of competition events. After a successful 2023 season, Liam has spent the winter months training which included a two-month trip to New Zealand where Liam practiced and competed in events including the New Zealand National Championship.
Liam’s plan for this year is to again compete in the UCI EDR Under 21 World Series which consists of six rounds based in Europe, together with all the major UK events which will include Ard Moors, Ard Rock, Scottish Tweedlove Championship and the British Championship in August.
Liam recently returned after a busy period in Europe competing in the first two rounds of the World Enduro Series. Liam competes in the highly competitive Under 21 class, against 50+ competitors representing 16 countries from around the globe.
Round 1 took place at Finale Ligure in the steep Rocky Mountains above the Italian Riviera seaside resort. The event turned out to be extremely tough with 30-degree heat and very tight transition times. Liam dug deep and completed the event without any time penalties scoring UCI World Series points, qualifying him for the full series.
After a long drive, through Italy, Slovenia, Hungary and Czech, the team reached Poland to compete in the steep wooded mountains close to Bielsko-Biala. The Polish event covered five stages of steep technical tracks which also had very fast sections. Liam, competing as one of only two UK qualified riders, again scored UCI points finishing in 30th position to claim an overall World ranking of 25th.
Liam now has two UK based events to compete in, Ard Moors and the Tweedlove International, before a trip to the French Alps and Switzerland for further UCI EDR World Series events.
Liam called in to Primex’s Newton Aycliffe production facility to thank Alan Pollitt (General Manager) and show him the Merida One-Sixty 10K bike that he is riding this year for Meridabikes who, together with Primex European Division, The Dirtfund Project, Royal Racing, Siverback Xtreme, Smith Optics UK, 7Idp protection and Danny Harts Descend Bike Park, help make it possible to compete at international level.
Photo: Alan Pollitt (Primex European Division General Manager) with Liam.