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www.barrieclarke.net |
MTB National Championships - Fort William |
 | 2004 National Mountainbike Championships It was a return Fort William the World Cup course for this year championships. I was looking for a top ten finish this year. I have been busy renovation a house to live in so this has been taking a bit of my time (and energy). I was looking for a top ten finish. The course is demanding both climbing and descending. The same singletrack climbs used for the World Cup were used, the descents were the same except for the muddy tree fallen section was left out. The board sections were still in and the broken wall too. The lap times were a bit quicker. The men's race was over 5 laps and the women's 4. The morning races were in the wet but the weather cleared for the afternoon events. The challenge at the front was expected from defending champion Nick Craig, Oli Beckingsale and Jody Crawforth. I was not quite on the pace and was extra careful on the rocky descent as I have punctured twice here before. I had an ok race and was in 8th place until the last mile when I was passed by Adrian Landsly. Finished 9th - which I was happy with. Jody Crawforth won the men's race beating Oil Beckingsale. Nick Craig came in third. Sue Thomas won the women's race beating Jenny Copnal by just over 2 minutes to win her first national championships. Elite Men
Elite Women
Date written 05/08/03 |