Muddy Margam!

On Sunday, I traveled to Margam Park for my first race of the season; nerves were in abundance as I hadn't raced for ages and forgot my strategy of dealing with pre-race butterflies. Once I’d arrived and met all the familiar faces it reminded me of why I love racing so much. However this race was not going to be easy but I do enjoy a challenge. Whilst entering I noticed that Marc Beaumont (world class Downhiller) had entered, this added a little excitement to the race as he was in the same category as I.

After walking back to my van soaking wet, I realized Marc was parked right next to me, I went over and chatted to him and was a bit starstruck it has to be said.

After talking to him and getting a quick insight on what life is like to be a pro downhiller I got my my kit on, changed my tyres and tried to focus on what was ahead of me. My team mates, Nick Butler and Lee Hayward returned from their race and I could hardly notice them, that gives you a clue of what the conditions were like, Nick quoted “that was the muddiest race I've ever done”.

Whilst warming up I rode round the last section of the course, and what would be a super fast section if it was dry had turned into a boggy mess and it was a job just turning the pedals. I have had some decent results in the past in bad conditions so thought this may play to my advantage. On the start line I lined up right on Beaumont’s wheel, as ever the dreaded 10 second countdown began then we were off, I was very surprised with the start I had got I was straight up into second place after the first climb, sitting on the junior national champs wheel. Somehow I managed to gap the rest of the field and found myself a good 30 seconds up after the first lap. I couldn't believe it.

After feeling good for the first few laps, my lungs decided to play up and I felt tight chested for the middle part of the race. This meant Dan Lewis and James Nixon managed to bridge the gap to me. After riding like a complete tool on the rocky shoot. Dan got a gap on me and that was the last I saw of him, this left James and I fighting it out for second place.

James was looking really strong until the last few laps, I realized on the sections where we had to get off and walk/run (the mud was over a foot deep) I could gap him, I was confident then that I could hold on to second place, on the penultimate lap I managed to pull away and started to feel strong again, always a good sign to feel strong at the end of a race. I came over the line in second place just over two minutes back from Dan, I was chuffed with the result considering it was the first race of the season and I didn't feel 100%.

It was so cold after the race, I was very pleased to hear Jay say, collect your prize straight away, I’ve never been so glad about there not being a podium. Thanks to all the people involved on putting the event on in such horrible conditions and to my sponsors of course. Bye for now.