Tuesday, 16 August 2011 11:01
Round 5 and 6 took of the British 4X series took place last weekend hosted by SW Extreme. Here's the round up for the Nukeproof/Bikeyard team from the event.
Round 5 –Saturday 13TH August 2011
We arrived early at one of the most anticipated rounds of the season, nothing to do with the track being a stone’s throw away from the beach! Unfortunately the weather didn’t look very promising from the get go but by early afternoon it soon cleared up.
Billy and Nathan
The track was wide open, covered in shale with a small rock garden, there was plenty of room to make moves and overtake. The pro line on the finishing straight was risky with only the diehard riders taking the chance. During the first few motos the loose track caused havoc for the teams inner tube supply, Billy Cheetham punctured at the first burm but managed to hold 2nd position to the finish line, looks like his roller training had kicked in. Billy looked good most of the day but was let down by his gates which by Sunday he had nailed. Billy’s background in DH racing paid off as he looked fast on the loose corners, especially the flat corner mid track where he made some great passes.
Nathan looked strong all day with a couple of moto wins giving him an easy pass into the finals but was unfortunate not to pass as Tom Dowie blocked any door that was open to Nath to make a move but took a well deserved 4th place in the A final.
Round 5 Podium - Elite with Nathan Parsons
Josh was looking rapid all weekend getting the snap out of the gate every time leaving everyone to chase him down, Josh was using his head a lot more choosing some good racing lines making some great moves on the insides to win most of his moto heats taking 4th spot.
Josh and Cai
Cai Mahon made the B final after also looking good for the team but had some hard heats up against team mate Josh Bremridge and was unlucky to crash out in the semis as he would have made the A final.
Round 5 Youth Podium with Elliot
Elliot Thompson Knight killed it all weekend he looked super smooth and fast throughout the day, edging ever closer to the so far this season unbeatable Dylan Grell-Delsol. Elliot tried to find a spot to make a move but just could not find a way through giving him 3rd spot.
Nathan Parsons- 4th
Billy Cheetham – 10th
Josh Bremridge – 4th
Cai Mahon – 7th
Elliot Thompson Knight – 3rd
Total Wipeout Night Race
Saturdays evening’s entertainment consisted of a total wipeout style competition. It was a miracle anyone turned up to compete as the weather was terrible, but thebikeyard/Nukeproof boys are always up for a challenge. After 3 rounds of the course the team was battered, bruised, cold and soaked! The assault type course was timed, the times were collated and winners announced. The team couldn’t believe their luck when they took 2nd spot especially as one competitor couldn’t even swim!
Total Wipeout
Round 6 –Sunday 14TH August 2011
So this was it then, the Penultimate race before the season comes to an end, the team were up early knowing we need the points today to take us to top 3 teams overall. The day started off windy, it was difficult to balance on the gate as the track was so open but it soon turned mild.
The motos kicked off and the lads looked by far stronger and faster today. Billy looked much more on form with the majority of motos finishing in 2nds. Nathan also yet again easily qualifying.
Billy and Nathan
But it was the younger team members who gave us a memorable days racing. Josh who has just came back from a broken collar bone ripped up across the board winning all his motos, semi finals and finals for our first win of the year in the youth category. Cai also a youth rider had an unlucky first moto crashing out but then also won every moto thereafter, unfortunately Cai was in 2nd place in the semis behind Josh and had another crash damaging his collar bone, Cai made it to the B finals but was forced to roll off the track as his collar bone was in a bad way.
Round 6 Podium featuring Josh
Young Juvenile rider Elliot Thompson-Knight also had a stormer. Dylan finally got beat for the first time all year giving Elliot the confidence in the finals. As the gate dropped Elliot got snap but then got his trouser leg caught, causing him to head but his handlebars which left him disorientated as Dylan swept past.
Elliot closing the gap
Elliot tried to catch him and tailed Dylan’s rear wheel the whole way to the finish. Elliot finally got to climb the podium with a 2nd overall.
Round 6 Juvenile Podium featuring Elliot
Nathan Parsons- 6th
Billy Cheetham – 7th
Josh Bremridge – 1st
Cai Mahon – 8th
Elliot Thompson Knight – 2nd
Elliot's Prize
Yet another race weekend without a single mechanical issue with the Nukeproof Snaps.
Thanks Nukeproof for giving the team the strongest and most durable bikes on the scene.
The team Look forward to the final race of the season at Redhill on the 18th September.
Josh Brenridge
