Some more photos of things going on at the race, reckon some helmet cam and pro footage should crop up later in the week as the track side was crawling with cameras.

Words and photos: Ace Woodley

Early to say, thats Si to comment, from the spectators view it was brilliant, like a mini world cup, things appeared to run smooth with only a few red flags holding things up, but no major dramas that I heard of.

Chain reaction team mechs where busy all day tweeking and tuning, the main CRC team and the other Nukeproof riders (Alastair) had a good day results wise. Alastair was back up in Fort William before sunrise today… the mans a machine !

Dave from Schwalbe one of the many sponsors of the event, I butted in got a quick snap then Jess Stone grabbed some fresh rubber (muddy marys) and rolled into 3rd place later that day.

Team Identi riders having a quick rest, Pat CJ was looking smooth through the double double, his team mate went for the sneaky straight line through the two shallow berms in the field and jumped the tape in seeding, quite a few pinged off track, one or two came over the finish line wrapped up or dragging tape with them, dry track but loose in some of the corners.

Giles the man from Mule Bar, start line countdown, Jimmy from Mule was out with a popped collar bone, Jim Davage was also out with a popped collar bone, pre race practice went a touch wrong. Speedy healing chaps….and everyone else who binned it.

Traharn Chidley getting full effect on the first double, people moving around trackside, flash guns in your face (sometimes a nightmare) most riders didn’t see the Outlaw signs in the field they just focus on the track, and there was a very rude sign that I only saw this morning on FB, they kept that for special people.

Manon on the double double, smooth as through here, one thing that stood out was just how quiet the bikes are now, minimal noise, chain slap etc etc, spooky quiet like a single speed, just the buzz of tyres.

Lower woods action, think that’s Ben Reid up there as well.Ben Deakin south west favorite, race run went pear shaped, but enjoying the day.

Then as soon as the last rider was down, the pits came down, I skipped the podium and went to escape the car park, when I found my car again, bit busy in there. A great season opener and for many we got to see first hand what the Halo BDS is all about, some mutterings of maybe I should get a licence now, then we could have a go…..

Ace.