Last weekend was England and Wales regional championships.
In the Southern champs CNP-Orbea rider John Whittington rode strongly in a highly competive field to finish 6th 30sec off a podium place.
In the Midlands champs reigning midlands Junior champion Matt Sumpton decided not to race having been selected for the next two world cups he took the weekend off in preparation.
In the Northern champs Oli Holmes took the last step of the podium in 3rd. (he finish 4th in the race but winner was ineligible for champs.)
Not eligible for the champs but competing at the same event as Oli Cameron Balfour finished 3rd in the youth race. Roy Hunt decided not to race in the Grand vets but test himself against younger opposition finishing 4th in the expert race.
Darren Alexander was competing at a big two day Trailquest event at Grizedale results to follow.
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Monday, 2 May 2011
John's account of His second victory of the season!
South-West Rd 2 Newnham Park
Yesterday I raced round 2 of the South-West ‘Circus of Dirt’ series down in Newnham Park. Newnham Park was one of my favourite courses, although recent incarnations have shaken that somewhat. The course yesterday however was the cream of the Newnham crop. At 9km, the world was Jay and Maddie Horton’s oyster and they created a loop which went out the back of the grounds, exploring tracks I had never seen. Plenty of singletrack, techy climbs, fireroad climbs, river crossings, it had it all.
My start tactic come together perfectly. Starting down a fireroad into a headwind, I choose not to really sprint and let others lead it out. Coming to the first singletrack I could play a new card in my armoury, getting in first knowing I could ride it smoother and putting hurt into my rivals trying to hold my wheel. It worked perfectly and by the first climb I already had a gap and to my surprise, a considerable one at the first lap of 3mins over a 24min lap. The rest of the race went well, although relatively long, to finish around 2hr10 and 11mins on second place. After my win at the last round I am on for the series so hopefully the next two rounds can be as successful.
Monday, 18 April 2011
BMBS Round 2 Dalby
3 weeks on from the opener at Sherwood the BMBS move north for round 2 at the brilliant purpose built world cup course in Dalby forest.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)