ENGLISH DOWNHILL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2012 by Richard Acott
Friday 12.10.12 - Final race of season would take place on proven national downhill track at Moelfre, Oswestry. DMR Omen bike was in good order and really pleased with new sick green cult cranks and orange vault pedals. Mixture of sunshine and showers forecast so packed both Kenda Nevegal (dry) and King of Traction (wet) tyres.
Saturday 13.10.12 - Early morning sunshine was a good start and sign on showed a highly competitive field of hardtail riders. Borderline Events organiser and British Cycling were also quick to declare a new record for highest number of female competitors who received some special coaching over weekend along with some elite CRC rider training offered free for new racers.
Track began by crossing a grassy hilltop with steep off camber that would prove tricky later in day after heavy shower, round a ninety degree berm and into two step downs before plunging into steep section through gorse ending in water splash. Middle section involved jump over fire road and short pedal section over mountainside then a long and fast downhill run into another berm and series of four cross/bmx style jumps. Final section involved several smaller jumps and another fast ninety degree berm that proved eventful throughout weekend with several riders slipping down or riding over berm all within site of finish line.
My practise runs went well but in afternoon there were a couple of showers that seemed to lead to a number of crashes. Unfortunately that resulted in temporary track closures whilst medics did a great job in attending to injured riders trackside. Best wishes to everyone on a speedy recovery.
Sunday -14.10.12 - Awoke after chilly night to white fields covered in frost, sun came out and frost soon cleared. Bike checks before todays racing included tyre pressures (30/32psi) brakes, gears, fork adjustments, chain lubrication, spoke tightness. I managed two good practise runs before race start at 11.00am My first run started well but soon caught up another rider who seemed to pull over but then rode into side of bike meaning we both went down. Both got up and finished but I had lost time and was four seconds behind Ash Brown who took first run spot with time of 3minutes 04 seconds.
Second run was better and I flew past two riders without incident (riders are set off at thirty second intervals). I had smashed my previous time by nineteen seconds to take win with a time of 2minutes 49 seconds which was eleven seconds ahead of second place.
Richard Acott1st Ash Brown2nd Adam Lyons3rd
Fantastic - I had won Bikeworks English Downhill Championship 2012. Brilliant end to great race season and my third consecutive English Championships title win. Thanks to supporters and spectators whose interest and encouragement has been shown at every race event throughout the year. I have also have to thank my great sponsors:
DMR BIKES/TEKTRO BRAKES/KENDA TYRES/YBN CHAINS/ X FUSION SUSPENSION/BATTERY ENERGY DRINKS
