FAT FACE NATIONAL MTB CHAMPS

It’s official. What has to be the ultimate mtb festival took place last weekend, namely the Fat Face National mtb Championships at Moelfre in Wales. A three day event with riders from downhill, 4x, trails, and XC competing for the coveted title of national champion in their respective categories.

We rolled into the race site late on Thursday evening to set up camp. The atmosphere was brilliant. with most people camping on site, there was always someone around to talk to, new people to meet or things to do. I cannot forget to mention the fantastic location of the race site either - the views from the top of the hill were breathtaking, especially as the sun started to set.

Everything was all very relaxed with hours of practice available for all the MTB disciplines before any racing took place.

The downhill took place on a very long, pretty much straight down the hill track. It was high speed all the way featuring flat out corners, braking bumps and jumps. Major features included the infamous ‘Big Bertha’- a massive jump onto a loose off-camber landing which loomed near to the top of the course. The conditions were very dusty and the track got pretty cut up as the weekend continued. Some corners in particular were very loose and dusty and caused a lot of problems with people’s wheels just sinking, sending them off over the bars...

The uplifts were running smoothly all weekend allowing riders time to get up to nine practice runs of the course in if you were quick on the Friday. Riders began hitting the bottom section faster and faster as they became more used to the nature of the course. The weather was gorgeous with not a cloud in sight and it was baking hot all weekend. Downhill qualifying runs kicked off around 4.00pm on the Friday when the heat was less extreme. The qualifying runs decided the  race orders and who would be taking to the track for the Sundays finals.

After the downhill qualifiers were over it was time to head up to the 4x to relax and watch the floodlit racing, have a drink and reflect on the day. As on the very same 4x track the riders' battled it out to qualify for Saturdays finals.

So how did the racing go in XC? Oli Beckinsale took the Senior men’s title but needless to say anyone who rode in the event over the weekend is a winner in my book. The track featured the longest and steepest climb on a UK track up a dusty and loose slope. Much respect to these guys, it was so hot it was all I could do to watch...

Saturday. It was time for the Youth, Juvenile, Women and the Juniors to take to the track, along with the Seniors who had not qualified for Sunday. It was all to play for to see who would be taking home the national champ jerseys . The Youth Categorysaw Sam Dale (Goldtec) take the top spot by less than a second over defending champion Joe Smith (Ancillotti UK).

The flood lit 4x racing was pure fast paced excitement with huge clouds of dust being thrown up as the riders slid round the corners, battled round berms and over jumps, shoulder to shoulder. All very atmospheric. The riders told me the key to the track was all in a good start - get a good snap out of the gate and try to stay ahead as there were not many opportunities to pass. Will Longden MBUK/Santa Cruz was untouchable in the Senior finals taking the National Champ title with ease. In Youth Tom Dowie took the number one spot after demolishing the opposition. He even pulled on his national champion jersey for the TV crew which had turned up to film the presentation ceremony.

The Trials was cancelled due to only three riders turning up to compete, which was a real shame. I really enjoyed watching the trails at the bikeshow last year and was looking forward to seeing some more this weekend, but it was not to be...

It’s official We love Fat Face. The party on Saturday evening after the 4x finals was wild with spectacular fireworks, beer, glowsticks and some crazy music - all this went on till very late! Highlights included a big bonfire, people buzzing around on mini motos and people using their glowstick fluid to make tents luminous. What did we learn; 4x sponsors Corona beer lives up to its claims and IS actually the ultimate party beer. Relentless energy drink is fattening. Sunburn isn’t funny.

Tension built as we waited for final runs on Sunday afternoon of the top twenty junior riders and the top fifty senior. Damage to the timing cable saw the riders stuck at the start in the burning sun waiting for their runs. Controversially Marc Beaumont did not manage to qualify on Friday due to a puncture on the top section of the course, he was however able to compete in the final due to a new wild card entry rule which allowed him and four other riders’ to race in the finals.  After appeals on his behalf from other riders to the race commissaries. Marc made it count and walked away with the title setting a blistering time of 2.23.350

Steve Peat was on it towards the end but a massive hit coming out of the stream at the bottom of the course saw the world’s fastest rider go down in a huge cloud of dust metres from the finish as his rear wheel disinter-crated under him. I was standing right next to the section where it happened.

Tracy Mosley stormed down the track to take first place in the senior women’s category.

A big get well soon to James Colver who’s massive stack coming into the quarry section saw him pitched over the bars to slam down from on high onto the fireroad. Earning himself a helicopter trip to the local A&E. What a Legend.

What a weekend word has it they plan to run the national champs to the same format next year, I’ll see you there !

Full Results can be found at www.mountainbikeracing.co.uk

Go and see our photos in the Photo Gallery