Location: Combe Sydenham, near Taunton, Somerset
Event: 15 April 2012
Report: Snowdon Sports/Andy Whitehouse
Marc Beaumont (GT Factory Racing) and Manon Carpenter (Madison Saracen Downhill) drew first blood in the 2012 Halo British Downhill Series, both winning the elite finals from world-class opposition.
Beaumont was fastest in a top twenty containing a host of World Cup level competition, he 27-year-old from Shropshire clocking a classy 2-27.8 in qualifying, but went even faster in the final with a time of 2-25.97 to hold off Stockport’s Josh Bryceland (Santa Cruz Syndicate) with 2-28.9, while Brendan Fairclough (Scott) was third.
In the elite women’s category, Manon Carpenter dominated both qualifying and the final despite a tentative wait. The 19-year-old from Caerphilly clocked 2-51.9 for the final to beat Powys rival Rachael Atherton by less than a second after both riders were disrupted by a crash on course
Atherton was forced to restart her run from the top, while Carpenter had a long wait before her race run could get underway.
Warm and dry conditions prevailed on an updated course which hadn't been used for a national event since 2004, with reaction generally positive from riders.
RIDER REACTION
Marc Beaumont
“I think the last time I came here was probably 2003/2004. The course was ok then, but coming back this weekend I thought maybe the sport had moved on and the course may be a bit tame for what the riders expect these days but it gave us some really close racing and to be honest it was a challenging course. I enjoyed the racing today, the crowd was good, a lot of people have made the journey which is great and we need to keep that going for the sport. Downhill racing has a great scene and we have a lot of good people running it so things are looking good. I'm really stoked with the win today. I've got a trip to Europe next then it’s off to Fort William for round two of the Halo BDS.”
Josh Bryceland
“I'm pleased with second today to be fair, I had a really good run but Marc (Beaumont) is really on form at the moment so hopefully I'll be a bit closer at Fort William. I'm really keen to get the series overall this year, the World Cup is the main focus this year but to get the BDS would be a nice win. It’s been a really good vibe here today and it was a really good race. The course isn't as technical as I expected but its nice to mix the courses up a bit, there are a few courses we always ride every season and they do get a bit dead but riding here is new to us. The scene is totally different to the last time this was raced. It’s not my kind of course here, too much pedaling for my liking but we got through it and I'm buzzing with second.”
Manon Carpenter
“My run was good, pretty smooth, fast, a few little mistakes but it was a good run. Our run got red flagged, the girls had gone down, Rachel was stopped at five I think and I had to sit on the start line for ages. I got a bit nervous sitting around for so long but I had a couple of gels, I got on the turbo to spin my legs and just as I got on we had the all clear to go. I was a bit nervous on the line, it may have helped today. It’s been a pretty good year so far, bit of a shock but I've trained hard during the winter so I'm happy with the way its going. Today was a good race, I never thought I would beat Rachel in a race to be honest she is always the one rider to beat so I feel pretty good.”
Rachel Atherton
“That was a really good run, my first race after six months off the bike and happy to get the first one out of the way. It’s cool to ride here, I used to ride here about ten years ago, we used to live close to here so it’s nice that it was Sydenham to come back. Today was great, it was around 2004 the last time we raced here and there are a lot of the same faces still on the scene, it’s a bit weird being the older girl now. There’s all these young girls coming up and beating me but I'm really happy, first race back, great atmosphere but I'm feeling tired though. Second today, Manon’s won her first national, she is in top shape and really good form but I'm just happy to be here. I was really nervous before the race because I haven't raced for so long, I had surgery during the off season to hopefully sort out my shoulder problems once and for all, it feels good, I'm getting my strength back but just got to get a few more races in to get my race fitness back.”
Jess Stone
“It was always going to be a tough race today racing against Rachel and Manon, two top riders, Manon is on form at the moment so I knew it would be a difficult race. I expected a lot better from myself this weekend but it’s a course that doesn't really suit my riding style and I was happy to get a podium spot with third. I'm looking to get on the podium at every round of the series, hopefully with a few wins thrown in and I'm aiming for top tens in the World Cup Series, I'm aiming high this year so hopefully I'll give everyone some good competition this season. They've put a lot a work into getting this course ready for the weekend and it’s fun to ride, it’s got a bit of everything in it and anyone can ride it, it’s wicked and fast and fun to ride.”
