The latest instalment of the season’s epic NPS XC series took place in the hills of the Lake District, Grizedale Forest Park to be precise, where along with ferocious midges competitors were faced with one of the most exciting courses they have encountered for a while.

Ahead lay 8km trail of dry dusty tracks, a fearsome draggy climb with some interesting technical climbs added for entertainment followed by long swooping and in some places technical descents. It proved to be an interesting circuit that left more than one rider feeling deflated and changed the outcomes of a few races that day as there were many rubber/sharp rock interfaces along the way.

With buzzards circling overhead hopefully not a sign of the carnage to come the Elite riders got under way. With Oli Beckingsale in the middle of World Champs preparations the field was wide open and it was anyone’s guess who would be top dog at this race. First to make his move was Welsh rider Lee Williams, who shot off up the climb leaving the rest of the competitors easing their way up to the first of the singletrack, seemingly unperturbed by his departure. Sure enough, Williams was caught and spat out, as he became one of many victims to punctures.

Soon a small group formed containing powerhouse Ian Wilkinson, Paul Oldham and Gareth Montgomerie. All three worked hard with attacks coming thick and fast. However, Oldham encountered the rocks leaving him running for contention as he headed for the tech zone as Wilkinson and Montgomerie left him behind. Now it was just these two vying for contention, but with just one lap to go Wilkinson fell foul of the rocks and he too was left in a chasing position which left Montgomerie looking for gold.

Six laps later and unscathed by any mechanical mishaps and the Colnago/Ergon rider finally took home the big one, his first win on the NPS circuit and with it his first visit to the NPS podium in his career. Wilkinson disappointedly battled on to take 2nd while Oldham fought his way into 5th.

The women’s elite race was a whole different kettle of fish with Aussie rider and part time Brit Kate Potter, fresh from a busy season of World Cups, dominating the race taking a comfortably and popular win. Local rider and course advisor Sue Clarke was first to open the field up and was a favourite to do well on her home course but she suffered the fate of many riders with a puncture plus a broken set of bars putting paid to her challenge.

National Champs Jenny Copnall was relegated to 3rd, a most unusual position for her, but she was happy enough having suffered from injuries in the last few weeks. She’s just keen to focus on the upcoming nationals. New Zealander, Jenn O’Connor, hampered by illness for much of the early season was delighted to ride so strongly to take second spot making it an Antipodean one two at the top.

The NPS takes a break for a month to let the riders battle it out for National honours on the 20th July. NPS action resumes on the 23rd August, in an old NPS stomping ground of Eastridge, Shropshire. Think Grizedale was tough? Just wait to see what’s in store at this one.

The Altura Patterson Training team had a good day in great conditions today. Showers on the start line dampened down the track, but not the spirits of the competitors.

The women’s elite field was strong as ever with 14 starters including full time pro Kate Potter after an early season on the World Cup circuit. Kate set the pace off the start but it was Sue Clarke, local to Grizedale and who helped design the course, who made the first move.

Unfortunately for Sue she punctured on the first section of singletrack, and National Champ Jenny Copnall took the lead. The second technical climb was where Potter made her move, and never looked back.

I stayed with her for most of the first lap, but lost time on a fire road climb. Jenny Copnall stayed with me for the first two laps until I managed to make a gap and pull away. Potter took the win, with myself second and Copnall third. I’m really pleased to be racing strongly again and coming back into form after a disappointing early season hampered by migraines.