Blogs
Oli at Cyclo Cross National 2
Hello
Last week i took part in the Second round of the six round UK National Cross series in Ipswich. As I mentioned in my last sponsor mail, it is the first time I have done a full cross season.
The opening round went better than planned and i took a 4th place and fancied a podium in this race but there were a few things in my way, namely a crazy wet muddy course, 60 keen Brits and 5 very keen Belgians
Oli at the Cyclo Cross races
Hello
For the first time in my career (who said you cannot teach an old dog new tricks) I am competing in a full cyclo cross season and making Endura MTB racing more Endura jack of all trades racing. I have dabbled in some cross before with some success but never commited to doing it 100%.
Oli at the National Final and World Championships
Hello
After the hard start to the year I have ended my MTB season on a high at the National series final and the World Champs. Where I ended up with a few numbers that I am rather proud of.. 3 National race wins out of 5 races.. My 9th senior series overal title.. My 17th appearance at the World Champs.
After a dismal start to the season I managed to turn things around by June winning the third and fourth races. Going into the fifth and final races I had a narrow lead over 2nd place and needed a top 5 to secure the series.
Oli at National champs
Hello
Last weekend I took part in the UK National Champs near Reading. It would be my 14th Senior National Champs and with a record of 5wins and 12 podiums so far I was hoping to make it 6 wins and definitely make it 13 podiums.
The course was flat with long sections of winding singletrail, so the complete opposite of what i like, but after a few road races there was some power in my legs.
Oli gets road racing
Hello
With the Olympics no longer on the cards it is now time to turn my full attention to the UK scene. Since the end of May this approach has paid off and have won three races and back in the hunt to take my 9th National XC series title.
Oli wins at Tweedlove and NPS 4
Hello
It seems like winning bike races is like waiting for a bus, you wait for ages and then 3 come along at once
The week after my win at the 3rd British National I headed up to Scotland to take part in the Glentress 7hr, the main event in a week of cycling activities at the Tweedlove festival. As much as I love riding my MTB i am not a masochist and teamed up with Scottish rider and Endura supplied Rab Wardell to ride the pairs event.
Oli @ The National Series 3
Hello
It has taken a little longer than i wanted (but less than i was advised) but 9months after my hip fracture I made it back to the top step of the podium at a National race.
Oli at the BMC Swiss Cup
Hello
In order to prepare for the upcoming important races, the 4th Round of the World Cup and 3rd National Race, I felt I needed a kick up the arse so headed off on a 5 day road trip for some hard training and a
top level race.
Oli @ National series 2 and in the press
Hello
Last weekend I took part in Round 2 of the National MTB series at the previous world cup venue at Dalby North Yorshire. This round, like the first race was a category 1 UCI race (the world governing body) so as well as all the British guys, ten foreign riders had made the trip over on the hunt for ranking points and prizes.
Oli at the World Cup and in the press
Hello
It took a little while, but after 8 months out of the game I finally made it back to the start line of a World Cup race.
The second round in the series took place in Houfalize in Belgium, it is the classic MTB venue having hosted 19 world cup rounds since 1989. The course used to be a hilly epic but with shortened lap and race times enforced by the UCI (the governing body) the race is now an intense, technical affair based on one steep hill side. So great for spectators but not so good for skinny dudes like me who like big long climbs!
