We thought as the Rapha Super X was on Saturday meaning it would be a quieter, but the usual suspects were there, Daren Atkins (National champ) and Steve Knight (National champ) and Phil Blacker (MTB World Champion Firefighter Series), my set of three challengers each week. Josh's 15th in the morning's race was great to see. He was standing up pushing hard and overtaking loads, like a different child! He did brilliantly well and was really focused, well done son.
I was fulfilling my commisonairre duties during the morning, leaving only 1 more and then I'm fully qualified.
1.20pm and warm up time was due following my XX Training coach to the letter on the turbo. I was ready to race.
On the start line I could see Phil Blacker, Steve Knight, Greg Slater and Daren Atkins we were ready for the mudbath. The small field of Seniors were away 1min after our turn, I sprinted with Phil Blacker then dropped in behind Darren and we flew 2 laps I was still on his tail with no-one else in view! I dropped off after a muddy climb as we carried our bikes all the way through the foot deep mud to the corner, this was by no means easy as the bike was heavy with the excess mud! My son Josh was on pit duty and I changed bikes most laps, he worked so hard for me preparing the used bike for the following lap, he really is a brilliant team member for me! The race was eventful with a few sideward offs on the very sticky and slippy ground but overall I managed to stay on except where I slipped under tape post so had to stop and pull it back on but got going again quickly. On the penultimate lap Steve Knight flew by but I rode hard to stay with with him for a lap then he was off. Darren Atkins was half a lap ahead. Overall I was astonished at the pace we had all gone.
Official Race Results here.
Pictures by Josh Popham
I was fulfilling my commisonairre duties during the morning, leaving only 1 more and then I'm fully qualified.
1.20pm and warm up time was due following my XX Training coach to the letter on the turbo. I was ready to race.
On the start line I could see Phil Blacker, Steve Knight, Greg Slater and Daren Atkins we were ready for the mudbath. The small field of Seniors were away 1min after our turn, I sprinted with Phil Blacker then dropped in behind Darren and we flew 2 laps I was still on his tail with no-one else in view! I dropped off after a muddy climb as we carried our bikes all the way through the foot deep mud to the corner, this was by no means easy as the bike was heavy with the excess mud! My son Josh was on pit duty and I changed bikes most laps, he worked so hard for me preparing the used bike for the following lap, he really is a brilliant team member for me! The race was eventful with a few sideward offs on the very sticky and slippy ground but overall I managed to stay on except where I slipped under tape post so had to stop and pull it back on but got going again quickly. On the penultimate lap Steve Knight flew by but I rode hard to stay with with him for a lap then he was off. Darren Atkins was half a lap ahead. Overall I was astonished at the pace we had all gone.
Official Race Results here.
Pictures by Josh Popham