Students, eh? (Pic: Chris Mundell)

You might think that the National Championships are somewhat later in the year, but what with the offset between calendar and academic years the 2004 British Universities Sports Association MTB Champions have already been crowned.

Bringewood in Shropshire was the venue for last weekend’s racing. Fortunately, the rain had stayed off long enough in the week prior to the race to ensure that the majority of the downhill and cross country courses were only slippy in a few sections, rather than out and out muddy nightmares. The same couldn’t be said of the camp site, though… Those slippy sections would, however, provide the sternest test of the weekend for the many have-a-go-hero downhillers racing for the first time, and the many road riders convinced/conned to ride the cross-country race.

The downhill race had a vast array of different talents competing. The course was used for the 2003 National Champs (won by Steve Peat) and proved testing for those without proper downhill rigs and even some who did. As the runs progressed, the course began to dry out and the times were getting faster. The first winner of the weekend was in the women’s downhill when Jaymie Mart (Aberdeen) rode to her second successive title, although she was pushed a little closer than last year’s one minute winning margin, squeezing in front by a mere 20 seconds this time round. The medals all went North, with Gill Davies of Edinburgh taking Silver and Rachel Anscombe of Manchester collecting Bronze.

There was some serious talent in the men’s downhill race with names like Dave Duggan, Chris Ball, Neil Harris and Dan Stanbridge regularly appearing near the top of National Series races. First run times showed a clear gap between the leader and the chasers, as Dan Stanbridge (Bath/Muddy Fox) stormed to an eight second lead over Dave Duggan (Manchester), and in the process overtaking both of the two previous riders on course in front of him. As the day progressed, the sections in the heart of the woods were drying out, but at the same time it was getting darker and darker beneath the trees, which was causing some problems for the last riders down the hill. Asked how hard he’d pushed to get his fast first Dan commented, “I was going for it a little bit, but I’ll really go for it in my second run.”

Go for it he certainly did and by the last jump of the course he was several seconds up on his first run time, however, it very nearly went messily wrong. As he came out of the dark woods the line onto the jump was barely visible and he hit it badly, sending him nose diving into the tabletop in a manner that stunned the crowd into silence. Once he’d jumped up and removed himself from the tangle of spectators he’d smashed into, the crowd erupted as he sprinted for the line for a time only nine seconds slower than his first run. So Dan Stanbridge (Bath/Muddy Fox) took the Gold medal, Dave Duggan (Manchester) silver, and Chris Ball (Napier) picked up Bronze after squeezing Neil Harris (Sheffield Hallam) down to 4th.

Racing over, the entertainment switched to the obligatory campfires and an alcohol-enhanced jump contest on the final tabletop beneath the floodlights. Fortunately for all involved, there were no more serious injuries than a few bruises and some bashed egos.

The cross-country sport race got off to a flying start as former British junior team rider Rob Spragg (Bath) shot off like a rocket and established a handsome lead of a couple of minutes by the end of the second lap, followed by Dave Martin (Staffordshire) and Adrian Morris (Loughborough) some way behind. However, Rob showed just how much of an effect student life and all that beer and lack of training can have, as he blew up and was passed on the final lap by Dave and Adrian. It remained that way to the finish with a minute separating each of the podium finishers. Sophie Powell took the honours in the women’s sport race.

The top riders in the men’s championship cross-country race were perhaps a little relieved to see that last years champion Simon Richardson (Sheffield) was not present. However, there was no lack of talent with strong teams fielded from Loughborough and Cambridge and a whole sprinkling of fast individuals amongst them. From the gun Ross Adams (Southampton) lead out the field and had attained a 15 second gap by the end of the first lap, and he looked comfortable, although Mark Russell (Bournemouth) and Simon Ernest (Lancaster) were only warming to the course. As they came round for the third lap, Mark had moved through to the front followed by Simon, with Ross beginning to slow in third. The lead changed again by the end as Mark struggled with a floating kneecap, and Simon rode consistently to the title. Ross Adams had a nightmare 4th lap, allowing Peter Hawkins (Plymouth) to slip into the bronze medal position.

The cross-country women’s race set off a five minutes after the men, and before the start it looked like Loughborough were going to have some kind of good result as 7 of their ladies lined up. Favourite had to be former MBUK/Scott rider Sophie Johnson (Loughborough), although there were a few freshers amongst the pack that could well spring a surprise. The bunch set off in a blur of purple as the Loughborough girls took up the lead, and it was to remain that way for the duration. Sophie lead out but was very closely followed by team mate Nicky Duggan (Loughborough) who continued to breath right down the leaders neck all the way round. Few could have foreseen how close it would be as it came down to the line but Sophie managed to hold off the competition by a mere 6 tenths of a second covering the three laps in a time of 1.23.18. Anna McLaughlin (Loughborough) pushed hard but was a full nine minutes down in third.

The whole weekend was a great success, and the organisation by BUSA and Pearce Cycles was exemplary. 2005 venue rumours have begun circulating already, and there has been talk of incorporating a 4X event into the next event. Full results are available at www.mikrotime.com/mtb.

Result Summary

Men DH

1. Dan Stanbridge (Bath)
2. David Duggan (Manchester)
3. Chris Ball (Napier)

Women DH

1. Jaymie Mart (Aberdeen)
2. Gill Davies (Edinburgh)
3. Rachel Anscombe (Manchester)

Men Team DH

1. Birmingham (Fowler, Readyhough, Jones)
2. Manchester (Duggan, Lewis, Trigger)
3. Brighton (Weaver, Scullion, Sibley)

Women Team DH

1. Edinburgh (Davies, Droop)

Men XC

1. Simon Ernest (Lancaster)
2. Mark Russell (Bournemouth)
3. Peter Hawkins (Plymouth)

Women XC

1. Sophie Johnson (Loughborough)
2. Nicky Duggan (Loughborough)
3. Anna McGlaughlin (Loughborough)

Men Team XC

1. Loughborough (Turner, Turner, Morgan)
2. Cambridge (Cockburn, Fancy, Grundy)
3. Nottingham (Metcalfe, Stewart, Profitt)

Women Team XC

1. Loughborough (Johnson, Duggan)