2010 British National Champs

This year saw Ae Forest near Dumfries host the British Downhill Champs race on a new revamped coarse courtesy of David “Tally” Tallontire and his helpers which is a mix of old sections and some big newly built berms and jumps putting a fresh new feel to the track.  They’re still a lot of riders out there that have a loathing for Ae Forest as a race venue but these days the lack of good race venues are thin on the ground, to be honest it isn’t all bad as the new stuff seems work well, it just seems like it rains every time we come here which makes the new sections very hard to ride.

Ruaridh Cunningham

Saturday’s practice started off in rather gloomy conditions but come the afternoon the sun started to burn through and the sunny conditions were a pleasant end to the days practice.

For once the weathermen got it right and Sunday morning dawned to the sound of wind and rain. First practice runs in the morning were an eye opener for most as the track was completely changed from the previous day, all the exposed roots now wet and very slippery. As the morning practice continued the bottom half of the track was now turning into a mix of thick gloopy mud with greasy rocks and roots now exposed making riding near impossible for some.

Happy in the mud

Come race time the rain was now looking like it was on for the day so with the camera gear and the clothes pretty much soaked and covered in mud it was time to have a quick clean and make for a decent place to grab a few shots.

Callum Havard

Juveniles were first off as usual and it was Callum Havard riding for Cwmdown/PS Cycles who took the win by 10 seconds over Perth City Cycles Sam Herd, Ancillotti’s Will Weston got the third step on the podium.

Fraser McGlone keeping it tight

The Gannicott family were out in force this weekend with George managing slide his way to 3rd place in the Youth category riding for I-Cycles of Innerleithen behind Greg Gilfillan in second place. All Terrain Cycles Fraser McGlone took the win today to take the title and add to the Scottish Champs from last weekend.

Lewis Buchanan now Junior British Champ

After last weekends win at Dunkeld Lewis Buchanan once again showed his class in this sport with another great win here today winning the British Junior title to add to his Scottish win last week. Mark Scott riding for All Terrain Cycles took second place whilst Lapierre rider Sam Flockhart got third.

Slippery off camber section

Glentress veteran rider Neil Wilson had to settle with second place this weekend after his win at the Scottish Champs, Bikeactive.com’s Rich Simpson took the win today with Pete Roberts in third.

Two master classes this weekend, first up 30-34 this one was won by Devinci’s Craig Taylor 2nd place rider Russ Harland just pipped Dave List into 3rd. In the 35-39 category was won by Syndicate rider Tristan Tunstall with Chris Whitfield in second place and third going to Antony Gaskin.

It was hard for some riders to stay upright

Senior Non Champs class this weekend was won by Leisure Lakes Joel Chidley who beat Simon Cheung into 2nd place with Scotty Laughland in 3rd.

Jess Stone a well deserved win and new British Champ

With Rachel Atherton and Tracy Moseley both opting to miss out this weekend for some relaxing rest time before the next World Cup race at Champery it was going to be a close fought battle for the crown. Trek Gravity Girl Jess Stone followed up her first place in seeding to take the win by a second over Katy Curd who just beat of Helen Gaskell into third place.

Peaty popping the champers

The big race was all about the Elite men, the entry was a little down on last years race at Innerleithen with a few big names deciding that a week off before Champerey was a better idea. The reigning champion Gee Atherton was here along with the legend and World Champs winner Steve Peat. Steve was all out to get the title after crashing out so close to the finish last year and didn’t disappoint taking the win with a great time of 2.15.2 a clear 3 seconds faster than Gee Atherton in 2nd place, 3rd went to Steve’s team mate young Josh Bryceland.

Plenty washing to do when you get home

All in all it wasn’t the best weekend weather wise but well that’s something you can’t beat, Mike and his crew run a tight ship (ark) this weekend, didn’t hear of any hold ups on the uplifts and to be honest the race was great to watch albeit to see who could get down without face planting into the mud.

As always full results here