A new Go Race MTB Series has begun in Mid Wales for 2017, organised by Chris Jones, Ystwyth CC. Dreigiau Coed Y Brenin hosted Round 1 of the new Mid Wales MTB Series on Sunday 12 February.

Despite the Arctic conditions there was still a good entry for the races and the coaching sessions that took place before it. Coed Y Brenin is one of the most naturally technical courses the youngsters can ride but also provides the opportunity to ride something a little different.

Up first were the Under 6s, Ystwyth riders Hollie and Manon continued their battles from the CX season and were together for just about all of the race. Manon overshot one of the last technical sections and whilst returning to the course was passed by Hollie. In the boys Jude White started a good day for the family as he dominated the race followed home by his mate Sennen Brown. Steffan and Ellis and their parents worked hard to get them home.

Up next were the Under 8s and from the line it looked like there would be some good battles. Noah White continued to show his strength as he started pulling away from the Welsh riders at lap two. He had come across during the winter to ride the CX in Newtown and showed everyone a clean pair of cleats there. Tom and Charlie continued their battles, it looked early on like Tom had pulled a safe gap but Charlie worked hard to close the gap and if the race was one lap longer it could have been time to close the eyes for parents. All other riders worked hard and continue to improve each race. In the girls Lowri and Efanna battled well at the front of the race until Lowrie then pulled a gap to secure the win. Poppie, Laura and Martha moving up an age group worked hard on the technical course.

In the Under 10s Cian continued to show his form from the CX season and pulled away from the start and extended his lead a little each lap. Finn and Tomos impressed in their first year at U10’s and rode hard to come home in second and third. Eva and Elain and the rest of the boys battled hard to finish the race strongly and it was clear that there would be some good competition for the rest of the season.

The Under 12s were the first group to take on the fire road climb and a longer course. Freya went off from the start and was gaining a nice lead until a problem with her chain forced her to DNF. The two Megans and Mari then fought hard on a course more technical than they are used to. This is another class that should make for some interesting racing as the series progresses.

Alfie continued to impress in the boys race and showed he’s maintained his fitness from the Winter CX. Nils and Max rode really well to come home in second and third and there were clear improvements in fitness and efforts from the remaining riders on this challenging course.

The final race saw the last of the age groups heading off together for the 30 minute race on the full course. A fairly long climb to start the lap was followed by some fast flowing descents and technical climbs and included the rock garden. It was also the rematch of Griff and Huw following their battles at the WMBS last year. They knew they had their work cut out though as Tim Freeman made a guest appearance at the start line.

Tim pulled a big gap half way through the first lap and was a pleasure to watch on the technical descents, showing that smooth is faster. Huw got the best start in the U14’s and was riding strong having a 22 second gap on Griff at the half way point. Griff then pulled the time back and they were riding together until Huw got a puncture and had to make a wheel change. It is a shame as they only had one lap to go and it could have been a real close finish. Luke returned to racing in the U16’s and had a good ride but Owen Evans who returned to racing for the CX season put his training to task and stayed with Griff for around half of the race. Ollie, Sam and Joseph all put in good efforts on this demanding loop.

In the adults race, Elin showed good fitness to win the ladies and come in 8th overall. Tim Grainger rode hard and showed a lot of the younger riders what it means to dig in and stay strong over the whole race. The two Aberystwyth boys started a battle that should continue all year although i think Kev may have to ditch the winter jacket for a lighter one!!! I don’t think that Simon will go off the line so hard and may well choose to stay with Kev!!

Results
U6 Girls
1^st           Hollie Bevan                                       Ystwyth CC
2^nd          Manon Lewis                                     Ystwyth CC

U6 Boys
1^st           Jude White                                         Mid Shropshire Wheelers
2^nd         Sennen Brown                                  Mid Shropshire Wheelers
3^rd            Steffan Roberts                               Dreigiau Coed y Brenin
4^th           Ellis Ward

U8 Girls
1^st          Lowrie Howie                                    Dreigiau Coed y Brenin
2^nd          Efanna Lewis                                      Ystwyth CC
3^rd           Poppie Haynes                                  Ystwyth CC
4^th           Laura Thompson-Brook                                 WWCRT
5^th           Martha Gilbert                                  Dreigiau Coed Y Brenin

U8 Boys
1^st          Noah White                                        Mid Shropshire Wheelers
2^nd          Tomos Jones                                      Ystwyth CC
3^rd           Charlie Baxter                                    Ystwyth CC
4^th           Harry Houlden                                  CBM Dyffryn Conwy
5^th           Gethin Serjeant                                Hafren CC
6^th           Sean Bevan                                        Ystwyth CC
7^th            Gruff Morgan                                   Ystwyth CC
8^th           Oliver Williams                                  Ystwyth CC
9^th           Osian Jones
10^th         Jim Tookey                                         Dreigiau Coed y Brenin
11^th         Leo Griffith                                         Hafren CC
12^th         Noah Dearing                                    Hafren CC

U10 Girls
1^st          Eva Griffith                                         Hafren CC
2^nd          Elain Jenkins                                       Ystwyth CC

U10 Boys
1^st          Cian Evans                                           The Bulls
2^nd          Finn Davies                                         Cycle Tec
3^rd           Tomos Gilbert                                   Dreigiau Coed y Brenin
4^th           George Joyce                                    Hafren CC
5^th           Gwion Humphreys                          Ystwyth CC
6^th           Melchi Lee McPherson                  Ystwyth CC
7^th           Henry Farr                                           Hafren CC

U12 Girls
1^st          Megan Blackburn             CBM Dyffryn Conwy
2^nd          Megan Lewis                     Ystwyth CC
3^rd           Mari Buck Jones               CBM Dyffryn Conwy
DNF       Freya Evans                        The Bulls

U12 Boys
1^st           Alfie Davies                        Cycle Tec
2^nd          Nils Bussink                        Dreigiau Coed y Brenin
3^rd           Max Bufton                        Hafren CC
4^th           Morgan Yorke                   Dreigiau Coed y Brenin
5^th           Gerwyn Humphreys       Ystwyth CC
6^th            Llyr Jones

U14 Boys
1^st          Griff Lewis                          Ystwyth CC
2^nd          Huw Buck Jones               CBM Dyffryn Conwy
3^rd           Ollie Jones                          Hafren CC
4^th           Sam Freeman
5^th           Joseph Parry

U16 Boys
1^st          Owen Evans                       Ystwyth CC
2^nd          Luke Simmonds                Dreigiau Coed y Brenin

Over 18 Ladies
1^st          Elin Roberts                        Dreigiau Coed y Brenin

Over 18 Men
1^st          Tim Grainger                      Stourport CC
2^nd          Kevin Jones                        Hafren CC
3^rd           Kevin Haynes                     Ystwyth CC
4^th           Kevin Blackburn                CBM Dyffryn Conwy
5^th           Simon Bevan                      Ystwyth CC

Thanks to all that came to support the races by riding, sign on, refreshments, coaching lap scoring etc. Hope to see you all at the next round in Aberystwyth on 16 April 2017.