The course was built in 2009 ready to host the opening World Cup of 2010. Having received great praise from the worlds best elite riders the course is once again a fixture in the 2011 World Cup calendar. It's compact nature and many technical sections incl. worry gill and medusa's drop make it hit with all riders on the team commenting on how planted there Orbea Alma's felt.
For the CNP-Orbea team it was the first time all 5 regular XC racers would be competing thanks to Cameron's speedy recovery. Cameron was first off, starting at the very back of the youth field having missed the first round, started determined to pick off as many riders as he could. The course's only weakness is it's lack of overtaking places but Cameron rode well moving up to 13th by the finish. This will provide Cameron with a much improved gridding position for Wasing on June the 12th.
Next up was Matt Sumpton having being the Star of the show at round 1 taking 2nd he was keen to find out if he could go one better. The race started exactly how he wanted taking the fight to Grant once again but sadly a slow puncture cost Matt his chance of having go for the win. However he manage to hold 2nd place and again proved the amazing jump in performance Matt has gain over the winter months.
In the Elite race John and Oli were out to have a more successful Dalby experience than the previous 2 years having DNF'd on both occasions. John started well and held his own in the top 20 for the majority of the race until a small mistake cost him time on the steepest climb of the race on lap 5. He recovered well on Lap 6 to finish 21st 45sec's off 16th. Oli having crashed out 2years ago and double puncturing in 2010 was looking to finish his first elite race since Sept 2009 without suffering a mechanical of some sort. this time there was no punctures, no chain brakes and no headset problems only lack of race fitness. After plenty of CNP Pro recover and peptide in the week prior to recover from his efforts in the CRC MTB marathon Oli finished a satisfied 35th. Not result he is overly proud of but the best he could have done on the day. Hopefully Oli's string of bad luck is finally over!
In the afternoon race the sun was still shining and speed was still frantic and in the fastest category of the afternoon race Darren held his own to finish 16th in the Masters category.
All in all a good weekend for the team with plenty of performances to build on.
