MTB East Travers XC, 27 Apr 2025

It's the 2nd of 10 events for the MTB East. The weather was perfect and some rain overnight had made the track nicer to ride. After riding the course in the warm-up I was feeling a little more nervous. The track had been changed since the first event and had a few technical parts that I couldn't do before so I took the B lines which seemed to be everyone’s choice today. I'd also been moved into the Elite women for the rest of the season, which made me extra nervous. I rode down to the start with the other girls, keen to get going.

Basil Thornton

I started at the back of the grid and I definitely need to learn to nail these hill starts. We quickly got into the woods where I faced the first technical and we all picked the B line (although I rode the A line on the other laps!). I felt I was riding the corners better than last time too which I was enjoying. I got stuck behind some of the Mens Fun group who were on the track at the same time. This happened especially on the hill and I couldn't get past, it really slowed me down and this happened on a few occasions. I let this get in my head a bit and just couldn't get to the winning lady in the Elites. I finished 2nd in the Elites and 2nd overall. I'm pleased with my results but feel it could have been better.

Sophie Lee