BDS National Championship - Moelfre Hall | Daniel James Armishaw Photography

BDS National Championship – Moelfre Hall

It’s that time of year again when I post up my images from the awesome National Champs event held to find out who’s top British downhiller for the year.

Moelfre Hall was home to this year’s race and it’s a venue that I’d never been to before so was something I was looking forward to.

A big name entry list promised to give the spectators a mini world cup feel with many big name British riders opting to battle for the jersery, only a week before an important trip to France for a UCI World Cup.

Gee Atherton, Rachel Atherton, Steve Peat, Josh Bryceland, Chain Reaction Cycles and many more to name a few put their names down, and they didn’t fail to deliver.

Dry, fast and loose were what greeted us on the Sunday morning face day, clear blue skies and mid 20′s all day long meant for some great racing following 2 months of rain – although from the ground conditions you’d never know!

Gee was looking super smooth all morning and in seeding came out top even with the gas off on the lower few last turns and was the one my money was on to take the Mens jersey.

Rachel Atherton was also looking smooth and fast, and with Jess Stone out of racing meant that Manon Carpenter was the only other female to stand in her way – this wasn’t the case come race day and Rach took the title to complete my double predicition, and a great way to see my first race with the 2 Athertons in.

Steve Peat did awesome coming in 3rd with Josh Bryceland taking 2nd spot.

The day for me was a great advert for British Downhill racing and was a great spectacle for many many of the fans that turned up.

Joe Smith – Chain Reaction Cycles