Olie eager to get back on track

World Cup mountain bike rider Olie Burton is looking to put an injury-ravaged 2013 season behind him as he prepares for the 2014 campaign.
Battle mountain bike racer Olie Burton is looking forward to competing again after an injury-ravaged 2013 season. Picture courtesy Sarah Barrett PhotographyBattle mountain bike racer Olie Burton is looking forward to competing again after an injury-ravaged 2013 season. Picture courtesy Sarah Barrett Photography
Battle mountain bike racer Olie Burton is looking forward to competing again after an injury-ravaged 2013 season. Picture courtesy Sarah Barrett Photography

The Battle-based rider, who races on the UCI Downhill MTB World Cup circuit, picked up a serious injury while training in north Wales just after the first national race of last year in Somerset.

He was airlifted to hospital in Bangor and taken straight into surgery on a dislocated hip. The injury forced him to miss the remainder of the 2013 season.

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“My injury last year was a huge disappointment after all the training I had put in. This winter I have been training hard and have made a full recovery,” he said.

Burton has spent this winter getting back up to speed on his downhill bike and spent a month training in Portugal.

He went on: “This trip has prepared me well for the season ahead. Going to a warm location in Europe allows me to work on my bike set-up every day and race some international races in the dry conditions.”

Burton has worked with the team at Quench Cycles in Bedgebury. They have been keeping his race bike in pristine working order and helping him find the fastest set-up.

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He is now focusing hard on being ready for the Fort William World Cup in early June - the most prestigious event in the UK mountain bike calendar, drawing crowds of over 11,000 every year.

He added: “I can’t wait for the season ahead and to get racing. I am really excited and want to make the most of all the new sponsorship opportunities. I have a great set-up and lots of support this year to help me get to where I want to be.”

Visit www.olieburton.co.uk to follow Burton’s progress.