After seven years of dominating the Super Veterans Mountain Bike Catergory (Over 60 yrs old) Vic Barnett had to settle for the Silver medal in the National Championship. The Welland Valley CC president travelled to the National Mountain Bike Cross-Country Championships course at Cathkin Craes, Glasgow knowing he would need to be in top form if he was going to successfully defend his title as younger competitors moved into his age group. Two weeks earlier it looked doubtful if Vic would even take to the start line after suffering a horrendous crash which saw Vic battered and badly bruised across his thighs and shoulders, this was compounded when he crashed once more whilst inspecting the Cathkin Craes course 24 hours before his title defense. After a solid start Vic was lying 4th as the race headed away from the starting area to face four hot dusty 5.5-kilometre laps around a new track - which will be home to the Commonwealth Games race in 2014. Cliff Featherstone (MTS Inkland) and John Shirley (West Highland Whs) set the early pace as Vic was locked in battle with Colin Murley (Derwentside CC). As the race reached the mid way point Featherstone was caught by the Barnett / Murley group. As the technical course with consisted of berms, table tops – more like a giant bmx track and rock gardens began to take its toll Vic was starting to find a good tempo. As he eased away from Murley and Featherstone Vic started a dogged effort working hard to close the gap little by little to Shirley. As the championship race came to close Vic’s charging last lap was just too late as John crossed the line to end Vic’s National Championship run as Barnett crossed the line twenty seconds later. Colin Murley took the Bronze medal.
Posted on: Sun, 21 Jul 2013 21:29:41 +0000
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