South West Champs

Round 2 of the South West series brought with it this years South West Champs for the 2nd year in the row it found itself in the South West's home of XC Racing - Newnham Park. Its crazy to think that 10 years ago Tour De France winner Cadel Evans won a World Cup Round here and here we find ourselves gunning for the South West Champs. My last two races: South West Round 1 and Round 2 of the nationals didn't go exactly to plan with both Physical (bruised ribs and a cold) and mental issues (being made redundant) causing me to loose my game face. However thankfully landing a new job on Friday and my body being back up to full recovery state I was looking forward to this race with an attitude of lets go have some fun not I really need to win this race... I.e. the right frame of mind you should have. The course was very simular to the National which was was 2 years ago, with an array of great climbs and two of Newnham Parks best descents the Bear Pit and Cottage Run. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to GoPro my lap but the Bear Pit is essentially a full on tripple arrow descent which for once fits well to my ride style it was great fun even if the B line was probably quicker I was happy to take the A line every lap.

The Race: 

Having had a practice lap as a warmup and having had my previous week or two of unfortunate luck I wasn't exactly revving to go come the start line but I did manage to get a reasonable start (for me) slipping in third behind team mate Dexter Hurlock and James Davey.

 

Thinking cool I'll settle into this untill amazingly gridded on the last row James Porter managed to rip past me and then another rider who I don't know his name came past me dropping me into 5th overall boo (but 4th in Expert/Elite)! Plugging on through the race however I managed to settle into a great race pinning the Cottage run which was just riding so smooth and nailing the field into the plantation.

 

Thankfully riding well through the course I managed to pull off a third place finish with the unknown rider (sorry I will find out the name) having an unfortunate puncture allowing me to get a 3rd place finish. Which although was by default I am happy to take it as part of my race style is to ride within my bike and my own limits. 

Well that's all I've got to say on todays ride nothing amazing happend well done to Dexter and the two James's for putting in a great ride and thanks to all the riders who happily moved aside when I shouted "rider". Photos are thanks to my Wife.

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