British Cycling Downhill National Championships 2016 - Finals

Jul 17, 2016
by Dan Hearn  



A grey morning met bleary eyed riders as practice began once again at Revolution Bike Park for finals day of the 2016 National Championships. The clouds didn't last, however, and it wasn't long before the sun was spilling through the trees and illuminating the root-infested trail below. It is not without some controversy that we move into finals day of the UK Downhill National Championships. Incredulous voices were heard discussing the removal of a root that was "too slippery", and the changing of tape towards the end of practice on Saturday. However, for the most part, the track remained every bit as challenging and tiring as before.

After some extremely tight racing, with just 4 seconds separating the top 10 riders, it was Greg Williamson who emerged victorious. Little mistakes meant big position drops, and this was certainly a track that caught a few out.

Greg Williamson has had a fantastic World Cup season so far, with two 6th place finishes in Cairns and Leogang, and a 7th in Fort William. A National Championship will surely top the pile of 2016 results. Rachel Atherton once again took to the top step of the podium and donned the National Champs jersey and asserted her dominance on the UK downhill scene.


RESULTS

Senior Men
1 - Greg Williamson
2 - Danny Hart
3 - Steve Peat
4 - Josh Bryceland
5 - Marc Beaumont

Senior Women
1 - Rachel Atherton
2 - Tahnée Seagrave
3 - Manon Carpenter
4 - Sophia Paull
5 - Lucy Drees

Junior Men
1 - Matt Walker
2 - Charlie Hatton
3 - Joe Breeden
4 - Kaos Seagrave
5 - Will Hart

Junior Women
1 - Aston Tutt
2 - Sumayyah Green
3 - Maddy Brown
4 - Meghan Harris
5 - Cairn Bell

There can t be many better spots for a weekend camping and racing in Wales.
There can't be many better spots for a weekend camping and racing in Wales.

Greg Williamson and his Cube steed. 215mm of travel and 5 10 of man.
Greg Williamson and his Cube steed. 215mm of travel and 5'10" of smiling Scotsman.

Greg Williamson leaning into the final corner of the track eyes locked on the finish line.
Greg Williamson leaning into the final corner of the track, eyes locked on the finish line.

Victory by 8 seconds on a sub 3-minute track is a convincing win even by Rachel s standards.
Victory by 8 seconds on a sub 3-minute track is a convincing win, even by Rachel's standards.

With a performance like his of today it s hard to believe he is retiring from racing. A 2nd place at Bala BDS 2 minutes down the road and a 3rd place at National Champs - Peaty clearly likes this hillside
With a performance like his of today, it's hard to believe he is retiring from racing. A 2nd place at Bala BDS 2 minutes down the road and now a 3rd place at National Champs - Peaty clearly likes this hillside!

Peaty rode with his SPS riders for most of practice.
Peaty rode with his SPS riders for most of practice.

A fantastic result for SPS rider Jay Williamson who finished 4 seconds back and in 10th place.
A fantastic result for SPS rider Jay Williamson, who finished 4 seconds back and in 10th place.

Danny Hart carried great speed through some innovative lines but couldn t quite make up the time to beat Greg. His split time was almost identical to that of Peaty but pulled ahead on the flatter bottom half of the track.
Danny Hart carried great speed through some innovative lines but couldn't quite make up the time to beat Greg. His split time was almost identical to Peaty's, but pulled ahead on the flatter bottom half of the track.

Laurie Greenland was on a great run but careered off track in one spot loosing valuable time. He still managed 12th place 5.1 seconds off the pace which is a great result for the first year Elite.
Laurie Greenland was on a great run but left the track in one spot, losing valuable time. He still managed 12th place, 5.1 seconds off the pace, which is a great result for the first year Elite.

A notable change to the norm Taylor Vernon beat teammate Gee Atherton by one spot. Both were just 3 seconds off the pace but placed 8th and 9th showing just how tight times were at the top of the mens category.
A notable change to the norm, Taylor Vernon beat teammate Gee Atherton by one spot. Both were 3 seconds off Greg's pace, but placed 8th and 9th, showing just how tight times were at the top of the men's category.

Putting 5 seconds into Manon s time Tahn e Seagrave stormed into second place beating her 4th of 2015. She is settling into a steady but very fast pace this season interrupted only by her elbow injury.
Putting 5 seconds into Manon's time, Tahnee Seagrave stormed into second place, beating her 4th of 2015. She is settling into a steady but very fast pace this season, interrupted only by her elbow injury.

