EEC - Ex-European Champion

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BY: Mark Spratt

Published: 20th May, 2013

This year I decided the Exposure 24 3 years running would be too much, compounded by my desire to simply get faster on a bike. Rather than attempt to defend my title I instead opted to support Niall Frost in his first assault on the 12 hour stage. Niall had supported me in Newcastleton in 2011 and 2012 so I well and truly owed him back, so with a few spares, workstand, toolbox and BBQ packed I drove across to Wasing on the Friday night.
Wasing's familiar to me from XC racing but I wanted to see what course had been laid on for the 12 and 24 hour races so headed out for a couple of laps before breakfast. What emerged was a mostly dry, slightly tamer and slightly longer version of the courses I've raced there previously with lap times at about 35 minutes. My first thoughts were that this was going to suit XC racers better than the traditional Endurance racers given the short laps, flat terrain and constantly "on it" attitude needed to do well here.
Getting back to the van Niall was ready to go and extra support had arrived in the shape of his mate Andy. Whilst Niall headed off to the start I made myself an omelette and brewed some coffee in my much loved 12V Bialetti - I fully intended to enjoy the next 12 hours!
The short laps meant we saw Niall and the other racers almost too frequently. At the front Tim Dunford, Dave Powell and James Braid set a fierce pace, whilst not far behind Niall made a good impression of being amongst it. Despite his frequent appearances providing support was a simple affair due to the dry conditions and only one bike change was needed following a puncture. A sudden downpour meant a change of clothing, but getting into warm, dry clothes kept Niall in the race whilst others capitulated. Following a low point a freshly BBQ'd quarter pounder with parmesan cheese and Welsh Dragon Chilli sauce failed to raise his spirits, but a "Sprattivating" pep talk turned things around and thunder thigh was back in the race.
At the end of 11 hours 42 minutes Niall ended his race with 8th place in open male and 2nd rookie, a pretty respectable first effort whilst I spent most of the day eating burgers, drinking beer and tending to cold Hungarians.
The next morning I headed off to Plymouth to get some race practice in ahead of this weekend's Welsh Champs. The Plymouth race was the South West Champs and Pete Dawe and Brendan Murphy clearly wanted it more than me, leaving me in their wake from the start. I finished 3rd, satisfied with that after the previous day and a long drive. That said I was determined to post a better result at Margam the following weekend!

Suffering at Newnham

In 2011 when I won the UK Vets 24, European Vets 24 and Rookie 24 in a single event I went on to win the Welsh Vets XC Champs the following weekend. I did so by finishing second to Jay Horton meaning I won neither the race nor the series, but felt I earned the jersey in part due to my efforts of the previous week. This year I was sitting second in the series behind Lee Haywood and knew I had to beat him to clinch the series. If I was to win the Champs title this year I also wanted to do it by winning the race.

Margam back in February - with memories of Mayhem.

Maddie, Jay and Scott had laid on a cracking course at Margam and one that I was able to practice on the Saturday. The sun was out and the course made far more sense than it had in the mud and rain in February. With some extra sections I felt it was a course that would suit me but started to doubt this once we were off as I struggled to hold Lee's wheel on the first climb. A little luck came my way when Lee was held up by a slower rider and I was able to pass him, from which point I didn't look back and pushed on hard, taking the lead and holding it to the end, crossing the line ahead of Brendan Murphy in second, a result that secured me another triple of the Race, the Champs and the Series.

One race, 3 podiums - with Brendan Murphy, Ross Porter, Lee Haywood and Nick Butler. Podium styling courtesy of Rob Appleton.

Watching the Elite/Expert race later everyone agreed it had been a great course and a great day. It was yet another test of mountain biking skills, testing bike and rider and threw up some good competition in every category. Needless to say I had a great day thanks to Maddie, Jay and Scott's efforts, but also thanks to Cyclopaedia  and Mojo for providing me with the means to enjoy a challenging course so much. I'm now looking forward to returning for the National in July - with some good weather it'll be a fantastic race.