Halo BDS Rd 1 Rheola, Wales

The UK season finally got officially under-way this past weekend in South Wales. Rheola Forest, has hosted so many races it’s a bit of legend in these parts, mostly due to the fact that Jason Carpenter and his Dragon Downhill Series used this venue so many times you could almost call it the Welsh Innerleithen. This time however, it was the re-branded National Points Series for 2010…The Halo British Downhill Series.

With sponsors tripping over themselves to get involved, it seems that organiser David Francoisy most certainly satisfied all their needs. What, with a record entry, a rad track, big crowds and some great weather – it turned out to be the perfect race weekend.

CRC's Matt Simmonds

Perfect for some, like Gee Atherton who scored a one, one in seeding and the final run…this could be the warm up to hopefully a cracking year. Dan Atherton, Gees sibling scored a three, two to get at least two thirds of the prize fund to take to Laguna Seca next week. Sister, Rachel Atherton however had a few problems in her seeding run, she was seen taking part in some tree hugging mid way only to seed last in the elite women’s, was it a ploy to get away first come race time? Doubt it but come race time the head went on and the win was hers, with Aimee Dix and Manon Carpenter following up behind.

Rachel Atherton hit the deck in seeding

Mentions must go out to Sam Herd, Fraser McGlone & Mark Scott who are killing now in the junior ranks of downhill racing, these guys are the next big names…remember I’ve said that before.

The next round is promising to be an absolute killer, with Fort William looking stacked with almost a World Cup entry list you can expect it all to happen on the second weekend in May.

www.britishdownhillseries.com

All Photos Copyright Jon Beckett 2010

Video by MTBcut

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