News
World Championship Middle Race
Posted: 22/08/12
On a day that saw a number of riders retiring with mechanical problems team GB acquired it's second silver medal of the week. 2011 Champion Charlie Somers Cocks added a well earned silver to her collection with Angela Brand-Barker coming 4th and keeping her company on the podium.
In the M40 race Killian 4th and Al Powell 5th again raised the podium profile of British MTBO.
The area for the middle race was billed as 'The Tough One' largely because there was quite a bit of climbing. The first half of the courses went through a well defined path network in beech forests. About half way through we broke out into the open to be met by the usual 'crunchy' dry grass and small blackthorn seedlings awaiting the unprotected! The final legs presented riders with a little bit of urban O before a circuit of the football pitch and into the finish field. Once again the temperatures were more suitable for sitting in the shade with a cold beer than eyeballs out racing.
Elite riders Pippa Archer Chris Brand-Barker and Emily Benham could not capitalize on their good performances in the sprint yesterday due to mechanical failures and punctures.
The men's elite once again saw Ian Nixon leading the Brits in 54th position with Andy Douglas, Chris BB and Patrick Higgins fighting it out for the remaining relay positions.
With places in the M50 relay team at stake Keith Dawson produced the performance of the day just pipping Tony Brand-Barker by 14 seconds. Stuart Norman will complete the team.
Edwyn once again had a good ride to gain a top 20 placing.
Tomorrow is a rest day for the elites whilst the masters move down to Lake Balaton for the sprint race.
Full race results are on
http://www.mtbo.hu/mtbwoc2012.php/lists