The Privateer Team spent the weekend in Yorkshire earlier this month at this year's ArdRock Enduro. For those of you who don't know, ArdRock is the largest Enduro event on the UK calendar and sees hundreds of dedicated riders travel from all over the UK and further afield to compete against their mates, strangers, and even the pros!
Unlike previous years, this year's ArdRock was filled with sunshine, a welcomed surprise after last year's heavy rain!
From Privateer, Ollie Mant, Mike Aylwin, and Andi Sykes made their way North for the three-day event where they tried their best not to get sunburnt while catching up with riders and chatted bikes, wheels and riding in general.
On display for Privateer was the new Gen 2 range, including a Gen 2 141, which had recently completed testing with MBUK, and a Gen 2 161 frameset, which is destined to be built up for some hot laps this summer. Our Privateer E161 was there to dazzle, as was the DJ101, which has recently been reduced to an even more affordable €949 for the complete bike!
ArdRock isn't just about chatting, sunshine, cool bikes and products (plus a few beers); it's also about racing, and we had a host of sponsored riders representing us.
Christo Gallagher smashed the event, coming 2nd for Privateer and HUNT, riding a production Gen 2 161 fitted with HUNT Trail Wide wheels. Harry Barrett finished 36th on his Gen 2 161 with HUNT Enduro Wide, and HUNT/Privateer Engineer Ollie Mant scored an impressive 38th. Even our head of bikes made a race appearance, finishing 68th in the Masters category.
Current Scottish National Masters Downhill Champ Joe Connell had an impressive start to his race, taking first place in 2 of the 7 stages. But, a mechanical meant he couldn't regain his title as Ard Rock's overall winner this year.
Overall, it was a fantastic event, and we recommend that anyone who still needs to take part make sure they sign up for ArdRock 2025. See you there!
