Meet the mountain biking brothers Alex and James Stock.

The pair from Wilmslow are never happier than when tearing down a steep mountain on two wheels.

Their sport has taken them all over the world, competing against the world’s best.

But the daredevil attitude has resulted in some horror injuries including broken collar bones and eye sockets.

Thankfully, their mum Joanna, a former nurse, is never far away to patch them up.

She said: “As a mum I’ve had to watch them hobble home from injuries and sometimes struggle to see them in races from the anxiety of them getting hurt.

“But they are really committed to the sport and really good at it.”

The mountain-biking season has just finished with mixed results for the brothers.

Alex, 28, has just clinched the national series championship in the Gravity Enduro discipline.

James Stock in action
James Stock in action
 

James’s year was more disappointing with crashes and mechanical problems resulting in a seventh place in the national downhill competition.

They have been called the Brownlee brothers of biking, with people comparing them to the Olympic triathletes.

James said: “There is a bit of a party atmosphere on tour. Alex is known as a bit of a rock star and knows how to enjoy himself. I think that makes us different to the Brownlees, although we all love what we do.”

The siblings were hooked on the sport as boys while at Wilmslow High School.

Alex said: “I suppose you could say we get our love of two wheels from our dad, Pete, who used to race motorbikes.

The brothers started with BMX, mountain bikes and racing downhill progressing from the junior to men’s competitions.

Alex made the move to Enduro, long-distance cross-country races, in 2010, and has now become national champion.

He is part of the Kona mountain biking team and a full-fledged professional.

James  has set his sights on winning the national downhill championship next season.

The brothers are now preparing for the next season, in March.

Alex said: “A lot of hard work goes on during the winter to get ready for the season. On tour there’s a real brotherhood, and an attitude of work hard and play hard.

“Next season I want to go for it in the world series, which is hard against those lads that live and train in the Alps, but I’ll give it a good go.”

They are also keen to help the next generation of bikers.

James, a part-time tree surgeon, said: “There’s very little for kids in Wilmslow, and the nearest place is Macclesfield Forest half an hour away.

“We’d like to start working with agencies to produce something.

“I’d even be happy to throw in some of my own money to help build a track so kids can develop their skills. If anyone can help get the project started I would be happy to talk to them.”

James is looking for businesses to sponsor him in the next National Series. If you are interested email jamesstock1@gmail.com