Pe ’ L Or er

HIGH-FLYING SANTA CRUZ V10 FOR STEVE PEAT’S LAST WORLD CUP

In 2016, Steve Peat

announced his last ever season of World Cup racing with a spectacular exit plan that involved some headturning custom bikes, matching kit from his sponsors Royal Racing, and a farewell knees-up after every round. The Santa Cruz V10 frame he raced in Vallnord, Andorra, sported an RAF theme, with Supermarine Spitfire livery and a matching Fox 40 fork.

Fatcreations went to town with this one, adding subtle details in every nook and cranny. How about the names of Steve’s sons, Jake and George, tucked away under the grips? A bomb decal for every DH victory, in true fighter-pilot ‘notches’ style? Check. Bullet holes on the rims? Present and correct. Even the coil shock’s spring was painted in camo to match the bike’s ‘fuselage’. Steve’s ‘Last Orders’ bell and crown logo was placed on the bottom bracket. While it was standing in the Santa Cruz pit, the bike drew a drooling crowd.

“That was a great one to do, because the Santa Cruz Syndicate team gave us complete free rein,” says Ali. “The first one we did for Steve was the Tartan Special for Fort William. By the time we got to this one, they knew what we were capable of and trusted us. Because I’ve known Steve for a long time, I wanted to add loads of personal touches. For example, MTB legend Jason McRoy’s ‘Ride Free’ tattoo is on there, but you have to look really hard for it, and some touches can only really be seen when the frame is raw.”

Peaty finished 44th in Andorra (perhaps he spent too much time in his own Last Orders bar!) but was easily the best-dressed and flashiest-mounted rider of the day – and of the whole season, for that matter.

FATCREATIONS WENT TO TOWN WITH THIS ONE, ADDING SUBTLE DETAILS IN EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY