FNSS 2009 Race 5 Cosford1

Smiffy and James win again

Smiffys Report:
I got out of bed on Friday morning with only one thing on my mind (I’m talking about MTB racing, I promise!), that only a win tonight at Cosford would suffice – anything less would be potential points lost rather than gained. Having looked at the standings so far, I could see myself and Paul Ashby (Fat Birds) on 2 wins and a second place each, with only my 4th at the first round separating us. With good fortune I’d be able to drop this 4th place result later on, but thinking long-term for the championship effectively we’re neck-and-neck. That’s why only a win would do; big words perhaps and it may come across as a bit pretentious to other racers but that was may aim.

With luck, Mountain Mayhem would draw some competition away – something tells me everyone thought this because, but for Ashby himself and Steve Large (unatt), all the usual suspects lined up for the start; namely Phil Roach (Rugby Velo) and both Jef Sharp and John McAndrew (both OTH Ben Heyward). I steeled myself for the start which was in the second wave some 3 minutes behind the seniors, and shot off the front at the whistle. My intention was to take the sting out of the opposition up this first climb abd hopefully get a lead.

It sort of worked; for a start Roach was holding close attendance but he and Sharp swapped positions somewhere just after the start of lap two, because it was Sharp who made a determined attack and passed me going up the long climb next to the woods early on lap two. Such was his speed I didn’t believe I would be able to hang on, but he soon eased as the effort told and I was able to latch back on towards the end of this lap. No disrespect to Jef meant, but he was practically stopping in some of the corners, and I actually hit him negotiating traffic just at the top of the single-track that started lap 3, wrapping a bar-end around a tree and spilling off. The stop was very brief, but sensing his chance Sharp took off at speed. This time up the long fire-road climb he’d gapped me properly, and held me at arms length for the whole of the single-track section at the top of the circuit. On the drop back down towards the farthest corner of the circuit I was able to use my full suspension to advantage, and fairly ate up the gap between us, so once again we finished the lap absolutely together.

This time into the long single-track climb to start the next circulation, Jef didn’t seem to have any firepower and I knew right then I’d got him. I’d got over the early laps efforts and was now feeling really good (if you can ever say that during an all-out fight!). At the top of the climb where I’d had the mishap before I jumped Sharp and made to escape on the very fast downhill single-track section before the long fire-road climb. I held the small gap from him all the way up and sustained the effort for the rest of the lap. This time through to start lap 5 I’d got a definite gap and tried to relax but still stay comfortably ahead. Imagine my horror then when I looked over my shoulder at the highest point on the course to see Sharp not 20 metres behind me and still spoiling for a fight. Does he never give up?

Once more into the open downhill section, and then the new wooded section to end the lap – this time I didn’t look back; it was maximum effort all the way and if I got caught then so be it. The bell to announce the last lap was a relief, but I was unaware I was gaining time from Sharp and the rest of the field. I still would not let up the effort, and my lap times showed a consistency reflecting this. Victory it was; and we’ve got to do it all again in a few weeks! For me the points table is looking a lot healthier but chickens are not to be counted yet – it’s a long season to be sure.