Results: (Full analysis on rootsandrain.com)
Elite Men
1 Marc BEAUMONT GT FACTORY RACING 2:25.976 (1)
2 Josh BRYCELAND Santa Cruz Syndicate 2:28.902 (2)
3 Brendan FAIRCLOUGH Scott 2:30.035 (3)
4 Matt SIMMONDS Chainreactioncycles.com go to site / Nukeproof 2:30.426 (4)
5 Rich THOMAS Wideopen Magazine 2:30.458 (5)
6 Adam BRAYTON 2:31.198 (6)
7 Steve PEAT Santa Cruz Syndicate 2:31.660 (7)
8 Joe SMITH Chainreactioncycles.com go to site / Nukeproof 2:31.896 (8)
9 Tom BRAITHWAITE Hope Technology 2:32.082 (9)
10 Ben REID Dirt Norco Race Team 2:32.441 (10)
11 Sam DALE 2:32.502 (11)
12 Greg WILLIAMSON 2:33.146 (12)
13 Harry HEATH Unior Tools Team 2:33.370 (13)
14 Joel MOORE Mojo 2:33.668 (14)
15 Oliver BURTON Fetish Bike Co / Norco / One Industries 2:33.824 (15)
16 Al BOND Chainreactioncycles.com go to site / Nukeproof 2:34.093 (16)
17 Lewis BUCHANAN Chainreactioncycles.com go to site / Nukeproof 2:34.371 (17)
18 Bernard KERR Pivot 2:35.348 (18)
19 Matti LEHIKOINEN Chainreactioncycles.com go to site / Nukeproof 2:35.601 (19)
20 Mark SCOTT 2:36.589 (20)
21 Stuart JENKINSON 2:37.017 (21)
22 James SWINDEN 2:37.146 (22)
23 Gareth BREWIN 2:38.038 (23)
24 Arran GANNICOTT 2:38.145 (24)
25 Emyr DAVIES 2:38.602 (25)
26 Ben BAKER 2:38.673 (26)
27 Dave SMITH Leisure Lakes 2:38.933 (27)
28 William JONES Cwmdown / PS Cycles 2:39.436 (28)
29 Leon ROSSER 2:39.482 (29)
30 Dan STANBRIDGE Dirt Norco Race Team 2:39.785 (30)
31 Will SOFFE 2:39.793 (31)
32 Joel CHIDLEY Leisure Lakes 2:40.686 (32)
33 Ashley MALLER 2:40.869 (33)
34 Nathan VIALS 2:41.418 (34)
35 James STOCK 2:41.607 (35)
36 Liam LITTLE Balfa / Foes / Planet-Knox.com go to site 2:43.008 (36)
37 Harry MOLLOY Madison Saracen Downhill Team 2:46.409 (37)
38 Simon PARSONS 2:47.275 (38)
Elite women
1 Manon CARPENTER Madison Saracen Downhill Team 2:51.960 (1)
2 Rachel ATHERTON GT FACTORY RACING 2:52.594 (2)
3 Jess STONE Unior Tools Team 3:03.585 (3)
4 Angela COATES 3:17.421 (4)
5 Emma WAREHAM Leisure Lakes 3:17.759 (5)
6 Reanne ATHERTON Pearce Cycles 3:25.071 (6)
7 Esther SANDS 4Play Cycles 3:44.190 (7)
Expert men
1 Neil DONOGHUE 2:34.986 (1)
2 Jack GEOGHEGAN Madison Saracen Downhill Team 2:36.287 (2)
3 Nikki WHILES Team Skene 2:38.482 (3)
4 Chris SINDEN 2:38.822 (4)
5 Matty STUTTARD Ride-On 2:39.048 (5)
6 Jay WILLIAMSON WideopenMag.co.uk go to site 2:40.207 (6)
7 Guy GIBBS 2:40.423 (7)
8 Nick GEOGHEGAN 44Racing Rockstar 2:40.706 (8)
9 Ronan TAYLOR 2:40.981 (9)
10 Alex EVANS 2:41.151 (10)
11 Sam WAKEFIELD 2:41.316 (11)
12 Robert WILLIAMS Team Skene 2:41.594 (12)
13 Oliver MORRIS 2:42.257 (13)
