SDA Round 1: Ae Forest - Video
Ae is a staple venue of the Scottish DH and Enduro scenes – granted it’s been raced for over 20 years now – but new faces, new course variations and bikes have always kept the challenge fresh and the first round of the Scottish DH race series was no different.
With the SDA crew arriving Thursday evening, aided by Drew Carters et al, they dug in some cheeky new sections to keep the 180 racers at this event on their toes. The SDA races are a mix of serious racers keen to get regional practice in before bigger races and newcomers to the sport looking for a relaxed entry race to the sport of DH. Pro it is not, but it is laid back and exceptionally well run with the focus on riders taking part.
A clash with the first SES round and PMBA at Grizedale was unfortunate. However, that doesn’t really affect the riders who turned up, as they looked to be having more fun than anyone else all weekend. A myriad of weather conditions added to either the sense of wild fun or trepidation, (depending on your viewpoint of this track) and tyre choice was a mix up between Shortys, Magic Marys and we even spotted emerging brand Vittoria’s MOTA on more than a few bikes.
Your race winner, Ben Cathro
Cathro is fast becoming a legend both on and off screen. Is he faster than he used to be? It’s hard to say but he’s made the SDA series his bread and butter with consistency, speed and a calm approach. To beat both Reece Wilson and Adam Brayton by under a second, and the rest of the Elite field by a considerable margin is no mean feat on a short track like this. Expect a Vlog soon, and make sure you tune into Cathro vision.
Does this make up for dropping into second by less than a second? Reece Wilson winning style contest for the weekend.
Junior winner Adam Beattie
Adrenaline uplift and Progression bikes were on hand to add some comfort to the uplift while the bikes were securely placed on trailers and dodgy tunes were played on the way up the hill.
The main talking point was weather SDA and Youtube superstar Ben Cathro would keep his “fortress” safe from the marauding world cup riders who had made the trip, or if they would be playing it safe with bigger fish to fry in a weeks time. Other topics discussed at length were line choice on the first off-camber, weather the inside or outside was fastest on the 180 left before the tight yet fast single track section into the finish. Alan Blyth’s dress sense was also another…….
The menacing trio - Rushton, Brayton, Whyte.
Gas to Flat taking 3rd, less than a second from first. His eyes are on a bigger prize.
Rosy Monaghan is a pinner. 1st junior and fastest female overall.
Course taper Drew Carters took out the expert race.
Cathro ripping tyres off the rims with sheer G force.
2nd place masters rider Alan Blyth brought the style... ermmm
Chilled vibes at the SDA
James Purvis looked pinned all weekend and took an 8th in Elite on board his new Bergamont.
How fast? Juvenile winner William Brodie.
James Eliot is going to be one to watch. Part of the Madison Development team, the lad from Newcastle is flying.
[PI=15807266 nopbcaptionKatie Purvis took 2nd in junior women.][/PI]
The uplift queues were relatively fast moving and most of the 180 rides got multiple runs in.
James Wilsion.
By the looks of the pace on track this week, riders in all categories were ready to race and keeping it lit was name of the game! With such a positive start to the season, 2018 looks like it will gather momentum heading towards summer and round 2; A British / SDA doubleheader at Fort William.
Thanks to Keith Bremner for the photos.
Full results can be found on Roots and Rain.
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5 Comments
But must stop in and have a few laps the next time I am down the M74