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Aston Hill Downhill Race - Back on Black 2016

Apr 21, 2016
by Ian Warby  
Aston Hill’s Black Run Race is the annual chance for Downhill Racers from across the South to pitch their skills and nerve against one of the South’s most infamous downhill runs. Clocking up 19yrs of downhill racing on the hallowed Chiltern escarpment, for some, it was their first time racing where as for others they knew what the Black Run had in store. One thing was for sure an action packed day of Downhill Racing was on the cards.

Coming into the race the weather was going to be key. With dry and dusty conditions mid-week giving those with time on their hands a chance to put in a few dusty practice runs. With the Track taped ready for the RAF Downhill Team Training with B1KE on Friday it gave everyone a chance to check out the little race tweaks. A couple on the top section of the Track putting in more pedalling and then a new section from the bottom of the steep section with a new drop off linking into a long section off camber and then the bottom of the XC Trail before a pedal back over the ridge and into the usual Black Run finish.

Aston Hill Downhill Race - Back on Black 2016

Unsurprisingly the pedal at the bottom of the Track was the talking point for most. A good 10-second sprint uphill for the fittest and far from the classic flat-out bottom section of the Black Run that the racers were used to. However, Friday morning dawned and the weather had turned to persistent rain, which had quickly turned the dry and dusty trails into a slippery mess. Depending on your viewpoint the weather obviously didn’t like the pedalling section either and it was clear that riders weren’t able to generate any traction and even those with the required pedal power were going to struggle to make it to the finish. A change was needed.

Early on Saturday morning the Aston Hill Committee met to clear and build an alternative finish. Diving the Track down over the XC and joining up with the bottom section of the Red Run to ride the final berm before diving off track just before the boardwalk. A quick fix for the pedalling section with limited time. Saturday’s practice was wet and wild, everyone struggled to find any grip anywhere on course with the steep chalky section providing the biggest issues as riders slithered their way through the tight left, then right on the steepest section of the track. With the weather forecast for Sunday looking better many riders opted not to ride, but for those that did it was certainly a memorable days practice and in terms of mud it will go down in Aston Hill folk law, it was epic!

Aston Hill Downhill Race - Back on Black 2016

Sunday morning dawned and the weather forecasters were right for a change. Blue skies and bright sunshine greeted the riders along with a touch of overnight frost to keep things drying out nicely. With practice underway, the early riders were doing all the hard work clearing the mud for the riders holding out on their practice runs. The Track wasn’t drying as quick as everyone was wishing it would though and practice was still an epic display of riding and sliding skills. As race time neared it wasn't just the sunshine that was heating things up nicely. Competition in the categories was going to be as close as always but who would be able to master the mental and physical skills needed to put in a winning run on the Black Run.

Aston Hill Downhill Race - Back on Black 2016

Aston Hill Downhill Race - Back on Black 2016

Young Ripper - 12 and Under

Kenzie Nevard (Kona UK) has had an amazing start to his 2016 race campaign, racing back from Steve Peat’s Steel City Race in Sheffield, where he scored a second place the day before to race on home turf. A mistake on his first run saw him sitting in second behind Toby Driscoll. On the second run, he put things right though going 7-seconds quicker and adding yet another first place to his packed racing CV. Toby held onto second and Achill Sweeney (B1KE DeVo) came home in 3rd place.

Kenzie Nevard - Kona UK - 2.01.88
Toby Driscoll - 2.05.01
Achill Sweeney - B1KE DeVo - 2.11.27

Hard Tail 12 years Plus

Racing a Hardtail (a bike with no rear suspension) down the Black Run is no mean feat. The steep rooty and technical Track is a real test on a full suspension bike so for a Hardtail it’s a proper mission. Ben Robbins put together a superb second run to take the win with a 1.56.19. Adam Fieldsend (Royal Air Force CA) put his B1KE Skills Training on the Friday to good use to come home in second on a 1.58.98. Dan Hart rounded out the top three with just over 2 minutes dead, recording some amazing times for the track conditions.

