National Points Series round 3
Drumlanrig: 8-9 July 06
By Calum Chamberlain.
Round 3 of the Premier Series was the furthest so far, providing a 6 hour drive for the few riders who managed to make the distance. Due to a combination of post Mountain Mayhem recovery, long journeys, upkeep of the shop and saving ourselves for the National Champs next week, only 4 riders showed up at the event, and were thoroughly rewarded for our effort.
XC
Arriving on Friday we were greeted with dry conditions and an exceptional course, packed full of roots, rocks and tight singletrack. However, rain that night softened the course up and removed the chance to don the semi-slicks. The pre-ride on Friday evening showed what a wonderful course it was, with a long open start to separate the riders before turning into the first descending singletrack where we were to battle against sharp corners with a smattering of roots just to add to the technicality. Following this was another fire-track stint. And the course continued in this vein throughout its 5.6 mile length, with some nice singletrack climbs (granny ring bashing for Dean), steep, rocky descents, flowing trails and screaming fire-tracks. Finally ending proceedings with a drop-off into the arena which provided great entertainment for spectators and riders alike (the actual drop-line being the smoothest way down, but chosen by very few all the same).
Come race day, the course was slightly more saturated than the Friday, providing interesting braking and cornering for those with poor tyre choice (or, like me, just running too high pressures). However, we made it.
The first race to go off was the Junior event, in which we were represented by Ben who got a solid start, although was feeling the effects of a post-exams training rush and didn't have the legs for the climbs. However with Ben's background in DH and technical strength he crossed the line in 15th.
I started just after Ben and actually got my grid position on the second row, which allowed me my usual slow start, seemingly going backwards through the pack. I felt strong throughout the first lap and was looking forward to an attacking second lap in which I hoped to get to 10th or thereabouts. However, it was not to be. I kicked a quarter of the way through lap 2 and quickly gained 4 places and had my sights set on another 3 from my 13th position (unlucky for some). Unfortunately, I lost my chain as it suffered from the mud that it was now encased in and ended up having to stop to un-jam it from my cassette and front mech, costing me all the places I had just made and then some. I didn't have time to get past once I caught them, leaving me in a disappointing 17th.
Dean was our sole representative in the Sport category, and it was looking to be his kind of course. However, the race proved to be a different story, with the now slick roots and cut up corners playing havoc with traction, it was a hard race. Dean's race wasn't aided by a crash he suffered on his final lap when an Elite rider passed him. Dean obliged in pulling off to the side, but managed to catch a well camouflaged rock and went down hard. From here on he suffered to a 22nd place finish.
Our final rider was Paul Hopkins in the Masters category. Fresh off the back of some Alpine training, Paul was feeling strong and enjoyed the course, coming into form in time for the National Champs. A strong race saw him finish an excellent 2nd place (34 seconds off the leader Matthew Barrett) providing his second podium finish in as many races!
NPS Round 3 on Saturday: Full results
Pos Laps Time Time+ Name Lap 1 Lap 2 Lap 3 Lap 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JUNIOR 15 3 01:28:50 12:24 BEN THOMAS 28:44 29:56 30:10 YOUTH 17 2 01:00:42 08:50 CALUM CHAMBERLAIN 29:50 30:52 SPORT 22 3 01:36:19 14:52 DEAN MORGAN 30:22 31:56 34:01 MASTER 2 4 01:44:40 00:34 PAUL HOPKINS 25:01 26:11 26:45 26:43
50k Enduro
On a course sodden by the deluge on Saturday night which continued throughout Sunday in a mild drizzle. Once again including amazing singletrack and fast fire tracks, only today, much muddier. Open climbs gave way to gorgeous views over the hills and castle (not that Paul probably noticed that, far too focused & muddy!) then cut-up singletrack re-focused the mind on the job in hand.
Paul's success continued with a 3rd in the 50km Enduro even though he had to work hard to gain the leaders from a poor starting position and being held up by the train of riders on the trails. He managed to catch them before he came through for lap 2, but soon he lost his saddle, and when he got it on, he didn't have the energy left to get back to the leaders.
A healthily stocked feed station half way round the course provided sanctuary for me on my second lap after an annoying puncture costing me a good 10 minutes to fix in the mud with a pump which is temperamental at best. However, I came through to finish my first enduro in 18th out of 106. Not quite as good as Paul, but an achievement nonetheless.
All in all, a fantastic course, providing tight, hard-fought racing and masses of mud on both bike and body, for those who made the journey. Next to come is the National Champs in Moelfre, slightly closer to home, hopefully we will have more good results to speak about next week!
Marathon Series Round 2 on Sunday: Full results
Pos Laps Time Time+ Name Lap 1 Lap 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 2 02:49:20 00:16:34 PAUL HOPKINS 1:17:14 1:32:06 18 2 03:49:41 01:16:55 CALUM CHAMBERLAIN 1:35:41 2:14:00