Round 3 of the HSBC UK | National Downhill was hosted this weekend at Caersws, Wales. With unseasonably dry and dusty conditions, which turned the track from its usual Welsh conditions to something that more resembled California, proving challenging for many riders.
Race day started with clear blue skies and sunny weather; however the typical Welsh weather set in with wind building and rain threatening towards the end of the day. Thankfully, this didn't seem to disrupt the riders too much.
The track began with a steep top section leading into dusty berms and rocky, chute descents added to the mix in the lower half of the track.
Caersws is a track that the riders love, and with the dusty conditions there was plenty of opportunities for riders to slap turns and create massive dust explosions.
Once again, following on from the fantastic support the riders received in the last round in Scotland, UK Downhill fans were out in force to cheer, heckle and have a good time watching the racing.
In the Male Juvenile category, George Madley claimed first place with a solid three-second lead ahead of William Pugh in second and Nathan Diwell-Wilson in third.
The ever-impressive Dom Platt from Atherton Racing was crowned victorious in the Male Youth category with a round still left to go. Luca Thurlow was in second and Lucas Craik in third.
Bradley Shield's once again claimed the top of the podium in the Male Master's closely followed by Michael Vickers in second and Sam Wood in third.
There was some fast, close racing on show in the Elite Men's field with just one second separating the podium positions.
Roger Vieira not only pipped Adam Brayton to first place by just three-tenths of a second, but the Brazilian also took the overalll win for the Elite Men's series.
It's been a dominant performance from Roger this year, taking the win in every round so far. Can he make it a clean sweep in Round 4? It was a trio of World Cup riders on the podium, with SR Suntour One Vision's Jack Reading following closely in third place.
In the Women's Junior field, Aimi Kenyon stormed to victory with a 9-second lead claiming first place ahead of Anna Craig in second and Nina-Yves Cameron in third.
Stacey Fisher took first place in the Elite Women's race ahead of Melanie Chappaz in second and Katherine Sharp recovering from her injury at the World Championships and taking home third.
