News
2006 News Archive
Please note these news items are here for posterity, we cannot guarantee that the links work.
Thursday, December 21, 2006 - posted by John
New web server goes live
We've just switched over to a new spacier funkier and faster web server. Many thanks to the helpful folk at out ISP, IDnet.
As with all these things, we've done our best to ensure that the cheeky little gremlins won't come out to play, but we all know there's bound to be something...
At long last we have finally enabled the online bike registration system. So from now on you can register your bike directly and securely on the site.
Look out for a few new features coming to the site as we roll into 2007.
Thursday, December 21, 2006 - posted by Jay
Clockwork Oranges
We are half way through the first batch of 50 Clockwork frames, even though they've only just hit the stores. The second batch will be available mid January. These are in limited numbers so decide which size you need and get your name on one before it’s too late!
Friday, November 10, 2007 - posted by Jay
P7s back in stock
The P7 shortage is over we now have stock of all sizes of P7.
Thursday, September 28, 2006 - posted by Michael
P7 delay nightmare - here's what's going on?
We've been inundated with calls from dealers and customers enquiring when they will receive the P7 they have on order. Unfortunately the vessel carrying our frames caught fire (in August) and had to dock. Some containers were lost, although our container was not damaged, it is now subject to delays because of salvage and insurance companies procedures.
No-one can
give us an accurate date by which we will receive it. We have been told
dates but each deadline has passed, and without a confirmed date, we took the
decision to organise replacement frames. These will be ready for paint and
assembly mid/late October and will take priority in our production schedule so we hope
to satisfy all outstanding orders by the end of October.
We want to apologise for this delay and, to those customers who have stuck by us, we want to say a big thanks. On the up side, the P7 was recently awarded the 2006 "Best Hardtail under £1500" prize by What Mountain Bike, so hopefully once you receive your P7, its renowned reliability will mean no more downtime from riding.
Monday, September 11, 2006 - posted by John
Brendan Fairclough - 5th place in Schladming secures World Number 1 Junior Status.
Brendan was clearly enjoying the course. He reckons it's the best course he has ridden all year and judging by the fact that he set Saturday's fastest practice time all seemed good.
In his race run, Brendan put in a world class ride to place him in fifth in the final. The result means that he ends the 2006 season as the UCI World Cup Junior Champion
More good news for the brits from Schladming is that ex-Orange main man Steve Peat and Tracey Moseley secured the overall World Cup titles. Congratulations to both.
| UCI Schaldming World Cup Mens Result | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Bib | Rider | Nat | Team | Split | Time | Diff | |
| 1. | 2 | HILL Samuel | AUS | 2:51.41 | 3:49.83 | |||
| Course length : 2100 m / 1.30 Mile - Average Speed : 32.89 Kmh / 20.44 Mph | ||||||||
| 2. | 3 | RENNIE Nathan | AUS | 2:55.83 | 3:55.34 | +5.51160.0 | ||
| 3. | 1 | MINNAAR Greg | RSA | TEAM G-CROSS HONDA | 2:54.84 | 3:55.38 | +5.55140.0 | |
