“2019 likely to be my final year” - Leader on Gravity Bike future

GravityBike HQ rider - Zack Leader - has announced that the 2019 will “more than likely” be his final season competing as a gravity bike racer and has outlined what he would like to achieve to close the 8 year chapter of his career. Leader began racing in 2012, aged just 13 years old. He competed at the Belchford Downhill Challenge and finished 9th. From there he took 7th at Worlaby in 2013 and again in 2014. 2015 saw him take a debut podium with a 2nd at Gurston. A further 5th at Penn House and 7th at Worlaby rounded out a tough 2015 following the tragic loss of his cousin. 2016 saw the reintroduction of the British Championship and also saw the new Zack Leader come to life. Three 2nd place finishes and a 3rd place allowed Leader to claim 2nd in the British Championship and also saw him claim a british junior title. 2017 was the year he took his debut race win - along with two 2nd place’s and three 3rd place finishes. Another runner up trophy and junior title for the young front runner. 2018 was a tough season for the Lincolnshire teen - who was now racing for Australian outfit GravityBike HQ. Three 3rd places and a 4th at Worlaby (all on new machinery) to add to the accolades for Leader, along with a world stage debut in which he finished 9th. When asked why 2019 will see him close his gravity bike racing career, Leader said: “In all honesty, I’ve lost the interest I once had in the sport. It’s just not the same for me anymore and I want to progress in racing. It’s time I stepped into Motorsport and try to get myself some silverware with a motor under my ass.” “I’m going to race in Italy at the World Championship again next year, and I intend to race in the UK at whatever races are available to us but I can’t see me doing much more after that. Maybe I’ll continue to race at the World’s once a year, I don’t know, but I’d like my final swan song to be winning a world title and I’d like the British title should that be a possibility too”. “I’ve had immense fun over the years and I’ve really come on since I first started, but there’s only so far you can go. I’ve had some great battles and rivalries. I’ve done things my way and the way I’ve done things have gained me a bit of criticism over the years but I’ll always be proud of what I’ve achieved. I hope to achieve something big next year - and then I will simply walk away.” “I’d consider going into organising or commentary or something like that and I’d certainly consider the odd wildcard race but the grass is greener for me now. In my opinion, the sports future doesn’t look secure in this country as it is so I may not have been given a choice in a few years anyway, so I’d rather leave on my own accord”. Leader is yet to outline what he plans on doing following 2019 but does reveal that a number of options are available to him.