|
British National Championships
Being the premiere event in (Great) British Cycling’s domestic calendar it therefore attracted a hell
of a lot of riders. In attendance of course was the defending senior men’s national champion Steve Peat,
fresh from his overall world cup win in Calgary, Steve was hoping for a win here to continue his unbroken
record for the past few years…(Not to be). The women’s defending champion didn’t appear due to sponsor
pressure’s regarding the wearing of the national jersey at all future UCI events, Tracey Moseley decided
not to compete leaving the women’s title up for grabs.
The 4x track was the same as the World Cup back in June, except maybe a little weathered.The course
was a proving ground of who was going big or who wasn’t. MBUK’s Danny Hart was going the biggest over the
table as he launched almost double his own height he was dive-bombing the downside gaining so much speed
he took the juveniles title by moving from second to first on landing that same table…and boy are his gates
good! The youth men saw an all out battle between Royal Oranges Brendan Fairclough, Sam Horsfall and Jason
Davies. Brendan took the lead right from turn 1 with Sam and Jason in tow. Junior men seen a great move by
the eventual winner Dave Young again on the table top, passing Dan Yeomans on turn 3 before the quads to take
first and the National title and only in his second 4x race!. Bobby Dazzler, Darren Howarth took the masters
win from the 2 Simon’s, Folland and Paton.
Senior time and it was Joey Gough who took the women’s senior title from Emily Horridge and Kim Boffey.
The men’s final was a right old ding dong in the first turn. It all got messy when a Beaumont sandwich was
created with a slice of Peat and Atherton. Dan managed to come out clean, when Steve and Scot didn’t with
both of them falling on the second straight double, Scot came worse off with Peaty landing on top of him as
they both fell, Scott had an x-ray on his ankle and nothing appeared to be broken.Peaty went on to finish
third behind Dan, then Gee.
Sunday and finals day, with extensive practice taking place before lunch almost everybody had plenty.
First off in the downhill was wee Danny Hart, after a puncture in the seeding he starts first, when I saw
him he was in top gear and hauling, launching big off of all the jumps on the lower section he was trying
hard….however he still has few years in juvenile and the older guys just pipped him. Royal Orange’s Josh
Bryceland is so factory, again on the lower section he was hauling, big gear and torquein’. And he has
time to tweak a roll off over the doubles as well! Josh takes the Juvenile title, ahead of Sam Dale and
Joseph Smith.
Youth category was again dominated by Royal Orange’s Brendan Fairclough, taking the 4x and downhill
titles…I hope he’s getting some bonus! Runners up were Ben Cathro and Chris Hutchens…I guess they be happy!
Juniors are dominated by one man, Dave Young. The ProBikesport rider is starting to mature and come out
of his shell a little. Taking the double (DH & 4x) here won’t harm his chances of a GB Team place at the
World’s either! Robert Smith takes second from Matt Simmonds.
Master Women was won by none other that Karen Ballantine, she was dressed sensibly however that cannot
be said for Micheal Kay who won the masters, lets just say he said it was something special the day before
...but not that special!Vets was won by local hot shot Alistair MacLennan. Magoo was seen bouncing off
Chopper on his way to take first place...and his first ever national title.
The women’s final was a strange affair with Tracey Moseley now riding, Fionn Griffiths injured, it
was up to the remainder of the women to fly the flag. Helen Gaskell had won the seeding run ahead of
Rachel Atherton. Helen however punctured giving the Atherton’s their second National Champs Jersey.
The senior category is combined with Expert and Elite for the National Champs…don’t ask me why but I
With Steve Peat qualifying fastest in his seeding run it was a long wait as the 90 or so senior riders came down the hill. Muddy Fox’s Dan Stanbridge took control of the hot seat after his run and he was pretty comfortable there for quite a while after he watched rider after rider come down…but it wasn’t until Stu Thomson crossed the line that the hot seat changed. Stu was just getting settled in the seat when his team manager/mate Rob Warner crossed the line and took the fastest time. Rob’s time was good enough for 4th over all as only the top three men bettered him. First it was Halford’s Neil Donoghue and then Gee Atherton took the seat with a cracking time of 4:14. All eyes were pointing up the hill now as they watched for Peaty, he arrived on schedule and looking good, however it wasn’t his day as he cross the line in 4:16…Gee had beaten Steve on UK soil for the first time ever!
.
|
