Diamondback MTB Downhill Series Round 5 Report - Moelfre Hall 11th - 12th July 2015
DATATAG - THE POWER BEHIND THE DIAMONDBACK MTC TEAM
Diamondback MTB Downhill Series Round 5 Report - Moelfre Hall 11th - 12th July 2015
With an awesome fast track laid out, good weather apart from a bit of wind and no problems with the uplift the weekend was set to be a good one. For the first time the full team was together as the event was run alongside the 4X national champs, the atmosphere was good typically relaxed but at the same time ready to do business. Practise went well with only the tail end of the day catching a small rain shower which made the track better in some ways it was time for a team BBQ and a watch of some 4X action.
Sunday rolled around and with an overnight rain shower making the track tacky and grippy and faster, by the time everyone rolled up the hill the sun was out and the track was bone dry dusty yet again as it had been in practise the previous day. It also started to get blown out and rough which suited the team riders even more on the big fast rolling 650B Diamond Back DH8's.
First away in qualifying was Bear Belk in juniors posting an impressive top ten effort with 7th as he has done most of the season, this time he was hoping to keep the momentum into the finals.
Next up was the expert riders Sean Radcliff and Joe Mallinson, with Joe taking to the track first and loving it he was keen to set a good time. Feeling comfortable on his big bike again Joe managed to get himself into the top 20 with 16th. Next down was Sean Radcliff and he would come through the line 11th disappointed as a front flat tyre had hampered his efforts somewhat.
Finally it was the turn of the Elite's George Belk and Nick Geoghegan, both would post good times with George just inside the top twenty in a stacked elite field taking 18th place and Nick coming in a solid 24th, both would be looking for more come finals.
The wind dropped for finals and the sun continued to blaze down on the track and spectators, at one point the temperature in the team pits clocked up to 34 degrees making it a great atmosphere around the finish line.
Bear Belk in juniors got himself going and managed to keep the confident and strong riding on his side in the finals dropping a single place after qualifying into 8th place. Bear has been looking good all year but has had some small issues, he has been due a top ten finish and finally proved what we all knew he was capable of.
Experts away next and the two team riders where close together. First away was Joe Mallinson and he was very determined feeling better than he had all year, sadly it wasn't to be with a fairly big over the bars crash it was just not Joe's day taking home 38th in the finals. The race seems to have put the fire into Joe and he will be looking to have a great finish in the next race which is the national champs at Llangollen. Next off was Sean Radcliff who was loving the track and the high speeds all weekend after being disappointed in the qualifying he wanted to press on in finals and grab another top ten finish. Unfortunately pushing harder in the race runs resulted in a puncture on the rear too far up the track for him to make a real dent in the top results. Finishing in 24th was not what he wanted but that's racing as they say.
Finally was the Elite riders Nick Geoghegan and George Belk. Nick put in a blistering run to take a lot of time out of his first run and post the team's best time of the weekend and his best result of the yearn 22nd. Nick has struggled this year but his talent and drive to ride has seen him get better each round and work his way up the most competitive category in racing. Finally was George Belk as always calm and smooth it's hard to see how he goes so fast as he makes everything look so effortless, George crossed the line into 24th a little off the pace after the wind and some mistakes played there part.
All in all a mixed weekend for the team with mechanical issues and weather factors playing there part everyone will be looking to go better at the next round of the BDS which is the finals at Antur Stiniog and also the National Champs only a week away at Llangollen.
Check out our video by Luke Hough @LXKEWXRM
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