14 Rob YOUNG (exp) Crosstrax 2:42.773 (14)
15 Joe FLANAGAN (exp) All Terrain Cycles 2:42.961 (15)
16 Dale RUSSELL (exp) StevePeatSyndicate 2:43.078 (16)
17 Adam PRICE Juice Lubes 2:43.395 (17)
18 Simon STUTTARD Ride-On 2:43.547 (18)
19 Alex MOSS No Bull Cycles 2:43.834 (19)
20 Perry GARDENER Pearce Cycles 2:43.903 (20)
21 Brad MATHER EMPIRE CYCLES 2:44.260 (21)
22 Callum DEW 2:44.592 (22)
23 Ashley MULLANE Kustom Bikes 2:44.645 (23)
24 George BELK 2:44.973 (24)
25 Thomas POLLOCK Team-chr.co.uk go to site 2:45.256 (25)
26 Grant BOYCE Team Bicycle Doctor 2:45.267 (26)
27 Kurtis KNOWLES Ride-On 2:46.065 (27)
28 Chris FOSTER 2:46.659 (28)
29 James FLINDERS 2:46.877 (29)
30 Alastair PARKIN All Terrain Cycles 2:47.021 (30)
31 Jamie SCOTT 2:47.209 (31)
32 Ben DEAKIN Royal Marines 2:47.229 (32)
33 Chris CHARLES 2:47.235 (33)
34 Jonathan OWEN 2:47.334 (34)
35 Jim SHAW Brian Rourke Cycles 2:47.365 (35)
36 Ben WORRALL 2:48.206 (36)
37 James CONERON Gravity Project / Rootsandrain.com go to site 2:48.513 (37)
38 Michael VICKERS 2:48.571 (38)
39 Dave KYNASTON 2:48.588 (39)
40 Micky BOSWELL 2:48.717 (40)
41 Ian STARK 2:49.106 (41)
42 Ewan FINDLAY Base camp Bikes 2:49.337 (42)
43 Brad SHEEHAN Devinci / Haven 2:49.399 (43)
44 Adam PAGE Mojo 2:49.400 (44)
45 Simon APLIN Astrix 2:49.620 (45)
46 Ryan TELLING 2:50.042 (46)
47 Andrew KELLY All Terrain Cycles 2:50.206 (47)
48 Thomas EVANS (exp) 2:50.625 (48)
49 Adam HALLING Racers Guild Cannock Chase 2:51.540 (49)
50 Jimmy SMITH 2:52.585 (50)
51 Dave WOOD 2:53.044 (51)
52 Alex HOLOWKO Mojo 2:53.561 (52)
53 Ed SMITH (exp) 2:58.121 (53)
54 Josh LEWIS StevePeatSyndicate 2:58.787 (54)
55 Ryan WEST Rootsandrain.com go to site / Schwalbe 3:03.472 (55)
56 Jamie HEXT 3:04.365 (56)
57 Sean RADCLIFF 3:06.272 (57)
Juvenile men
1 James PURVIS Team-chr.co.uk go to site 2:52.919 (1)
2 Charlie HATTON FlyUp Downhill / Pedalabikeaway 3:09.041 (2)
3 Kyle HAVARD Team Skene 3:12.166 (3)
4 Obi EICHHORN one industries europe 3:12.777 (4)
5 Andrew BARRETT (juv) J-Tech Suspension / Pearce Cycles 3:14.383 (5)
6 Joe PARFITT Team Skene 3:16.623 (6)
7 Jack TENNYSON NEFR Racing / Peddlers Cycles / R-Kade 3:16.693 (7)
8 Nile JONES 3:23.453 (8)
9 Jack MILLER (juv) 3:30.250 (9)
Youth men
1 Innes GRAHAM Lapierre Cadets 2:38.962 (1)
2 Dan FARLEY Kona / Wheelbase.co.uk go to site 2:40.426 (2)
3 Taylor VERNON Bike it Cycles – Bridgend / Fox / Maxxis / Mojo / Scott 2:41.600 (3)
4 Sam HERD Perth City Cycles 2:46.858 (4)
5 Owen WILLICOMBE Kustom Bikes 2:47.787 (5)
6 Shaun RICHARDS Lodge Cycles 2:47.978 (6)
