Astrix Europe Caersws Cup Round 2

No curse this time at Caersws. We did have a few showers but then we had glorious hot sunny weather and dust! Even Hensley enjoyed himself this weekend just west of Welshpool in deepest, darkest Wales.

The only nightmare was trying to get down this National course in one go, read on..Pictures by Ryan Edwards.


Caersws is known for it's super quick uplifts, not this weekend though. After British Cycling, the governing body for our sport here in the U.K saw a certain picture from a race report here on Pinkbike where the rules were being slightly bent. Health and Saftey gone mad, we now have to ensure all bikes and riders are separated. Therefore twice the amount of tractors, trailers, drivers, fuel costs, queues and erosion. Who's to blame? The race repo on Pinkbike maybe.. sorry lads.


There are a handful of tracks at Caersws all of which are steep and technical. No change this weekend with the National course as it's called. Five seconds off the start hill and bang into the big Kahuna blind double step down. How many jumped this? Not many as the thought of hooking up the back wheel on the huge log that lay across the track and raised two feet in the air would certainly kill you.


Off camber central next with umpteen line choices between the trees, elbows in, hips twisted and hold tight. I was following Sion Whitecross in practice here when he slipped out: Feet, head, feet, head, feet, head, you get the picture. He tumbled down the side of the track for several seconds before coming to a stop against a tree.


Onto the fire road for 0.2 seconds then chuck the parachute out and anchor down for the next corner which was mega steep and slippy under rubber. Chris Roberts the race organizer was seen up there Saturday evening building up more of a berm to catch the riders so many thanks from us all.


Next we dropped onto the fire road at Mach III and hit the doubles before dropping into more steepness. Then stepping down into possibly the best berm in the land, a super sweet right hander at Mach II before launching the 30ft table, catch the backside and whoosh! Break check on the bus stop before launching the step down bomb hole and then the mega one. Flat out into the massive step down, get the downside and you flew out of the woods like a human cannonball into the open field. Spin, tuck and hold on as your eyes watered even behind the goggles as you sailed across the line. Under 2 minutes was on it, short and sweet, yes. Easy? Hell no..


Come podium time another very lucky rider went home with the biggest smile of the weekend. Out of the hat was pulled Master rider Mark Jenkins number and he went home with a brand new 2009 Astrix Havoc Frame! All courtesy of Chris from RHUK.

Fastest time of the day was won by Ellsworth rider Jack Reading in Experts with a time of 1.34.488 and took home £100 cash courtesy of Pete Yates Cycles.


The next round is on July 11/12th and is also the English Championships with Category D ranking and therefore points down to fourtieth place! That means enough points to enter the MSC/Descent-Gear NPS. Any one from anywhere can enter. If you are from England then you could be crowned English Champion!


Hardtail
WEBB Tim 2:08.128
BOARDMAN Aj Maw Cycles 2:08.305
LEWIS Ryan Extreme Culture 2:09.661

Juvenile
ATWILL Philip 1:49.613
GREENLAND Laurie 1:56.529
BOWEN Dan Dare Valley Cycles 1:56.608

Youth
LOVE Brandon 1:39.620
SHAW Jim W Homer Cycles 1:42.280
WAKEFIELD Sam 1:44.966

Junior
COLLINS Charlie 1:41.390
MATHER Brad Empire Cycles 1:42.689
MOORE Joel Team Skene 1:43.354

Veteran
RAMSAY Seb North West Mountain Bike Centre 1:48.425
COBB John 1:48.734
COCHRANE Graeme 1:53.572

Senior Women
BARTLEMAN Lianne 2:19.226

Juvenile Women
HUGHES Charlotte 2:43.047

Master Women
LANGMAID Anne Ticket2RideBC/Descent-Gear 2:52.999

Master
BISHOP Joe Zero G 1:39.920
LIST David Stourport Specialist Cycles 1:43.178
BAGGOTT Simon 1:46.382

Senior
BURTON Oli 1:39.697
RUSSELL Dale 1:39.751
HOOPER Oli 1:41.262

Expert
READING Jack 1:34.488
WHITECROSS Sion 1:35.871
SINDEN Chris Phil Corley Cycles 1:36.642

Elite
BRAIN Jon Pearce Cycles Race Team 1:35.642
FLORIAN Alex Pearce Cycles Race Team 1:39.254

After destroying my rear mech hanger before practice on Sunday, I had to go chainless. With a slightly illegal push off the start (I hope BC aren't reading Pinkbike again) we were off. Amazing how much faster and smoother you go when you know you have no drive train.


For more info on the Caersws Cup please chlick here.Caersws Cup

This weekend I'll be at the BMX National at Burnham on Sea, might see you there.

Stay Unclipped!

Si..
Descent-Gear.com
Troy Lee Moto Shorts 64.99GBP

Posted In:
Stories Reader Stories