Fast and furious racing in East Anglia - MSG 1

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BY: Paddy Atkinson

Published: 18th March, 2014


So as you may know already from some other reports, or from being there, this weekend marked the first race of the XC season for many, and what a weekend it was!
I did have a much better report written, but because of my stupidity and an unreliable internet connection I managed to lose it all. So I’m just going to use a lot of the photos that my brilliant Mum took throughout the day to make up for the lack of text (they are a bit focussed on XCRacer/Scimitar riders, sorry!). Hopefully it’ll portray the awesome atmosphere and the seriously quick racing that hit Rendlesham forest.


As always, Steve Manser had organised a coaching session for the racers under 9 years old, but this time he had some extra help in the form of half the junior pack – Me, Liam Manser and Ben Morris. We saw some real future talent and a few falls, all fuelled by incredible enthusiasm for the sport.
As we were due to race in the afternoon, we had to balance coaching with essential pre-race routines, like eating lunch, as shown above.


Once the coaching was over, the afternoon races were drawing closer, so it was time to warm up, or in Rich’s case, lurk behind people on rollers!


The traditionally small elite/expert field has had an increase in numbers this year, with several riders making the move up from sport. This larger field combined with the fast, rutted, swoopy course was a recipe for some furiously quick and competitive races. With the junior riders setting off with the elites this year, we had a lot of competition to gauge ourselves against and try to chase.


XCRacer’s own Richard Jones took to the front of the elite pack quite soon after the start of the race, putting in a huge effort to get to the front before the lengthy singletrack sections. Callum Riley and the other Richard (Dunnett) formed a chasing group, as shown coming down one of the course’s several bombholes.

And a nice picture of an XCRacer rider dropping into the same hole. I wonder who that could be?
I’d managed to make 2 mistakes barely 3 minutes in, one where I had to put a foot down just after the start after a clash of elbows, and the second when I went into a tree that I hadn’t seen while following Stephen James! Despite this I got back into 1st position in the juniors a little way in to the first lap.


Rich (shown blasting though the start area on his penultimate lap) had stretched out a sizable lead over Callum and Richard, and was well on his way to a victory in the elite category.


Another of the several bombholes out on the 6.5km loop. No prizes for guessing who the rider is.


Then it was time for the post-race swapping of tales of heroism and bravery, before the podium presentations.


XCRacer’s Ant White got an excellent second in Vets, behind a flying Dan Howe (Gipping RT) and in front of Paul Ashby (Mt Zoom)


Another podium for XCRacer/Scimitar – 1st in the Junior category, with Liam Manser (EHF) and Ben Morris (Welland Valley CC) in 2nd and 3rd.


1st for Rich in the elite category, with Callum Riley (Giant dealer teams) and Richard Dunnett (CCN) taking the other 2 podium spots.

So along with Phil and Donna’s brilliant performances in the Battle on the Beach, and Lou’s second in elite female at the Southern XC, it hasn’t been a bad weekend for XCRacer!

More on the Mud Sweat and Gears Eastern MTB Series 2014 Rd 1:
Event Calendar Listing



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Paddy
 

Paddy Atkinson

I've only been racing since early 2012, but been mountain biking since the age of 10. I try to balance training and A-level studies, then you get to read about it on here!
Thanks to XCracer, Scimitar, MtZoom, Accelerade and Exposure for all the help.

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This blog post was written by a third party and their views do not necessarily reflect the views of XCRacer.com

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