For the last round of the 2016 World Cup, the team headed to Andorra. Nestled in between France and Spain is Vallnord, and it’s a bloody big hill. Steep, dusty and flat out is an understatement. A tough weekend was had for Team Propain Dirt Zelvy.
Words and video: Tom Caldwell
James Purvis was looking strong during practice, easily out gunning the fellow juniors with his speed. After a disappointing qualifying (19th with a crash), he was keen for some redemption in his race run. After being 0.7 up on the competition, his near perfect run was shattered on the last corner. Another incident with the tape (again) and a DSQ for Purvis was a heartbreaker. There was a good few positives he took however. It was a near perfect run and he had an awesome time on his bike.
Isak Leivsson gained a personal best qualy here in Andorra. 15th for the viking set him up for a belting race run. It was certainly his type of track – balls to the wall fast and able to carry lots of speed being a bigger lad. It was also however, not to be. He was on a good run, but got red flagged because of Blenki’s bad crash. He had an immediate re-run but it was nowhere near as good as the first. He hit a rut too hard, went down, and then started putting on a show for the fans. He was amazingly positive about his weekend though.
Mr Atwill was flat out all weekend. Easily one of his favourite tracks. He was on pace with Isak in qualifying but sadly went down. He still qualified 35th though. Following a few wheelies and TTR sessions with manager Ben Reid, it was race run time for him and the bad luck kept raining on the PDZ parade.
On the fast off camber traverse, his rear wheel slid over the corner, slamming his knee onto the rocks on the inside. He rolled down but knew he had a bust knee. 72nd on the day and a trip to hospital later, he’s got a bandaged knee and a hobble. He’ll try to recover for the last national round, and for some more back wheel action, obviously.
Ben Reid, team manager, letting off some steam aboard his TTR in the Vallnord valleys. These evening sessions were a good change of scenery from the hectic race venue further down the hill.
That’s the world cup done for 2016. We’ve one national round left and then that’s it. Job done!
