National Championships - Crow Hill, New Forest

The National Championships went to the New Forest in Hampshire for the very first time and to what was regarded as a relatively flat course. However, it was tough! Having raced on the course back in June at the Southern series event the team knew what to expect as they prepared for the biggest race of the year.

The first race of the day was the Juvenile boys and as usual our young maestro took to the line as the hot favourite, nervous but well prepared as usual. Alex charged off the start line in his usual manner and it wasn't long before both he, and Hugo Robinson had formed a gap over the rest of the field.

It stayed like this until the final kilometre when Hugo put in a huge attack and Alex lost ground coming over the line just a few hundred yards behind. It was a fantastic race and a fantastic ride by our youngest team rider.

Ben and Nat were the next two to go and both riders got off to a stormer with Ben taking the lead from the gun. The head of the race was soon wittled down to just four, ben among them and desperately trying to stay in contention for a medal. Nat meanwhile was flirting with the top 10 and both riders were looking very strong.

As the race drew to a close Ben was in a comfortable 4th and Nat took 12th, both riders putting in a strong performance and giving there all.

With Paul out injured and missing his first National Championships for a number of years and Will also out, it was left to new recruits Matt and Brodie riding there first Championships for the team.

Matt had a fantastic start, going off in the leading group and looking strong but then disaster struck as his chain snapped forcing him to retire leaving him hugely disappointed. Brodie put in a solid performance finishing as the top Sport rider in the senior race and coming home 16th overall in the U23 race.

The weekend was a great one with some superb performances from the team and a real optimistic feel going into the final part of the season.