Fifth place for Marc Beaumont - which would be a podium if this was a World Cup Back on form and looking composed and aggressive on track.
Fifth place for Marc Beaumont - which would be a podium if this was a World Cup! Back on form and looking composed and aggressive on track.

Along with managing a team of fast riders Jack Reading still has time to thread his Nicolai down the Welsh slopes to a 6th place finish. Evidently the longest bike out there works on the tight stuff too
Along with managing a team of fast riders, Jack Reading still has time to thread his Nicolai down the Welsh slopes to a 6th place finish. Evidently the longest bike out there works on the tight stuff too!

Matt Walker won the Youth category last year at National Champs and retains his number one spot amongst the Juniors.
Matt Walker won the Youth category last year at National Champs, and retains his number one spot amongst the Juniors.

Not the run Adam Brayton was after but after a rough couple of weeks for everyone at Hope the short break until the next World Cup will be welcomed.
Not the run Adam Brayton was after, but after a rough couple of weeks for everyone at Hope the short break until the next World Cup will be welcomed.

The man of the moment Greg Williamson dropping out of the woods into the fast open bottom section of track.
The man of the moment Greg Williamson dropping out of the woods into the fast open bottom section of track.

Danny Hart s girlfriend Sophia Paull managed 4th place in the womens category not bad considering this was her first major downhill race.
Danny Hart's girlfriend Sophia Paull managed 4th place in the women's category: not bad considering this was her first major downhill race.

The pressure was on Matt Simmonds after Will Longden Matt Walker and Manon Carpenter finished 1st 1st and 3rd respectively. He beat his seeding time by 3 seconds and gained one position to finish 7th.
The pressure was on Matt Simmonds after Will Longden, Matt Walker and Manon Carpenter finished 1st, 1st and 3rd respectively. He beat his seeding time by 3 seconds and gained one position to finish 7th.

Josh Bryceland is a regular at Revolution and is comfortable on the rather unique terrain. He missed the podium by one step achieving 4th place.
Josh Bryceland is a regular at Revolution and is comfortable on the rather unique terrain. He missed the podium by one step, achieving 4th place.

That smile will remain for some time.
That smile will remain for some time.

Smiles all round in the finish area as Peat Ratboy and Craig Evans discuss their runs.
Smiles all round in the finish area as Peat, Ratboy and Craig Evans discuss their runs.

Senior Men s podium Greg Williamson Danny Hart Steve Peat.
Senior Men's podium: Greg Williamson, Danny Hart, Steve Peat.

Victory tastes sweet. Champagne showers for the Scotsman.
Victory tastes sweet. Champagne showers for the Scotsman.

Senior Women s podium Rachel Atherton Tahnee Seagrave Manon Carpenter.
Senior Women's podium: Rachel Atherton, Tahnee Seagrave, Manon Carpenter.

Mike Marsden ran a slick event and the overwhelming majority of people agreed the venue was fantastic. A big thanks must go to Mike and his crew for a great weekend racing.
Mike Marsden ran a slick event and the overwhelming majority of people agreed the venue was fantastic. A big thanks must go to Mike and his crew for a great weekend racing.

Your UK National Champions 2016.
Your UK National Champions 2016.


MENTIONS: @danhearn


Author Info:
danhearn avatar

Member since Feb 24, 2016
5 articles

77 Comments
  • 90 0
 F*cking Peaty!! Hell yes!
  • 7 0
 Boom - total and utter legend!!!!!
  • 4 0
 schooling the Rat.......unreal
  • 29 0
 Steve Peat. Balls out until the very end. DH gonna be a different place when he stops racing.

