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Pro Bike Check: Gary Forrest’s Lapierre Spicy Team

As riders start arriving in Valloire for the next round of the EWS, the season is now wide open, with riders swapping positions all over the results sheets. While the usual suspects still fight for the top spots, it seems that the rest of the top 10 is unknown, showing just how close everyone is riding now, and many new riders are making their mark! UK rider Gary Forrest had a difficult 2013, plagued with mechanicals, however looking at his numerous top 15 stage times his potential was always clear. With a fresh new team and new bike (Gary now rides a Lapierre Spicy for the WTB Enduro Team), Gary put down some super fast times in Scotland’s EWS, to finish 10th overall! Of course, Scotland was home turf, but with such a strong debut in the 2014 season (Gary could not race Chile) Gary will be looking for a good result in France next weekend! We check out his new bike!

Gary has been racing for the WTB Enduro Team since the start of this year!
Gary has been racing for the WTB Enduro Team since the start of this year!
The 160-150mm Lapierre Spicy Team is a well respected race weapon!
The 160-150mm Lapierre Spicy Team is a well respected race weapon!
Avid XO Trail brakes provide powerful deceleration, twinned with 180mm rotors front and back!
Avid XO Trail brakes provide powerful deceleration, twinned with 180mm rotors front and back!
Gary chose to race on the popular WTB Vigilante tyres, with a grippy Team Issue on the front!
Gary chose to race on WTB Vigilante tyres, with a grippy Team Issue on the front!
With a short 50mm Spank Spike stem and 777mm Spank Spike bars, steering is confidence inspiring!
With a short 50mm Spank Spike stem and 777mm Spank Spike bars, steering is confidence inspiring!
Prepared for the long day! Punctures do happen and points are needed for the overall, it is important to finish!
Prepared for the long day! Punctures do happen and points are needed for the overall, it is important to finish!
Gary ran a 34T Chainring for Scotland's steep trails!
Gary ran a 34T Chainring for Scotland’s steep trails!
Full SRAM XX1, will we start seeing more Shimano 11 Speed drivetrains this year?
Full SRAM XX1, will we start seeing more Shimano 11 Speed drivetrains this year?
Gary chose not to run e:I, selecting a Fox CTD and Pike combo.
Gary chose not to run e:I, selecting a Fox CTD and Pike combo.
Gary runs one bottomless token in his Pike forks and runs a softer setting than most others in the Top10.
Gary runs one bottomless token in his Pike forks and runs a softer setting than most others in the Top10.
Carrying water on board means that Gary can ride without a bag! With courses getting bigger, riders need to come up with solutions for staying hydrated and carrying enough spares!
Carrying water on board means that Gary can ride without a bag! With courses getting bigger, riders need to come up with solutions for staying hydrated and carrying enough spares!

To follow Gary and the rest of the team, check out the WTB UK Enduro Team Facebook page

Words and Photos: Trev Worsey

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