This last weekend saw many of Team Mind braving the M6 to head up to the gladiatorial amphitheatre that is the National Cycling Centre indoor track.
Many of us had some sneaky practice only a couple of weeks ago and it certainly rubbed off providing some amazing performances by our racers on what is arguably the most intimidating and fearful track on the circuit. The fact that this race arrives fresh off the back of a dark and gloomy winter means that no-one really knows where they stand until the gate drops.
The Regal (thank you Keefer) Pat ROBINSON made the trip with Steve and Keef for the “old enough to know better” cruisers. Keef and Pat have a big old group to ride in, and the 50+ are far from senior in their pace. There’s no hiding now with the transponders showing the world how fast (or not) we are all going and this age group still put so many “younglings” to shame. Keef still brought home 2 strong B final finishes, whilst Pat wheeled out the 20” too, because one bike simply isn’t enough!
Steve’s 40-44 group got mixed in with the nippers from 30-39 which caused some early dissent in the pens, but resulted in some excellent racing. Making the A-final both days in the mixed age group, Steve got on the podium with 3rd Saturday and Sunday in the 40-44yrs cruisers.
Sticking with big wheels, Tom has stepped in to the big boys category this year, and there are no punches pulled here. 17-29 is a tough tough environment but Tom brought his trademark slick style to the scariest track on the circuit and only just missed out on a Semi final by 1 place on Saturday. A result he was never expecting but which certainly was well deserved.
The morning block racing at the Indoor also housed the 12 and unders on “real” pedals. No dancing shoes here.
The youngest rep for Team mind this weekend, Layton, absolutely barrelled the 7s. Grabbing a moto win on Saturday, but sadly just slipping the net in both semi finals he went on to win both of his B-finals.
Charlie was the next bracket playing in the 8s. Safe to say he had a “hit and miss” weekend but still went on to grab solid B-final finishes.
Moving up to the 10s we saw JayHD hit the track. This age group is massive and frantic. Jay had a tough ride on Saturday, but stepped forward on the Sunday and pushed hard in to the ¼ finals.
Sticking in the 10yrs age range, Lucy got thrown in with the 11s and hit the main both days. Super power and speed saw her climb the podium Saturday and Sunday taking 2nd both days in the 10yrs girls. This grabbed the attention of the TM rating one of his “stand out” performances of the weekend! Rider of the weekend? Well, the TM and I think so…….
Lacey braved the female 12s and threw down one perwerful lap after another. I’m not one for paying much attention to the Sqorz timings, but it’s safe to say her confidence grew as she was running 2 seconds per lap faster on Sunday than she started on day one!
The last flat pedal rider age group was the boys 12s. Ollie has, until now, avoided this track. He won’t shy away from telling you that he wasn’t previously fond of it. But he raced it for the first time and showed some incredibly smooth skills gaining 1/8 finals both days in a massive field of riders.
With little break, the big kids rolled out on to the track on little wheels.
Taking a stop at the 14yrs riders, we saw AliG, OscarMC and recent signing Annabel head out on to the track.
Annabel started out strong, but just got stronger as the weekend went on. Awesome B-finals both days with her laps getting faster and faster was impressive to see as she settled in to the challenge.
Oscar showed a clean pair of heels out of his first gate taking the field by surprise. They did claw him back, but as seems to have been something of a team trend, he just got quicker, ultimately missing out on a ¼ final by just 1 place on Sunday.
Ali’s hard work last year has clearly continued through the winter. A moto win on Sunday added to 2 very strong B-final finishes is a great start to the season.
So, with new signings on the team, clearly we have a few graduates moved on to new homes for this season and we remain proud of all their accomplishments. The apple never falls far from the tree and they will always be welcome with Mind, supported by the team.
Aimee, Oak and Zac aren’t far from home, riding with Mongoose. All put out stirling performances both days. Aimee securing an A-final finish Saturday in her new 17+ category, and a B-final Sunday.
Zac aired to the world what is fast becoming his trademark 1st straight domination hitting up awesome ¼ finals on both days. Oak, rocked the big wheels and took home a frankly incredible 4th on day one followed by another A-final finish Sunday.
GT have taken Sam under their wing and it’s safe to say she seems to be flourishing in great company. Drop a lap? Why would you do that? 1st all day, every day and a massive contribution to GT’s current 2nd place standing in the Elite Teams competition. And who said “Jump the second straight”??? Yeah, you know she did!
Luke has been firmly adopted by Halo Wheels BMX Team. His first outing for them also securing 1st in every lap he raced, assisting heavily with their team standing.
On the subject of team standings, the contribution of everyone is key to the team. It’s not all about points, in fact it’s very little to do with that. The performances of our riders, parents, supporters and sponsors have put Team Mind in 15th place already just 43 points away from the top 10. But more importantly, the team has a massive presence on and around the track. Popular with the riders/organisers/commentators, clearly still having loads of fun and looking awesome doing it all.
Well done everyone. Just a couple of weeks until Birmingham, but the matter of regional racing to do first!
All pics courtesy of the awesome BMX Widow Photography!!
With thanks to Muc-Off ENV23 Presca Teamwear Crucial BMX Dvide DirtworksBMX Tandem BDP Designs Saddleback Ltd GT Bicycles and in aid of Mind – for better #mentalhealth.