| 4. | 11 | LEHIKOINEN Matti | FIN | TEAM G-CROSS HONDA | 2:56.29 | 3:56.19 | +6.36125.0 | |
| 5. | 43 | FAIRCLOUGH Brendan | GBR | TEAM ORANGE | 2:56.96 | 3:56.36 | +6.53110.0 | |
| 6. | 8 | PASCAL Mickael | FRA | QBIKES | 2:56.63 | 3:56.37 | +6.54 95.0 | |
| 7. | 9 | BEAUMONT Marc | GBR | TEAM MBUK SANTACRUZ | 2:57.16 | 3:56.95 | +7.12 90.0 | |
| 8. | 5 | ATHERTON Gee | GBR | TEAM ANIMAL / GIANT | 2:56.97 | 3:58.62 | +8.79 85.0 | |
| 9. | 7 | KOVARIK Chris | AUS | MS-INTENSE FACTORY-RACING | 2:58.56 | 3:59.56 | +9.73 80.0 | |
| 10. | 35 | PEDEMANAUD Fabien | FRA | 2:59.95 | 4:00.88 | + 11.05 75.0 | ||
Saturday, August 26, 2006 - posted by John
Tracey Hannah is the 2006 UCI Junior Women's Downhill World Champion
| UCI Rotorua Worlds - Junior Women | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Rider | Nat | Split | Time | Diff | ||
| 1. | HANNAH Tracey | AUS | 2:18.71 | 4:07.07 | Av Speed: 32.06 Kmh/19.92 Mph) | ||
| 2. | PUGIN Floriane | FRA | 2:14.94 | 4:11.74 | +4.67160.0 | ||
| 3. | GATTO Micayla | CAN | 2:37.52 | 4:40.91 | + 33.84140.0 | ||
| UCI Rotorua Worlds - Junior Men | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Rider | Nat | Split | Time | Diff | ||
| 1. | COLE Cameron | NZL | 1:54.35 | 3:28.29 | Av Speed: 38.02 Kmh/23.63 Mph) | ||
| 2. | BLENKINSOP Samuel | NZL | 1:57.87 | 3:29.45 | +1.16 | ||
| 3. | BADOUARD Antoine | FRA | 1:55.39 | 3:29.84 | +1.55 | ||
| 4. | JONES Ralph | GBR | 1:55.87 | 3:30.14 | +1.85 | ||
| 5. | MALTMAN James | AUS | 1:59.74 | 3:36.12 | +7.83 | ||
| 17. | FAIRCLOUGH Brendan | GBR | 2:13.29 | 3:44.54 | + 16.25 | ||
| UCI Rotorua Worlds - Elite Women | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Rider | Nat | Split | Time | Diff | ||
| 1. | JONNIER Sabrina | FRA | 2:08.58 | 3:50.32 | Av Speed: 34.39 Kmh/21.37 Mph) | ||
| 2. | MOSELEY Tracy | GBR | 2:09.53 | 3:53.83 | +3.51160.0 | ||
| 3. | ATHERTON Rachel | GBR | 2:10.88 | 3:57.80 | +7.48140.0 | ||
| 4. | BUHL Melissa | USA | 2:16.14 | 4:00.40 | + 10.08125.0 | ||
| 5. | RAGOT Emmeline | FRA | 2:15.42 | 4:01.03 | + 10.71110.0 | ||
| UCI Rotorua Worlds - Elite Men | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Rider | Nat | Split | Time | Diff | ||
| 1. | HILL Samuel | AUS | 1:44.59 | 3:11.03 | Av Speed: 41.46 Kmh / 25.76 Mph) | ||
| 2. | MINNAAR Greg | RSA | 1:46.81 | 3:15.25 | +4.22 | ||
| 3. | RENNIE Nathan | AUS | 1:47.48 | 3:17.16 | +6.13 | ||
| 4. | PEAT Steve | GBR | 1:48.44 | 3:17.92 | +6.89 | ||
| 5. | KOVARIK Chris | AUS | 1:45.14 | 3:18.04 | +7.01 | ||
Australian Tracey Hannah, took her Orange 224 to victory in Rotorua, New Zealand to become the 2006 UCI Junior Women's Downhill World Champion.
Team Orange Junior Brendan Fairclough had a nightmare result placing 17th. We know Brendan will be devastated by this and we're gutted for him too.
Gary "Flipper" Perkin tells us:
"Pretty much all
the junior men crashed save the winner Cole. Even 2nd placed Blenkinsop
crashed in the steep stuff. it was nuts. the course was changing all the
time and i think the junior men hit the worst of it - strong wind at the
top and then the Larches section was super slippery after a light shower
just to add spice to it."
Monday, August 14, 2006 - posted by John
Tracey Hannah wins NORBA title
Tracey Hannah, having a great season on her Orange 224 notched up the overall win for the Women's NORBA title at the finial Snowmass round this week-end.
