With record numbers of riders signing up to compete, the action was switched from the planned double header to a format matching the British Championships; with Cruiser racing on Saturday and 20″ on Sunday. A mind blowing 890 entries from 770 riders took to the track over both days.

The Supercross race on Saturday evening saw some of the best riders in Europe take on the fearsome 8 metre hill, and we’re proud to say LNM’s Chris Potter signed up and finished a fantastic 40th in his debut SX race!!!

Overall, Love Not Money riders entered 19 National Series classes in round 2 and finished with; 9 A Final places (3 podiums) and 6 B Final places (4 podiums, 3 wins).

Thank you to our sponsors RSD Sports, O’Neal, Evans Cycles, Honey Stinger, Lizard Skins, Pedro’s and Rennen for the help and support!

Mint Sauce is a fantastic creation, at times humourous, sad, satirical and always inspirational.

Why mention it? Well, key to the story are characters often seen in the background; like the two duelling squadrons of aircraft the Love Squadron and their nemesis the Reality Squadron. When Jo is down, the Reality boys are winning. When things are good, it’s the guys in the white biplanes that come out on top. Love, positivity, happiness, symbolised in a fight with the dreary, dark, negative forces of reality.

The Love squadron flying into battle is a lot like keeping a positive attitude, going riding even when you don’t feel like it to shake off feeling bad. Even against seemingly impossible odds.

Martin’s committment to racing and giving his best is exactly what Love Not Money looks for and he’ll join Pete Hosker on the 4X team along with Joe Davenport, Scott Dominguez, Shay Casey and Rooster.

4X has been a favourite of BMXers and Downhillers since its creation in 2000 (evolving out of Dual and BSX) as it combines the best of both sports; riding against others, offroad, fast!

LNM have signed Pete Hosker to the team, an experienced BMXer and 4x rider, Pete is currently rehabbing his shoulder after surgery (after multiple dislocations it was discovered little more than threads and willpower were holding it in place) and will spearhead LNM’s 4X race efforts when fully fit.

Although the UCI have decided to cancel 4X at the World Cup level, a decision which angered the 4X community, the sport is thriving with the UK domestic race scene well run and well supported. The 2012 Schwalbe British 4X Series dates show only one clash with a BMX National round, which is great news as many riders compete in both disciplines;

2012 Schwalbe British Four Cross Series;

Rd 1: 1 April Leamington Spa

Rd 2: 29 April Penshurst (PORC)

Rd 3: 24 June Redhill

Rd 4: 14 July (Saturday) Bridgnorth

Rd 5: 12 August Harthill

Rd 6: 15 Sept (Saturday) Afan

National Four Cross Championships

15 July (Sunday) Bridgnorth

With Saturday’s Supercross showcase race having set the standard high, Sunday saw the action begin early with the Cruisers and youngest riders up first. Harry Ives had a great day in 7′s with a superb 2nd in the B Final to show for his efforts. He may be young but he didn’t seem overawed at the track or the scale of the event!

Fin Mead was LNM’s next rider up, hailing from Somerset he hasn’t had chance to get to grips with the track like his northern team-mates but that didn’t show as he rode brilliantly to a B Final win in 11′s. Mark Ferguson was representing in 30-34 and got through to the main taking 7th, a solid start to his season and his goal of at least 6th overall in the class. Damian Mead was right in the mix in the tough 35-39 class, making the main and coming away with 7th. He finished 4th overall the last two seasons so is a real contender in the class.

Shay Casey and Scott Dominguez were both doing double duty on 20″ and Cruiser meaning they had a very long day! Shay took the 9-12′s National Series title in 2011 so rode up in 13-14′s, alongside new team-mate Scott, for more challenge. Both riders made the track look easy with incredible skills on display delighting their fellow LNM riders and other spectators. On the big rigs, they made the A Final with room to spare and Scott narrowly lost out to Talent Team rider Paddy Sharrock, no stranger to the Manchester facility! Shay took 7th to round off a great day on 24″ wheels for the boys.

On 20′s they were in fine form too, with Shay getting the team’s best result of the day in the shape of 2nd place in 12′s. Scott made the A Final in 14′s  and came home in 5th, both are riders to keep an eye on not only for their results but the way they fearlessly jump the track!

16′s is a tough class with a lot of young talent. Love Not Money has two who rank up there with the best of them in Matt Saunders and new team-mate Mike Njuguna. Motos were no problem for either rider and they were drawn in the same quarter final. Matt was running 2nd with Mike 3rd down the final straight when an uncharacteristic crash left Matt in the dirt and out of the semi. 29th was his result but his riding on the day rated a much higher place. Mike went on to make the A Final and a strong ride netted him a great 5th place.

The posse of Love Not Money riders we have in 17-24 were in the thick of the action with Shaun Issitt taking time off from his busy schedule of interviewing other riders for the official edit of the weekend (the camera loves him) to make the main. Peeebz was storming through his motos to the delight of his team-mates with a 3-3-2 to make the quarters, where a 5th place left him disappointed not to advance further. His riding shows his potential and he’ll be hungry to build on a great opening round performance. Shane Dean is one of the youngest in the class and certainly felt like he needs some weetabix as he rode well but went out in the quarters finishing 25th for the day. He’s got bags of talent so will come back brighter!

Chris Potter was doing double duty and had encountered the rigidity of the stewards earlier in the day when they refused to allow him to get his bike in time to make his semi in 17-29. He compensated somewhat by winning the B on the big rig. On his smaller wheeled bike he impressed by making the B Final where he grabbed 6th place. Shaun took 5th in the A Final behind riders who raced Elite last year, showing he’s one of the contenders in the class. Overall out of 52 riders (by far the largest class on the day) LNM riders took 5th, 14th, 17th and 25th.

25-29 had two of The Brotherhood in the mix, it’s a small but physical class and Joe Davenport survived an interesting experience where he was forced to transition from the pro line to avoid a crash. He missed out on the final by a single point and vowed to come back stronger next round. Ross Gill was in his first National action since a very nasty crash at Redditch last year, he took 11th on the day in a solid outing.

Dave Ives was back on his preffered 20″ after a year spent focusing on Cruiser in 2011. He was always in the hunt in a super tough Masters class, which featured the likes of Dale Holmes, Dylan Clayton, Daz Reidy, Alan Hill and Tony Fleming, all World class riders. Three of last year’s top eight didn’t make it out of motos. Now that’s a tough class… Dave made the B Final and ended 5th, a brilliant result that validates his decision to return to the little bike.

Overall, Love Not Money had 15 riders in 18 classes and finished with 8 A-Final appearances and 5 B Final appearances including 2 wins!

The atmosphere was incredible and the race action matched it. With home favourite Liam Phillips only just missing out on the win in the SX race, the stage was set for some great racing on Sunday. The Love Not Money riders were together as a team for the first time with several of them also new to the Indoor’s testing track.

To say the LNM riders rose to the occassion would be an understatement, they all rode their hearts out and represented the team and our sponsors brilliantly! Full results and pics will follow shortly.

Evans have recently opened a store at the National Cycling Centre which has a wide range of BMX race products in stock including Redline bikes (from the entry level MX range to the top of the range Flights the Love Not Money riders compete on) and Lizard Skins grips. Team riders Josh “Peeebz” Nicholas and Joe “Average” Davenport and LNM owner James “Rooster” Tresman also work at the NCC store so there specialist, passionate riders on hand to advise customers.

Love Not Money receiving the support of such a prestigious partner is a fantastic boost to our goal of helping racers reach their potential. With our team doubling in size since the successful 2011 season it is vital that we continue to provide the level of support that our riders need.

Evans Cycles NCC Store Manager Tom White has been instrumental in the partnership, which is part of Evans’s committment to BMX racing. Tom is no stranger to top level competition having ridden for Team GB on the track so he understands that racers need the right equipment available promptly. With the Redline range on display and available to ride out of the shop straight onto the Indoor track should you want to and plenty of quality parts from Shimano and Cliq, it’s clear Evans have done their homework on what our sport needs.

For a look at all that’s available, visit the Evans website;

 www.evanscycles.com

Or why not visit the NCC store;

Manchester – National Cycling Centre
Stuart Street
Manchester
M11 4DQ 

Mon, Tues & Fri 10am – 8pm
Weds – Thurs 10am – 7pm
Saturday 9am – 6pm
Sunday 10am – 5pm

+44(0)1612236589

Flanged or not, ribbed or otherwise, there’s no escaping the fact that grips are a vital part of performance; after all, they’re half of a rider’s contact with the bike. Lizard skins offer a great range of lock on grips which is a good thing as Love Not Money riders have a wide taste!

Thanks to UK Distributor 2Pure, the LNM riders will have all they need to keep their Redlines running during the race season. Pedro’s as a company have values close to our hearts here at Love Not Money; they believe the bicycle is an instrument of good and strive to ensure their manufacturing processes and composition of their products minimise harm to the environment and potential harm to users! 

As well as tools ranging from the tough as hell Pedro’s tyre lever to more specialist stuff like bottom bracket extractors, the LNM team will be using Pedro’s Go! a vegetable/synthetic lube that reduces friction whilst also being biodegradable.

Career highlights include winning the Masters National Series title in 2008 and clinching the runner up spot the following year. Dave is a fierce competitor and his considerable experience of being part of a team is a real asset for the younger riders on the LNM squad.

                                                                                                                   Dave’s the one on the right…

Over to Dave;

2011 was a cruiser year for me. I wish I had done more 20″ racing but I had won 3 or 4 Nationals and thought I may aswell carry on and get the National title. I also won the Brits so 2011 was a good year for the cruiser. I don’t really plan on racing cruiser this year other than the Worlds and Brits, so its 20″ all the way which is what I prefer. I’m feeling good about this year, for both on and off the track. Good bike, good team, my son on the same team and my brother has got the racing bug again so I’ll have good friends and family with me all year. Plus with the olympics and worlds coming up I can’t help but be excited. The only downer on this year is having to spend time with Rooster. Love ya really.
See you on the gate!