NPS 4X Rd 1 – UKBikepark
This Easter Sunday, devout Christians got dressed up in their Sunday best, headed down to the Church and celebrated the Resurrection. The disciples of 4x however, donned waterproofs, aimed the car in the direction of UKbikepark and got excited about the 2010 season. The first time this venue was used for an NPS, it rained. The second time, it didn’t. This time things were definitely soggy, but the rain, on race day at least, stayed away. However, a serious amount of the wet stuff the previous few days had left the track in a bit of a sorry state, and that combined with some recent track revisions made for a track that was hard going.
About half way along the first straight, a basically flat left with a bermed right had been added that slowed rider speed into the latter part of the course. The second and third straights had some taller jumps added that would have been fine in the dry, but combined with the mud and the earlier alterations, lead to some heavy legs come finals time.
A rider’s mud riding technique and leg power were the determining factors here. It really was so slow that you were lucky if you were on the brakes very often. With nothing really being jumped after the first straight, those that spent their winter on the pumptrack probably faired quite well.
Will Longden, started the season off with a strong result after Boom Boom came unstuck not far out of the gate. Will Evans and Duncan Ferris filled the rest of the podium in elites. In the girls, Terry-Anne Busbridge took third, Kerry Wrigglesworth made the second step and Nichola Anderson scooped the win.
Isaac Munday, resplendent in his national champs jersey, kept it upright to take youth, Bas Van Steenburgen made the trip from the Netherlands worthwhile with a second and Jono Jones, third. Tom Van Steenbergen went one better than his big bruv, to take first in juveniles, Cai Mahon next, with Kyle Greenway third. Juniors saw Nathan Parsons strongest, with Michael Gray in second and John Hewitt making the last step in third. Oggy took the top step in masters to cries of ‘sandbagger’ were thrown from the crowd, with Christian Hatcher second and Dave Richardson in third. Vets were led home by Simon Rickett, followed by David Herman, with Ian Wherry covering the final podium place. Fun saw Harry Jay taking the top spot, Joe Wells second and Cameron Rouse next. And finally the Big fun podium was made up by Joe Davies in third, Matthew Hillyard in second and Kevin Baars taking the win.
Words & Photos Russ Dunkley
