PRIVATEER
As a racer you’re always hopeful and have the big result in the back of your mind, especially here, after last year
Age 23 Hometown Bridgend, wales Best results 23rd – Fort William World Cup 2018 21st – Mont-Sainte-Anne World Cup 2017 26th – Vallnord World Cup 2016 Privateer life
Taylor was tucked away behind the back of the pits, in a small car park where a few privateers had parked up and established a base. With a converted van and an awning as his headquarters, the Welshman didn’t have the shabbiest set-up we’ve seen – far from it. But it turned out to be a real struggle to bag a space so close to the venue. “This year, we didn’t manage to get a pit camping pass.” he explained. “Not only were they expensive, but they were completely sold out, so we stayed on a campsite instead. Its location added a 20 to 30-minute drive at the start and end of the day. My Dad was waking up at 5.30am to drive us to the race, just so we could get ourselves a decent place to park. Things like that are the last thing you need to stress about on a World Cup weekend.”
Going with the flow
Taylor has had some great rides at Fort William – not least last year, when he finished 23rd. So, what was he hoping for this year? “Honestly, my goal wasn’t set the highest this year,” he told us. “I came into the weekend nursing an injury sustained at round one in Maribor, so for me it was more of a ‘go with the flow and see how you get on’ approach. However, as a racer you’re always hopeful and have the big result in the back of your mind,
Reece tells us. “I felt good on the track all weekend, so I didn’t overdo anything.”
The ups and downs
Aside from its notoriously brutal track, there’s more to Fort William that makes it a highlight of the World Cup calendar, both good and bad. “I’ve never had crowds of people wanting to talk, get photos, signatures and things like that before,” says Reece. “It was difficult to stay focused on racing stuff when I had all of that going on as well.” On the other hand, though: “The biggest highlight of the weekend was just seeing the number of people who were supporting me. To see so many people out there sharing my love and emotions as the weekend went on was amazing!”
Rollercoaster ride
Fort William looked set to be a weekend to remember for Reece. After qualifying fourth (the highest-placed British rider) with a storming run and with the home crowd fully behind him, the stage was set. However, even with all the best preparation and support, sometimes good fortune just isn’t on your side. “Unfortunately, a chain snapping wasn’t in my plan. I guess we don’t always write our own luck,” Reece told us, humbly. Not only did he suffer that mechanical right out of the gate, but any hopes of an Aaron Gwin-style chainless comeback were thwarted when the Scotsman hit a hole in the woods and shoulder-barged a tree. Once he made it down to the bottom, he quickly went off to get an X-ray to check for any damage, which fortunately came back all-clear. Reece has got unfinished business in Fort William, so he’ll definitely be one to watch next year.
Unfortunately, a chain snapping wasn’t in my plan. I guess we don’t always write our own luck
especially here, after last year – I got so close to a top 20, I’d have loved to have broken into there this year.”
Flying solo
When you don’t have a group of enthusiastic teammates with you on the track walk and in the gondola, it can be a little more challenging to get out and practise – especially in harsh conditions like those seen this year. “The weather was so bad that I’d leave the van to go up and do a run and just come straight back to get warm,” Taylor admitted. “I jumped in for a couple of runs with mates I bumped into, but mainly rode alone. I only managed three practice runs on the Friday and two on the Saturday before qualifying, which wasn’t ideal preparation. I usually do six or seven runs, but due to the torrential rain and my weak shoulder, it was best to keep it to a minimum.”
Privateer pressure
Taylor has been both a sponsored rider and a privateer over the course of his career, and has seen the pros and cons of both. “There are very different pressures on you being part of a factory team, compared to racing as a privateer,” he told us. “If your results suck while having factory support, that’s certainly hard, but this year each World Cup round has been a mission of its own – from getting kicked off the race site each evening to the long hours driving from place to place, even stressing about how I’m going to get my kit washed and dried. It all adds up. Having so much support from my family and my girlfriend makes it so much easier though – I simply couldn’t do it without them.”
The grand finale
Saturday is always a stressful day for the riders, who need to qualify for the finals race on Sunday. It means finishing inside the top 60 to secure a place – no mean feat. Taylor ended up 74th, 3.17 seconds behind the cut. “I was shocked to see how slowly I went,” he admitted. “It was a weird one, for sure. It sucks when you put in the hard work but you don’t see it pay off – it makes you question yourself. But you have to remember that it’s the world of racing and it’s never plain sailing. That’s how it goes. It does get me down sometimes, no doubt about it. But I’ve come to realise that at the end of the day, we’re just riding bikes.”