British XC Race Dalby 21st-22nd April

Round 2 of the British XC Series was this weekend on our local doorstep - Dalby Forest.   This round we opted to pay for an arena spot right next to the course.

By 11am on Sat we were set up right next to the course.  The arrangements for the team were more relaxed so riders were to appear throughout the day for practice and get off home when they could.  This was because it was a local course that everyone knew and also the weather forecast for the practice day was grim and I mean really grim - rain and worse was to come.

Alex team mechanic was a bit late - slept in after a night out in York however to his credit he had not been drinking on the night out due to the race commitment (well so he told me).  He was soon into action with pad changes and fitting of a new drivetrain for one bike.  He had been busy all week building a bike for Nick and some work for Bob.  He really has been a huge asset for the team this year.

The weather on sat started ok - we got the gazebo up then it rained and then hailstones and more hailstones.

Not only were riders getting soaked out on the course and coming back cold but the course was changing - the debate started mud tyres or not what pressures to run etc...  Also a new right diagonal line had appeared off Worry Gill do they ride this or the zig zag alternative routes which was faster.  Alex and myself looked at the lines we timed the riders through and gave our verdict.

Sat was also the fun races so managed to see club riders- Dan Joyce race in the Open class and also Martin Allanson who won the fun class. Also Jackie and Matt Hough popped along to see us and bought us coffee.

At 5.30pm Mark attended the managers meeting.  Again Juniors were to have technical assistance from two areas one at the top of the course the other below Medusa's drop. This proved to be a huge asset for one rider on race day. Laps were to remain as published unless the weather got much worse.  Riders were briefed by phone from this meet.

Sunday - race day.  Weaher looked good on the Wolds but as I arrived in the Forest it was raining.  The course was going to be tough. Scott was off at 9.30am for the Youth race.  He had a much better race a good solid start passing some riders on the last corner.  He had 3 laps to complete and came in as 19th on the first lap, 17th on the second lap but faded on the last lap after some calf cramp and came in at 26th placed rider.  A much better ride than the Sherwood round and improvements since that race.

Midday was the Expert race and Junior race.  Bob Hewitt was off first looking to improve on his 23rd place in the Sherwood Pines Round.  Bob had a great race and took loads of riders to get into 5th place for 4 laps he faded slightly on the last lap and came in at 7th place.  Bob had also been complaining of back pain so since the practice laps he had been using ROCK TAPE to alleviate the pain.     

Junior race was were the excitment was......Sam Roper hit the first lap too fast and had to stop for a few seconds at the bottle feed but came back stronger to get to 22nd pace.  A good result on this hard course.   Mike was off to a good start in the same race he was gridded as 3rd rider and after the first corner the bike slipped and Mike lost about 6-8 places he entered the single track around 10th place.  He had some ground to make up.  He rode hard to come in at the end of lap 1 in 5th place.  Then after the 2nd lap he was 3rd place right next to 2nd and 1st placed rider. However on the next lap nightmare puncture near the top of the boardwalk.  He ran worry gill on the mavic rims heading for the technical area where Alex was awaiting with spare wheels.  He had everything to ride for this race as the outcome could affect selection for GB to ride in the World Cup.    He ran Medusas drop carrying the bike and reached Alex a smooth change by Alex and he was off but had dropped to 5th place.  He started to make time up but could not catch 4th placed rider Iain Paton -  Iain then crashed into the barrier on the final lap 100m from the finish his back wheel dropped out so Iain ran to the line but left the back wheel on the track.  Rules state you must have a complete bike.....everyone shouted at Iain to go back.   Mike appeared on the final straight could he take 4th!  Iain ran back and came in on foot with the wheel to take 4th so Mike finished in 5th place.

A real shame for Mike.....he was in good shape and was riding well.

2.30pm was the Vets race some 80 riders in this field.  Nick was on his new bike and rode solid from the off to secure 31st place and he will surely reach top 20 next round.  Again an improvement over the last round.

Overall some good results from the weekend and improvements all round for the riders (excluding punctures).