Southern XC#1 Checkendon

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BY: simon ernest

Published: 15th April, 2011

As well as being Mothering Sunday, the 3rd April also happened to be round 1 of the Southern XC Series. Being at Checkendon it was also the closest I am ever going to get to a local mtb race (I live in Reading).  Having spent most of the previous week feeling off the boil and below par, I entered into the race a little nervous. Having old uni friends visiting on Friday night for beers, beer and cider probably did not help my form!  However, I got drunk which always makes me race better (something to do with relaxing rather than stressing).

Arriving at the venue the first mistake made was leaving my coat at home, it was freezing!  This meant there was a good chance I would not be able to don my skin suit again!  After completing a practice lap wearing pretty much all the kit I had I felt pretty happy that I could ride the course without too much chance of stuffing it in a corner.   It was a classic Checkendon course: great sections of tight, twisting singletrack, off camber decents and brutally steep climbs - some dry and some that felt like they were lined with sticky toffee pudding!  Grippy just does not describe how tough some of the climbs were.

Lining up on the start line I was joined my my poorly team mate turbo Tim Dunford. Alas his turbo is broken and he was left with just a regular aspirated diesel (he actually looked yellow).  However his enthusiasm got the better and he lined up for a ride rather than a race. The usual cohort were also present: Steve James (Hargroves), Pedal-on duo Chris Minter and Ade Lansley, Scott Forbes (On One), Gee Budd (Salsa), Ben Thomas (Torq), etc.  Looking at level of competition in the local area it is easy to conclude that the Thames Valley area is turning into quite a hot bed for mtb xc talent.  This makes for good racing (though most of the time they are on the tough side).  The race started: and again my lack of 'top end' training became blatantly obvious to all as I struggled with the sprint start.  However, I settled into my own pace inside the top ten.  Throughout the first lap I ambled my way through the pack and joined Chris Minter and Mike Cotty who were chasing the lead trio of Thomas, Lansley and James.  On the second lap things were shaken up a bit: Thomas was passed stood trackside messing around with his chain. A few minutes later Lansley was passed stuggling up a climb (this has got to the first time I have passed Ade up any climb).  Steve James however was long gone!  Lap three and Thomas went past me full gaz, I tucked in behind him and we quickly hooked up with Minter.  Lap four and I was gapped when Minter and Thomas went past a tail ender where as I did not (I must be a little too polite when passing people).   On the penultimate lap I was 10s adrift but kept the hammer down, eventually passing Minter who was lying on the floor (I guess he crashed and wasn't just resting).  Into the last lap and I caught Thomas at the foot of a climb only for him to attack me immedialty and pull out a 10s advantage which he held to the line.

So, third place! I'm happy with that, I seem over whatever problem I had at Sherwood and my form continues to improve along with my confidence and self control. Hopefully things will continue in the right direction at Dalby.

Elite mens podium Southern XC#1 (picture coutesy of Jan James)

By Simon Ernest
Thanks to my sponsors awcycles.co.uk, Exposure, Middleburn, High 5 and Lazer.