BMBS Round 4 and National Champs

BY: Melanie Alexander

Published: 25th July, 2013

It has been some time since my last blog, here is a update of my last two races

BMBS Round 4 at Margam

Margam Park is known for either being a scorcher with fast dusty trails or wet with muddy slippery trails. Living up to its reputation we were faced with one of the hottest weekends of the year with temperatures reaching 33 degrees for the afternoon races. Evan at 10 am when all the female categories and youths were racing temperatures were already in the high 20s.

Thanks to Kevin (bike photography) for the photo

After a 45 min delay where riders were squeezing into shaded area it was time to pinch and reawaken our bodies. I had an amazing start leading the elite women out of the arena. I felt brilliant and at the top of the first 90 sec fire road climb was tucked in fourth position in touch with the leading three. We continued to climb up a steeper grassy single track climb, here dropping down in to an easier gear my chain dropped off. Really bad timing but I quickly got it back on slipping into 10^th position and losing contact with the leaders. This just fired me up and I soon found myself back in fourth to then get over taken by Maddie Horton (Fully Sussed) on the next climb. I had a crash on Dragons Lair losing more time but I was still in 5^th so all good. I spent the next couple of laps chasing Maddie and caught her on lap 4. On the same lap Nicky crashed out the race also on Dragons lair and I found my self in 3^rd. Now I found myself becoming protective of my position. I was being told Lee Craigie (Cannondale) is just in front but at no point could I see her. It was not until the technical zone on lap 5 that I found myself with Lee who had stopped which I found out later was due to lack of rear brake. We were together for a bit and I worked hard to pull away riding into the arena in 2^nd position but Lee was right on my wheel and on the fire road climb at the start of lap 6 Lee pulled away gaining a 30 second gap by the top of the grassy climb and ending up completing one of her fastest laps (really impressive) 38 seconds ahead of me.

Cool Photo by Rob Barker

am over the moon with finishing 3^rd, definitely my best result of the year behind Rebecca Henderson (Trek Factory Racing) and Lee Craigie (Cannondale Racing), Maddie Horton finished 4^th and Beth Crumpton (Hargrove Cycles) 5th. Apart from the crash early on and the unlucky timing of loosing my chain my race went really well and I am pleased I never stopped pushing on such a tough course especially in the heat.

The course was brilliant. The climbs were tough and even tougher in the heat and the descents were fun.

Thanks to Kevin (bike photography) for the photo

British National XC Champs

We drove up to Glasgow on the Friday in time to have a quick spin on the road to loosen the legs out. Saturday we were up and practicing at 9am completing 3 laps and enjoying the course which was fun and fast. This gave me plenty of time to chill out in the afternoon and watch the tour with Rob Friel who kindly put us up for the weekend.

Sunday was to be another hot day. With an early arrival at the Cathkin Park in time for Marks race it was great to be able to chill out in the Scott tent whilst awaiting my race. It came around quickly and we were soon lining up. I felt nervous but also confident and in control of my nerves. I was called up second behind Lee Craigie who clearly had a lot of supporters.

Of the start I fought to get into the first corner in third. Lee Craigie got the lead, Tracey Mosely smoothly passed getting onto Lee's wheel and a gap was formed as I struggled to pass a rider in front. As soon as I got the chance to pass I lead a chasing group into a strong head wind. I was going alright but Jane Nuessli passed also gaining a gap on a twisty section. I was sat in fourth with Jessie right on my wheel. I thought I would be able to pull away from Jessie eventually but we were locked together for the majority of the race and as it was windy I was well aware that I was working harder into the wind. Any effort to power away was wasted and we never parted. Near the end of the 5^th lap with one lap to go it was looking like it was going to be a sprint finish for us for fourth. Unfortunately I dropped my chain whilst shifting down to the small ring, got it back on to the big ring but in too hard a gear and as soon as I tried pushing the hard gear up the small climb I could feel cramp down my right calf, quickly I jumped of and ran up the hill but this was enough time wasted and a big enough gap formed which I could not close over the last lap. I finished 5^th

I went into the race feeling confident about my form, happy on the course and I felt I had a good chance of finishing in the top three and being on the National Champs podium for a second year running. So I am disappointed with 5th.

A storming race by Lee Craigie (Cannondale racing), taking the National championships jersey. Also by Jane Nuessli (BMC) silver medallist and Tracey Mosely the Bronze Medallist.

A big thanks to our team sponsors for great products and fantastic support:

Scott UK

Pioneer

Syncros

Sram

Fibrax

Torq

Schwalbe