Round 9 – Cotswolds Seven Valley Championship Clearwell MX
Saturday was all about learning. With temperatures soaring and Clearwell MX sporting a fresh track reshape, there was plenty to get used to. The new double-double jump, start gates, and incredibly short run to the first corner made for a completely different challenge.
As the day went on, the track became dry, rough, and dusty, and lining up against some very experienced 85 Big Wheel riders was the perfect preparation for Sunday’s championship racing.
Sunday was Championship day, with both clubs racing together while scoring points for their own respective Championships. The racing was intense from start to finish.
Race 1: An awful start left me with plenty of work to do. I fought my way through the pack, but a frustrating false neutral cost me two positions. I regrouped and crossed the line 7th in class. Ready for race 2.
Race 2: A much better start had me running in a stronger position. Unfortunately, I made a mistake in a corner and hit the ground. After getting back on the bike, I kept pushing all the way to the finish to recover to 8th in class.
Race 3: By now I was getting to grips with the new start gate. I got away cleanly and found myself in some brilliant battles. While attempting a pass, I caught the soft stuff and went down. I quickly picked the bike up, chased down the riders I’d previously passed, and managed to pass them all again. The race was shortened, which was a shame as I felt I had the pace to gain a few more positions, finishing 6th in my class.
Overall, I finished 11th for the weekend, just 2 points shy of the top 10, which had been my target. While it’s disappointing to miss out by such a small margin, there are plenty of positives to take away. Every weekend brings more experience, and the pace is continuing to improve.
A huge thank you to everyone who supports me—my family, sponsors, and everyone cheering me on. Time to keep working and come back stronger for the next round! WE ARE NORA CRS!
