Saracen BDS: Round 4 Llangollen - Saturday Practice
Into it we go, Saracen BDS Round 4 here in Llangollen, North Wales is in full effect this weekend and what was predicted to be muddy, wet and miserable has turned into some damn dusty good times here at Saturday's practice.
An amazing turn out of riders with a quite a few big names thrown into the bunch is going to make for some exciting action come Sunday, but before that comes around, get your DH action fix from the riders of track today.
Come down on Sunday to join us for some BDS downhill action...going to be a stormer! Postcode: LL20 8AR or get involved and watch it on the live stream.
Photography: Laurence Crossman-Emms // www.laurence-ce.com
An amazing turn out of riders with a quite a few big names thrown into the bunch is going to make for some exciting action come Sunday, but before that comes around, get your DH action fix from the riders of track today.
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 Flying high at full mast, the Welsh flag welcomes you to the hillside, where the teams are ready, the bacon and sausages are on and the trail is dusty...let's go racing. |
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| Tools all out, clean and ready for Saturday Practice here in Llangollen. |
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| Plenty of riders here on the hill this weekend. Always good to see so much talent at British downhill races. |
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| So many riders out on track that at times it turned into a bit of a mega train, until the rider at the front took a tumble and it all turned into a bit of a pile up on some corners. |
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| Despite an on going ankle injury, Nigel Paige is still gracing the hill with his presence and still seeming on form. Probably not what his doctor recommended, but A+ for effort on coming out to ride! |
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| Sliding his way down in the mud and making the podium here last year, Bernard Kerr was looking pinned in practice and shouldn't be dismissed when thinking of your top finishers on Sunday. |
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| Back on flats this round and seemingly having fun so far, Brendan will be keen to show off with a fast time, something he has struggled to do so far this year. Don't think he was feeling it after seeing him roll down with a flat, something he has been rather good at this season. |
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| The costumes are out already...and it's only practice day! |
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| 14th here last year, Jack Reading will be looking to make an improvement and would love to walk away with his first win this season. |
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| Carnage Corner with all the techy roots claiming a few unsuspecting riders today. Plenty of steep off camber roots to sink your teeth into here...literally! |
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| The man on everyone's radar, Gee Atherton. With both Rachel and himself coming off double World Cup wins, the crown here at Llangollen will be the icing on the cake for this month. |
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| Corner bombs going off everywhere on this track. A few blown up corners making for some interesting lines. |
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| Being chased by Junior pinner Mike Jones, Matt will have to turn up the gas to make a gap...Mike is looking lit. |
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| After looking strong at both recent World Cups but not quite making the results, Matt and Joe will be looking to put in podium worthy runs this weekend. |
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| Top tip for the day...take a tumble and bust your self, use your jersey as a makeshift sling...you wont be needing it this weekend anymore. Healing vibes little dude. |
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| Gazzy B taking in the views whilst riding his bike. Llangollen is a pretty amazing place to come play on two wheels. |
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| Major hats off to the uplift crew today. Uplift service has been running the best I have seen in a long time. Barely a wait at the bottom and plenty of spaces of wagons or buses. Top job...same again for Sunday please! |
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| Someone who will be looking to grace the top of the podium this weekend, Rachel Atherton was looking determined but relaxed in practice whilst out riding with Ben Reid. |
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| A few extended red flags giving the riders the chance to hike back up and check out the new developing lines throughout the track. |
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| Dropping into the final classic step downs and into the field for what can only feel like an extended sprint section. |
Come down on Sunday to join us for some BDS downhill action...going to be a stormer! Postcode: LL20 8AR or get involved and watch it on the live stream.
Photography: Laurence Crossman-Emms // www.laurence-ce.com
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I'll tell him the nice things you said when i see him in the week
Awesome rider though and a top bloke. Fantastic teacher too, as I had the benefit of finding out on one of his skills courses a few years back.