Madison Saracen Factory Race Team - Shimano BDS Four, Llangollen

Just back from their World Cup-leading rides in Austria, the team were excited about racing again in the UK and on the infamous Llangollen hillside in a scenic valley, rising from the River Dee, they couldn’t have chosen a better spot. Made all the better by the sun making an appearance on Sunday for the final, when the local crowds came in to watch some of the best riders in the World, tackle one of the most technically demanding tracks in the UK. They were in for a treat!







Our Welsh isn’t great (even though Manon tells us she’s from Wales!) but we are pretty sure the Welsh word for steep and gnarly is ‘Llangollen’ So it was no surprise as the team walked the track on Friday afternoon to find that familiar vertical forest and a track littered with what could best be described as ‘a proper challenge’ to get stuck into. Steep rooty drops into tight corners, greasy off camber dirt and rock. With one turn leading quickly into the next and little time to correct any errors, without being rewarded by a friendly nudge by the nearest tree to push you back on line, if you were lucky. Two thirds of the way in and the track bursts out the forest to the faster open land, a groove dug out through years of spike tyres clawing for grip in the Welsh hillside, can be a help to keep you on track and provided a spectacular finish for the crowds who worked their way right up the hill to cheer on the riders on Sunday. Finding out it was almost impossible to walk up; they had huge respect for the riders trying to race down.








Saturday was a day of mud, grease and that beautiful Welsh misty drizzle, the riders had found a way down the hill by dinner time but not before working a tough apprenticeship, shoulder barging trees and sliding on their arses! No damage done though and the team agreed it was great to have a track that really challenged the riders and took some figuring out as weather and conditions changed through the day. Not one rider crossed the finish line in practice without a muddy stamp approval somewhere on their race kit.








Race day then and with weather improving, it was set to be an even tougher track for the riders in the morning, as it dried and became a little more greasy. This improved through the day though and everything was in prime condition for the finals.


As usual Manon was first up and despite giving a tree a thump for getting in her way during her qualifying run, she was keen to get back up the hill for her final and put things right, even if that meant doing it somewhat one handed. It was a tough challenge that she took on with her usual determination and she was happy to come through the finish line in 2nd place despite the issues of the day. A ride that consolidates her lead in the BDS overall with just one round remaining in September, where she will be keen to finish the job off properly with a win.









Matt was next up and in his own words, had a clean run. He was feet up and on line everywhere. On a track like this that can either mean you’re on the run of your life or perhaps you are riding a little on the safe side. He sprinted down the long grass finish field and crossed the line into 3rd place with a few more riders to go. Eventually finishing 7th, just off the podium he was disappointed but knew on this short and technical track, perhaps an all out attack was needed. Never the less, happy to be leaving in one piece and with decent points in the bag towards the BDS series overall.





Sam was last man standing for the team, with Kazuki back in Japan, preparing for his National Championships in a few weeks time. Sam was loving the track and despite his considerable size and weight, managing to get him and the bike slowed up enough to get round the tight corners after the fast shoot, drop-ins. His time at the split showed perhaps he had a little issue with the trees getting in the way and had just over two seconds to find in the bottom section. Just as he has at the World Cups, he showed good strength and made back the lost time, going into the PRO hot seat and watched the remaining riders on the hill. Eventually his run was good enough for a podium spot in 5th place, a result he was happy with, given the amount of top riders that live local to the Llangollen track.







The season takes a mini break now through the beginning of July, before resuming with the pinnacle of the UK calendar, the British National Championships. As we are the number one ranked nation, this is a title that holds great esteem for riders, sponsors and teams alike. We head to Innerleithen in Scotland for this years Championships before the team gets back on the World Cup trail, hunting for points and prizes in Canada then Windham USA. So as we sit at the mid-way point, with some great team results in the bag, we really have to dig deep now to make sure we finish off in style, what we have started.