Chicksands NPS 4X

Apologies for the fantastically late post on this one. Chicksands held the last round of this years NPS 4x the weekend before last. Changes to the track destroyed what used to be a drag race to a multi-stage race. A loose chicane has been added halfway down before the triple producing a whole heap of action at the halfway point. The exit of this section was slow and created a staggered start as we had to get back on the pedals uphill towards the triple whilst everyone was bunched up and pushing for position. The track was very physical to say the least.

Racing wise it did kind of work with moves being made the length of the track but the triple was now out of action and it didnt have the flow of other tracks that we have seen this year. In the senior category there was a bit of a mix up as some of the usual suspects didnt make it past the quarters. Keeny left it to the last round to show he can sometimes ride a bike and me and Mop Heap pushed out a few of the other higher seeded riders. The B-Final was a really good race. By the chicane I was somewhere near the head of the pack but left the door open and got taken out taking 7th for the day. Mop pushed ahead of me which gave him enough points to jump me in the season standings taking 8th place and so I finished the season in 9th overall.

The guy to watch for me was Duncan Ferris who was making some insane moves in the elite category. He was destroying the corners in a flat out do or die manner. The moves didnt stick every time but it was awesome to watch him push it right to and slightly past the limit.

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NPS 4X Rd3

Check out the British Cycling race report here

Last weekend saw the 3rd round of the series which was contraversially back at Chicksands after NASS had been enevitably cancelled. Maybe one year NASS will happen, racing in front of a proper crowd and on a new track would be cool. Chicksands is about the only track I ever seem to race at the moment, a few changes had been made to it this time round which introduced a couple of fresh challeges, but it will always remain a bit of a drag strip. Motos went well and were good fun, ended up with two 2nds one 1st and a 3rd, which carried me straight to the quarters.

I managed to get a tough draw for the quarters, next to me on the gate was Mick Ridgway, first race with him of the day - typical. Mick has some serious determination when it comes to racing. Off the gate was tight knocking elbows into the left line allowing Nick Geoghegan to stay clear round the right and develop a lead. I was hanging on Micks tail the whole way down but couldnt sneak past, It was a quality race but would definately have liked to make it further. Mick and Nick ended up taking 2nd and 3rd respectively overall. My final ranking was 9th.

It was a good weekend but notably a lower turnout than the last round at chicksands. Check out the British Cycling website for more pics and results, www.britishcycling.co.uk

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Chicksands NPS 4X Rd1

Rd1 was held at chicksands, on an absolutely flat out track with a massive triple half way down leading to some very hairy racing. New additions to the track gave a bit more overtaking potential however the race was generally won by the triple and recovering from a bad gate was a challenge as the track produces a bit of a drag race. Hitting the triple in race runs is mad, both lines into it seem to aim at the same point on the landing, I bricked it a couple of times as I was eyeing up riders wheels mid jump!

Racing wise I was struggling with head games all morning, half asleep in my first two motos lead to two 3rd place finishes. I then found my race head having two quality runs taking second in both. This didnt give me enough points so I had to enter a run off with 2 other guys to reach the quarters. I made a good gate and was leading into the triple only to get too excited blowing out the corner on the inside line killing my speed for the jump. Pulling up like a nutter and flying through the air barely still attached to the bike with legs flailing around and apparently releasing a very girly shriek!! Somehow I stayed rubber side down but wasnt carrying any speed and got overtaken getting knocked out of the competition. Still I was happy having finished on a properly contested race.

Next round is at Bridgnorth on the 17th of May more info and results at WWW.NPS4X.COM

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