BMBS Round 3 Wasing Park

After what seemed like forever almost 2months since Dalby it was time for round 3 of the British National Series held in the Wasing Park Estate. The course is fast in the dry and as the team found out this weekend still fast in the wet with very little in the way of technical obstacles (as at Dalby) the course is all about maintaining speed which brings about its own technical challenges especially when the heavens open. 

Practise on Saturday allowed riders to get to know the lefts and right but with the conditions very different on race day everybody started the race unsure on conditions. 

Cameron enters the feed zone

First up was CNP - Orbea youth rider Cameron and after a busy schedule of road racing between dalby and Wasing Cameron was looking forward to the race. A very quick opening lap put cameron into a good position inside the top ten after a slightly sketchy second he picked up the pace again on the last two laps to finish in 11th an improvement over Dalby but Cameron was disappointed showing is desire to get closer to be closer to the top 5. Maybe Margam with it's long climbs is a place it will all come together.

The CNP - Orbea easy up allowed rider to warm up in the dry

Race 2 included the elite and Junior categories and after a stellar showing at the World Cups Matt Sumpton was keen to keep the pressure on Grant in hope for an elusive BMBS race win. After struggling to get to grips with course 12 months ago matt is a changed rider moving effortlessly during our practise through the meandering singletrack, where as before he would be constantly making small mistakes now he made it look easy. The weather did Matt no favours (likes it hot) neither did the delayed start, or being in the middle of exams but he settle into the race at the head of the race for the first 2 1/2 laps of the race but when the move came Matt was unable to respond and found himself being jumped by other riders other than Grant. His energy depleted Matt struggled around the remainder of the race to finish 4th 4mins down. Matt was very disappointed but shows his level this year when a bad day results in 4th.

A very muddy John

John's race went about as well as he could have hoped for having also dramatically improve his twisty singletrack skills in last 12months John is now is able to use his power to inflict pain on others rather than make up for his silly mistakes. The elite race started extremely fast as everyone new the bottle necking that would take place on the first section of singletrack. John started well to move inside the top twenty a few places above his start board a bit further back Oli had a descent start moving from 43rd on grip to inside top 30. As the race progressed John settle into his own pace and raced a lonely race just ahead of group but not quite catching the group ahead and finished 17th. Oli had the best half a race he's had all season  riding well feeling strong but then it exploded on lap four in state of cramp and dehydration he's still unsure why this happened but the remained of the race was similar to Matt just survival droppping like stone through the field to finish 31st losing 5mins to his race companion for the first half Ben Simmons who finished 24th.

By race 3 the rain was biblical and the course was very ripped up but not even this and recovering from a serious stomach illness was to stop Darren enjoying himself. His explosive power wasn't there but he was riding well technically allowing him to finish in 22nd. After another 2 weeks recovery Darren should be back up to 100% fit.  

So a tough weekend for the CNP - Orbea team who are all looking forward to the next race at Margam park.