Bad Day in the Saddle for Jenn

Jenn has pulled out of the Wiggle enduro after suffering from a migraine attack.

Sallie Bigham was riding strong 1 minute back when Jenn pulled out and
was showing good endurance. Mel Alexander was in 4th place and looking comfortable.

Simon and Ruth are bouncing between 4th and 6th with Sue and Barry
Clarke in 3rd spot

Wiggle enduro

Rain over night left the course damp but dry conditions today have
allowed for good racing. Jenn is 3 minutes up on second place Sallie
Bigham but loses one and a half minutes every time she comes through
the insane pit system. Simon and Ruth had an unlucky start when Simon
was up-ended in the run at the start and trampled, loosing his timing
chip and the hard work he had done to hold the leaders

British National Series Round One - Thetford

British NPS Round1 - Master Women XC Race - Saturday 12th April 2008
Whyte Enduro Series - 75km Open Women Race - Sunday 13th April 2008

Race Report by Ruth Mordaunt, Altura Patterson Training

Leading up to the first of the British NPS I was struggling to fight off a cold. I was determined not to be ill, and got in plenty of rest and vitamin C just prior to the weekend. I have had a consistent and structured winter's training coached by Andy Patterson, and wanted to get a good result for the first major event of the season.

The 10km flattish course was fast and furious, incorporating speedy singletrack snaking its way through Thetford Forest and crossing the wider fire roads. The course also swooped into a couple of bomb holes. The Master Women's race was three laps.

There were nine Master Women on the start line, with a couple of new faces joining this category. The race started at a fast pace with Niki Humphrey leading the group down the opening straight into the first corner where Michelle Bergstrand made her move to the front. I quickly joined her and stayed with her during lap one. There was even an attempt on doing some through and off, blasting down the fire road to create a gap between Caroline Goward and the rest of the group behind. By the end of lap one Michelle was just in front and making her move.

After refuelling with a Powergel, I needed to give it a huge effort in the hope I would get back to Michelle. She was in my sights for another half a lap but during the latter half of lap two Michelle pushed on and fatigue was beginning to set in for me.

During lap three I attempted to maintain a good pace and thought I would have to settle for second place. How wrong I was, as during the finishing drag, Caroline came flying past me. I stayed with her as we both approached the finishing straight. I knew it was going to be a sprint finish and as soon as she went I reacted, but unfortunately for me, she finished in front.

Although a little disappointed with my positioning, I was very happy with my performance at this stage in my training. Undoubtedly, my new Endorfin VP-4 Lady full-suspension bike allowed me to attack the demands of the course with speed. This is one seriously fast bike, and I love it.

The 75km Enduro on Sunday was my next challenge. The previous day's XC course had been tweaked to an extended 12.5km per lap, and four women riders waited at the start line in the glorious sun for a six lap race. This was intended as training for me, rather than a goal to
win, but I could not help myself when Abi Greenaway (Expert winner) rocked up to the start line. My race plan was to take each lap by lap, keeping my heart rate and lap times consistent. From the gun I got a good fast start and pushed on keeping a check on where Abi was. I rolled hard over the bumps and sensed that I was pulling away from her.

Out alone, fatigue started to set in during lap three but by working with a few of the other riders I regained my focus and got into a steady pace, riding every section well. During lap five, I was flying and enjoying the race, but as my mind wandered for a second I lost concerntration and the next thing I was rolling on the ground in pain. Whilst switching lanes I had caught my wheel on a grassy edge and came to an instant stop, with my knee planting itself into my pink Hope stem. Ouch! My knee was fine but I just felt sick and had to sit there for a few minutes until the sick feeling subsided and I could get back on my bike. I took the rest of lap five at a slower pace until I saw Abi out of the corner of my eye going through the feed zone. The final lap was back up to race pace as I did not want a repeat of yesterday's sprint finish, and I knew the last lap was going to hurt. I rode hard and was delighted to cross the finish line and take my first win for the season. Thanks to all those wonderful riders who stopped to see if I was alright and helped me to get back on my bike.

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Have you played Fishticuffs? Get fish-slapping on Messenger

One lap to go for Ruth

And they're off!

Sunday Marathon

National Series Round One

The start of the first National Series weekend today had mixed results for the APT team. I had a strong start but blew inexplicably in the 3rd lap, finishing well down the order in a disappointing 5th. Blowing up in an XC race is a new experience for me and not one I'd care to repeat!

Andy was still recovering from a cold and rode well, but lacked his usual zip. Simon blew a tyre in the 3rd lap and couldn't repair it, leaving him with a DNF, despite holding a good position near the front of the field.

Ruth was the only rider to bring home the goods, with a strong ride for third, only just pipped out of 2nd in a sprint for the line.

Simon and Ruth are both racing marathon tomorrow and we'll be cheering them on. Hopefully the weather will improve, as it's been bitterly cold and raining, although the course is holding up well.

Provisional Results

Elite Men 6 Laps
1. Ian Bibby (SiS Trek)
2. Ian Wilkinson (SiS Trek)
3. Connor McConvey (McConvey Cycles)

Elite Women 5 Laps
1. Jenny Copnall (Subaru Gary Fisher)
2. Melanie Spath (Mad Ireland)
3. Paula Moseley (CSS Sludge)
4. Gemma Collins (Trek Extreme)
5. Jenn O'Connor (Altura Patterson Training)

Expert Men 5 Laps
1. Andrew Barlow (Whyte Racing UK)
2. Tim Dunford (Hargoves)
3. Ben Thomas (Mountain Trax)

Expert Women 3 Laps
1. Abi Greenaway (Charge)
2. Lily Matthews (mtbmarathon.co.uk)
3. Fran Mundy (Psyclewerx)

Master Men 5 Laps
1. Sam Gardner (Cannondale Fatface)
2. Matt Barrett (Lutterworth Cycles)
3. Graham Warby (Spirit Racing)

29. Andrew Patterson (Altura Patterson Training)
DNF. Simon Young (Altura Patterson Training)

Master Women 3 Laps
1. Michelle Berstrand (Lifeforce Cervelo)
2. Caroline Goward
3. Ruth Mordaunt (Altura Patterson Training)

Pic is the Master Women Podium

For full results and lap times go to www.timelaps.co.uk

Happy Birthday Sarah!

Patterson Training XC racer Sarah Carter celebrates her 40th birthday this week, and Andy and I headed down to Reading to share in a bit of champagne and chocolate cake before the race season starts in earnest.

Top Masters racer Sarah took a season out following the birth of baby Zachary, now a year old, but is back in training this year with her eye on the Veterans Category.