Rounds 5 and 6 of the Schwalbe British Four-Cross Series, South West Extreme took place on the 13th and 14th of August 2011 at the Ultimate Adventure Centre, Abbotsham, Bideford, Devon.
A mixed weather forecast over the weekend made for interesting conditions in Devon
Saturday was true to forecast, and the weather ebbed and flowed between occasional light showers and sunshine, just like the sea a couple of miles away. The course was unaffected by the little precipitation there was, and remained rock hard throughout. In fact, so rock hard that the events on both days took a larger share than most other rounds this year for pinch punctures. The short rock garden being the most often culprit.
On Sunday the weather was brighter, but with a slight breeze. There were a couple of track changes which tightened up the course, to give some new racing lines.
Scott Beaumont dominated the elite races all weekend with a clear win in every moto, semi and final. He had this to say afterwards: "It's been a perfect weekend here at South West Extreme. On Friday I was selected for the World Championship team which is in three weeks time, and this is part of my preparation for that. Things have been going well recently, and I am looking forward to the World Cup at Val Di Sole next week. I think this is a great track to race, and the facilities here are excellent."
Matthieu Trinquart first rode Four-Cross at this course two years ago, coming from a BMX background. He was running well in the first few motos on the Saturday, with a second, third and second in the elite category. All did not go to plan in the fourth race though.
Trinquart explained: "I'd had some tough races against some good guys in the first three races. In the fourth, I got a good gate, and had a good run until losing control in the last berm. I fell off, landing hard on my ankle and that was the end of my weekend's racing. The course here has evolved, and improved since I first raced Four-Cross here, I look forward to coming back."
Isaac Mundy who like Scott Beaumont won all his races, added: "I've had a good weekend, my bike hasn't broken which makes a change, and I haven't had a puncture, though a lot of my friends have."
Chris Roberts, the race organiser, concluded: "The racing has been very exciting this weekend, and the riders have really been flying down the track. It's been very hard to judge who is going to win the races. Dylan Grell-Delso who has been winning all season, and has lost a couple of motos which has been a bit of a shock. The course has plenty of opportunity for overtaking, and the riders have been taking advantage of that."