2009 UCI DH World Champion
3 x World Cup Champ (2002, 2004 & 2006)
9 x British Champ
2 x European Champ
17 World Cup wins
52 World cup podiums
Etc etc etc etc etc............
  • 8 0
 but is it gonna be that bad? sure we will all miss him on the course but as I understand it he is going into managin positions. a guy that knows the DH racing scene so well can hopefully get some authority over race organizing and make a lot of good.
  • 7 0
 Wut? Peat was 0.6 seconds from the top step? On one hand, that's obviously bad ass. On the other hand, it would've been bizarre if the Gandalf of DH won the Brit Natty race given the incredible depth of the field. And would it even be legal for the Brit Champ to retire from the WC circuit? Smile

But yeah, it's time for the Queen (or "watery tart") to tap his shoulders with a sword and put a formal "Sir" in front of his name.
  • 30 1
 PB can probably just cut and paste the women's final results for most of the WC season that's left...
  • 3 1
 I actually full blown LOLed then but it's so true
  • 10 1
 Myriam is back, a welcome return Smile
  • 6 2
 You're forgetting Tracey Hannah...
  • 31 4
 Hope Bryceland makes a comeback one of these seasons.
  • 22 3
 Geeee......something seems missing in this article....and from the podiums recently.....
  • 66 11
 He was busy practicing his look of distaste for the next Wyn Masters interview.
  • 25 1
 @h82crash: hahaha. He gets so much shit for that, but to be fair, not everyone is a fan of how outgoing Wyn is. Can't knock a bloke for being hard working and taking it seriously.
  • 6 0
 World champ curse then new bike is my theory... Not that he's doing badly, just not as epic as normal
  • 7 0
 @Grutten: For sure, that was meant as a all-in-fun gentle poke but I have full respect for his abilities. I don't fault Gee because he's a little more straight laced and serious than many on the circuit and I could see how someone like Wyn could push your buttons if you weren't in the mood for it. Gee's an awesome rider and I expect we'll see him on the podium again.
  • 2 1
 @Grutten: Could you provide the link to that interview? Thanks.
  • 2 7
flag CornishKiwi (Jul 18, 2016 at 23:58) (Below Threshold)
 I have to Echo that......since the last World Cup when he fell off...i've noticed he has just been a pile of.....Sh1t, I noticed the boys in the commentary booth at the last UCI didn't even bother bigging him up...it's quite embarrassing considering how utterly awesome his sister is.... oh well, time to step down and let Danny do his thing
  • 1 3
 @CornishKiwi: Maybe its time Gee went to Rach for some tips on staying at the top?
  • 2 0
 @h82crash: it was actually Rachel who Wyn p#seed off, Gee is most likely and understandably siding with his sister.
His dip in form may be because he can't push the bike too hard, or rumour has it anyway....
  • 1 0
 @hillman-hunter: Tell me more..
  • 1 0
 @hillman-hunter: Chain stays?
  • 13 0
 The British nationals are so stacked. Meanwhile in the U.S., Gwin put a 10 second gap on the field...
  • 3 0
 The field in all categories is amazing isn't it, it'd be good to have an article summarise some of the reasons behind it. I think dirt did something but it was more of a reflection piece on the current dominance
  • 2 0
 Its a world cup isn't it
  • 12 0
 Peaty should reconsider his DH racing retirement
  • 8 0
 He is only retiring from WC racing - I doubt he will stop racing uk events / enduros etc....
  • 4 0
 @Racer951: ^^This. I know it's pedantic, but I keep wanting to point this out every time I see the statement "he's retiring from DH racing". I feel confident in suggesting that he will continue to race his own race (Steel City) ,BDS events and some other random stuff. More importantly, he will continue to part of the mountain bike scene and turn beer into piss at majestic rate (hopefully at USAC races!)
  • 7 2
 Love the way Greg rides! This may be the last time a Scotsman wins the British national title if the post-Brexit secession happens...
  • 6 8
 What post-brexit secession ?
  • 7 0
 I think he's referring to a renewed interest in Scotland seceding from the UK based on Brexit vote passing.
  • 11 3
 not really any renewed interest, just our stupid first minister being an ass.
  • 5 3
 @poah: if the possibility of staying in the EU was guaranteed upon leaving the UK this would absolutely be the right move for Scotland. The big decisions made here in Scotland for us. The trade which goes on with the EU is vital for the Scottish economy. Beside all the facts there is the important stuff, we would have a worlds team meaning more Scottish riders getting the chance to race World Champs.

