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Royal Young Guns: Brendan Fairclough & Joshua Bryceland
16th April 2005
James
We chat to the two guys ripping it up and thrashing everyone at the races.
Set to be big in Europe and the world when they get there, watch this space!
Brendan Fairclough & Josh Bryceland are seriously fast, theres no doubt about that. Take Brendans recent performance for example, at the 05 NPS first round at Ae he had a time which would have placed him 3rd on the Elites... fast? You bet.
You can watch the guys at a race and see them pumping through everything and beating pretty much anyone.
With Peaty guiding them with Royal Racing/Orange sponsorship they're heading for very big things.
We took some time to ask the guys a few questions before the season gets too hectic!
FTMB: As if it wasnt obvious, names?
BF: Brendan Fairclough
JB: Joshua Bryceland
Ages?
BF: 17
JB: 14
Location?
BF: Ma & Pa's, Headley, Hampshire.
JB: Cheshire
How long have you guys been riding?
BF: Years riding 6, years racing 3.
JB: Since I was 3 so thats 11 years.
How was it you got into MTB in the first place?
BF: Don't know really, it wasn't a conscious decision, I just loved riding bikes as a nipper, local, older riders got me into trials and that lead to riding proper terrain.
JB: Through my friendship with Jason McRoy and Andy Kyffin.
Did you expect, when you first started racing, to be getting all the coverage in mags and being on the same team as Peaty?
BF: Not at all, I was racing for kicks. I'm still blown away every time I get a picture in a mag or stand on a podium.
JB: No way. I always looked up to all the guys, I couldn't believe it when I saw them all one year at the bike show, although I already knew Steve through his mechanic and our good friend, Andy Kyffin.
Not just a DHer..
2004 seemed like a pretty big year for you guys, winning pretty much everything in sight. What are your aims for 2005?
BF: 04 was great for me, If I could repeat it this season I would be stoked. I would like to gain a bit of world cup experience. A podium @ the Euros. I dunno, maybe I should pedal a few more straights!
JB: Well, now I've moved up a category into youth, the competition will be stiffer but I still would like to podium every race that I enter.
Do you feel you get a lot of pressure when racing because of having such a big sponsor and because people expect so much from both of you?
BF: I did in the early days. Steve helps a lot. He says, "the only pressure is in your tyres kid!" I get quite stressed about college stuff, racing is a good release from that for me.
JB: No, the only pressure I get is what I put on myself to win and do the best I can.
Steve is obviously a huge influence on you two, how has he helped your riding?
BF: Steve is so busy we don't get as much time riding together as we'd like. When we do all ride together we learn so much. Steve is cool when we're at a national or the Euros last year, he has so much experience we can tap into.
JB: He shows us lines, techniques and offers all the support we need.
Freeride parks are popping up in the UK and obviously Whistler. What do you think of the whole freeride thing? Do you ride NS style stuff at all?
BF: Not really my style, I love to ride anything but would much rather see someone with a really nice pinned style than watch somebody huck off something big. Those guys have balls but its just not my thing. I've never ridden North Shore, but would definitely give it a go. Riding is all about going fast and popping through trails for me.
JB: I don't really ride north shore much because there is not much where I live but I think it looks fun.
Joshua jumping the canal..
What's your favourite track in the world?
BF: Couldn't pin it down to one. In the UK it would have to be Ae Forest. Worldwide would be the Polish track at the Euros last year - partly due to what it meant to me being there and racing it. My personal top spots to ride are Milford Trials and my back yard!
JB: Rhyd-y-felin (Bala)
Are either of you good at sports in school?
BF: I loved sports at school and played a lot of cricket until riding took over.
JB: I usually do ok in the cross country run and swimming.
Do you have any training programmes that you do?
BF: Oh yeah, a really strict regime of trials, mini-moto, downhill and cakes, I never miss a session!
JB: I ride my bike as much as I can as well as trials, motocross and the occasional enduro.
What's the one thing that really annoys you about mountain biking?
BF: Bona style - it really wrecks the sport.
JB: When the weekend is over.
Whats the best race/event that you've had so far?
BF: 04 National Champs at Fort Bill. The weather was great, and so was the company. Josh and I both won. Winning on that track is the best. If you win there it means a lot; you know you had it pinned top to bottom flat out.
JB: Probably at the welsh national champs when I got seventh fastest time of the day and also at Bala when I got the 8th.
If you could run a race, what would be the main things you'd want it to have?
BF: No pushing, no pedaling, mini bike session afterwards and party after that - Royal/Orange on the podium, and er.... did I mention, no pedaling!
JB: I would run a triathlon...downhill, motocross and mototrials.
Who are the people you look up to in the sport and why?
BF: Steve for being a true racer. he ain't giving up anything, its all about the win. Dan Atherton as he has so much more to come. Christian my brother for putting up with my shit and always being there, we always ride together and I wouldn't have it any other way.
JB: Jason McRoy because he was the first British rider to do well abroad on the world circuit, Steve Peat because the British downhill scene would not be the same without him and Andy Kyffin.
Big thanks for that, any thank you's you want to say?
BF: My Mum and Dad for making it all happen. Steve and all at Royal/Orange - especially Andy K and Jack, Tim Flooks, Maxxis, RaceFace, Rockshox, 5th Element, Mavic, Hope, Hadley, SixSixOne, Smith, Troy Lee Designs and all my riding buddies, but, above all my brother Christian for always being there and always ready to ride 24/7. Thanks and Peace.
JB: Firstly, thanks to my family for putting so much time and effort into backing my riding, I appreciate it a lot and also all the guys at Royal, the kit and support is the best, Orange, Maxxis, RaceFace,
Rockshox, 5th element, Mavic, Hope, Hadley, SixSixOne, Smith and Troy Lee Designs.
Brendan at Radnor..
Big thanks to the guys for answering our questions and Dan @ Royal Racing.
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