Events/Results - MTB

Welsh XC Championships

Trehafod (near the Rhondda Heritage Park)

Sun 19th, August 2007

Report from Ben Roff:

After a wet and unpleasant trip from Northampton, not to mention another early start! We arrived at the Rhondda Heritage Park in plenty of time to get a good look at the course. The rain was holding off and the course was really tough, long climbs and loose technical descents, it was probably one of the toughest courses this year. It was long as well and as I was to race three laps it was likely to be a bit longer than the normal 50 minutes or so of a youth race.

First lap

I decided to take the start easy and build into the race. At the start I tailed a couple of Youths and some Vets up the long fireroad climb, by the top I made the jump to pass them as we entered the first singletrack. I felt better than expected and pushed on, really enjoying the downhills. I had a couple of near misses but got round the first lap about a minute ahead of second and third.

Later laps

By the time I finished the second lap I was three minutes up and getting among the seniors who had started a minute ahead. I came off the gas a little for the last lap and rode with the leading Vet to the finish. When I crossed the line after 1hr 18 minutes I was nearly 5 minutes up on second place who had started suffering with cramps. To really make my day I found out that because my Mum was born in Wales I qualified for the Championship Title and have been crowned Welsh National Youth Champion!

It’s now on to the final round of the three race Welsh Dragon Series to be held near Brecon in South Wales on the 9^th September, I love the Welsh courses (I’m a bit of a freak and enjoy climbing!) and currently lead the series with two wins from two.

Ben's other successes this year have been:

British Schools Cycling Association National Champion U16

Friday Night Summer Series Series Champion (Youth)

Soggy Bottoms Series Champion (Juvenile)

2nd in the Gorrick Spring Series (Youth)

Currently leading the Dragon Series in Wales with two wins from two, the final round of which is next week.

Ben is currently ranked 4th in the UK on the British Cycling rankings system.