WMBS Series 2011 Reports
The 2011 WMBS Series got off to a wet, windy and very muddy start but once the cob webs were blown away the Series wen from strength to strength. Below you will find a variety of reports and articles from the 2011 Series.
Champions Jerseys 2011
After the jersey was reinstated in 2009 and supplied by Champion Syetem in 2010, riders will once again be able to proudly wear their jerseys in events all over the UK. The Champions jersey is important for the sport because it means that our champions get more than just title and they can be instantly recognised. For more information on Champion System and their jerseys: more>>>
Course Preview:
With riders competing for the race win, overall series placings and the right to call themselves Welsh Champion for a year, the course needed to be tough and it is! We are using some of the same sections as last year's champs at the same venue (Fforest Fields campsite near Builth Wells) but have taken a different route up the big hill and added in another descent. Starting on a well-surfaced, gravelled road in the campsite, riders will start the first of the climbs almost straight away before turning across the hill for a shorter flat section. Turning again, the riders head down the hill, through a new, singletrack section and back into the arena. After a short loop around one side of the arena, the course then heads back out and starts the second main climb-this one is a real killer! Starting off on gravelled road, it briefly turns into a short but tough singletrack section before re-joining the double track for the rest of the climb. There are short rest periods as the climb flattens out but the steeper sections are tough. Once at the top of the climb, riders re-join last year's route as it winds through the trees along the top of the ridge overlooking the campsite. After several rooty, twisty cambered sections, the riders descend on fast dual-track before a sharp turn at the bottom of the hill takes them back into singletrack and more roots. A short final loop including a stream crossing, some gravelled road and more singletrack brings riders back into the arena and the finish. If the weather stays dry like last year, it will be a fast course with plenty of chances to make a mistake but if the rain comes it could be a totally different course!
The views from the top of the course are amazing. Riders probably won't notice though!
Finally the top of the main climb is in sight.
One of the rooty, cambered sections-easy enough in these dusty conditions but if it rains......
WMBS Round 3 Report
Posted: 04/04/11
Sunday saw a great days racing at Round 3 of the WMBS. A tough course greeted the riders at the classic Welsh venue of Coed y Brenin and although rain overnight and early in the morning meant that riders were fairly well splattered in mud, the weather was good for most of the day with the sun even making a few appearances.
Full results including lap times for all categories and a few pictures from the race and podiums are now on www.taptiming.com.
Read Mark Spratt's blog about the race here, Phil Morris' thoughts here and how the Torq riders faired here.
You can now download the series standings for all categories here.
Thanks to Simon Harding for the following pictures:
Early leader in the Elite field Anthony O'Boyle had to pull out injured.
Winning Master from Round 2, Phil Morris, took 2nd place this weekend.
Matt Sumpton, 2nd at BMBS 1 at Sherwood lead the race early on before having mechanical problems.
Grant Leavy (Forza Cycles) - may have regretted the white gloves and shoes.
Sion O'Boyle descends into the finish arena.
The first lap saw a long string of riders in most races despite the big opening climb.
Beics Brenin to support WMBS Rd 3 at Coed y Brenin
Posted: 23/03/11
With Round 3 now only a couple of weeks away, Beics Brenin have agreed to support the event by supplying prizes for all of the Under 16 categories. Based at the new visitor centre at Coed y Brenin, Beics Brenin was the obvious choice to support the event and shop manager Steve was keen to get involved and help to encourage young riders into the sport. The shop will also have a stand in the race arena area selling spares and helping to fix any last minute mechanical issues.
There is always space for more riders so if you haven't done so yet, get your entry in this week to save yourself some money. Advance entries close one week before the event but if you do miss the deadline or just want to wait and see what the weather is like, you can still enter on the day-just bring some cash along to the registration tent.
The course is looking good with some really nice technical sections (partly on the Tarw and Red Bull trails and partly on more natural areas) and a long, tough fireroad climb. Andy Braund from the Forestry Commision has been very helpful in making a few changes to the more natural area to allow us to add in some extra features and create more of an arena. Even if you are a regular visitor to Coed y Brenin, there will be something in the course that you haven't seen before.
