Stu Thompson from Mtbcut was here filming on Friday, so we were flat out 'hucking' all day on short travel bikes. It was cool, but we had the worst luck with clouds, rain and punctures, meaning it was a bit of a rush setting off to the race this weekend (to the point where we ended up having to turn around to collect the gazebo we'd forgotten - sorry Tim! He had to go back to Mojo and unlock for us well after hours!). Luckily it was only a short drive to Caersws, North Wales. for the penultimate round of the UK National series. (Yes.... thats right, North Wales, not Scotland for the first time in.... well as long as I can remember I guess!)

I was lying 2nd in the series coming into this round, with Matt Simmons on a roll at the moment, and Scottish rider Ben Cathro also looking like tough competition for the weekend. I was quietly confident though, because Ben was now many miles south of his home land, and struggling to find anywhere in Wales that sold haggis and battered Mars bar for breakfast so he was getting visibly weaker by the second.

The course was short and sweet, but windy! With the talk of the day being one evil wooden kicker just before the finish line with a heavy cross wind. This kept the mechanics in the pits entertained all day, watching endless disasters as people attempted to jump through the cross wind. Luckily my 'Safety Pencils' (although not that stylish) kept me out of harm's way throughout the weekend and into the race.

In the final, after practicing well and feeling confident, a small mistake lost me a couple of seconds which proved costly on such a short course. Leaving me a bit frustrated in 6th spot (just in front of Ben Cathro, who was now a shell of the man he once was, having had to survive all weekend on 'Highland spring water' he managed to buy in the local supermarket, and a couple of crumbs of black pudding he found under the seat of his van).

I now have a bit more work to do at the Final round of the series, but am looking forward to it.....

Aimee Dix was competing for Mojo in the Elite Womens category this weekend, and was also ranked in 2nd position coming into this race. She put in a great run to finish 2nd on the day just a few seconds off Helen Gas's time, rounding off a good weekend.

Aimee was pleased with her result.

Stanny