The 2023 National Downhill Series returned this weekend with round one kicking off in Rheola, South Wales where the packed field of riders was greeted by one of Wales' most notorious downhill tracks.
Rheola is not a place for the faint-hearted at the best of times, but following consistent downpours in recent weeks, an already technical track became even harder with the infamous Star Wars section looming large in all the riders' minds as they made their way down the Welsh mountain side.
With a late start to the UCI MTB Downhill World Cup this year, plenty of the world's best were ready and raring to go in the national series, bringing even more excitement to the already palpable buzz around the first race of the year.
Elite
First up on her debut downhill race, Trek Factory Racing's Harriet Harnden crossed the finish line four seconds ahead of Makayla Parton to take the win, with Scott UK's Jessica Stone following in third.
The men's elite field was even more packed than the women's with 13 world cup riders taking to the track. It was always going to be a tight race, but nobody quite expected it to turn out as tight as it was. Another elite race debutante Jordan Williams, started his time at Specialised Gravity with a bang, taking the win ahead of Atherton Racing's Charlie Hatton by just 0.13 of a second. It was an all-world cup podium, with GT Factory Racing's Ethan Craik taking third place.
Junior
The first of the junior categories down the hill was the junior women’s field. Elin Berry took the win five seconds ahead of Kerenza Scott, and Oneal Racing's Nina-Yves Cameron completed the podium in third.
Next up was the hotly contested junior men's field. Continental Atherton's Dom Platt showed that his world cup experience has made a big difference to his riding by taking first place ahead of Morgan Williams and Alfie Heming.
Juvenile and Youth
The juvenile men kicked off the race runs, with Nick Etherton taking the win ahead of Charlie Baxter in second, just five seconds behind, and George Chapman in third.
Hot on the juveniles' heels was the youth category in which Sam Hatfield took the win, with Isaac Batty in second and the Madison Saracen Development team rider Felix Griffiths in third.
The female juvenile field was combined with the female youth field which saw national champion Heather Wilson take the win for her new team Muc-off Young Guns. Holly Alderson finished in second for West Highland Wheelers, and Layla Begley-Tracey, followed in third.
Veteran and master
The grand veteran over 50s picked up the racing, with Mark Whiteman taking the men’s win just over a tenth of a second ahead of John Cob, with Matthew Casson in third.
As the track began to dry and the thick mud started to turn into a glue-like consistency, the veteran men continued to battle it out. Leon Rosser managed to take the win by over eight seconds on Neil White, and Peter Walton rounded out the top three.
Masters’ men saw some tight racing throughout the pack, with the lead seemingly changing each time a rider came down, but it was Michael Vickers who took the win, with Craig Callow in second and third place going to Thomas Kelly.
The women had a combined category, which saw Alexia Desile take a fantastic win 13 seconds ahead of Mary Lynes, with Veska Prostover completing the podium.
Senior
The Senior men's field followed, which was the largest of the day, and saw Charlie McIver take the win with Max Griffiths-Palmer in second and Sorted Race Gear's Finn Clark in third.
Round two of the 2023 National Downhill Series will take place at the infamous Fort William track in Scotland on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 May 2023.
