British National Mountain Bike Championship – 16th July, Moelfre, Wales, UK

I successfully defended my British National Champion’s jersey on 16th July, winning the elite womens’ race by a comfortable margin on a very challenging race circuit in the Welsh mountains. Conditions were blisteringly hot, even at our 10.30am race slot and this added to the ferocity of the course, which is likely to be remembered for years to come!

Jenny at Fort William

This year’s championship was held on a circuit never raced on before. The course comprised a long climb from the start, initially a middle ring but quickly down to granny ring, across grass and then up the downhillers’ uplift track. This was really tough since the dry conditions and the tractors that had been continually churning up the dust lead to traction being almost nonexistent in parts. The climb got steeper all the way to the top of the course and was, for me, about 13 minutes long from start to the top.

Once at the top there was little transition as we were plunged straight into a loose, steep and technical downhill that lead all too quickly back down to the arena via a small wooded section. It is unfortunate that the track was not extended at the top of the course as the super quick lap times lead to the various elite, espoir and junior catagories (all on course at the same time) catching one another continuously.

The Elite Womens’ race was five laps. After a delayed and rather confusing start that saw two of my principle challengers, Amy Hunt and Sophie Johnson, given a separate espoir start 2 minutes behind, we finally got on with the race. I started at a sustainable pace and was able to gap my rivals on the main climb to have a minute’s lead by the descent on the first lap. From then on it was a case of remaining smooth, keeping my concentration and avoiding any errors. While this saw me being unusually careful on the descent (which would have been fun to attack more aggressively) I had to keep the champion’s jersey in mind for this race and ride in a disciplined way accordingly.

I had a good strong third and fourth laps which allowed me to pick my way round the fifth and final lap to take the win by just under eight minutes from fellow Gary Fisher rider, Xcracer.com’s Ruth Mcgavigan. Leading Espoir woman, Amy Hunt rode a strong race, with the added incentive of catching senior women, to post a time about 3 minutes behind me.

It is very satisfying to have won the British Championship for my third time. Although my first win in 2003 will always be the most memorable, it is a great honour to wear the champion’s jersey for another year. I must admit to feeling a degree of ownership over it these days and this always makes defending it a pretty nerve racking affair. It is a great relief to have secured it for another year, particularly since I have recently had some of my best performances in the UK.

Thanks must go to my sponsors Subaru-Gary Fisher and supporters, including Mum and Dad, Richard, Kate Owen at the Olympic Medical Institute and Brian Buckle at TrekUK, without whom my racing achievements would not have been possible. Once again my Gary Fisher Zigguarat has proven itself to be effective, reliable and thoroughly enjoyable to win races on, long may this continue!

Photos are available for viewing and purchase on Joolze Dymond’s website www.joolzedymond.com we’ll have some on show on www.shecycles.com soon!