From www.velonews.com: Neither Sabrina Jonnier (Monster-Iron Horse) nor Australian Tracey Hannah (Orange) believed she had won the 2006 NMBS overall series after the finals. Jonnier, the reigning World Cup champion, had taken the victory that day, besting Hannah by five seconds. Still, the Frenchwoman didn't think she had enough points to pass the Australian. Hannah, meanwhile, figured her loss cost her the series overall.
But after the points were added up, Hannah had beaten Jonnier by a single point (968-967) to take the series.
"This morning the track was really greasy, and it was amazing how fast you could go," said 17-year-old Hannah. "I have liked racing in the United States, I have gotten to see the entire country."
Photo: Gary 'Flipper' Perkin
2006 NORBA National Mountain Bike Series Finals,
August 11-13,
Snowmass, Colorado, USA
Downhill (unofficial)
Men
1. Greg Minnaar (SA), G-Cross-Honda
2. Sam Hill (Aus), Monster-Iron Horse
3. Cody Warren, C-Dub Racing
4. Matti Lehikoinen (F), G-Cross-Honda
5. Duncan Riffle, Honda-Iron Horse
Women
1. Sabrina Jonnier (F), Monster-Iron Horse
2. Tracey Hannah (Aus), Orange
3. Lisa Myklak, Morewood
4. Jackie Harmony, Brodie-Cactus
5. Anka Martin, Honda-Iron Horse
Final NMBS downhill standings
Men
1. Hill, 955pts
2. Minnaar, 907
3. Cavalier, 813
4. Riffle, 792
5. Warren, 779
Women
1. Hannah, 968pts
2. Jonnier, 967
3. Myklak, 826
4. Harmony, 773
5. Reynolds, 755
Monday, July 18, 2006 - posted by Lee Bertram
Brendan Fairclough - UK National Junior Champ 2006!
Brendan Fairclough once again proves he's the man to beat, emphatically winning the UK junior title in a time that would have had him on the podium for the seniors.
Monday, July 10, 2006 - posted by Chris Fairclough
Brendan Fairclough - European Junior DH Champ - Again!
Brendan Fairclough put the nightmare of his recent TransAtlantic travels behind him to retain the European Junior DH CHampion's title in Vale Di Sole this weekend.
Monday, July 10, 2006 - posted by Helen Hannah
Tracey Hannah, still storming the NORBAS
Thought you might like to know that Tracey won another NORBA. She thought she'd lost as she had a crash, but won by around 7 seconds. April Lawyer was second and Sabrina Jonnier 3rd. Tracey thinks she and Sabrina crashed in the same place. Tracey also qualified first by 7 seconds.
Photos: Gary 'Flipper' Perkin
After the Sonoma race next weekend, Tracey is going to spend a week training with the Aussie junior team and coach, Scott Sharples, then she is going to go to Crank Works at Whistler. Fox are picking her up from Scott's, taking her to Whistler, then taking her back to the next NORBA race.
Monday, June 19, 2006 - posted by Chris Fairclough
Brendan gets 5th at Mount Snow Norba
Brendan's Dad, Chris Fairclouigh just contacted us to let us know that Brendan claimed 5th spot at the Mount Snow NORBA round. A good warm-up for the Mont Saint Anne UCI World Cup next week.
Photos: Fraser Britton
www.cyclingnews.com report and results.
Monday, June 19, 2006 - posted by John
Tracey Hannah 'pipped' by Jonnier at Mount Snow
Orange 224 riding Tracey Hannah narrowly missed the top spot at the Mount Snow Women's Dh race to Sabrina Jonnier, looks like it's going to a right battle for those two in the US this season.
Photo: Fraser Britton
www.cyclingnews.com report and results.
Monday, June 12, 2006 - posted by Helen Hannah
Tracey Hannah storms Sugar Mountain Norba by 10 seconds
Australian Tracy Hannah, sister of Mick, took her Orange 224 to the Norbas at the weekend, and "stuck it to 'em"
Helen Hannah got in touch from home in Australia to tell us:
"Thought you may like to know that Tracey won the NORBA race at Sugar Mountain. She
and Sabrina qualified 200ths apart ...
