Borderline Events, Decision Downhill - 18/19th Octobber 2008

Borderline Events kicked off their first race with a twist this month, named Decision Downhill.  The idea behind the race was for to use two tracks during the practice day and then on race day a decision would be made as to which track would be being used – an interesting twist to the normal format of racing downhill.

Practice opened on Saturday morning with the newer track on the hill being used first although the winds took a few riders down on some of the jumps in the top field, which had to be closed as became a little dangerous with some sketchy moments as riders were blown into spectators.  Unfortunately someone went down hard on one of the jumps so Mike Marsden (event organiser) decided to make an early change to the other track, this meant that there was more time available to practice on the NPS track but kept everyone riding all day except for a short gap to transfer the marshals across the hill.  The uplift was very efficient with twelve tractors supplying a swift trip up the fire road dropping you meters from start gate.

After the days practice on both tracks the evening kicked off with a riders meeting biting down hard on some idiots that had been riding with their helmets undone and an announcement that the decision on the chosen track for the race day would not be decided on until the morning with the weather playing a factor.

At most races the Saturday night can often leave you with nothing to do, Mike tried to eliminate this by holding a long jump competition.  It wasn’t anything serious but a great little event to get involved with or just watch bring a more relaxed feeling to the event that a run of the mill competitive race.  Juvenile rider Will Mapstone won the competition with a no handed suicide and a big no footer alongside the longest jump and grabbing some prizes from Diamondback.  Mike had also got a music and alcohol licence giving the riders a great chance to have a chat about the tracks they want to race and get to know the riders off the bikes.  Giving something back, all profits from the bar went to the Welsh Air Ambulance who are often needed for the unfortunate accidents that occur.

Sunday morning the wind had picked up even more and it had been raining over night, because of this the Decision Downhill was raced on the well known original NPS track as it seemed slightly less windy on that side of the hill.  It’s a proven track and races work well on it, having been to Moelfre quite a few times I was more inclined to race the new track but talking to new comers of the venue they all felt that the NPS track was the better out of the two.  When practice opened the track was really wet and spikes where almost a must mainly for the slippery section after the bottom jump just before the finish line, which saw many riders sliding off the track.  The track soon started to dry up for the racing but the winds grew stronger to the point that it stopped racing from starting on time.

The racing itself went smoothly with the timing system being run by Pearce Cycles working efficiently as was the uplift.  Last jump caused a bit of carnage with the wind sending people flying down the landing without bikes in many cases and the stream crossing beat a few bikes up making interesting spectating at the finish line complimented by some good commentating.  Much like the last NPS race at Moelfre people attempted to fight the wind with the peakless helmets, was good to see the guys that won didn’t need to do that.

It was great to see Diamondback back on the race scene helping get the event off the ground by supplying full build Bandito bikes for the category winners and components by gravity and WTB for runners up.

Results

Hardtail
GLEAVE Thomas
ENGLAND Tom
HAMER Lee - Extreme Culture

Juvenile
ATWILL Philip
MAPSTONE Will
DOWNES Matthew Dave - Raynor Cycle Sport

Youth
WEBSTER Sam - Team Skene
ROBERTSHAW Rich - 2 Stage Bikes/Pure Riders Co
MATHER Brad

Juniors
DAVIES Emyr
DALE Sam - Cannondale Factory Racing
INESON Ben - Solid UK

Senior
CALLOW Jeremy
MACHIN Elliott
EVANS Rhys Cain Valley - Llanfyllin

Masters
WILLIAMS Colin - Solid UK
BRADLEY Adrian
PATON Simon  - Descent-Gear.com

Veterans
STUTTARD Howard
WEDGBURY Mark
WEBB Tim - Red Mist Racing

Women
STONE Jess - Trek - Extreme Medics
WRIGGLESWORTH Kerry - Solid UK
BARTLEMAN Lianne

Elite
SMITH Rob
READING Jack
SIMMONDS Matthew - CRC/Intense

Moelfre works really well as a venue for racing.  The uplift is fast and efficient, there is loads of room for camping and from a spectators view, watching the racing is made easier by the bare open tracks on the hill.  Mike Marsden did a great job for his first race with Borderline Events and has already pencilled in some dates for more races in the new year and has been getting feedback from the racers to improve the event even more.

For Full results and more information on Borderline Events visit www.borderline-events.co.uk

Race Photography supplied by RYANCORBYN.COM
Images are available in print or download format from £6.99.
Freelance sport photography for Teams, Magazines and Events. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

SDH