Liam Clement has now completed what has been a very busy season of Enduro Mountain Bike Competitions which has totaled 17 events. Liam has been fortunate to compete in fantastic events in Scotland, Wales, England, Isle of Man, Austria, Slovenia, Italy and France together with 2 separate weeks training in the French Alps. The 4 Enduro World Series events that he has competed in were brilliant experiences, racing with the best riders in the world.
The final 2 events of the year comprised of the final round of the Enduro World Series and the final round of the Scottish Enduro Series. The EWS event took place in Loudenvielle France, a resort high up in the Pyrenees, where Liam, at 17 years old, competed in the Under 21 Pro/Elite category. A broken rear deraulier, after contact with a rock, together with a puncture, pushed Liam down the overall leader board but a big positive was having the 8th fastest time on Stage 2 out of the 60 strong international field. The Scottish Enduro Series event was based at Innerleithen in the Tweed Valley. Liam, riding for the Consett based Bird Cycleworks Factory Team on the Aeris 9 prototype with support from Primex European Division, had a superb ride, finishing 2nd to his archrival British Junior Downhill Champion William Brodie and 5th overall out of 400 competitors, including several very experienced older pro riders.
A great finish to a great season, qualifying for the Enduro World Series Pro Elite class, 4 Outright class wins and 4 second place results, U21 British Champion, and a final Global ranking of 60th in Liam’s first year of international competition.
Training for next year’s season will begin in earnest over the next couple of weeks with a major focus on Gym work and endurance training.
Photo: Liam flying high on the Bird. Credit: JWDT Photography.
