BDS Round 2, Sun 10th March, Moelfre

Last weekend four members of the RG Squadron/Ready to Ride team hit Moelfre for Round 2 of the British Downhill Series.

Mick Whyte rails the final berm

The track was classic Moelfre, down the ridge, fighting the grass turns over divots, over the quarry, over last year's bombhole and then steam down the hill through the berms and into the big stepdowns, that done, riders attacked the gorse lined steep switchbacks before hitting the flyoff and riding straight down the hill, through the stream and over the uplift road. From there, pinned offcamber rocky singletrack winds its way into the front of the venue where spectators at the finish can see folk speeding through the wideopen superfast sections before hitting the 4x, with the 4x done, riders hit another launcher into the field, rail some berms and then pedal for the finish in the awesome, packed to the rafters pits.

Practice on Saturday was dry and dusty, with everyone getting lots of runs in. Towards the end of the day the wind picked up and caused a few riders to have a tumble over the bombhole after the quarry, including our own Ad Halling, he laughed it off though and was back up on the next lift.

Come race day, conditions were perfect. Not a cloud in the sky, no wind, blazing sunshine and dust on the ground.
Ready to Ride boss; Rick, was there to watch, especially with three RGsquadron riders running production or prototype Works Components headangle reducer cups!

First down was Veteran rider Mick Whyte, competing at his first BDS and his first national level race, following his 10th at Pearce Rd1 a few weeks ago. Mick pinned his run, landing 10th ahead of all the Veterans old boys including Rave Racing and only 10 seconds off the pace of former Masters champion and race boss Si Paton. With more races under his belt and a good tailwind, Mick's definitely going to be on a few podiums this year!

Next down the hill was Ad Halling, the technical wizard from TheBikeSchool.net who struggled slightly on the flat out pedalfest, whilst he held his seeding position of 17th, he wasn't happy following his 5th at Rd1.

Andy Hughes slipped from 7th in seeding to 11th overall, but having climbed a place from Rd1 on a track that really favours the bigger powerhouse type riders, he has to be pleased with the result.

Up in the rarefied echelons of Elite Men, Elliott was looking like he'd been hit by a train. Elite racing is a harsh mistress and even a blisteringly fast 2:38 run couldn't save Elliot from placing in the final quarter of the Elite field. With Steve Peat, Gee & Dan Atherton, Matti Lehikoinen, Fairclough, Beaumont, Cathro and Smith all in attendence, Elliot was racing a mini-world cup rather than a National round. Elliot placed 38th in Elite
"This weekend's been a big kick up the arse for me  I've realised I'm going to have to put 200percent into training now. Bring on Glencoe..."

RG Squadron wouldn't be possible without the support of our sponsors/partners:

Ready to Ride Cycles / Works Components

Swinnertons Cycles Forest Centre

The Bike School (Adam Halling)