7 Jacob DICKSON MBW kona 2:49.482 (7)
8 Frazer MCCUBBING Ae7 Bikes 2:50.025 (8)
9 Laurie GREENLAND 2:50.570 (9)
10 Ben KENNEDY 2:52.076 (10)
11 Niall MORRISON Bike Track People 2:54.289 (11)
12 Bradley SWINBANK StevePeatSyndicate 2:54.690 (12)
13 Luke CORNFORTH BW Kona 2:58.443 (13)
14 Leigh JOHNSON Lodge Cycles 2:58.764 (14)
15 Lewis BOYCE Team Bicycle Doctor 2:58.776 (15)
16 Joel ANDERSON 2:58.847 (16)
17 Drew CARTERS 2:59.232 (17)
18 Matthew BARRETT J-Tech Suspension / Pearce Cycles 3:00.791 (18)
19 Finn TENNANT 3:01.553 (19)
20 Andrew DORRITT Lapierre Cadets 3:02.135 (20)
21 Jordan SCOTT Woodland Riders 3:03.704 (21)
22 Nial OXLEY Planet X 3:03.802 (22)
23 Campbell WOODS Lapierre Cadets 3:04.847 (23)
24 Barney SORE Mountain Mania Cycles 3:05.936 (24)
25 Nils WILLIAMS Eryri DH 3:09.228 (25)
26 Alistair WARRELL DEES CYCLES 3:11.354 (26)
27 Aidan ROCHE Gawton Gravity Hub 3:13.591 (27)
28 Ciaran KING RLSCC / The Bike Yard 3:14.634 (28)
29 Luke ROBERTS 3:17.158 (29)
30 Jack JENKINS 3:20.494 (30)
31 Adam YATES Lapierre Cadets 3:20.503 (31)
32 Joe SCUTT 3:20.648 (32)
33 Sam TROAKE 3:38.127 (33)
Junior men
1 George GANNICOTT 2:36.785 (1)
2 Fraser MCGLONE 2:37.132 (2)
3 Jono JONES Transition Bikes 2:37.879 (3)
4 Joe CONNELL 2:37.935 (4)
5 Philip ATWILL Madison Saracen Downhill Team 2:38.594 (5)
6 Christopher MCGLINCHEY Nukeproof Team 2:40.148 (6)
7 Morgan GULLAND WigwamRacing.com go to site 2:40.216 (7)
8 Ben NOTT 2:40.292 (8)
9 Dan SHERIDAN Nukeproof Team 2:41.988 (9)
10 Mike JONES (jun) Team Bicycle Doctor / WDMBA 2:42.372 (10)
11 Isaac ANDERSON 2:43.897 (11)
12 Cameron CORNFORTH BW Kona 2:44.766 (12)
13 Ben LOVELL (jun) 2:47.005 (13)
14 Sam MARZETTI 2:47.167 (14)
15 Thomas OWENS Team Skene 2:47.531 (15)
16 Jack BELL (jun) 2:48.788 (16)
17 Billy MATTHEWS 2:49.195 (17)
18 Matthew DAVIES 2:49.622 (18)
19 Lachlan BLAIR West Highland Wheelers 2:49.856 (19)
20 Freddie OXLEY StevePeatSyndicate 2:49.995 (20)
21 Ross WILCOX I-Cycles / Innerleithen MTB Racing 2:50.240 (21)
22 Mitchell SKENE 2:51.759 (22)
23 Luke TURNER Bike Plus 2:52.034 (23)
24 Zach PETERS 2:53.152 (24)
25 Michael SPENCE J-Tech 2:53.700 (25)
26 Ruairidh MCRITCHIE 2:54.407 (26)
27 Joshua CHAMBERS Peddlers Cycles 2:54.561 (27)
28 Robert PICKARD 2:55.427 (28)
29 Cameron KILGOUR WigwamRacing.com go to site 2:55.632 (29)
30 James WHITBY 2:55.910 (30)
31 Matt JONES Identiti 2:56.573 (31)
32 Oliver PATON (jun) Descent-Gear.com go to site 2:58.016 (32)
33 Ryan TUNNELL 2:58.022 (33)
34 Matty LEGGETT 2:58.392 (34)
35 James CORBETT 2:58.664 (35)
36 Bow-Jango CANN 2:58.682 (36)
