ChainReactionCycles.com NPS Round 1

 

Fri 7th, Sat 8th and Sun 9th of April | Rugog Farm, Upper Corris, Powys

Pictures Joolze Dymond

A brand new almost un-ridden course greeted all riders when they rolled into North Wales for round one of the 2006 NPS Downhill Series, sponsored by Chainreactioncycles.com. However, the weekend turned into a test of patience as much as skill as some organisational hitches combined with the recent monsoon conditions took their toll.

 

Looks simple doesn't it?

From the top of the course, you could see nearby mountain, Cader Idris, which still had a light dusting of snow sprinkled on her. Riding off the wind-blasted start, a number of blind drops awaited, interrupted by seriously rutted straight sections with some long and steep off-cambers - plus hidden rocks that during the weekend made their presence known to all.

After a fast, if occasionally marshy top section, you descended into a section with several tricky drops onto slippery downslopes. This section was eased during the weekend after a meeting between riders and commissaries.

 

Snow, wind, hail and the cold all added to the challenge

Next up was an incredibly slippery and wide switchback corner leading to a fire road crossing. Again, some tweaks to the course were necessary here as a tough gulley and deep mud challenged everyone.

More mud, drop-offs and course tweaks followed, before the blessed relief of the finish field. Water shortages may be on the agenda in the South East, but on the top of the Welsh Mountains there appeared to be enough soaked into the soil to keep the country in sprinkler fodder for a decade.

 

Great view, but few had time to enjoy it!

Alasdair MacLennan summed it all up nicely when he said: "The track could of been great, though with the weather turning it into a slime fest, it was all about lady luck rather than the skills."

Rob Warner was typically on the ball with a great quote:
"If there was a swear box at the bottom of the course it would of been full".

 

Typically sketchy stuff from one hardy battler

And so, to the racing.

The Youths saw the continuation of a great battle which is shaping up to be a theme of 2006, with Jo Smith turning the tables on Sam Dale, who beat him the previous week in the Midlands, and landing the win.

In the Juniors, Joe Barnes on an air shock made his light bike work all weekend and he took the win from Adam Brayton.

On to the Seniors and so many could have won this category. The Morgan brothers were pinning it every corner but would they ever stay on? No was the answer, as Phil Roberts scrambled down for a win from Duncan Ferris. This category is wide open this year with no firm favourites, watch this space.

In the Vets, Dai Jones was ruling the roost all weekend and should have been on the podium, but crashed out. Jerry Twigg already has already sewn up the 06 series just by entering, according to some pundits - let's see! He certainly did the business here in the mud to win by over 20 seconds from Martin Crockett (who is now officially the UK's fastest milkman).

In the Masters, Aidan Bishop dominated to take the win, whilst runner-up Andrew Titley lost his shoe last corner, whilst Si Paton took a popular third after claiming "it was all about the tortoise and not the hare on this course." Wise words Simon!

In the Experts, there was a shock with former Elite star Ed Moseley back from nowhere - experts watch out! Ed too second behind Rob Breakwell - this was Rob's first NPS podium and it won't be the last!

In the Elite Women, Helen Gaskell destroyed the rest and most of the men with an awesome time. When the going gets tough! Emily Horridge hung on to take second, from CJ Cann.

The Elite riders battled hard with the course and suffered with the rest in the conditions. Defending champ, Marc Beaumont looked good all weekend, but he slipped out on one of the big corners and had it speedway-style for about 20yards as his run failed to really come together on the way to third. Matt Simmonds took a brilliant second on board his new Ancillotti and he had Steve Parr to thank for the mechanics. Dan Atherton had a bad day at the office and pulled over to let brother Gee (pictured, above right) through to take the win with a great time under the circumstances.

It wasn't in all honesty the event everyone was looking for to start the new season. Many were unhappy with the course and how it rode. The parking field was a mud fest as were the pro pits. Nice glass cut trophies though!

The organisers will be burning the midnight oil to make sure the rest of the series makes up for what one spectator called the "Battle of the Somme!" Meanwhile, thanks to all the riders who battled through and to the marshals, who did an heroic job!

Results - Provisional

Open
1. Emyr Davies 3:35
2. Tom Fryer 3:43
3. Rex Wade Foel Gasnach/Corwen Carpets 3:53

Juvenile
1. William Hewitt Banjo Cycles 4:09
2. Stephen Millyard AstonHill.com Millyard Racing 4:13
3. Arran Gannicott 4:24

Youth
1. Jo Smith Ancillotti UK 3:01
2. Sam Dale Goldtec 3:09
3. Marcus Williams 3:26

Junior
1. Joe Barnes Morewood Racing Europe 3:12
2. Adam Brayton Keswick Bikes Maxxis Knox 3:14
3. Ben Baker Balfa UK 3:16

Senior
1. Phil Roberts 3:20
2. Duncan Ferris DMR Fusion 3:26
3. Tudor Jones 3:27

Vets
1. Jerry Twigg Cycleworld 3:52
2. Martin Crockett Midlands and Borders 4:18
3. Steve Felstead Ticket2rideBC.com 4:54

Juvenile Women
1. Monet Adams 7:53

Junior Women
1. Aimee Dix Team Skene 5:04

Senior Women
1. Kate George Specialized 5:57
2. Sue Mahony Psyclewerx Bristol 7:10

Vets Women
1. Lynda Davies 6:19

Master Women
1. Verity Appleyard Race Racing 5:16

Master
1. Aidan Bishop RapidRacers.com 3:28
2. Andrew Titley Kona UK Race Team 3:36
3. Si "Superfly" Paton www.Descent-Gear.com 3:42

Expert
1. Rob Breakwell Dirt Mag 2:59
2. Ed Moseley 3:10
3. Luke Marshall Gumball 3000 3:13

Elite Women
1. Helen Gaskell Halfords Bikehut 3:36
2. Emily Horridge Mountain Cycle Marzocchi 4:21
3. CJ Cann Cloud Cover Team Elan 5:24

Elite
1. Gee Atherton Team Animal Orange 2:47
2. Matt Simmonds Ancilotti UK 2:54
3. Marc Beaumont MBUK Santa Cruz 2:55