It has always been the aim of the Madison Saracen team to bring on up and coming riders, and their main Factory Team has now reaped the rewards of that thanks to the success of Manon Carpenter in particular, but they now feel that they need to add some more young guns into the mix and open up a new dedicated Development Team, and so that’s exactly what they’ve done…

Madison Saracen Development Team

Madison Clothing and Saracen are excited to announce a new Development Team, made up of three up-and-coming British riders and managed by current Madison Saracen Factory Team manager, Will Longden.

Set to compete in the British Downhill Series, National Championships and other regional races, the Madison Saracen Development Team is eager to bring new riders to the forefront of the British downhill scene and give them the opportunity and backing to prove themselves in one of the best domestic downhill series in the world.

Matt Walker and Jack Tennyson will be racing in the Youth category whilst Jack Geoghegan will be moving to Elite after taking the series overall in the Expert category of the 2013 Saracen British Downhill Series. All three will be riding Saracen Myst Pro’s equipped with the latest Shimano Zee groupset, PRO finishing kit, suspension from Fox, Shimano chain guides, Continental tyres and DT Swiss wheels.

“Developing talented riders has always been at the core of what the Madison Saracen Factory Team is all about. With the Factory team, that’s moved on to helping some of the UK’s top riders improve at the highest international level. We’ve continued to keep an eye on the young talent  coming through and felt it was the perfect time with the current crop  of UK youth riders, to start a Madison Saracen Development Team. Giving Matt and Jack an opportunity to enjoy a race weekend and do their best  without the concern of equipment or kit and with the backup of the  Factory Team riders and experience to draw from as well as team mate  Jack Geoghegan, who has a wealth of experience to pass on. National racing is a family affair and we are excited to welcome our new arrivals!”

Will Longden – Team Manager

Madison Saracen Development Team Bike: Saracen Myst Pro

Rider Info

Name: Matt Walker
Nickname: Matt
Hometown: West Felton
Age: 14
Favourite UK Track: Bala National Track
Loves: Racing bikes, Getting free stuff! Gooning with the lads, Riding in the Alps, Skiing in the winter.
Hates: Flat tyres, Crashing, Homework, Fish pie.
Top 3 results from 2013: 1st National Champs, 1st Bringewood BDS, 1st BDS overall.

Riding for the Madison Saracen Development Team for 2014 is a dream come true for me. To ride for a professional team with high profile World Cup riders and great teammates is exactly what I need to help me improve my riding and I can tell it’s going to be a totally awesome year!”

Matt Walker – Team Rider

Name: Jack Tennyson
Nickname: Tenny
Hometown: Guisborough
Age: 14
Favourite UK Track: Fort William.
Loves: My new Myst DH bike, Riding any bike – DH, BMX, Dirt, Road, Winning, Nutella, Chatel Bike Park, Riding new tracks, Snowboarding.
Hates: Losing.
Top 3 results from 2013: 3rd British Champs, 1st English Champs, 1st BDS Innerleithan.

“Last season meant a lot to me because I was at the top end of my category. I knew I was capable of smashing out winning runs however some races didn’t go my way and I ended up having some DNF’s
When I got the call from Will and the team I was so stoked! I’ve heard how awesome the new Saracen Myst is and how good the team was to back it up.
Having Will as my Team Manager is a great privilege and the opportunity to ride alongside Jack Geoghegan and the World Cup riders should teach me a few things. The 2014 season isn’t too far away so it’s time to put the hours of work in; bring it on!”

Jack Tennyson – Team Rider

Name: Jack Geoghegan
Nickname: Crash Bandicoot
Hometown: Berkhamsted
Age: 23
Favourite UK Track: Fort William
Loves: Riding Motocross and anything with two wheels, pre-season training and Captain Morgan Spiced Rum.
Hates: The big clean up from a day’s motocross, punctures and getting injured!
Top 3 results from 2013: 1st Fort William BDS Expert, 1st Innerleithen BDS Expert, 1st overall BDS Expert.

“Moving up into the Elite category for 2014 is exciting for me, I raced Elite a few years back before an injury so I know what is needed. Being part of the Madison Saracen Development Team is great and I hope that I can help the young guns not only improve their riding and help them learn how to develop their racing skills, but above all have fun doing so! Being involved from the start with this set-up I’m sure I’ll be able to continue developing the already awesome Saracen Myst!”

Jack Geoghegan – Team Rider