Greg boy!!! You killed it! Let's step er up and bring the Scots to the top step!
  • 9 4
 There is no possiblity. The choice to leave the EU was made by the UK as a whole so why can't people just respect this choice. We do more trade with the rest of the UK than other countries and trade deals will be made probably quite easily given the export from the EU we get. They don't want to be hit with import taxes and being out of the EU means you can make your own trade deals rather than waiting for the EU to do them. Getting out of the EU is a good thing for Scotland, its bizzare we Jimmy crankie can't see that.
  • 2 1
 @poah: quite offended your calling our first minister wee Jimmy Crankie.
Think the name your looking for is wee Nic Hitler.
  • 3 2
 “Aye, fight and you may die. Run and you’ll live- at least a while. And, dying in your beds many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom!

Awkward..
  • 7 3
 what has a racist drunk aussie's speach from a film got to do with anything?
  • 2 0
 @poah: it was funny!!
  • 6 1
 Danny and his now dh riding GF, Rachel Throop and Kyle, Jey and Paulline, I think, PB is missing some tastefull survey on the hottest couple in mtb.
  • 4 0
 Good for Greg, Rachel, Matt and Aston. Awesome result for Sophia considering her experience. Now can we have a video please?
  • 1 0
 Was just gonna ask if theres any vids, surly theres some rider-cam vids!
  • 5 0
 Danny hart is having an absolute cracker of a season, good on him
  • 1 0
 Well done Greg. And Henry. Northern boys doing great. Greg has shrunk if he is 5ft10 though. Lol.
Northern boys doing great. Greg 1st, henry 1st (with jet lag), Jamie 2nd. Old git 3rd (with a crash). Coles 4th. On a surface and track nothing like we are used to. 10 hours is one hell of a drive to get to a race.
  • 5 0
 Whats up with Gee man?
  • 1 0
 Great to see Harry Barrett up on the podium at his first National Champs with all the big names, and a 11 second winning margin in Juvenille as well, you were flying, "MINT" result
  • 5 1
 This could make picking their team for Worlds interesting.
  • 4 0
 How the f*ck does Peaty do that? The god father of Downhill for sure.
  • 2 0
 Red Bull can at Tahnee's feet, did Rachel set hers down or a sign of a future partnership?
  • 2 0
 seen her a few times holding the can in an obvious manner and at podiums - trying to send subliminal messages to RedBull sponsorship management I think - can fault the team fro trying lol
  • 3 2
 Pro riders asked for a root to be removed for been to slippy??? How about just get on with it, makes it more challenging if it's not easy
  • 7 0
 I assume you haven't been to revo.
  • 3 36
flag benasa (Jul 18, 2016 at 2:28) (Below Threshold)
 @jack-sprogis: i assume you are some revo regular? you little f*ggot!!!!
i bet you'd love a slippy root up your arse you cocky little teddybear muncher
  • 9 1
 @benasa: Ooooh you're an angry little so and so aren't you eh. Grow up.
  • 4 1
 Nobody said anything about pro riders asking for it to be removed
  • 4 0
 The root was sticking up in the air just before a drop off, so it was quite dangerous!
  • 2 0
 Haha I cut it out to keep the track flowing properly.
  • 1 0
 It's pants that the root was removed. Then they blocked off a line late on Saturday that many riders had used all day and was there when we walked the track at 2000 on Friday night. They should have removed the next root too.... I crashed into the tree after it on my race run. Lol
  • 1 0
 @betsie: Yeh and that steep bit afterwards with the deep holes, my ribs were getting a pounding down there, these courses are just too hard for us old #bronzemedal boys Wink Big Grin
  • 1 0
 @s100mphplus: your rubs must have been really sore. Track was pretty tame, especially compared to Aberfeldy champs track.
  • 1 1
 @jack-sprogis: been many times wet and dry always had a blast even when it's slippy.
  • 1 0
 @s100mphplus: wasn't that root steve. They left that one in... someone pulled it out on saturday night Smile got my red plimmys dirty doing it.
  • 2 0
 When folks do the 'Y' with their arms on podium i always think of ymca...strange cycling deal there.
  • 1 0
 Is it just me, or does Gregs shock look a little different? (Like its missing the oil can, or is it off to the side?)
  • 2 0
 Never mind, it's in the seattube.
  • 1 0
 I hope the Dutch National champs jersey has a Union flag on it just to confuse people even further
  • 2 0
 Steve Jones winning the masters, yaaaay! Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Wonder when Rachel Atherton is going to get sone serious competition again. Even on the world stage no one can beat her.
  • 3 0
 Hellll yeahhh Peatyyyyy
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