British Downhill Series – Caersws Round 4
Round 4 of the British Downhill Series took us to Caersws in Wales, and venue I had never been to before and was one I was looking forward to.
We headed off on the Saturday morning and setup camp for the night so we could enjoy a few beers, entertainment and food on the evening then wake up leisurely for a days racing on the Sunday.
The bonfire was roaring down by the finish line and olympic football was on in the marquee before rain came down knocking off the internet satellite that had been organised by Si Paton.
It came back on shortly after and pinkbike was the choice for some bike vids and tunes whilst we re-gathered around the bonfire to dry out a little and warm back up.
Sunday morning greeted us with blue skies, mist on top of the race course and the feeling of a good day. The weather wouldn’t hold out as per the forecast, but we did enjoy a decent morning up until seeding runs.
Every hour the rain stopped and allowed some drier racing and then came the rain again, it was like this all day and finals proved even worse towards the senior categories. The action was great to watch though and the conditions made an already technical last wooded section even more tricky with slick mud, awesome for us spectators to watch.
Adam Brayton, Manon Carpenter, Traharn Chidley, Nikki Whiles, Charlie Hatton, Taylor Vernon, Will Maptsone, Reece Langhorn, Chris Whitfield, Nigel Page were all winners in their categories, but hats off to all riders for taking part in an eventful weekend.
Traharn Childey – on fine form even though being ill taking the win in Women’s
Billy Matthews of the Steve Peat Syndicate came in 20th in Junior Men
Lapierre Cadets riders Andrew Dorritt finishing 20th in Youth Men
Not the best result for Josh Bryceland on the back of a great result in Val D’Isere, 10th was
the final place for Josh – one can only assume he had problems in the tircky conditions
Your Elite Men winner – Adam Brayton. Well done Brayton, pleased for you!
Greg McGowan lining up the entry into the switchbacks after the tunnel
Alex Moss – No Bull Cycles picking his way through the stumps, 35th place in Expert Men.
Emma Wareham – Leisure Lakes coming home in 3rd place amongst Elite Women
Joe Smith – Chain Reaction Cycles managed a great 3rd spot in Elite Men
Steve Peat was awesome to see as ever – he won’t be dissapointed coming home 2nd either!
Al Bond was at home here, winning the title in 2011 on this soil. 4th for him in 2012
Jack Reading – DNA / Mojo / O’Neal / Schwalbe enjoyed a 5th spot with some solid riding