Midlands Winter Series Round 3 - Hopton

Wooooo hoooo! That's how I'm going to sum up the final round of the Pearce Cycles/Iron Horse winter series!

On a totally new track back at Hopton, there was plenty to challenge everyone. The top was a technical twisty nightmare into a road gap jump into a rooty mid-section followed by an awkward drop into a double.. the open middle section was just flat out fun with drops and berms, then finishing up with a steep switchback section, some more fun berms, a rock garden and then sprint finish.

Saturday was like a glorious summer's day, sun and no wind. There were rumours of snow forecast for Sunday but after such a beautiful warm day on Saturday there was just no way...... and then the predicted artic winds swung in on Sunday morning and it was flippin freezing. The track was damp and slippery at the top and I didn't have a great practice. But in between the snow showers I had my first race run and held it together pretty nice. It was slow and steady but clean, putting me in first place, a good start. Second run I let go a bit more, felt the speed coming back, and clocked a faster run, to take the win by around 12 seconds! I was sooo happy for so many reasons! Mainly stoked on my run... not perfect but definately waaaay better than any race run's been for ages.. and my first overall win this year too.

So with that win in the bag, I won the series overall making me the Pearce Cycles/Iron Horse Winter Series Champion for 2007.