Isaac Pucci wins Brass Monkey Round 3

BY: Ben Thomas

Published: 11th January, 2014

Brass Monkey Winter Series Round 3 – 5th January 2014

Isaac Pucci won his maiden race for Mountain Trax - Vauxhall Motors Cycling Team in the Cross Country race at round 3 of the Gorrick Brass Monkey Series. A confident and controlled ride gave our new signing a healthy lead over second place. Ben took second place in the Marathon race completing an excellent showing by the team.

Conditions were tricky in places with the exposed moor land covered in lying water which cut up as hundreds of riders churned up the mud. These sections were minimal though and the race organises had done a good job to dry out the remainder of the 6 mile circuit. The organisers were also out on course for the duration making improvements filling in puddles and making diversion to keep riders moving. Fun swooping singletrack was in abundance rewarding riders for the steep sapping climbs they’d just ridden. Ben rode Schwalbe Rocket Rons 2.25 Snake Skin tyres at 20 psi. This setup gave traction where others were walking. The Snake Skin sidewalls giving protection from punctures which many riders suffered from.

Isaac was happy with his first win for the team, “This was my debut race for the team and sponsor so I was motivated to put in a solid performance to start the season with a bang! The 2 hour race started at 11.30 after 2 hours of the Marathon race ploughing up the course. The start was reasonably steady with a long tarmac stretch which worked well allowing everyone to get where they wanted entering the first bit of singletrack. I took the lead into the singletrack followed by Phillip Pearce of Banjo Cycles not far behind. I initially got a small gap but wasn't willing to smash my legs on lap 1 of a 4 lap slog! I knew if I continued at a similar sort of pace he would drop of, unluckily for Phillip he got a puncture at the end of lap 1 and had to change a wheel. I used this to my advantage and settled into a good pace which I pretty much stayed in for the rest of the race growing my lead lap by lap. I rode a decent race, my legs didn't feel 100% but after Christmas and a chest infection I can’t complain. I’m very happy to put in a solid first race for the new team.”

Ben had this to say about his second place, “Coming off a big block of base training my legs weren’t going to be ready for any top end intensity but George Budd doesn’t ride any other way, flat out up every climb and out of every corner is his style all year round! I should have made a move earlier in the race whilst I felt comfortable. My training over the last few months has been excellent with some really good mileage and my power numbers are some of the best I’ve seen at this time of year. I would have liked to have won today but it’s still a good result so early in the year. We don’t need to be on form till end of March, start of April for the first British XC Series and World Marathon Series rounds.

It was great to see Isaac riding in the Mountain Trax – Vauxhall Motors colours for the first time even if he was in 2013 kit. He rode well and now I’m even more excited to see how well he can do this year.”

Next up for the team is round 4 of the Brass Monkey Winter Series on 26th of January. By the next race the riders will be fully equipped with their new bikes, clothing and equipment including items from our new sponsors Rotor, Sram, Avid, Rockshox, and Weldtite. This can only help further improve motivation and confidence.

Thanks to John from Vermont Images for the support and handing up USN bottle and gels. Big thanks to our new sponsors for all their support.

Brass Monkey Winter Series Round 3 – 5th January 2014

Isaac Pucci won his maiden race for Mountain Trax - Vauxhall Motors Cycling Team in the Cross Country race at round 3 of the Gorrick Brass Monkey Series. A confident and controlled ride gave our new signing a healthy lead over second place. Ben took second place in the Marathon race completing an excellent showing by the team.

Conditions were tricky in places with the exposed moor land covered in lying water which cut up as hundreds of riders churned up the mud. These sections were minimal though and the race organises had done a good job to dry out the remainder of the 6 mile circuit. The organisers were also out on course for the duration making improvements filling in puddles and making diversion to keep riders moving. Fun swooping singletrack was in abundance rewarding riders for the steep sapping climbs they’d just ridden. Ben rode Schwalbe Rocket Rons 2.25 Snake Skin tyres at 20 psi. This setup gave traction where others were walking. The Snake Skin sidewalls giving protection from punctures which many riders suffered from.

Isaac was happy with his first win for the team, “This was my debut race for the team and sponsor so I was motivated to put in a solid performance to start the season with a bang! The 2 hour race started at 11.30 after 2 hours of the Marathon race ploughing up the course. The start was reasonably steady with a long tarmac stretch which worked well allowing everyone to get where they wanted entering the first bit of singletrack. I took the lead into the singletrack followed by Phillip Pearce of Banjo Cycles not far behind. I initially got a small gap but wasn't willing to smash my legs on lap 1 of a 4 lap slog! I knew if I continued at a similar sort of pace he would drop of, unluckily for Phillip he got a puncture at the end of lap 1 and had to change a wheel. I used this to my advantage and settled into a good pace which I pretty much stayed in for the rest of the race growing my lead lap by lap. I rode a decent race, my legs didn't feel 100% but after Christmas and a chest infection I can’t complain. I’m very happy to put in a solid first race for the new team.”

Ben had this to say about his second place, “Coming off a big block of base training my legs weren’t going to be ready for any top end intensity but George Budd doesn’t ride any other way, flat out up every climb and out of every corner is his style all year round! I should have made a move earlier in the race whilst I felt comfortable. My training over the last few months has been excellent with some really good mileage and my power numbers are some of the best I’ve seen at this time of year. I would have liked to have won today but it’s still a good result so early in the year. We don’t need to be on form till end of March, start of April for the first British XC Series and World Marathon Series rounds.

It was great to see Isaac riding in the Mountain Trax – Vauxhall Motors colours for the first time even if he was in 2013 kit. He rode well and now I’m even more excited to see how well he can do this year.”

Next up for the team is round 4 of the Brass Monkey Winter Series on 26th of January. By the next race the riders will be fully equipped with their new bikes, clothing and equipment including items from our new sponsors Rotor, Sram, Avid, Rockshox, and Weldtite. This can only help further improve motivation and confidence.

Thanks to John from Vermont Images for the support and handing up USN bottle and gels. Big thanks to our new sponsors for all their support.

Follow the team on facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mountain-Trax-Vauxhall-Motors-Cycling-Team/330790256947713

Mountain Trax – Vauxhall Motors Cycling Team Rider Roster.
Ben Thomas, Isaac Pucci, Sam Stean, Tim Dunford