The respective British and US Mountain Bike National Championships took place over the weekend.
Ae Forest in Scotland hosted the UK downhill championships, where Steve Peat and Jess Stone took the honours in the men’s and women’s senior races. Meanwhile, in the cross country races at Pippingford, East Sussex, Liam Killeen and Annie Last won the men’s and women’s cross-country events.
Peat won his ninth national title, finishing ahead of Gee Atherton (Commencal) and fellow Santa Cruz Syndicate rider Josh Bryceland. The course was affected throughout the whole of race day by constant rain, but nobody could match the time set by Peat, despite having ridden with a badly cut arm.
Liam Killeen and Oli Beckingsale (Giant Racing) fought a close race at the cross-country national championships at Pippingford, East Sussex, but a mechanical problem put paid to Beckingsale’s hopes of a win after his chain snapped and he lost five minutes.
Despite dropping down the field, Beckingsale finished second ahead of Hope Factory Racing’s Paul Oldham.
In the women’s race, Annie Last (100% Me) topped the podium ahead of Maddie Horton (Team Certini/McCaulays) and Jenny Copnall.
Todd Wells and Georgia Gould crowned US Cross-country national champions
On a hot, dry and dusty day on the slopes around Sol Vista Resort in Granby, Colorado, Todd Wells (Specialized) rode to a solo win in the elite men's cross country race, taking his first-ever cross country national title.
Wells defeated last year's champion Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru/Trek) for the win, and Ryan Trebon (Kona) put in a strong ride for third.
"I did it!" said an ecstatic Wells after crossing the line and hugging his wife Meg. "I've been doing this a long time and it feels good to finally get one. There were a lot of good racers, and JHK is always good at altitude. I knew I was riding well, but he's worked me over quite a few times, so I was glad to get him today."
In the women’s race, Georgia Gould (Luna Women's Team) rode to a solo victory after a dominant performance at the elite women's national championship cross country race. Gould defeated last year's national champion Heather Irmiger and her Subaru-Trek teammate Willow Koerber.
"I'm happy with how everything's been going," said Gould after winning the title and continuing her domestic winning streak. "It's been my plan, and I've been feeling good and riding well. To be here with such good competition is really motivating."
For full results and race reports, head to Cyclingnews.com now.
