Thetford was again the open round of the National Series.  The last three year I have come out on top - this year it was not to be.  The course had been altered from previous years due to harvesting of the tree, some sections were actually the same but looked completely different. It seemed like there were more wide tracks used, this made for even closer racing as it was relatively easy to be pulled back on the open sections.

This was also my first race of the season. In previous years Thetford has been an important selection race for something bigger later on on the year. With the NAMBS series being cancelled and one thing and another I have not raced since the end of the 'cross season. So I was expecting a hard race.

The start was fast and the group at the front was big, probably 10 riders. I was there and not having to over stretch myself too much, but it was hard. Then on the second lap I had to stop to tighten my front wheel, this was only for a few seconds but meant I lost contact with the big group. I chased hard for the next lap and re-gained contact but the group had split, with four riders infront with a gap of 20 to 30 seconds. The group contained Jody Crawforth, Sam Gardener, Oli Beckingsale and Stuart Bowers. I was with three others behind chasing. Adrian Landley was pushing the pace to try and catch them back. This is how it stayed for the next couple of laps - two clouds of dust 20 -30 seconds apart. With two laps to go I had a good go to try and bring the gap down but had little impact.

With only one lap remaining we slowed a little as we were unable to catch the leaders. It was a four up sprint to the line, Adrian Landley beat me for 5th and I took 6th. Not a fantastic result but not far off the pace. The two Evans riders too first and second with Oli third.

               Results - 2003 Giant NRS NPS Thetford Forest
 

Results www.timelaps.co.uk

My Thetford 2002 story

(written 14/04/03)

          To the top of page
 

        Press to return to home page