Sunny South West Champs!

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BY: Joe Barker

Published: 21st May, 2014

This weekend I travelled to the Mendips for the final round of the South West series and the South West Champs. The sun was shining and the course was good; a fairly long climb followed by lots of rooty single track, the final descent was awesome with a lovely steep section to finish it all. Comasiare Garry Andrews(a vet rider that i have known for ever!) was boss on the day, telling a few jokes before the start to settle our nerves, the whistle went and we were off!
I was happy with my start, being third out of all catagorys into the first corner, and first youth. Rapidly Tom Holland took the lead and pulled away from us all up the first climb, but by the time we had reached the top of the climb everyone had settled into their stride and it was fast! I was in a group of three including Harry Birchill (Certini) and Kris Caines (also Certini) with Charles Hough not to far behind, feeling really strong I put in a few hard efforts which gave me a small lead  into the single track.

As we came round for the second lap, it was still the three of us, wheel to wheel, I was now second in youth and third overall. As we came onto the climb, the two Certini boys were still strong and put a bit of a gap into me, but by the end of the single track I was back on it. Next I heard the sound that every racer dreads, a puncture. Angrily I stopped and thought "not again" but I wanted to complete the race! Kindly, Lou gave me a tube and a pump to get it sorted. In no time at all I was back up and running and chasing for 2nd who had gone past about 1min 30sec before I fixed the puncture.
As I came on to the final lap I still felt strong and by the end of the climb I could see second, I pushed on really hard and felt the best I have all season. Nearing the end of the lap I was on Gabriel Cox's wheel and went past him, battling all the way, I made a result changing mistake which saw me fly down the final descent almost into a tree!

Finishing third in the end, I was happy that I finished and how my legs felt, but so gutted to have punctured and not get second. A big well done to all the Southfork riders and thank you for my continued support, also to Dad for taking me and the photos:)
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