After years of racing at the highest level Ben Cathro decided to pass on his knowledge by starting Sick Skills mountain bike coaching. Two years later and he’s worked with hundreds of amazing riders. Some went on to win races, some even won championships and they all learnt some Sick Skills! Now Sick Skills is looking to take on a team of young talented riders, coach them, guide them and prepare them for the big leagues. The Sick Skills Development Team.
If you are a young racer in the juvenile or youth category and are planning to race the Scottish Downhill Series in 2014 you are eligible to apply for the team.
This is your chance to join an excellent race team with some awesome support, and best of it all it won’t cost you a penny! What does Ben get from it then? Well of course his coaching business gets some publicity, but Ben is mainly doing this simply so that he can give something back to the sport and do his bit to bring on the next top racers.
How do you get on the team? Well Sick Skills will be running a selection day on the 18th of January 2014. There are 12 spaces on the selection day and a maximum of 4 available spots on the Development Team. The event will be a fun day out at Innerleithen from 10am until 4pm with plenty of riding, coaching and tips. Riders will be informed at a later date if they have made the team. Due to the time of year the date and location might have to change, but the selection day is a free event and as I said before there is no fee to join the team.
If you are racing the full SDA series and you will be in the Juvenile or Youth category for 2014 you are eligible!
To be in with a chance of attending the selection day simply send a CV to Ben Cathro. Make this as elaborate or as simple as you want but count the following as a necessity:
Name
Date of Birth
Email Address
Phone Number
Address
Past race results
About you
2014 goals
Why do you want to be on the team?
If you can add anything else to make you stand out, go for it!
What does the Sick Skills Development Team offer?
The team is not just about winning medals. It’s a group of like minded individuals, riding bikes, having a great time and learning every step of the way. It’s the perfect environment to help the rider perform at their best. You can ride your own bike and kit and keep any personal sponsors then supplement it with some of the great support offered by the team. The specifics are still being organised but right now Sick Skills can confirm:
Two team training sessions – One pre season and one mid season
Individual training regimes
Personalised Sick Skills Development Team race jersey
Advice, support and guidance at the SDA series from Pro racer Ben Cathro
Bike setup advice and maintenance at the SDA series when available
Base yourself in the Sick Skills race pits at the SDA series, where you can hang out, talk about lines, maintain your bikes and chill.
Year round tips and advice from Ben Cathro
Big discounts on One Industries race kit, Maxxis Tyres and 661 Armour.
Trade price bike parts from Singletrackbikes.co.uk
Negotiations for other deals are still going on but hopefully a Nevis Range season pass, free uplifts with Uplift Scotland, free race entries, and several more other great things will also be part of this deal.
This is a unique opportunity, so make sure you get your CV’s emailed off to Ben before the 5th of January to be in with a chance. We reckon this one is an absolute no brainer if you’re young and into racing.
