Orange Monkey Win First National Race!

News Posted: 15 May 2008
Image: Joolze Dymond
Link: Event Report

Alex Baker, Orange Monkey's youngest and most successful rider took the team's first national level win at round 2 of the National Mountain Bike Cross-Country Series at the weekend. However, there was a far from ideal start to the weekend for the youngster who had to fly in to Scotland late on Friday evening and so did not get the opportunity to pre-ride the tough course full of technical rock gardens, roots, and steep twisting climbs.

After a very successful start to the season, Alex anxiously circled the arena waiting to be called to the line, but as the gun went the nerves, pressure, expectation had vanished and what came next was a master class in Mountain Biking. Leading from the start and pulling out a gap on the first climb, Alex was joined by two other young Juveniles as the trio weaved through the tricky sections of singletrack, Alex fell twice with the disadvantage of not knowing what was around the next corner taking its toll but soon they were down to two, with one of the other riders having mechanical difficulties.

As the remaining pair stormed up the last climb it was the young Monkey who was at the front in control, and as they entered the arena down the big drop side by side, both at their limit, on the final bend it looked as if Alex had blown it, running wide before fighting back to win by half a wheel's length as the watching crowd deafened the arena with cheers for what was the most exciting finish of the weekend!

For both Alex and Orange Monkey it was the first win at a National competition and one that team mates, managers and family are very proud of. The team has worked hard over the past four years and moments like this definitely make it all worth while. The team has been supported by their fantastic sponsors throughout the season and its thanks to Trek UK, Bontrager, Bio-Racer, Torq Fitness, LAS Helmets, Joolze Dymond Photography and Jim Walker Distribution that they have been able to improve year on year.

What next? Well the team travels to round 3 of the Southern Area competition next weekend, then in 4 weeks time its back on the road to Lake Grizedale for the next round of the National Series but for Alex, the sky is the limit!