Shimano British Downhill Series 2016: Round Four, Moelfre - Practice Report
The Shimano British Downhill Series is back for round four at Moelfre. A track originally built by Dan Atherton. It's a fast flowing, natural, rocky track that stretches over 2.32km. The fastest time set on the track is a 2:30 by Matt Simmonds. Will he be able to hold his fastest time this weekend?
![Shimano British Downhill Series 2016 Round Four Moelfre]()
With the weather being sunny and windy the track was dusty as can be. That also meant a lot of punctures for many riders as the sharp rocks were exposed throughout the day. The track started off with a few pedal strokes out the start gate and across a hillside slope that sent riders bouncing off mounds of grass. The constantly windy conditions at the top had riders keeping low in order to keep their speed.
![Shimano British Downhill Series 2016 Round Four Moelfre]()
Off a rock roller. The middle being the most effective line had most of the riders going over it. However, some riders opted to take a bigger drop on the side. It was then into the bomb hole. If you didn’t have enough speed it meant a horrible case, a small buck to keep you going into the first two berms.
![Shimano British Downhill Series 2016 Round Four Moelfre]()
![Shimano British Downhill Series 2016 Round Four Moelfre]()
The next berm took riders over the first table top. It was then into two switchbacks, the first of which was all foot out flat out for the fast approaching riders. Back in the air and over 'Big Bertha' (a rather big table top). Some riders were finding this difficult to clear after the change in size from last year.
![Shimano British Downhill Series 2016 Round Four Moelfre]()
![Shimano British Downhill Series 2016 Round Four Moelfre]()
The middle section of the track consisted of steep chutes, twists and turns and more berms. This section had the riders divided, either going straight down the chute or around the berm. Though dropping straight down was a bit sketchier it was definitely the faster line.
![Shimano British Downhill Series 2016 Round Four Moelfre]()
![Shimano British Downhill Series 2016 Round Four Moelfre]()
Despite the track being bone dry the river crossing across the fire road left riders a bit wet. A series of jumps, rock faces, and drops brought the riders around the hillside down a pedalling straight.
![Shimano British Downhill Series 2016 Round Four Moelfre]()
It was then into the 4X jumps. Dialling these jumps was essential as casing the jumps left riders with no speed and straight on the pedals. The last jump steered the riders over a small drop, around two berms, and the only two trees on track! The track finished with a nice sprint to the finish to get legs burning.
![Shimano British Downhill Series 2016 Round Four Moelfre]()
Stay with us for tomorrow's racing and keep track with live timing.
MENTIONS: @BritishDownhillseries / @shimano / @TheHillsAreAlive
With the weather being sunny and windy the track was dusty as can be. That also meant a lot of punctures for many riders as the sharp rocks were exposed throughout the day. The track started off with a few pedal strokes out the start gate and across a hillside slope that sent riders bouncing off mounds of grass. The constantly windy conditions at the top had riders keeping low in order to keep their speed.
Full speed out the start gate
Off a rock roller. The middle being the most effective line had most of the riders going over it. However, some riders opted to take a bigger drop on the side. It was then into the bomb hole. If you didn’t have enough speed it meant a horrible case, a small buck to keep you going into the first two berms.
Jay Williamson flying over the bomb hole.
The next berm took riders over the first table top. It was then into two switchbacks, the first of which was all foot out flat out for the fast approaching riders. Back in the air and over 'Big Bertha' (a rather big table top). Some riders were finding this difficult to clear after the change in size from last year.
James Purvis getting loose in the berms.
Junior rider, Louis Meade hitting it big.
The middle section of the track consisted of steep chutes, twists and turns and more berms. This section had the riders divided, either going straight down the chute or around the berm. Though dropping straight down was a bit sketchier it was definitely the faster line.
Kade Edwards pushing it to the edge.
Through the river and over the fire road
Despite the track being bone dry the river crossing across the fire road left riders a bit wet. A series of jumps, rock faces, and drops brought the riders around the hillside down a pedalling straight.
The open track with passing uplift let riders observe while they made their way to the top.
It was then into the 4X jumps. Dialling these jumps was essential as casing the jumps left riders with no speed and straight on the pedals. The last jump steered the riders over a small drop, around two berms, and the only two trees on track! The track finished with a nice sprint to the finish to get legs burning.
The end of the track is near, the last jump into the final berm.
Stay with us for tomorrow's racing and keep track with live timing.
MENTIONS: @BritishDownhillseries / @shimano / @TheHillsAreAlive
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10 Comments
- 10 1
jgdblue
(Jun 25, 2016 at 21:57)
I think the Brits voted to leave the Pinkbike comments section.
- 16 1
notphaedrus
(Jun 26, 2016 at 1:45)
Ha ha.... Very funny.... But why are we still saying the track is 2.32km long? Miles, gallons and pounds, shillings and pence.... it's the way forward! Oh and 26 inch wheels 
- 10 3
takeiteasyridehard
(Jun 25, 2016 at 18:16)
Huh, i must be dreaming. I swear I see dust and a British dh track...
- 10 1
Triber66
(Jun 25, 2016 at 20:09)
Felt kinda bad about you being the only person to have commented, so, I'm here for moral support.
- 5 0
DC1988
(Jun 25, 2016 at 23:40)
I must be dreaming to as it's been pissing it down everywhere else in the country. And we'll only just be waking up in the UK hence no comments!
- 2 0
notphaedrus
(Jun 26, 2016 at 1:47)
@DC1988: Still sunny at the race right now, but rain due to come in a 2pm, so will dampen the dust a bit...
- 2 0
BorakTheCrazyHobbit
(Jun 26, 2016 at 14:24)
Dont worry it Pissed it down for racing!
- 1 0
bpjumpdirt
(Jun 27, 2016 at 12:26)
It's imported
- 5 4
VwHarman
(Jun 25, 2016 at 22:16)
@jdgblue Ha! Nice, a Pinkbike Brexit! I think it is like 6:15 am right now roughly. They are all about to wake up for a morning deuce and mobile check of the site. I think soon this will be bombarded with comments...As a side note, the BDS is such a sick series. I hope you Brits know how lucky you are to have an incredible National series!
- 1 0
TheArbez
(Jun 26, 2016 at 8:19)
Looks like a great time. The pictures are nice, but the grammatical errors are more annoying than Elixirs getting doused. C'mon Pinkbike, hire an editor.
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