37 Dan INGRAM 2:59.733 (37)
38 Michael O'BRIEN Team Abarth MTB 3:00.275 (38)
39 Craig SHAW 3:01.327 (39)
40 Max JARMEY Lapierre Cadets 3:02.123 (40)
41 Matt GOODE 3:03.509 (41)
42 Matthew DOWNES Balfa / Foes / Planet-Knox.com go to site 3:03.952 (42)
43 Alex BARKER 3:05.386 (43)
44 Greg MCGOWAN 3:07.089 (44)
45 Henry HODGKINS 3:08.267 (45)
46 James COOKE Gawton Gravity Hub 3:08.272 (46)
47 Edward GIRLING FreeFlowBikes.com go to site 3:08.456 (47)
48 Craig BROWN 3:11.897 (48)
49 Christopher WALTERS Northern Downhill 3:17.131 (49)
50 Chris DOUTRE Gamut / ODI 3:19.915 (50)
51 Chris LAMLEY Woodland Riders 3:20.126 (51)
52 Tom HODGKINSON 3:32.090 (52)
53 Will MAPSTONE 5:03.573 (53)
54 Josh LOWE Madison Saracen Downhill Team 5:47.706 (54)
Senior men
1 Christopher GALLAGHER WigwamRacing.com go to site 2:39.951 (1)
2 Samuel MADDISON 2:42.163 (2)
3 Oliver CARTER 2:43.839 (3)
4 Sam WEBSTER Muddybumbikes.com go to site 2:43.878 (4)
5 Glenroy MARTIN 2:43.956 (5)
6 Jamie JOHNSON 2:44.851 (6)
7 James RAMSAY Descend Hamsterley 2:45.972 (7)
8 Duncan FERRIS 2:46.334 (8)
9 Ed THOMSETT 2:46.839 (9)
10 Andrew WEEDING 2:46.878 (10)
11 Jake WARD 44Racing Rockstar 2:47.502 (11)
12 Curtis SAUNDERS Bournemouth Cycleworks 2:47.711 (12)
13 Gareth WESTON 2:48.050 (13)
14 James METCALFE Moonglu RT 2:48.074 (14)
15 Sean DAVIES 2:48.101 (15)
16 Olly HOOPER (sen) 2:48.447 (16)
17 Andy FARLEY Kona / Wheelbase.co.uk go to site 2:48.553 (17)
18 Patrick CAMPBELL-JENNER 2:48.808 (18)
19 Tom DAVIES (sen) Team Skene 2:49.159 (19)
20 Dan DOWNEY 2:49.211 (20)
21 Jonny HOWE TF Tuned 2:50.723 (21)
22 Sam JOHNSON 2:50.800 (22)
23 Daniel JOHNSON Descend Hamsterley 2:50.935 (23)
24 Zak HURRELL 2:51.165 (24)
25 James BARON 2:51.597 (25)
26 Tom KNIGHT 2:51.599 (26)
27 David MOULSON WDMBA 2:51.633 (27)
28 Matt RUSHTON team hope factory racing 2:51.792 (28)
29 Jordan GILBERT exempt clothing 2:51.973 (29)
30 Sam BOARDMAN Southerndownhill.com go to site 2:52.077 (30)
31 Will TYNE 2:52.655 (31)
32 Jack CHAPMAN (2) Devinci / Haven 2:53.165 (32)
33 Peter TREVISS-BELL 2:53.349 (33)
34 Jonathan-James FOSTER-SMITH Propain / Sixpack-Racing.com go to site 2:54.147 (34)
35 Luke CONSTANZA super saturated 2:54.924 (35)
36 Glen PREECE Royal Marines 2:55.062 (36)
37 Shane CRAIG Team-chr.co.uk go to site 2:55.124 (37)
38 Martin SHIPMAN 2:55.370 (38)
39 Adam LOCK 2:55.508 (39)
40 Chris FIELD 2:55.731 (40)
41 Gavin O'CONNELL Bike Rack / Epic dh / OC Tuning 2:56.159 (41)
42 Fergus RYAN Team Skene 2:56.762 (42)
43 James KIDD 2:56.781 (43)
44 William EVANS (sen) 2:57.142 (44)
45 Chris COCKRILL 2:57.177 (45)
