NPS 4X Rd1 - Easter washout

Easter weekend may not have been the best choice for the first round of this years national 4X series. Some serious rain had left the track in an exceptionally wet state. The track has recently seen some pretty big changes but unfortunately they couldn't be tested due to a very thick heavy layer of mud that left only one jump really jumpable. Riders were pedalling their nut off but only getting to speeds less than that seen in your average pump race. The event would be better described as XC 4X since the second half of the track felt more like an uphill climb. Riders were even having to get off and push the backside of one of the jumps since holding speed into it was such hard work. An S turn had been added to the first straight that introduced a new feature to 4X racing, the lake line. This opened up a nice little overtaking move where you could squeeze into the inside and push the rider in front out wide into the lake, hopefully track designers wont start applying this to future tracks! In fairness the Blandford track looks fun in the dry, it has a proper ruggedness to it that I think more 4X tracks should have.

Racing this track really made you work for your position, it was a slog and 7 motos in total was killer. I got two firsts and two seconds in the motos and managed to place 7th overall having been just sneaked on the line. Some one let Mop Head on the mic for some class commentary which livened up the quarters, Mop does like to be heard! Senior ended up being taken by Nathan Parsons and Will Longdon took the win in the Elite class. Full results and dates are up on Naked Racing.

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Issue 10, Wideopen Mag

The latest online issue of Wideopen Mag has amongst a load of other cool stuff an awesome write up on this years hardtail champs at the UK Bke Park. Its great seeing the hardtail scene getting a bit of coverage, download this months issue here for free and check it out.

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NPS 4x Rd1

Mop Head tagged me in this pic on Facebook I reckon its a pretty cool shot. Thanks to the Mop and Terri-Anne Busbridge for this one.

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NPS 4X - Rd 1 - UK Bike Park

Results - Senior:
1st Kieron MCAVOY
2nd Chris CUMMING
3rd Robbie RICKMAN

First round of this years NPS 4X went really well as I took 3rd place in senior. The track at Blandford is a rugged one that favours true MTB riders over the BMXers. The first straight is a drag race to the first corner which saw a lot of action with plenty of contact and moves being made. Riders left behind were then forced into a risky dive down the inside on the 2nd corner, blocking the outside line into the moguls. Some good riders ended up on the floor trying this and only a few made the move stick as the outside carried far more momentum.

The motos were really action packed. The first corner for me was a hairy one. The quad leading into this was tight and a little sketchy to say the least. The trick was to not let off into the quad and hold the inside round the first corner. This produced a lot of bar bashing and some quite tense moments. The semis turned into a battle with Keeny, elbows out and bars coming into contact I made it through turn 1 ahead leaving him to make a break for the inside on the second corner which left him on the deck. In the finals Lee Ferry was going all out not to let me take 3rd, a serious fight was on with some serious contact. Somehow I stayed rubber side down to take my place on the podium.

The racing was awesome to watch, Will Evans was on it in the pro class and making some serious moves at the front of the pack. Kieron Mcavoy wont be staying down in Senior for long, considering it was his first 4x race he was developing a serious lead in practically every moto and is definately one of the main guys to be chasing this year in Senior.

All in all a great days racing, bring on round 2!

Full race report online here
Photos of the Event can be found at www.moredirt.co.uk

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UK Bike Park - BUCS 09

A bit of a change for the champs this year the weather was absolutely amazing! Loads of sunshine and a great venue with camping right next the track created a brilliant atmosphere. The champs is always one of the best races of the year. the racing is incredibly chilled out but at the same time a huge amount of pride is at stake as the University teams battle against each other for the top spot.

I missed friday practice after having broken down thursday night, the day was spent frustratingly under the van replacing the alternator and trying to get it all fixed up in time to rejoin the action. Hearing stories of grass slalom races friday night with mass start directed at a line of students who were marking the extents of the track, the weekend was clearly starting well and I had to get my act together.

