MSSS
Winter/Summer Series |
20th
& 21st March 2004 |
 |
Stef's favourite
position! |
Well what an extraordinary weekend, the otherwise technical and fun Hopton course became a nightmare of big dug out roots, blown away easyups, gale force winds, rain, and lets not forget the mud! |
| It all started on the Saturday which was the final round of the Winter series, after setting up the 20' easyup and our brand new banner we all set off to practice our runs feeling well pro. Practice went fine with both Team and Development riders scoping the lines well. Come race time though the gale force winds came and swept down the mountain. I was then approached by a friend at the top of the course who said "Shame about your easyup mate!"...yes you guessed it, the steel easyup loned to me thanks to Stendec's kind support was completely destroyed......ooops sorry Dave. |
| The racing itself was very, very hard, the already pedally Hopton course was becoming extremely slow as the loose mud got pushed away leaving the roots more and more pronounced, this killed any momentum you may have built up on an already flatish course. Even the Pro Elite riders were absolutely hanging at the finish as everyone slogged it out....it was definately survival of the fittest. |
| On Saturday Team rider Stefan Gleed only managed a reasonable run but still came in 2nd behind last years Pro Elite Rider Steven Jones (Dirt Magazine). Although Stef was dissapointed it was a good start to his campaign to return to DH. Even better news was in store for Stef on the Sunday for the first round of the Summer Series, in a convincing display Stef destroyed the entire Masters field by a massive 9 seconds to take an easy gold and to issue a stark reminder of just how fast he really is (see podium pic above). We will be seeing more silverwear pics from him for sure. |
| I was well impressed with Team Rider Phil Mowatt who has returned to DH after 2 years off through a major wrist injury, he showed grim determination on Saturday to secure 14th place. This may not sound too impressive but the Seniors category is littered with future Pro's and this is only his 3rd competitive race in several years. On Sunday he improved still further to secure an excellent 9th place. As usual Phil was one of only a few riders that could clear the tabletop at the end of the course.....oh and that would also incorporate his trade mark 'whip' whilst doing so.....when will he learn! |
| As for the professional Crash Master.....well I can't tell you how hard I tried to keep up with the fitest of the Master category, I virtually collapsed at the finish as I gave it my all. On Saturday I couldn't really get to grips with the last section which lost me time leaving me down in 8th at the close. Things looked up for Sunday as I blatted through crossing the line at the time in 3rd and 8 seconds in front of my nemesis Paton, unfortunately it was to happen again as Si Paton knocked me off the podium by half a second on his final run, that's 3 competitions on the trot where I have been on the podium until the final run..... I'm a little tired of 4th........4th in the 03 Summer Series, 4th in the 04 Winter Series, and now 4th in the first round of the 04 Summer Series..... |
| The Development Riders Pete Ward & Joe Toakley also both put in good performances, Pete 21st in Masters and Joe coming in 30th in the Seniors, I look forward to see how they develop over the coming months.. |
| Unfortunately Paul May wasn't at this race, we are all waiting to see if he continues last years dominant performance by hitting the podium in almost every race, the 'Paul & Stef' battle is much anticipated! |