veronique & leo sandler
Age 25 From South Wales, via NZ Discipline If it involves fun on two wheels, she’s game Claim to fame 68,000+ Instagram followers Bonus info Has recently become hooked on pit bikes Age 23 From South Wales, via NZ Discipline Anything fun Claim to fame Will hit any gap Bonus info Dreams of being sponsored by Waitrose, “to hook those ready meals after a hard ride”
Our cover star Leo (left) and his older sister (below) were born and raised in New Zealand but relocated to the UK four years ago. It was watching an NZ national that got Vero onto two wheels. “Leo rode, but I wasn’t too bothered until I saw people sending it downhill,” she explains. “I thought it was the sickest sport and wanted to be a part of it, and my stoke for biking hasn’t changed since.” “Vero and I would always go to the local bike park on weekends, and we’ve never got bored of it,” adds Leo.
Unlike most of the riders on these pages, competition isn’t really Leo’s thing. “Sessions with mates on whatever it may be – a set of berms, a couple of jumps, even a whole trail – are definitely where I’m happiest,” he says. “Sometimes I see something that’s gnarly but the reward of nailing it is too intriguing – that’s when I scare myself!” While he enjoys the filming and media side of things, Leo rides for the fun of it. “It’s always just been a personal thing, which a few people have started following,” he says. “I’m happy to keep doing that and see where it goes.”
Vero used to be more of a race head, but her focus has now switched from competition to web edits and social media. “The best thing I ever did for my riding was to stop stressing over racing and results, and start really, genuinely enjoying it,” she says. “Learning tricks and making videos has been the most fun for me, and I feel like I’ve gained more skills doing this than I ever did racing World Cups. It’s so sick when you push yourself to do a bigger jump, a new trick or hit a corner faster, all while having a laugh with like-minded people. There’s no better feeling.”