Due to parking restrictions at the Old Visitor Centre, Junior and Senior competitors will have to park at the New Visitor Centre and ride to the race course. We will have a WMBS parking area set up at the New Visitor Centre and the route to the race will be fully signed so easy to follow. It is only a 5-10min easy ride or a 15-20min walk. We will also have a covered area next to registration where you will be able to leave any spare clothing, drinks and so on should you need to.
Hope to see you all there!
Round 2 Results and Pics now on-line
Posted: 10/03/11
Round 2 of the WMBS took place in Builth Wells last weekend and all I can say is what a difference the weather makes! With a few issues from Round 1 ironed out and a dry, if sadly not sunny, day there was some great racing.
The venue, Cefn Dyrys, is an old Mansion house overlooking the famous showground with fields and woodland behind which provided a great course for the days racing. Although the thawing early morning frost made the ground a little wetter than the day before, the majority of the course was dry and there was solid ground underneath even the muddiest sections.
The days racing started with a good field for the Under 8's and 10's who were racing on a short lap in the woods-a little different and more popular than the normal circuit on a grass field. Similarly, the Under 12's faced a more challenging course than normal, again through the woods but including some of the more technical sections to challenge the better riders.
Moving on and Race 2 took place on the full course for the Women, Vets, Grand Vets, Juveniles and Youths. Again, there were good numbers in all categories and the fast course made for some good close racing. Mel Alexander has written a blog about her race here.
Last race of the day saw the Male 19+, Junior Men and Masters Men take to the start line. Again, racing was close, particularly in the Masters category where Phil Morris eventually managed to shake off George Rose to take the win but only after a real battle lasting most of the race. Read Phil Morris' blog about the race here.
Full results are now up on www.taptiming.com along with a few photos from the day.
I would like to say thanks to John Lloyd and his team of volunteers for all their help with the event, particularly putting out and taking down the course and to Nina LaBourde for allowing us to use the venue-hopefully we will be able to come back again next year!
Castle Bikes to Support Round 1:
Posted: 04/02/11
With Round 1 now only just over a week away, Castle Bikes (www.castlebikes.co.uk) have agreed to support the event by supplying prizes for all of the Under 16 categories. Based in Caerphilly, just a few miles from the event venue, shop owner Steve was keen to get involved and help to encourage young riders into the sport. Castle Bikes join AnaNichoola, Tap Timing and Extreme Medics in supporting what is shaping up to be a great event.
Numbers are looking good for Round 1 but there is always space for more riders. Advance entries for Round 1, and for the series, close this Sunday at midnight so if you want to save some cash, you're going to need to hurry. If you do miss the deadline or just want to wait and see what the weather is like, you can still enter on the day-just bring some cash along to the registration tent.
Click on the logo below to visit Castle Bikes:
Update: Points and Prizes. Enter Now to Save up to 35%
Posted:17/01/11
There will be prizes for the top 3 finishers in all races at WMBS rounds as well as for the overall series. With over £500 of potential cash prizes as well as accessories and equipment on offer at each round we should see some exciting racing. Adding to the prize fund are cutting edge women's clothing brand Ana Nichoola who are supporting the series with prizes for Women's categories at each round as well as the overall series. This exciting young brand produces everything from recycled belt buckles and jewellery to t-shirts and waterproof jackets-all designed to perform in fashion and function.
British Cycling points will also be available for all categories. Although there will not be separate races in the Senior Men's and Women's categories, the results will be split into Sport, Expert and Elite so that points can be awarded for those looking to get an early start in the rankings.
Advance entries for the first round and series close midnight 6th Feb, so go to the series homepage and get your entries in quick to save up to 35%.
Update:First Venue announced.
Support from Tap Timing and Extreme Medics
Posted: 05/01/11
The first race of the 2011 Welsh Mountain Bike Series will take place at the home of the Taff Buggy Downhill events near Pontypridd, South Wales. The course will utilise parts of the downhill course and will be great for both riders and spectators. The venue is just 30mins from the Severn Bridge so we are hoping that riders from South England will be tempted across the bridge for an early season workout.
All races in the series will be supported by a fully equipped 4x4 Ambulance and a fully qualified Paramedic from Extreme Medical so anyone unfortunate enough to injure themselves will be in safe hands. Also, Tap Timing will be providing professional lap timing services meaning that results and individual lap times for all riders will be on the website the following day-great for checking where you lost, or gained, those vital seconds!
