Press Release - Borderline Events Team Mountain High / Orange

Mike Marsden, Mr Borderline Events is launching his second team in as many months.  This time he has hooked up with Mountain High Cycles and Orange bikes and given the following five up and coming downhill racers a ride for the season.

Sam Maddison - Youth

Joe Clixby - Junior

Liam Moynihan - Senior

Allan Findley - Junior

We caught up with Mike to ask what he is up to this year...

So Mike, we have seen already this year you put together a new Borderline Events Solid Team, why double your work load with another?

I don't think it really makes much difference and keeps me busy and off Facebook!  Although ask me mid season and I might give you a completely different answer.  The Team Captains will help out a little too...

Click the mission 9 for info on the Borderline Solid Team

 
You have appointed a member in each team to be the 'Team Captain', what do you expect from this role?

The Team Captain will look to liaise with the other riders and the Team Captain from the Solid Team and look to see who?s racing where on certain weekends.  I would like the riders from both teams to get to know each other and ride together and help each other out at races.  To have like a whole bunch of riders from the same team streaming down the hill together would be cool.

Lianne Bartlemann (Team Captain)

 
Which events do we expect to see your team entering this year?

I have not stipulated which races the riders should enter but you can expect to see them all over the UK chasing those podiums.

 
I noticed you got yourself riding an Orange 224 in the summer, did this push you towards the orange bikes for the team?

Yeah, I got my 224 Evo in May 2009 - Before that I had a DHR and I really couldn't believe the difference in my ability on the bike - This along with the contacts I already had at Orange were the deciding factors.  The bikes work amazing and add this to low maintenance compared to multi-pivot bikes means our riders will spend more time riding and less time messing.

224 EVO

224 Evo - Team Bikes

 
We all like to see the pits rolling with a few teams, from an event organiser's perspective is this good for you?

I had a dream to run my own race team and to have representatives of Borderline Events racing all over the World. I'm on the way to achieving this and some of my riders will racing abroad this year too. I can't tell you why I just thought it would be amazing to have my team riders on podiums and progressing with their abilities at events and helping them achieve this - I was never going to get on a podium or do that well myself so this was the next best thing. 

 
What's going to distinguish your team from the others?

I'm currently designing my own Team Jerseys and I'm looking to have a relaxed and Professional Team kind of in the same way my events are relaxed and professional (Well I think they are) I guess I know I have done well when I have more riders wanting to be on the team in 2011 or the existing ones wanting to stay on.

Joe Clixby - Junior

 
This is a big year for you Mike, not only are you running two teams but you are putting on more events than you have before.   Excited?

Dam right mate - it's absolutely unreal to be honest and I will just continue doing things they way I have been and listening and learning the best I can. Riders and parents alike seem to like my approach so why change.  The National Champs venue will be released very soon and to hold such an event along with a full Series is a great honour and privilege.

 
 
I know it's early, but 2011....  Do you also have plans in the pipeline after firing up these teams?

Too right - I'm not just stopping with the UK - I've been working with the riders and if we do well enough then we will have a full UCI Trade Team at as many of the WC's as possible in 2011... I might have to go with them too which although an inconvenience I'm sure I'd survive - I'd also like to hold an event abroad ? that would just be amazing.

Sam Maddison - Youth

 
 
We all know you?re not just an office man organising events and teams, so what bike are you going to be riding this year?

I will be sticking with my Orange 224 Evo & my Orange 5 - absolutely love them and at this point cannot imagine myself on any another bikes - I will get it sprayed up in the team colours so I at least look the part.

Mike on board his 224

 
So will we see you racing yourself this year?

You never know - If I get some free time then I wouldn't mind doing a race or two.  However, don't expect anything amazing but a top 15 in Masters is my aim - I'd be happy with that.

 
I would like to thank both Paul at Mountain High Cycles and Orange Bikes for their support with the team and their trust in Borderline Events to deliver a professional look on their brands. It?s a big responsibility and certainly one I take seriously.

CLICK HERE FOR THE TEAM PAGE