We kick off our blog for 2024 by introducing our riders and so, starting with the youngest first, here’s a little bit more info to get to know Theo Sandell, who’ll be racing all over the country on his ÆIGHT HMŔ DËLUX...
We first met Theo at our local bike club, Southborough & District Wheelers - his Dad, Bruce was running the Youth section of the club and Theo, being only six years old, had to learn quickly how to mix it up and race the older boys in the club, and our local series. Now, with ten years of experience under his belt, he’s racing against the best Youth racers as he continues the move into the Junior categories.
We’ve always tried to look after Theo, but we stepped it up a bit in 2022/23 when we first built him a pair of custom Ridley X-Night CX Race Bikes, and then a fully bespoke ÆIGHT HMŔ DËLUX - our light, fast, fully integrated road race bike, Born in Racing - Made in SweetSussex. He’s raced his ‘cross bike’s for two seasons in the Youth category and most recently he’s claimed three National top 10s and several League wins.
Road and CX are his focus again for 2024 - he’ll be racing at National level in both. After wrapping up his CX season at the National Champs, his road season will begin in the Spring with the Pembrey National 2-Day, after a solid block of training. He’ll continue racing Road through the Summer, before fully attacking his first year of Junior CX Racing in the Autumn.
2024.RIDERS – THEOSANDELL
Theo competes in Cyclocross and Road at National level. He races for SDW Racing, is sponsored by Raw Velo Nutrition, Hunt Wheels, and is coached by Huw Williams. He’s been racing for nearly 10 years and recently has scooped his first Regional wins and National top tens. You can follow him on Instagram
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