... She is using the fox shock. Fox are helping her set it up for each track ...
...
She's really happy with her bike and it's going really well. Tracey won by about 10 seconds. "
www.usacycling.org report and results.
Monday, June 12, 2006 - posted by Lee Bertram
Lee 'Berty' Bertrams DH Diary
Orange 224 rider and World Cup DH Racer Lee Bertram fills us in on the trials and tribulations of getting downhill fast with a big crowd watching.
Monday, May 12, 2006 - posted by Alan Milway
Brendan Fairclough wins French National downhill!
With the 3rd round of the UK National Points Series cancelled this past weekend some UK riders made the trip over to the French Alps to compete in the first round of the French National series. Montriond was the race venue and is based next to the popular mountain bike holiday town of Morzine. A large group of UK talent were staying in Morzine with Riders Retreat and enjoying the weather and a weekend away racing. Read More...
Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - posted by Michael
Orange riders star in UK bike film unscene
Critically acclaimed UK bike flick unscene features some of the best British downhill and dirt jump riders, so it's no surprise to see plenty of team Orange riders and Orange bikes on the screen. Read More...
Monday, April 10, 2006
Round 1, NPS Downhill, Rugog Farm, Wales
The first round of the National Points Series visited a new venue in Rugog Farm, Wales this weekend. The new, open moorland track was unridden and somewhat unproven but on first look had a lot of potential to be fun and challenging. Unfortunately due to the fact it was so new, not bedded in and open to the elements it quickly became a sticky, muddy slog for the riders and for many it was not a case of 'if' you were going to crash, but 'when' and how many times...
The weather varied and was 4 seasons in one day over both days; with snow, sleet, rain and then beautiful sun all within an hour! The Saturday seeding run was cancelled, the track was reworked and an alternative bottom section was offered on Sunday.
 |
 |
 |
| Overview of the track | Lee Bertram | Brendan Fairclough |
| Photos: paul@motionimaging.co.uk | ||
Mud has always been a great leveller, but it did become a lottery for many riders with many top names struggling like the rest of us in the sticky off camber corners.
However the cream does always rise to the top and Brendan Fairclough put the conditions out of his mind and pushed hard to come an impressive 5th behind eventual winner Gee Atherton and surprise second place Matt Simmonds. Royal Orange rider Lee Bertram also had a good result with a 14th on the disappointing track.
The Orange riders will take their impressive results from this weekend and look forward to the next round and the hope of a better track. The second round of the series takes place on the 14-15th May and will be held at the popular Innerleithen track in Scotland where Brendan will be challenging for the win in this,his first year as an Elite and Lee will be hoping for a top 10 finish.
Report by Alan Milway www.riders-retreat.co.uk
Monday, March 13, 2006
Brendan Fairclough rides Orange for 2006
The rumours are true! The hottest junior rider is on Team Orange for 2006. Brendan Fairclough leapt to fame during 2005 with a silver medal at the UCI Downhill Worlds at Livigno in Italy. Last season Brendan worked with Ex-Team Orange rider Steve Peat to really hone his art. We're confident that Brendan has a big future ahead of him. He'll be setting the trails alight with blazing performances for many years to come and we're chuffed to bits that he has chosen to ride for Orange.
Monday, March 13, 2006
MBR Magazine April 2006 review of Patriot 66
“Arguably the 66's defining attribute is chassis stiffness - this frame is rock solid. It tracks superbly and when gravity is working with you it's unstoppable!”
Obviously MBT testers mean that metaphorically. The brakes on the Patriot 66 will stop you just fine. But clearly they love the Patriot 66, and rightly so. To read the test in full nip to your nearest newsagents and buy the April 2006 issue of MGBR magazine. If you can't wait that long, you can download the review in Adobe PDF format right here
