All the news from the BDS this weekend from the Dirt Orange team (full results at the bottom of this page).
Words: Tom Caldwell
Photos: Various
The team, fresh from a few weeks in Europe, got down to round 5 of the BDS at Moelfre, North Wales. A famous track dug out over a decade ago, this weekend she was dry as a bone and dust was carried briskly over the hillside by the fairly strong breeze that made the jumps on course not the most popular features amongst riders! Team rider Jacob Dickson came into this weekend off the back off his first BDS win at Bala, but also with a few injuries he acquired in Switzerland. Phil’s (Atwill) injured shoulder didn’t hold him back this weekend either, after cruising on practice day, he got it nicely strapped up ready for his race run. The track itself was fairly simple and flat out, so holding speed for both Phil and Jacob was certainly not an issue this.
Photo: Isac Paddock
Check out how the weekend went for Phil, coming away with another solid result, “Yeah a good weekend, I was just happy to be able to ride as fast as I could with my shoulder, it was a bit weak on the first day of practice, but it loosened up a bit for Sunday which was helpful. Seeding went well, I struggled getting clipped in out of the start gate, which wasn’t the best, so I seeded 12th. Race run was better though, I had a little stall in a corner but aside from that it all went sweet. I came through third and ended up in ninth, so yeah that’s two 9th’s on the trot, but I was only two-seconds off the win. Times were mega tight this weekend. Right, I’m off to Weatherspoons in Oswestry with the boys, then heading home to rest up for a few days then come back stronger next weekend for Llangollen National Champs.”
Photo: Isac Paddock
Jacob held his own once again this weekend, bringing home the goods to edge closer to taking the Junior BDS series. “This weekend was great considering I wasn’t 100%. I’m really happy to get the win considering I rode off the track and lost all my speed in the top corners. I felt pretty sore all weekend due to the crash I had in Switzerland, hopefully I’ll be healed up for the next World Cup rounds. I kept head-butting my stem this weekend… ha, something I need to sort out! All in all, I had a mega weekend. Time to head home, looking forward to a good rest!”
Photo: Ian Lean/Alex Gann
Although Isak (Leivsson) was not at the British round, he was competing at home in the Norwegian National champs in Narvik. After being Norwegian national champ for the past 4 years, he was hoping to take the top step once again and make it 5.
Photo: Jørn Harald Persson
Check the word from him, “Norwegian National champs were held in Narvik, Northern Norway. With midnight sun and mountains going right into the ocean, the area has some of the most beautiful scenery. I felt good on track all weekend, and my plan was to push as if it was a World Cup. The track is quite similar to MSA, so hopefully I’ll be well prepared for that one. My seeding and race runs went well, and I was happy to get my fifth champs victory with a good bit of time between myself and second place (6 seconds).”
Photo: Jørn Harald Persson
A grand weekend all round for the Orange Dirt World Team, solid results and in amongst them two top steps and a national champion. Now with good momentum, we head over to Mont Saint Anne and Windham in a few weeks to tackle rounds 5 and 6 of the World Cup! See you there!
FULL RESULTS:
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