This weekend we travelled to Culham for Round 3 of the NORA92 British Cup. Having spent part of the week at the NORA CRS Boot Camp, Rafe was primed and ready to put his training to good use.
The event consists of qualifying and 4 races over the 2 day weekend.
On Saturday, Rafe headed out for a track walk with the Team Coach; Joe Clayton. Then onto qualifying, with this being a National Championship, this attracted some of the UK’s top talent. Rafe qualified 7th, which he was disappointed with. But it’s hard to put a fast lap in, when you are not in a race environment, so something to work on.
Race 1 – Rafe chose the inside line and with his elbows up, he headed into the first corner with the race leaders. Rafe soon settled into third place and created an impressive gap between him and the riders behind. Totally in the zone, he ate up the laps, flowing smoothing around the track. Whilst Rafe’s lap times remained consistent, the riders behind improved theirs and were closing the gap. Rafe tightened up his lines and did not allow the pressure to get to him. He crossed the line in a well deserved 3rd place.
Due to an injured rider, racing was cut short on Saturday, with the remaining 3 races to be run on Sunday.
Refreshed for day 2, Rafe was keen to repeat the performance of the previous day, heading to bed super early, he headed out with Joe for a track walk and felt confident for the day ahead.
Race 2 – This boy nailed another blinder of a start and settled into third place, creating a gap between the riders behind him. Flowing around the track, when suddenly arm pump seemed to creep in from nowhere. Determined not to lose P3, the fourth place rider closed the gap on Rafe and on the down hill section just after the start, Rafe let off the power, the sand fought back and Rafe crashed hard. With a knock to the head and a bloody nose, he jumped back on the bike, only losing 2 places, crossing the line in 5th.
Race 3 – With a possible podium finish in sight, Rafe knew what he had to do. He must finish in 3rd position and focus his mind on achieving this goal. Cool, calm and collected he visualised the start and how the race would pan out. The gate dropped and after the second corner Rafe was in second position, keeping pace with the leader for as long as possible, which pulled Rafe along creating a good gap, Mylie Evans made a good pass on Rafe and he settled into 3rd place. Rafe again consistent with the lap times, but Will Kremer also had his sights on a podium finish and managed to close the gap, which gave for some fantastic racing, both defending and attacking, caught the eyes of the commentator and crowd. Will was able to pass Rafe but there was no giving up, if anything, this gave him fire in his belly, Rafe was not giving up his P3 without a fight. By the next corner Rafe jumped over Will and moved back up into P3, where he crossed the line. What a race!
Race 4 – Everything rested on the last race, overall Rafe was in 3rd position, he needed to get a minimum of P3. This did not phase Rafe, he was not nervous, he knew what it would take and today had been 6 months in the making. Get a good start and stay on the bike and everything else should fall into place. Lighting fast reactions, saw Rafe fly down the start straight, avoiding a crash, he settled into P2 trying to keep pace with P1 for as long as possible. Again, Rafe was able to create a gap, but within a few laps, Will Kremer, was able to close the gap and tried his hardest to pass Rafe, this gave for some nail biting action. Rafe remained strong and determined not to let Will pass. Rafe and Will gave it their everything they had, it was a relief to see the last lap flag. Rafe you can do this! With one last push, Rafe crossed the line in second place.
What an amazing weekend, Rafe rode his heart out and deserved the 3rd place podium finish.
“The track was rough, the competition was fierce but thank you to NORA CRS for their continued support”