Ben Robbins - 1.56.19
Adam Fieldsend - Royal Air Force CA - 1.58.98
Dan Hart - 2.00.06

Women 12 years Plus

The RAF Downhill Team and EWS regular Fay Jordan put together an amazing first run to set the pace. Team Aston Hill’s Megan Harris wasn't happy with her first run though as a couple of mistakes had cost her time. With the track drying for run two Fay knew she’d have her work cut out to hold off the fast charging youngster. Meg stopped the clock on 1.59.54 on run two putting together a clear run. Fay went faster but didn’t find enough time to challenge Meg. Gabrielle Gelgotate took 3rd place and Katie Sweeting rounded out the Women’s category.

Meghan Harris - Team Aston Hill/Banshee Bikes - 1.59.54
Fay Jordan - Royal Air Force CA - 2.08.64
Gabrielle Gelgotate - 2.16.16
Katie Sweeting - Royal Air Force CA - 2.22.44

Juvenille Men 13 - 14 years old

Sion Margrave (Whisper RDT) set the pace and lead the pack home on his first run with Jeremy Coe (Team B1KE) hot on his heals. Team Aston Hill’s Fin Stockings had a nightmare first run catching falling riders which culminated in a Red Flagged Run and re-run. So with it all to play for on run two everyone set about setting a faster time. Sion took just over 3 seconds off his time to secure the top spot Jeremy went over 6 seconds faster and Fin sliced off 2 seconds to secure them in the top three places.

Sion Margrave - Whisper RDT - 1.47.89
Jeremy Coe - Team B1KE - 1.49.03
Finn Stockings - Team Aston Hill/Banshee Bikes - 1.49.14

Youth Men 15 - 16 years old

Another category with strength in depth and it showed with how tight the times were for the top three. Jordan Beighton (Kreek Racing Team) set the pace on his first run clocking a time of 1.37.82 giving him a clear lead from Team Aston Hilll’s Josh Mead. But on the second run it was Riley Jenner that set the pace with a time of 1.37.13 just 0.26 ahead of Josh and 0.69 ahead of Jordan who was bumped down to third place on the day.

Riley Jenner - 1.37.13
Josh Mead - Team Aston Hill/Banshee Bikes - 1.37.39
Jordan Beighton - Kreek Racing Team - 1.37.82

Junior Men 17-18 years old

Mikrotime needed every thousandth of a second to separate the Juniors too. Owen Martin (Grip Bikes) set the pace on his first run only to loose out by 0.54 of a second to William Easey who set the pace on his second with a 1.40.41. Harry Farnhill rounded out the top three a further 2.44 seconds back in 3rd.

William Easy - 1.40.41
Owen Martin - Grips Bikes - 0.54
Harry Farnhill - 1.42.85

Aston Hill Downhill Race - Back on Black 2016

Senior Men 19 - 29 years old

Aston Hill Downhill Race - Back on Black 2016

Warren Field wasted no time in getting to the bottom of the hill in both of his runs. Setting a scorching 1.35.46 on his first run only to better that to 1.32.82 on his second securing the win by a 3.21 second margin from Sean Topping in 2nd and Chris Cockrill (Team B1KE) in third place.

Warren Field - 1.32.82
Sean Topping - 1.36.03
Chris Cockrill - Team B1KE - 1.37.94

Aston Hill Downhill Race - Back on Black 2016

Master Men - 30 - 39 years old

In the Master’s Men race all eyes were on John Holbrook who was making his return to racing after a break of four years. After a second run that saw John sitting in second place he knew he had it all to do to make it the dream comeback as Brad Hale set the pace. With the track drying fast and motivation set to max John flew down the Track to record a 1.33.19 on his second run to make the dream comeback complete. Brad secured second spot and Chris Spooner showed that despite not racing he’s still got the pace when he needs it coming home in third place just 1 tenth of a second behind Brad.

John Holbrook - 1.33.19
Brad Hale - 1.35.90
Chris Spooner - 1.35.91

Veteran Men 40 years of age plus

If it came down to mental age there’s no doubt the Vets would still be racing in one of the Junior Categories. Of course there’s always the motivation there to take the win and Guy Theron was the man on form. However, Lee Nevard was motivated not to let his son Kenzie be the only Nevard with bragging rights come Sunday evening. With Guy setting the pace on Run 1 Lee gave it everything on his second run to take the win by 2.13 seconds from Guy with a time of 1.41.33. Shane Maciak rounded out the top three on a 1.44.58.

