Londoner Jenny Copnall reports from the final race of the Trek National Series
held at Coed-y-Brenin on September 22.
This weekend saw the final round of the 2007 British National Series. I was
leading the overall series after round 4 but the points were tight, meaning
that this race was crucial in the battle for the 2007 Series. I also planned
to defend my National Marathon Championship title on the Sunday. Unfortunately
this time around things did not go as I had hoped, with my 2nd place on the
day leaving myself and race winner, Amy Hunt, level on points. With this round
the decider I ended up 2nd. Having won the series for the past four years a
fifth title will have to wait. With three wins to her name Amy deserved this
one, although our race was not without drama as Aussie, Kate Potter, had the
win in her grasp before puncturing on the final descent to the finish.
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Jenny |
Coed-y-Brenin received 70mm of rain the day prior to the race, making this
most weather proof of circuits more like a river than a race course. The descents
turned into streams and we got soaked through. The course was mostly fire trail
interspersed with some short rocky sections and a longer descent into the finish.
It utilised a large part of the existing permanent circuit at the venue, with
a few limitations due to restrictions to racing on bridleways. I think we all
imagined that at this venue Martyn would be free to use whichever trail he wanted.
Unfortunately the reality of race organising is rather more limiting, leaving
us with a relatively small area on one side of the road on which to race all
the events of the weekend. The big bonus, given the deluge, was the rock-based
nature of this track. Anywhere else would have turned into a swamp!
In the women’s elite field only Amy and me had the series title within
our grasp. Jenn O’Connor had third overall tied up and we also had Kate
Potter back, after missing round four. The final race of the season is usually
a slog and this was no exception. Having not been very well in the past two
weeks I had considered not racing since my second place overall was assured.
In the end I decided to take the battle to the end and give this one my best
shot. As we began the race it was Kate and Jenn that set the early pace, gaining
a small gap which Amy and I soon closed up. At this stage Kate looked to be
the only rider with some freshness in her. Jenn dropped back mid lap, clearly
feeling the heavy racing schedule that she has completed this season. Into the
final descent Amy placed a well-timed attack. Kate and I briefly regained contact
before the elastic began to stretch once again. Into lap two of three and Kate
put the power down to rapidly close in on Amy. Meanwhile I was left battling
with my own body, which was screaming at me to stop this torture! Left as a
spectator in this race, I think that Kate caught and passed Amy who I continued
to see on the longer drags. Late in the lap my time deficit was compounded when
I overshot a turn that had been temporarily untapped, leaving me to climb back
up the descent to rejoin the course. This was all I needed!
The final lap was smoother. I pushed on and gave it everything I had. This
made little impression on the lead but kept me safe in third place. Up in front
disaster had struck poor Kate, who had apparently taken the race lead and was
ready to take her first ever nps win when she shredded her tire leaving her
distraught by the side of the track. As a result of this I inherited 2nd place
on the day but I really feel for Kate. She looked so strong this time and couldn’t
have punctured at a worse point, tantalisingly close to the finish but not close
enough to be able to improvise her way down. This left Amy out in front to take
the win and the series.
Later that evening I took the difficult decision not to defend my Marathon
National Championship the following day. I had forced myself around for a couple
of hours in the cross country but taking on six hours of marathon riding when
my body was feeling feverish was never going to be possible. It is disappointing
but I am sure that a few weeks of rest will see me back to my old self soon
enough. This season has been a tough one for me in so many ways. I predict that
next year will see the women’s elite category become even more exciting
and closely fought. I hope for a less turbulent winter to allow me to get back
on terms with the competition.
I’d like to thank all those who have supported and helped me this year,
including Subaru-Gary Fisher, Bontrager, SRAM, Avid and Rockshox. I’d
also like to thank Martyn Salt, his team and Trekbikes for organising and supporting
such a fantastic National Series. It is very sad to hear that he will not be
doing so in 2008. Let’s hope that his hard work these past four years
will be continued by whoever takes it over.
See you in 2008!
Jenny
Websites
http://www.fisherbikes.com/
http://www.sportingchampions.org.uk/
http://www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk/
Gayle Hammond
