Team rider Angelica Bennett has a packed calendar for 2025 with competing in the Southerly MXC Championship and also Hampshire MXC Championship plus other events across the country.
Last weekend was the first round of the Hampshire MXC season taking place at Swanmore and Angelica was there all geared up and ready for a solid days racing for those all important Championship points.
Here is how the day went for Angelica.
“Swanmore is a track I rode quite a bit on the 65cc but haven’t been back for a few years. It had changed a lot, for the better I think. It was really rutty & really technical, it was hardpack on the hills and still quite soft on the bottoms so made for some really interesting racing all day!”
Race 1 – 3rd – I got caught in a start straight crash. Unfortunately two riders crashed either side of me, I took a bike to the foot but managed to stay upright. It meant I started the race dead last but pushed hard, ignored my dead foot (luckily brake side not gears) and managed to pull it back to 3rd. I was really happy with the race but felt gutted how it started.
Race 2 – 3rd – Second race was a mega start I was 4th round the first corner. I pushed hard in the first 2 laps then found a great flow for the race. I was battling with 2 Big Wheel 85cc riders the whole race, I got in front of them on the last lap but one of them took me out on the second to last corner taking us both down. I still managed to keep hold of the 3rd place but was feeling pretty battered after his tyres went right up my side. This was my best race of the day and despite how it ended I was really happy with my riding, fitness and speed!
Race 3 – 3rd – I was feeling pretty battered by this race, I had bruises all up one side and tyre prints on my leg but I buckled down and got it done. I couldnt race as hard as the second race and let 2nd place get quite far away but made sure I did enough to keep hold of 3rd.
3rd overall – Crashes aside, it was a really good positive day and really good to see so many friends I used to race with back in the 65s. I really enjoyed the track and felt super strong for the whole day. It was a really good start to the season and I’m really happy with my performance.
Now it’s time for a weekend off to recuperate then on to Little Silver for 2 days with Hampshire in 2 weeks.
