NPS # 3 - North Pole – Sun 25th May 2008

Ok, not quite the north pole, but way up near Larne in Antrim (still only 2:40 away, great new roads). Any, Hazo and I set out on sat, 5 hours of shopping in Ikea and I was knackerd, not ideal race prep.

Race day came, sunny, dry, but a little windy. Held on an old quarry, the course was actually quite good, flatish, nice drops and kicker climbs, lots of ST too. Very bumpy though, and I brought the vertex and not the element, bad choice. However, the venue was grim, crap start/finish area, cars parked 500 mtrs away, and no atmosphere…..not good enough for NPS imo.

The start was v fast, Luis Ferguson was flying, his first MTB race this year as he was concentrating on the road. His almost complety slick tyres were a ppor choice, and I’m sure this contributed to his race ending shunt on the 2^nd lap. Anyway, I was 3^rd after 3 laps, 50 secs back on Peter and Ryan, a long way back on such a fast course. I stuck at it, got better legs, and eventually caught them with 1 /12 laps to go. Starting the last lap we were all together, howver, Ryan attacked and I didn’t have it, I kinda sat up then, rolled in 3^rd, good enough to hold onto 1^st in the league.

Next up is Djouce on 15^th June, cant wait, hope its dry……..

Off we go!

NPS # 2, Carlingford, Co. Louth – Sun 4th May 2008

NPS # 2 already, I need a break! Great weather should have ensured a mega dry race in Carlingford, but rain all the way up turned the 2km flat fireroad into mudcity! The best singletrack in the country held up real well, but I doubt I can beat my 1 dab record from last year.
A few less riders in the elite field meant that I may be able to bag some points. BANG, off we go up the steep tarmac road start, onto that flat fireroad, and I am sitting on Ryan and Peters wheels, MEGA mud splash. I big sprint for the singletrack and Peter showhorns himself in before Ryan and me. Peter gets about 20secs here as I sit on Ryan dabbing away. Up the long fireroad I sit on Ryan, and jump him into the 1st singletrack on the 2nd lap. This is the last I see of Ryan as he flats out of the race, pity. I try to catch Peter over the next lap, but he pulls a bit more time. Next thing I see him walking back up the trail, another flat! I am leading now, time to ease off and bring in then points!
I am leading the NPS now, mad stuff……not sure if I’ll make it to # 3, so I’ll have to finish 4,5 & 6 to go for the overall!

My first win!

The slippy river crossing

Evan and Richi chase hard

NPS # 1, Ballinstoe, Co. Wicklow – Sun 27th Apr 2008

Straight from the K Capital Cup, into the NPS! No let up these days. My goal for the NPS is a top 3 in the elites, so I need to focus again! The international field of the K Cap was not there, but a couple of the top juniors and a couple of the top masters/vets made the move to the Elites to boost the completion.
A dry bright day greeted us in Ballinstoe, home to the new MTB built trails. The course was VERY fast, almost big ring the whole way, great trials, fast racing. I got a good start, and starting lap 2 I was only a few seconds behind the lead group of Ryan, Peter and super junior Liam. Disaster struck on lap 2 when I twisted my front mech, and a BIG high speed crash on lap 4 nearly ended my race (and my life). But I fought on, pulled back a couple of places and finished a solid 4th.
Very sore after the race, headaches, etc. No good, but a good start to the league. Next week is # 2 so time to recover and relax.

Flyin on the new trails

Ryan took the win. Peter and Liam follow close behind