Lee Nevard - 1.41.33
Guy Theron - 1.43.46
Shane Maciak - 1.44.58

Aston Hill Downhill Race - Back on Black 2016

Elite/Expert Men

Of course winning the Black Run guarantee’s that rider bragging rights for the next 12 months and with Al Warrel, Glenroy Martin and Darren Evans all Aston Hill regulars the competition for first spot was as fierce as ever. Al had been looking quick all weekend excelling on the slippery slopes of Aston Hill. Glenroy always makes the toughest of Tracks look easy and of course Darren (Die Hard) Evans always throws a curve ball into the mix racing on his Hardtail. On the first runs Al stopped the clock on a 1.32.31 which looked like it could be the winning time until Glenroy stooped the clock nearly a second quicker with a 1.31.30 it was all eyes on the hill for Darren. Clashing with a slower rider as he dropped into the finish he stopped the clock on 1.30.24 and set the time to beat.

With the Track drying out for the second runs it was all the play for. Al set the new benchmark taking his run time sub 1 minute 30 with a 1.28.27 and it was all eyes to the finish to see Glenroy cross the line with a time of 1.28.24 just 4 tenths faster. Then Darren flew into view, peddling hard it was clear that something wasn’t quite right, but it all was all eyes to the timing screen as he crossed the finishing line. Darren had done it! 1.28.07 the fastest time of the day and the win in the category all with a punctured rear tyre, amazing! For the top three it was one of the closest top three finishes in Black Run history and without Mikrotime there would have been no way of splitting the riders.

Darren Evans - B1KE - 1.28.07
Glenroy Martin - Grip Cycles - 1.28.24
Al Warrel - Team Aston Hill/Banshee Bikes - 1.28.27

Aston Hill Downhill Race - Back on Black 2016

Thanks to the Aston Hill Mountain Bike Club and everyone that help organise the race despite the challenging weather. Look out for the next Downhill Race on Aston Hill on Sunday 4th September when the Mash Up will be back! We can’t wait! astonhillbikepark.co.uk

All Photos Credit: John Martin

In the meantime if you’ve always fancied giving Downhill Racing a go but have always worried about the Track and your skill level stopping you from getting started then check out Tidworth Freeride’s Root 1 Racing on Sunday 1st May. It’s aimed at first times and experienced racers alike and races down Tidworth Freerides Sicknote Downhill which is completely rollable and the perfect Track to get off to a great start when it comes to Downhill Racing. For more information and to Enter go to b1ke.com/root1racing


MENTIONS: @B1KE



Author Info:
B1KE avatar

Member since Feb 3, 2015
4 articles

14 Comments
  • 5 0
 It was an epic race weekend indeed. Check this link guys for a video Smile
youtu.be/o5tok38mHAk
  • 3 0
 Respect to all for getting down that track in the wet.
  • 1 0
 It was such a great race, had a lot of fun, even though practice was horrendous. #165 Masters.
  • 1 0
 Made pinkbike again!! Im defo famous!! Stoked!!!
  • 1 0
 Them roots in the rain , only for the headstrong. Roll on Tidworth May 1st
  • 1 0
 Was especially sketchy on a hardtail Wink
  • 1 0
 @Scotj009: my mate came 2ND last year , are you doing tidworth ?
  • 1 0
 @Scotj009: how did you get on ? Danny Hart was third lol
  • 1 0
 Not the real danny Hart though, I came fourth piped to the post by 6 seconds cause I washed out on the loamy bit
  • 1 0
 Not dh, doing an enduro in a couple of weeks or so
  • 1 0
 @Scotj009: hey well done scot! I had trouble getting down the red run the other day it was so slick. The Black looks terrifying in the dry!
  • 1 0
 @alexhyland: yeah was scary, didn't do one section untill my race run but i got by ok in the end Smile
  • 1 0
 Yeah Darren - top work!!
  • 1 0
 nice







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