Still tweaking the van saturday morning, swapping in a new fuel filter and giving her the last bit of love and persuasion she was after. We were finally on the road, rocking up at 10 to find Rob had also only just made it. I cant say I was a huge fan of the track to begin with, it was a short fiddly one, not too technical but most of the corners were over blown and roots hid in strange places and which swiped the wheels away from under you. This was a track that required care and control rather than ballsy off the brakes antics. With a huge range of ability on the track practice was a bit of a traffic jam so no chance to really get into the flow or manage a full run.

Come racing though it was a totally different game. The entire length of the track was lined with loud, excited students dealing out the encouragement and abuse. They were all there for one reason, to see some carnage. It was possible to tell standing at the top how a rider was getting on just from the pitch of the cheering that was making its way down the track. First run I got a little carried away and excited by the audience. Charging the top half of the track I was putting in a good run until some friendly spectators were shouting at me to get on the pedals right before this cheeky steep right hander. A good crowd had developed above this corner as it was the center of the action and I flew in totally forgetting it was coming and had no chance in hell of making the turn. Having smashed into a couple of trees I eventually ran out of momentum half way down the hill. The crowd were clearly well entertained by my cornering abilities. Will Soffe was the only rider on form for Swansea placing 3rd overall with his usual unhurried style that never seems to reflect the incredibly quick times he posts.

After the DH the flood lights were wheeled out (and some even lit up) illuminating the first 3 jumps off the 4X track. A straight knock out was arranged, a drag race with the top 2 going through to the next round. This was so much fun. The track has been changed since I was last there and there is now nothing to slow you down up until the table which consequently is very short for the speed. That combined with not being able to see the landing and flash photography smashing you in the eyes it was a really sketchy, fun, exciting event. First practice down the track and someone ran under my wheels as I was flying up the step-up totally scaring the sh*t out of me and getting the adrenaline pumping ready for the event. A few snaps later and I was knocked out by the french BMX champ who's name I should know and Steve Atkins who went on to take the event and earn himself some easy money.

Then the main event, the party started with Soffe and the torico boys laying down the moves with some break dancing and a few pirouettes. A heated battle of British bull dog, George instigated the coneing of a few unsuspecting characters who had to down large amounts of the contents of his bottle, enough said really.

The XC track was brilliant. A flat loop round the woods then up the 4x track down the dual track into one of the DH runs then up the uplift track to complete a lap. The climb was too steep to really pedal so it was a brisk push to the top, perfect! Me and Soffe went all out to get the holeshot, starting near the back of the pack we shouldered the bikes legged it over the grass leaving the start field we were up with the top 10. This was a lot of effort so I took my first break up in the woods! The DH was fun, some serious overbreaking meant the mega techniques were back out involving some crafty high lines and possibly dodgy overtaking maneuvers, which apparently resulted in a string of fallen riders in my wake. A can of WD40 sprayed at disk height up at the top would have really improved this race! After the climb I figured it was a good chance to sit in the van grab a drink and change my top ready for the next lap, this was a serious race and hydration is always important!! I ended up finishing just behind Rob, Soffe came in in 7th which is really good going, will be entering him for the Champs next year!

Representing Swansea in the champs was Sion the defending champion, Matt and James. James had been shredding the DH and Dual all weekend so big expectations for him despite being the underdog in XC this was a track that really suited his ability. Going for the cheeky start up the grass he made it from the second pack to the front half of the leading pack and was seriously flying the DH only to puncture. Legging it back to the car he was straight back on it and made up a serious number of positions on the descents, really good to see. One corner at the bottom of the descent surrounded by probably over a hundred rowdy downhillers. The look of terror as the less confident riders approached the section was brilliant. Loads of cheering, chants, overtaking, crashing, skidding, Mexican mooning. . . made for some great entertainment. Sion ended up finishing 4th just off the podium.

Another great weekend, a big thanks to everyone involved in organising the Champs, bring on next year!

Anyway Sod all this typing malarkey heres the real story, thanks to all riders involved:

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