August 18th, 2009 by

adam

Whilst the rest of the team have been out in Whistler after the Canadian world cup rounds, Team ChainReactionCycles.com/Intense’s Matt Simmonds has been home training and representing the team back home in the UK on the domestic race scene. After some great resent results for Matt - 3rd at the National Championships and a 21st and 22nd at the 2 Canadian World Cups - Matt took his first National win last at the weekend at Caersws

Here are some words from Matt and some photos from the race. Nice one Matt - well done.

Upon my return from Canada following the Bromont World Cup, I had planned on a few weeks rest and recovery, before preparing for the final round of the World Cup in Schladming, Austria. However, instead I found myself driving to Mid Wales for the fourth round of the British National Point Series at Caersws. Caersws has been the location of a number of races over the last six years and the hill hosts a number of different courses. On this occasion one of the steeper tracks was used, the top of which consisted of stumpy off camber sections leading into some really steep turns and then continued to the best section in my opinion; some real fast jumps!

The whole of Saturday was assigned for practice, this made for a fun days riding with friends that I hadn’t seen for a while. By the end of the day, I felt I knew the course well with my confidence high leading in to Sundays seeding run.

On Sunday, my qualifying run went well - going hard at the top of the course, then conserving some energy for the final in the lower sections, I crossed the line with a time of 1:36, which placed me in second place in the elite category, being just piped to first place by Tom Deacon who was less than a second faster. I was feeling confident as the final runs approached later that afternoon.

Come final runs, the track was becoming blown out due to the dusty conditions, this caused a few casualties. My run was 98% perfect with only a few slip ups on the bottom section where I did not manage to carry as much speed as I had done earlier in the day, but made up for it with some super strong pedaling. I came across the line with a time of 1:33:005, taking the hot seat, and subsequently the win.

Big shout out to James Hughes who managed to stay on his bike and took second place ahead of Dave Smith in third.

Many thanks to SPS for a great weekends racing.

You can also check out this cool footage from the race courtesy of Stu Thomson at mtbcut.tv http://blip.tv/play/rQSBmPEOAA

Back in Whistler at the weekend, it was the last event of Crankworx, the Canadian open DH. Claire managed a 3rd and a place on the podium and another cheque, so it was a great finish to her Crankworx. She proved what a great all round rider she is. Here are some words from her.

I was glad to finish off an exhausting week with a podium. I finished 3^rd in the Canadian Open, the last event at Kokanee Crankworx.

The track was technical with big jumps and I really liked it but it was a tough race for me. I had a hard time getting my flow and I definately did not ride to my potential. Early on, I clipped a pedal and did an unintentional knak knak down a gnarly bit. Woohoo that was scary! I kept going and hit some jumps for the crowd of Aussies (like 35 of them!) half way down the track and then found myself very fatigued and powerless through the flat bits where you really needed to sprint. Near the bottom where the track opened up, there were some more big jumps. It was awesome except by the time us pros raced it was quite windy and I got blown pretty bad and nearly crashed twice. Soooo sketchy but I survived! I made it through the finish unharmed but with not the greatest time and completely exhausted. I was grateful to be on the podium but I know I can do better. I think I need a brain rest!

So today I slept in, stretched and went to the lake for the afternoon ahhhhh much needed.

Refocus for the World Champs. Going for it!

Thank you everyone for all of the support, great product and opportunities this season so far.

Catch up with you after the Worlds!

Claire.