46 Stephen FOSTER 2:57.331 (46)
47 Edward CHARLES 2:57.708 (47)
48 Luke GRIFFITHS Brooks Cycles 2:57.844 (48)
49 Jonathan COULIER 2:58.174 (49)
50 James HEAL Army Cycling Union 2:59.367 (50)
51 James DOWNEY 3:00.071 (51)
52 Gareth JONES (sen) Freeborn 3:00.344 (52)
53 Ben MERCKEL Grizedale Mountain Bikes 3:01.350 (53)
54 Alex HAMMOND 3:01.756 (54)
55 Calvin ROGERS 3:02.171 (55)
56 Ben SKINNER-WATTS 3:02.210 (56)
57 Danny WENMOTH 3:04.298 (57)
58 Nigel STANLEY 3:05.099 (58)
59 Oli WAKEMAN Summit MTB Club 3:05.968 (59)
60 Pete ROBINSON Cwmdown / PS Cycles 3:08.674 (60)
61 Pete DURSTON 3:09.416 (61)
62 Matthew GLYNN Manchester BMX Club 3:13.860 (62)
63 David TRASK 4:56.537 (63)
Master men
1 Dan HAINES Balfa / Foes Racing 2:42.188 (1)
2 Antony GASKIN 2:44.488 (2)
3 Russ CLARK 2:47.029 (3)
4 Steve JONES (mas) Muddybumbikes.com go to site 2:49.570 (4)
5 Craig TAYLOR Devinci / Haven / Loaded 2:49.658 (5)
6 Ben BOLTON Team Skene 2:49.816 (6)
7 Andrew TITLEY Ghost RT 2:52.507 (7)
8 Tom POWIS 2:52.570 (8)
9 Seb FROST Rootsandrain.com go to site / Schwalbe 2:54.495 (9)
10 Giles AUSTING Mulebar.com go to site 2:55.434 (10)
11 Dave LIST 2:56.239 (11)
12 Michael COWAN Chainreactioncycles.com go to site 2:56.341 (12)
13 Carl HEWLETT 3:00.076 (13)
14 Ben STEAD Cycle Recycle 3:00.766 (14)
15 Ross SEARLE 3:01.256 (15)
16 Mark WEIGHTMAN 3:04.036 (16)
17 Sandy PLENTY 3:04.404 (17)
18 Benjamin EDWARDS Cycle Recycle 3:04.813 (18)
19 Nigel HILLMAN Red Mist Racing 3:04.827 (19)
20 Jonathan BAILEY 3:04.980 (20)
21 Paul BOWYER 3:07.176 (21)
22 Stuart JACKSON 3:36.188 (22)
Veteran men
1 Nigel PAGE Chainreactioncycles.com go to site / Nukeproof 2:43.572 (1)
2 Jason CARPENTER Dragon Downhill 2:50.855 (2)
3 Alastair MACLENNAN (vet) Nukeproof 2:54.012 (3)
4 Niall INGRAM 2:58.109 (4)
5 Richard ABBOTT Aston Hill MTB Club 3:07.236 (5)
6 Philip GRAY Milton Keynes BMX Racing Club 3:09.437 (6)
7 Keith SAUNDERS Bournemouth Cycleworks 3:15.654 (7)
8 Glen PEPPETT StevePeatSyndicate 3:16.829 (8)
9 Lee HANDLEY 3:16.927 (9)
10 Gregg TAYLOR Rave Racing 3:19.453 (10)
11 Richard MARSHALL 3:21.416 (11)
12 Dudley FORSYTH 3:40.163 (12)
13 Richie MOLLOY 3:47.690 (13)
14 Tom SHERIDAN Nukeproof Team 3:56.133 (14)
Senior women
1 Traharn CHIDLEY 3:30.325 (1)
2 Rosie SMITH 3:30.560 (2)
British Cycling would like to thank the organising team, officials and everyone else who helped promote this event. Our sport could not exist without the hundreds of people, many of them unpaid volunteers, who put in many hours of hard work running events, activities and clubs.
