Our second rider for 2025 is new to the CØLLECTIVE, but not new to racing - Hadley Davis fills us in on what he’s been up to, and what he’s hoping to achieve in the future. He strengthens our line up of promising Juniors and brings a new brand with him...
Hadley talks us through how he got into racing - “My first race was when I was 10, when I did the Brighton Big Dog MTB race - I’ve loved racing ever since, I’m now 16 and my first proper season was two years ago. I’ve raced a lot on the track (and I still like to race at Preston Park), but I really love XC and CX! I’ll be mixing Road and XC this Summer”
This Winter, after a couple of strong seasons with Preston Park Youth CC, Hadley started racing for a new club, VCL. They have a well documented success in Junior/U23 development and it’s an excellent environment for a rider to grow. There’s so much knowledge in VCL and we’re already friends with many of their members so we’re pleased he’s found a good strong club. His first big result for VCL was winning the SE Regional CX Champs, which was hosted at Herne Hill this autumn so we’re off to a great start.
A big part of our CØLLECTIVE is what we can offer each other - sometimes that’s support at a race, or experience in preparation for a new event, but we also we each bring individual sponsors with us, giving us a unique insight into a wider range of new product and avoiding being limited to the usual small range of “team” sponsors. Hadley says, “I have just become an ambassador for the fuelling and nutrition company, TORQ. They are a mainly UK based company whose aim is to help everyone have fun with their passion for sport and outdoor pursuits. I am looking forward to working with them in the upcoming season!”
We’ve used TORQ for years, and Glen was also sponsored by them for several seasons - they use mostly natural ingredients which are light on the stomach. The ginger bars are brilliant to settle your stomach on long rides, the gels come in heaps of interesting flavours, and we particularly love the recovery shakes! TORQ is available at AEIGHT.
“I am coached by Simon Steels from Crank Cycle Coaching and Bike Fit. He’s local to me and I go riding with him every now and then - he’s also helped me with my position on the bike and I’ve really felt the benefits!” Hadley will be using one of our AEIGHT HMR race bikes for some crit and road races this season, and we’ve used his bike-fit data to get it perfectly set up for him - we’ll keep you posted. He’s got a great season planned and hopefully our combined knowledge, support and equipment can help him a little.
“This year I am really looking forward to gaining experience in my first year as a Junior, racing both regionally and nationally. I’m also hoping to race abroad during the Summer and am also already planning some Belgian Cross racing for the Winter.” It’ll be a balancing act with Hadley’s schoolwork, but we’ve helped lots of riders his age now and there’s always a way to fit everything in if you’re sensible.
“I am really grateful for the support I will get from AEIGHT and Glen. I'm really looking forward to gaining experience from him and learning, particularly with regards to overseas Cyclocross racing and advice on bikes, tire choice and the technical aspect of Cyclocross, and also being part of the Collective of riders with the same outlook as me. Ultimately, I am really excited to be part of the AEIGHT Collective.”
#aeightmanufactory #aeightwheelworks #aeightprecision #aeightsupport #aeightbikeco #borninracing #madeinsweetsussex
Photos by Alex Rout ( agr9 photographic ) and John Lampard
2025.RIDERS – HADLEYDAVIS
Hadley races XCO, Road, Cyclocross and Track and has just completed his first Junior Cyclocross season. He’s a regular on a league podium and won the Regional Champs race at Herne Hill. He’s our newest member of the COLLECTIVE - This year he’ll be racing on the road, on our bespoke HMR Frameset complete with our ULTIMATE road wheelset. He’s a TORQ Ambassador and he rides for VCL, who he’ll represent nationally, and hopefully internationally if his GCSEs go well! “Overall,” Hadley says, “my main aim for this year is to continue having fun on two wheels.” You can find him on Instagram and Strava
GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO RACE WITH US?
We’re always looking for riders to be part of our ÆIGHT CØLLECTIVE. The #aeightbikeco is about doing things a little differently - Rather than a jersey being the common theme, we kit our riders out with bespoke steel bikes and handbuilt wheels made in our Sussex workshops, the ÆIGHT WHEELWØRKS and the ÆIGHT MANUFACTØRY. We then support each other at events and races regionally, nationally and internationally - whether that’s for mountain bike, ‘cross, gravel, crit, road or TT - it’s what we call, the #aeightbikeco
The best part is that we’re not asking you to leave your team or club - that includes racing in your club/team kit. We’ve got certain brands that we work with, mostly so we can standardise shared equipment, but your own sponsors and clubs are almost always welcome. We have some strict qualifying criteria but don’t be put off by this – if you’re interested in being part of the #aeightbikeco then please get in touch by emailing your racing CV to eightbikeco@gmail.com
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