The final linking stage brings the Merida TransWales full circle to bring an end to the behemoth mountain bike challenge, and with it time to discover the first Merida TransWales Champions, to celebrate and to say a fond farewell to new-found friends, reports Matt Skinner in the seventh and final of his daily reports…

Linking Stage 7 was 67km from Rhandirnwyn to Builth Wells with 2,500m of climbing

The final day and the final linking stage of the Merida TransWales slowly eased itself into the saddle just after 9am on Saturday morning. But things weren’t going to run entirely smoothly: not, that is, if the rains had anything to do with it.

As soon as the first souls started stirring first thing, the rain was there: a dull, mindless grey hanging over the heads of all the riders, spitting pedantically hour after hour. Not exactly the kind of weather one would expect amid a drought: and certainly not the greatest call to arms for tired and weary bodies. But this was the last linking stage – from Rhandirnwyn to Builth Wells – and the final big push before the What Mountain Bike finishing party some 67km and 2,500m of climbing away in Builth Wells. With a few very deep breaths, the riders got back in the saddle to begin the drag back full circle and bring a close to the inaugural Merida TransWales challenge.

Today’s linking stage was a melding of all the terrain seen during the full seven days of the event: steep and tough climbs, meandering drags, river crossings, open country, and singletrack aplenty. But the five hours of heavy rains with thunder and lightening added a certain something decidedly squib to proceedings and battered the riders that bit more. When they all eventually rolled over the line in Builth Wells it was the hot stills of tea and coffee that were the most welcome remedy to the cold and rains, themselves more precious than a magnum of champagne.

The previous night, the final special stage had taken place at Cwm y Rhiadr to sort out the final pecking order of the competitive side of the event. Going into it, things were close in both the men’s, mixed and soloists: Team Mojo Suspension had pretty much wrapped up the men’s win but behind them there was a ferocious battle looming between the Hoop Troop and Fabio & Grooverider with just 29 seconds separating them in the second and third spots respectively. In the mixed category, the third special stage on the Cli-Machx trail saw the MTB Marathon team slip from first into second, with all to play for going into the final stage. But in the unofficial categories, there was a tight grudge match ensuing between the RAF boys and the Army, with just 42 seconds between them before the start of yesterday’s special stage. Things were going to be decided in one fell swoop of speed and singletrack.

Unlike the other special stages where the team rider’s times were combined, Cym y Rhiadr would be a time trial where only the fastest rider’s time would count, although both would set off together, theoretically allowing pacing tactics to be employed, the final singletrack showdown was an out-and-out sprint for the line.

In the Hayes Disc Brake Men’s Category Fabio & Grooverider – Josh Morgan and Mansour Youssef – pulled out all the stops and trounced all-comers to lay claim to the stage but also to secure second place overall. The top spot remained the property of Mojo Suspension – Ryan Bevis and Jonathan Pugh – who secured second in the day’s special stage. That meant that the Hoop Troop were relegated to third overall.

SheCycles.com team in action!

SheCycles team wins again

As for the fairer sex, the indomitable and invulnerable pairing of Kim Hurst and Heather Dawe again dominated and took the win in the Buff Women’s Category. Unfortunately Kim was unabel to ride the final leg of this spectacular challenge due to a serious achilles tendon injury, luckily the time they;d made up in the previous days was sufficient to see them the overall win! Well done Heather for completing the challenge and we wish Kim a speedy recovery!

Back to the blokes

Phil Spencer showed his international class once again by taking the Mud Dock Cycleworks Solo Category win in the special stage to further increase his overall lead. Rob Lee slotted into both second in the special stage and second in the overall standings whilst Anthony Green of GA Cycles/Felt nudged Charlie Eustace into fourth place in the special stage. However, Charlie retained his third position in the overall standings. In the women’s, Sally Lee of Extreme Endurance took both the special stage and the overall win, with Tatjana Troll and Joanne Carritt taking second and third respectively in the special stage and the overall classification. The Saris Veterans Category was won by Wragge-Morley/Percival (Bernard Wragge-Morley & Nick Percival), with the X-Cumbria Cyclists (Tony Gray and Mike Hayward) in second followed by Velo 95 (Ian Muir and Bob Moore) in third for both the overall and the last special stage.

After the racing was done, the final linking stage completed and the riders back home and full circle to Builth Wells it was time to kick back, exchange stories and show off scars on both the body and the bike. With What Mountain Bike magazine in attendance providing free beer, music and lighting, the mood was upbeat and celebratory and although there was no shortage of weary legs, minds could at last comprehend the enormity of what they had actually achieved: 543km (338miles) of riding with 15,990m (52,460m) of climbing in seven days as part of a truly world class mountain bike challenge that has only just begun…

The Merida TransWales, however, would not be possible without the riders themselves: their good humour and positivity in the face of the sometimes horrendous rains has ensured that the event has remained buoyed and upbeat throughout. Which, being an event dreamt up, developed and run by riders for riders is more than the organisers – Mike Wilkens and John Lloyd – could have hoped for.

Mike and John would also like to thank the event’s sponsors for whose generosity and support have made possible the newest and best mountain bike event in the UK with a truly global pedigree: Hayes Brakes, Buff headwear, High5, Saris bike racks, Mud Dock Cycleworks, Schwalbe tyres, Exposure Lights, What Mountain Bike magazine, Bikemagic.com and especially Merida for believing in and backing the concept of the event. It could also not have been the success it is if it were without the hard and dedicated work of the massage, medical, catering, site and marshalling teams; the British Cycling Commissaires, and Summit Cycles for their invaluable tech support; all were a pleasure to work with and without them the wheels of the event would simply fall off. Consider this a huge heartfelt thank you to you all.

Next year will see the Trans UK circus roll out to Scotland for the TransScotland (19th-27th May 2007), and if the Merida TransWales is anything to go by this will be one hell of an event that will only built on what the Merida TransWales has already established. It will be an unforgettable and un-missable experience. Pre-booking is open now for those wanting to step up the plate: simply log onto the www.mtbtransuk.co.uk website and e-mail Mike.

So until next year, adieu…

RESULTS & STANDINGS AFTER SPECIAL STAGE 4