The Winner of the Firecrest Mountain Biking Skills Course at the Black Run Race on Aston Hill. 

Firecrest Mountain Biking offers Skills Courses for riders of all ages and abilities. Working with riders to develop and improve their skills, whether heading off-road for the first time, experienced rider, or seasoned racer.

Firecrest Mountain Biking have had a long association with the Mountain Bike Racing scene and have been lucky enough to work over the past 17yrs with racers, both male and female across the age, ability categories and mountain bike disciplines.

Firecrest MTB established the Aston Hill Young Rider Development Program or DeVo as it was known, on Aston Hill from 2000 through to 2006. In that time Firecrest MTB have been lucky enough to bring some of the sports brightest young stars into the sport. From day one Firecrest MTB have had a firm belief that the development of young riders and the grass roots of the mountain biking is essential to securing the future of Mountain Biking.

With that in mind Firecrest MTB, to encourage that development, have for a number of years sponsored a spot prize at the downhill races on our home turf, Aston Hill. The criteria for the prize is simple, it’s not necessarily for the fastest young racer, but the young racer with the aptitude and attitude that will benefit from some skills training and rider development.

In March 2014 Firecrest MTB provided the spot prize for the race on the Black Run and the winner was a local youngster, twelve-year-old Fin Stockings. Fin was taking part in his first race and his attitude from his first run in a very wet Saturday practice through to the finals on Sunday made him the stand out choice for the prize.

Firecrest MTB Skills Trained Rider Fin Stockings in action @astonhill

Fin’s prize, a Firecrest MTB 3 hour DH Skills Course (worth £120). Fin attended the course in June. On the course Firecrest MTB helped to develop Fin skills, taking him through the essentials, before working on his Drops and Jumps. Fin finished off the course with some time on the Black Run, understanding the secrets to carrying speed, tackling the Rock Garden and the other technical sections on the infamous track. Just to make sure the skills learnt really stuck the weather played a wild card with heavy rain for the duration of the course, adding that extra edge to the conditions that Fin took in his stride. As the saying goes ‘if you can ride Aston Hill in the wet you can ride anywhere!’

Fin has since raced at other local races at PORC and the Bull Track and has set himself the target of getting a place on Team Aston Hill in the future, with his long-term goal to become a full time mountain bike professional.

“Fin had three hours of coaching and was buzzing when we picked him up.  As a 12 year old, Fin thought he knew a lot about DH biking, but during that lesson he learnt so much.  He has been to Aston Hill many times since and we can all see how much he has improved.  He put into practise all the techniques and tips that Ian taught him and has improved beyond recognition.

I am so grateful to Ian and the downhill family for making us (as a family) and Fin very welcome.  Fin loves going to Aston Hill and everything biking. As his Mum, it is great to see his passion, but most of all the enjoyment he gets from the sport” said Fin’s Mum Kate Stockings

“I was certainly impressed with Fin’s attitude and aptitude in practice and on the day of the race. On the course he improved with every run and was a pleasure to coach. With the skills training to bring him on and his ambitions in his sights, look out for big things from this youngster in the future.

It’s great to be able to support and work with the next generation of riders and good to see the youngsters that have won the prize at the last couple of races go on to bigger and better results and become really passionate ambassadors for the sport of mountain biking.” Said Ian Warby Professional MTB Coach and proprietor of Firecrest Mountain Biking.

Firecrest MTB are sponsoring another spot prize at this September race on Aston Hill on Sunday 7th September. For the first time racers will take on the Surface to Air, Root Canal, DH3 Mix Up. Racing across all three tracks to set the fastest time they can from top to bottom. The stage is set for a great days racing. See you there!

For more info see the Aston Hill Website