TEAM IDOLS

ANDY WARD, OWNER OF THE MBUK-BACKED GT VIRIS TEAM, LOOKS BACK ON A SUCCESSFUL 2022 RACE SEASON FOR HIS FIVE TALENTED YOUNG RIDERS

Some people thought I was mad for starting a team in 2021, during a worldwide pandemic. Then we were hit by global supply-chain issues the likes of which the industry had never seen before. There was a point in the off season when I wondered what I'd got myself into, but thankfully, after some last-minute hurdles and a manic few days collecting parts and building bikes, we made it to the 2022 team photoshoot at Wales's Revolution Bike Park. That appeared in MBUK back in April, and now I'm sitting here writing a recap of the team's year. The season has flown by! The GT Viris team was never purely about race results we just wanted everyone to have a good time and to progress their racing. That said, we've had some massive standout moments this season. Between them, our riders won Scottish national series and championships titles, and topped the podium at two European IXS Downhill Cups, as well as numerous domestic races!

Marginal gains

We set up the team to act as a springboard to bigger things, to give the riders the tools and support they might need, and guide them onwards and upwards. That comes down to marginal gains - something I learned from British Cycling and my time on the World Cup circuit. If we can take some of the stresses away from the rider (and their parents), it allows them to focus on the racing.