This weekend saw the UK’s top cross-country mountain bikers converge on Aske Hall, North Yorkshire. The already challenging course was made even more difficult due to the torrential rains on Saturday. With some very steep and slippery drop-offs many of the riders spent most of Saturday afternoon testing out the course, practising the many technical sections.
The first race on Sunday morning was for the Youth and Juvenile riders, the boys and girls under 16 and under 14. Holme Valley Wheelers’ rider 13 year old Amira Mellor was competing in the Juvenile girls’ race, on one lap of the course. Amira is presently ranked 4th in the country for the National Series despite being one race down on the other girls. Normally at these races the girls ride the same amount of laps as the boys, but at the National Championships the girls only have to ride one lap. The race would be a fast one due to it being so short, so a good fast start was vital.
Amira was in 5th after the start but started to pull back places as they climbed up the first challenging hill. By the end of the first drop-off she was in 2nd and began her tousle with Scottish rider Erika Allen, (Stirling Bike Club – Wallace Warriors). Ffion James, Abergavenny RC – who is winning the series, was already getting a lead on the other girls. The girls went off into the woods out of sight of most spectators where some slippery sections could easily change the riding order. Amira came out second with Erika still on her wheel but on a short up-hill Erika saw her chance and pulled past Amira, leaving her to do the chasing. They were now well in front of the other girls and pulling away.
Back into the tricky woods with protruding roots and a nasty switchback climb the girls rode hard to maintain their positions. Down another drop-off and onto the long gradual fire road climb towards the finish. Another Scottish rider, who is presently ranked 2nd in the country, Elena Melton, was quickly closing the gap on Amira. She had to give everything to hold her position and be sure of a medal.
Final result was Welsh rider Ffion James first home in 24:17, 2nd was Scottish rider Erika Allen 24:59 and Amira 20 seconds back in 3rd place (25:19), – her first podium position at a National Championship.
The adult races took place throughout the day with the weather warming up slightly and the rain abating. Winner of the Female Senior National Championship race was Annie Last (Boardman Elite) who won by over 6 minutes. Amira met Annie (U23 World Silver medallist) recently on a British Cycling ‘School of Racing’ day at Wharncliffe Woods, where she answered questions from other young mountain bikers about her career as a professional mountain biker. Liam Killeen, (Giant Factory Off Road Team), was the male winner by over 2 minutes.
