Photos from National XC

 Mike Thompson riding to 2nd Place

 Mike Thompson takes 2nd place 22secs behind winner Sam Stean

Sam Roper retired from the race

Nationals Weekend 21st to 22nd July.

Yes its the National XC Championship this weekend at Wasing Park Estate Berkshire.  The weather looks to be more settled for the races tomorrow Sunday 22nd July. Mike Thompson is showing great form at the moment and has been doing well in the National Series.  British Cycling are tipping Mike or close rival Iain Paton for the win but the Junior field is strong this year so their are other riders who could get the win.  
Fellow team member Sam Roper is also racing in the Junior field and his form looks good at the moment and had a good ride recently in the CRC Marathon event in Shropshire where he rode the 45km circuit as fastest junior. His goals are to get into the top 20 which are well within his grasp.

Missing this weekend are Scott Woolley who is away in Germany with School.  Scott rode the Clifton CC 13 mile TT on his road bike and came 15th overall and 1st Junior.  Nick Wilson remains out of action due to injury and Bob Hewitt has a new addition to the family.

Closer to home Frazer Clacherty new Youth rider rode in the Pedal Sport Mid week cyclo cross race in leeds last week with Mike Thompson both rode on mountain bikes against the cross riders.   This was purely a warm up for the weekend for Mike and a chance for Frazer to ride to gain race experience.  Both these riders also rode last weekend in the Olivers Mounts Road Races in Scarborough again to get some racing in. 

Frazer is also road racing in Middlesborough on Sunday at the CDNE at Prissick Circuit.  Although we are a MTB team  its still important to gain other race experience as this helps to mentally and physically prepare for racing.  Also can help with perfecting nutrition intake for race days, warm ups and race strategies.

HERE HOPING SAM AND MIKE HAVE A STORMING RIDE AND WE GET A NATIONAL JERSEY IN THE TEAM

 

Hope Series Round 2

Sunday 1st July was round 2 of the Hope Series - we had two team riders at the race after we missed round 1 as this clashed with the British XC Series.   If ayone is familiar with Lee Quarry its an unusual and unique venue.  Its as the name suggest an old working quarry and with some investment and some great local volunteers mtb trails were put into the quarry and there is a maze of single track, descents, ascents, pump tracks and drop offs in just a 1km area.

  

 

The only downside to the venue is that it is on a hilltop and therefore exposed to wind and rain.  Sundays race was no exception and the rain and conditions were harsh for the days racing.   TEF rider Sam Roper was in the Racers category so the field with the most experienced racers.  Sam was also racing alongside our home club Richardsons CC rider - Steve Hopper.   The start was hectic with numerous riders in the start from different categories and even some youths  sneaking into the race (they were later DQ'd)  Sam came 10th in his category and from RCC rider reports going well.  

Meanwhile we had a debut for new signing Frazer Clacherty (14yrs) who was in the lads Category with 10 riders.  Again a confusing start for his race and Frazer thought he had come 2nd but was told he was 3rd - a podium in either case.

Scott Woolley was not racing due to a recent illness. 

Results for the series came out today and we confirmed that Frazer was 2nd after all - a great result for the team though.

Next up for the team will be British XC Series in Essex.  We will also shortly be setting our training dates for the team once the season has finished.