NPS XC R3 - Grizedale

In an effort to find new and exciting courses on which to test the nation's best riders the third round of the NPS XC series headed for the hills of the Lake District. Grizedale Forest Park, situated between Lakes Windermere and Coniston was the venue and it offered the competitors a cracking 8 km course, consisting of strenuous climbing offset with loose rocky descents weaving down through ribbons of singletrack, plus tricky north shore sections before swooping down to the arena to start all over again.

Kate Potter - Elite woman winner
I think I'm coming down with a bit of a cold and I just didn't feel that perky this morning. I didn't get to warm up properly before hand as I was running a bit late, my watch stopped and I almost missed the start. Anyway I decided I would just do a lap as my warm up and just finish. But it all came together and I got some lady luck!
I had real issues getting on and off my bike today and because of that I got passed by a few of the girls but I got up to the lead group and decided to attack about half way into the first lap and tried to maintain that pace. I took it steady on the descents as I really thought I would puncture today and yeah it just went my way today. It was still really tough though. Once I got past all the girls I just kept thinking they were all on my tail, I kept expecting Jenn or Jenny to just fly by or even one of the other girls. I guess I kept trying to race the guys out there to keep me pushing on.

I think my World Cup experience has really shown here today, my confidence is improving, I think technically my riding has improved, I feel like I'm not such a timid little mouse as I was before, but I've still got lots to work on and lots more experience to pick up. Every race is a new experience.

It's been great to be back in the UK and to do these races and see all the friendly faces and catching up with everyone. I was a bit disappointed that I couldn't make the first 2 NPS races it would have just been too much to get here after all the travelling for the World Cups but it's really good to be back. I've got some team events lined up now, I'm riding Mountain Mayhem with the Scott team and then twentyfour/12 I'm riding with my husband Ian and I'm gonna rip his legs off, I just need to add that!

If you’d like to read more about this race click on the British Cycling link above.