The 3rd round of the Freerange Sport Optics BMBS headed for the hills with a vengeance and riders young and old were treated to one of the best courses in the series, with nearly a 1000 ft of climbing to be tackled on each lap. The setting for this 5.1 km lung busting, strength sapping challenging course? Margam Park, South Wales. A favourite with most riders, providing a physical and mental test. As with all things British the main concern of the event though, was the impending weather, with forecasts changing daily from monsoon like conditions to changeable, the outlook for the XC race was looking good on the morning. As the day unfolded it wasn’t only the racing that was hot as temperatures rose to a very humid 27º, making the water crossing a feature that the competitors were very pleased to see.

With 3 major climbs to sort the wheat from the chaff, coupled with some interesting descents, that although not overly technical kept you on the rivet all the way round, the bog section proved the most difficult as a narrow plank provided access through the stinky mud but then you were faced with a steep bank that only a very few managed to climb the rest clamoured up in the heat gasping for air. And so the stage was set for some intriguing racing…