Altura Patterson Training's NPS Round 4 Diary

Source: Altura Patterson Training Team

Posted: 27 Aug 2008

Event Date: 23-24 Aug 2008

Altura Patterson Training's team had a great weekend at Round 4 of the NPS at Eastridge, but as ever in Mountain Biking, the thrills never come without the spills...

Saturday 23rd Aug - Cross Country

Double Win For Altura Patterson Training

Above: Jenn is delighted with her win in the Elite race, while Ruth (below) looks equally chuffed with hers

The team scored a double win today, with Jenn O'Connor taking the top spot in the Elite Women's event and Ruth Mordaunt winning the Master Women's race.

Jenn led the Elite field from the gun, battling with Irish German rider Mel Spath up the opening climb. Mel was looking strong and riding confidently, and opened a gap in the first muddy, rocky descent, but Jenn soon closed the gap and took the lead. She finished the first lap a minute ahead, and opened the gap up to over three minutes over the four lap race. Mel held her second place, with British National Champ Jenny Copnall taking third spot a further minute back.

Jenn was elated with the win, her first in a National Series XC race since 2004.

In the Master Women's race, Ruth battled with National Masters Champ Nina Davies, trading places for the first lap, until Ruth's aggressive descending earned her a gap. She continued to stretch her lead for the rest of her three lap race to take the win with two minutes to spare, and reclaim top spot in the series.

Jenn will race again tomorrow (Sunday) in the 100km marathon, along with team mate Simon Young. Ruth is on her way to Pra Loup in France for the World Masters Championships next weekend.

Sunday 24th Aug - Whyte Enduro

Altura Patterson Training racer Simon Young earned his first National Series podium on Sunday, finishing third in the 100km marathon. Torrential rain on Saturday night turned the course into a slippery, sludgy mudslide. The course was shortened slightly to just over 10km per lap, but conditions were so slow that only one rider managed to finish eight laps before the 4pm cutoff.

That rider was Felt racer Will Bjergfelt, who lapped the entire field to finish the 80km just under 6 hours. Second placed Sam Humpreys, riding for Charge Bikes, took second place with 7 laps, and Simon came in third a few minutes back, also completing 7 laps.

In the 100km women's race, Jenn lined up against Melanie Spath, but none of the other entries turned up to the start line, leaving the two leaders from Saturday's race with the 100km event to themselves. Jenn managed to carve out a lead on the first lap, but took a heavy fall on a technical section in the second lap, and pulled out with a suspected broken arm. Mel carried on alone, and completed an admirable 6 laps to secure the race and series win. Jenn was badly bruised and shaken, but after a check over by the Extreme Medics, was cleared without serious injury. She stayed on in the feedzone to help support her teammate Simon.
 
Right: The 100km men's podium, from left Simon Young, Will Bjergfelt, Sam Humphreys