British National MTB Series R1 Sherwood Pines

So here it was the first round of the British MTB series had arrived! It seemed not long ago that the season was over.

I was feeling great for the race; I had a good solid winter season under my belt and was fitter then I ever have been.

The previous 2 weeks before I came down with a cold, had a bulk load of Uni work to deal with and a teaching course….so my stress levels were through the roof!! I relaxed as much as I could prior to the weekend so I could focus on my goals for the race.

Arriving at Sherwood early afternoon I came in to contact with my new bike; Bella the Bianchi was my rocket fuel for the season. When I first seen it hanging up I was like ‘Wow, who’s is that bike?’ and when I finally realised it was mine I was stoked! I was able to get in a couple of laps and thought the bike rode great; it’s so light and reacted so quickly I rode nice and smoothly along the single track.

WXC World Racing had a Team meeting before we all headed off to prepare ourselves for the next day. It was kind of weird being back and going through the routine again I had to keep reminding myself that ‘I was actually here’ and ‘I was going to be racing tomorrow morning!’

The evening was spent filling bottles and setting out kit to whip on in the morning.

Race Day

6.30am and I was eating my porridge (half a sleep). Although it was early the sun was shining so I was happy. Arriving at the Team base in plenty of time, preparations for the race were made and I was ready to start my warm up- this time on rollers. I had always used a turbo trainer but it seemed an easier option to use the rollers and I could still have the feel of the bike.

On the start line my heart was beating pretty rapidly. I was so so nervous but excited at the same time. I had a bit of a weird start to be honest, I couldn’t clip my foot in which delayed me but then finally I was in and out of the saddle playing catch up a bit.

Hitting the first part of single track I was in 4^th position-which I was happy with. However after this the race just seemed quite a blur and I came in 12^th.

My mental side of me let me down; I didn’t fight to stay on anyone’s wheel, I just rode round whilst riders carried on passing me. By the final lap it was too late for me to try and catch up, but I knew a fellow South West Rider Jane Cummings (South Fork Racing) was gaining on me so I hit it for as hard and as long as I could which seemed to work.

I was disappointed in myself but you never know with the first race where you’re at until your racing. I could go through so many things that I thought about the race, however its done now and I can’t change anything, I just have to focus on what’s next and just keep working hard.

I was pleased that one WXC rider was on the podium, so well done to Joanne in her first season as an Elite.

Next stop is South West Summer Series in Redruth, Cornwall and then I’ll be hitting it big in Houffalize for my first World Cup of the season.

Thanks to WXC World Racing for great support and sponsors for providing us with some awesome stuff J

British National Mountain Bike Series Rd 1 UCI CLASS 1- Sherwood Pines - Joanne Clay

25th March 2012

This is an unexpected blog entry for me, First National race of the series, first National race at elite level and I`ve managed to pull out a 5th place poduim! I`m a very happy girl!
I`ve got to say im very thankfull for my beautifull new Bianchi Race bike, built up on the Saturday just in time for me to have two practice laps on it before the race. Instantly the bike felt awesome, which made me very exctited for race day.

I was feeling very nervous as they called our names up to the start line, a very strong field of riders and I was way back on the fourth row! I was just hoping I could get a fairly good start and hang on for as long as possible. As it hapenend I got penned in at the start and the leaders managed to pull away quickly, but after lap 1 I found myself in 8th and was feeling strong. The bike was working great and by lap 3 I had managed to gain time and places and rode to 6th as I entered the last lap, I knew I was only 20 seconds of 5th so that gave me enought lift to push for the podium, with about 1.5km to go I passed the 5th place rider up the climb. I had enough in my legs to pull away and come over the line to secure 5th!

A memorable day for me and I couldnt have done it without the help of my team.

Can't wait for Round 2 at Dalby!

By Joanne Clay

Fully Sussed SW MTB Series R1

Fully Sussed South West Series MTB Race

Round 1-Woodbury Common

Race Report by Carla Haines Elite Female

First MTB race of the season had come around so quickly-it didn’t feel long ago that the season was over!

The weather was pretty miserable-cold, rainy and windy but to be honest that made me more excited to race; it was going to be a muddy one!! My preparation was pretty poor; I had the final round of the spring time pursuit on Saturday so was tired by the evening to even think about getting stuff ready for the following day.

Race start was 10am so it was an early morning wake up call to get there. I pre rode the course and used it as a warm up. The course was very muddy and slippery which made it great fun; I knew I had a very good chance of winning in those conditions!

I had a slowish start but soon upped the pace to stick on Janes (South Fork) wheel. We were riding for most of the first lap together-slipping and sliding on the way round! I took a line which ended up being very time consuming and getting stuck behind other riders which gave Cummings (South Fork) the chance to make a gap.

At this point I was at least a minute down. Cummings appeared to have a mechanical when I caught up so this was an opportunity to gain some extra time. From then on I lead the rest of the race. I felt pretty strong on the climbs and rode quite well along the muddy single track and down the descents.

My first win of the season and I was really happy! Considering I raced Saturday I still felt fresh in the race. I felt that the hard works training throughout the winter had paid off.

Looking forward to the first round of the National Series at Sherwood.

XMTB Spring League Rd 2 - Claire Oakley U23 Elite

So for round 2 I decided to bring out the race bike just to make sure it was going alright for the serious races starting soon.


Thankfully the course had dried out a lot from the previous week so it was going to be a quicker race.


Again we were to start behind the men, so it was to be another week of chasing down the men, though there were a few more women lined out this week.


I went from the start and again made the single track in 1st, though a quick collision with a tree and some tape had me held up a bit. Very quickly I was onto the back of the train of men and working my way up through them, occasionally I could see glimpses of the other women through the trees but nothing to worrying


Again I made my way up to 17th though this time my actual position in the mens would have been a lot higher as in the last few laps, once the track cleared, I was putting in laps within the top 10, not too bad considering I'd about 35 riders to get though, though I was starting to actually shout at them to move this week.
Still not too bad considering last year I was finishing about 29th in with the men, so a bit of an improvement. 
Ohh and I won the women's again.

XMTB Spring League Rd 1 - by Claire Oakley U23 Elite

So this was the first race of the series, and my first of the season, it's mainly suited towards introducing new people to the sport but with some top riders joining in the mix as well. With the series being the only mtb races before Sherwood Pines I felt I had to race anyway, so I brought out the winter hack bike and set about getting ready to race


The women were being set off 1 minute behind the men so at least there was some motivation to see how many I could catch and hopefully get the win in the women's at the same time.


I didn't get the best of starts but managed to get into the single track first and never looked back from then, got caught up in a fair bit of traffic but then that was to be expected.


Was happy enough with the lap times, between my quickest lap and slowest there was only 15 seconds difference, so not that bad over 6 laps, though my last few laps were the quickest once the traffic began to clear.


Out of the 48 male starters in front I made my way up to 17th. I probably should have made it up to a higher placing but think I need to work on shouting at people to move, since I didn't do it at all, next weeks task! Anyway took the win in the women's category.