R4 - Crow Hill

Round 4 of the BMBS returned to the venue used in the 2008 National XC Champs - Crow Hill in the New Forest. For those that made the journey they were well rewarded with a course on a par for many with Margam. Despite the lack of lung busting, leg stinging climbs, riders were greeted to a relentless course that required not just super fitness but also superb mental concentration. The 6.7 km lap offered a fun and challenging course that resembled a cloverleaf, ensuring the riders returned tantalisingly close to the arena three times per lap, giving spectators a real grandstand view of all the racing action as it unfolded before them.

Kate Potter - Elite Women's Winner

“I was surprised I stayed in front of this race to tell you the truth; I was really thinking on that last lap that she (Jenny Copnall) was going to catch me. I just gave it everything I had I think if the race had been another k or two longer we would have been crossing the line together. I didn't feel that great out there today, Jenny had such an amazing start, I think I was very lucky to get away from her when I did because she would have got me in the end!”

Liam Killeen - Elite men's winner

“It was a tough race out there today even though a few of the main guys weren't here like Oli and the Halfords guys, never the less it was tough. It's a pretty challenging course mentally, you have to be on the ball round here pretty much 100%, your mind might wander a bit and catch a root and yeah, end of your race. So concentration was a big factor today. It took a few laps to get into the rhythm of the course; I was riding behind Lee Williams for a while. It was good to see a rider like that, he's been working at it for a few years now and he's getting nearer the front, so that's all good. Just looking at the lap times I knew 7 laps was going to take us well over 2 hrs, so I knew I wouldn't want to go too early, it's good to mix with the field and have a race. It was hot in places you noticed it when you came out of the woods and that combined with so much pedalling made it really hard work out there”