National Points Series round 2
Margam Park: 3/4 June 2006
By Ben Thomas.
Margam Park in Wales was the destination for the National Points Series round 2. Very hot weather from the week before made us hopeful for a dry circuit after the wet weather of the previous Gorrick round 5. On arriving at Margam Park on Friday most of the team were able to pre-ride the 5 mile course which was only slightly changed from last years event. The course included a long fast start leading from the fields onto the first short climb of the circuit. From there the course weaved around the hill until reaching the first river crossing. Then the first of the larger climbs that lead out of the river took the riders back up the hill before plummeting back down the rock descent towards the second and deepest river crossing. The course then climbed along a rough rocky path leading to a very steep and sharp climb; this section caused many flat tyres throughout the weekend. The course then threaded across the hill along a long fire road allowing riders to select the big ring and collect some speed. Another climb revealed some stunning views including the start area. From the very top of the hill a new section of singletrack had been created on the hillside that cut its way downwards. Finally the course allowed riders to again collect some speed and ride into the finish area through the fields.
Dean [pic: John Newport]
On race day the temperature was 21 centigrade that, together with the difficult course, created a tough event. The first race of the day was Junior where I managed to miss my grid slot and instead of being on the second row I started from the back of the field. Margam Park was the first event with some real hills in and I didn't know how I would do and so I managed to settle towards the end of the pack just making sure the leaders were still in sight. As the Juniors pedalled around the circuit I felt good as we headed up the hill between the first and second river crossing. On the downhill I picked up some speed and caught a few more riders. We crossed the river to be greeted by a large number of riders who had received flat tyres. I rode up the hill until the sharp climb where the rider in front of me stopped causing me to jump off and run. However at the top of the climb I also had a flat tyre. I eventually fixed my wheel with a new inner tube but was then at the back of the Junior group. The rest of the race I was strong but unfortunately with a crash and back tube with only 25 psi in it I was unable to catch many riders in front of me and finished 18th but gained some valuable points in the process.
Youth rider Calum was the second Mountain Trax rider to race and was more prepared than others with his bike kitted up with downhill tubes!! Although the weather had been dry the whole week and with a high temperature on the day, the track still had some muddy sections that did catch riders out but Calum rode a brilliant race and finished with the 2nd fastest average lap speed within the Mountain Trax team averaging 32 minutes and 34 seconds. He looked strong on the climbs and finished in 11th place in his category.
Dean, Warren and Chris all took part in the Sport race later in the day when the track had started to dry out after its earlier use. Dean entered the race unsure of what he could achieve after trying to be superman at Afan the previous week and flying over the handlebars resulting in a hospital visit on the Thursday leading up to the NPS. Warren was confident he could do well on one of his favourite courses and at the beginning of the race headed to the front of the category and finished the event in a strong 19th position. He was pleased with his result finishing four places above Dean who had ridden steady trying to preserve energy for the end of the race. Chris didn't arrive till Saturday morning and so didn't practise the course. He also kept his road cassette on his bike that must have slowed him down during the race. Chris finished in 35th position, well up on his previous NPS result and gaining his first NPS points of the year.
Calum [pic: John Newport]
In Master category Paul Hopkins was our best hope of a podium position after his finish at round 1. A strong start left Paul on his own in 3rd with the front two having a healthy lead of over a minute. However, going through the feed zone, Paul was unhappy with how he was feeling and by the end of lap 2 he was ready to pull out of the race and did so. John was the final Mountain Trax racer and after a hard race finished in 30th place.
Also Warren participated in round 1 of the British Marathon Series on the Sunday and finished 31st out of over 200 riders on an extended loop of the XC course.
Paul will be training hard (including some riding in the French mountains) in preparation for the next few races. Calum and I are looking forward to completing our exams and then being able to put in some good training before the Scottish round of the NPS in July. Finally Chris finished in 56th position at Sherwood Pines and 35th at Margam Park so who knows where he will be at the next NPS, top 20 maybe!! Dean and Warren had better watch out.
The next race will be round 3 of Southern XC at Crow Hill on the 18th of June. This will then be followed by the Mountain Mayhem 24 hour endurance event on the 24th and 25th of June.
NPS Round 2 on Saturday: Full results and Photos
Pos Laps Time Time+ Name Lap 1 Lap 2 Lap 3 Lap 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JUNIOR 18 3 01:47:15 22:16 BEN THOMAS 38:32 34:39 34:04 YOUTH 11 2 01:05:07 09:52 CALUM CHAMBERLAIN 31:32 33:35 SPORT 19 3 01:42:03 11:44 WARREN BATES 31:47 33:15 37:01 23 3 01:45:22 15:03 DEAN MORGAN 32:34 36:03 36:45 35 3 01:51:21 21:02 CHRIS WHITE 35:36 37:58 37:47 MASTER 44 2 00:56:55 PAUL HOPKINS 27:04 29:51 - - VETERAN 30 3 02:06:23 41:24 JOHN NEWPORT 39:13 42:54 44:16
Marathon Series Round 1 on Sunday: Full results
Pos Laps Time Time+ Name Lap 1 Lap 2 --------------------------------------------------------------- 31 2 02:55:52 47:39 WARREN BATES 1:23:56 1:31:56