BECKINGSALE CROWNS RETURN TO MARGAM PARK WITH VICTORY

Successful weekend sees Oli increases his National Series lead and take National Marathon Championships win

Last weekend, World Cup Round 4 in Spain saw racing take place in the Casa de Campo within touching distance of central Madrid, meaning huge crowds and strong local support.

The circuit is dry and super fast with several steep short climbs, but rain on Friday and Saturday made it slow and slippery going by race day. A true hardtail course with very little in the way of technical riding meant Oli pulled out his ultra-efficient and lightweight XtC Advanced. Suffering a bad start Oli managed to work through the main chasing group to finish in 24th.

This weekend Oli was much closer to home for back to back races in the UK National Series and 100km National Marathon Championships at Margam Park in South Wales. Margam Park is a course close to Oli’s heart as he rode his first ever National race there as an under 16 back in 1991. Hot sunny weather on both days and tough courses meant every last gram would really count as the energy levels started to drop, so choosing the right tool for the job was essential.

Oli said, “The courses are always hilly and hard going and the Anthem X was the perfect bike for the XC and the Marathon.”

Liam Killeen raced in Saturday’s National Series race and together Liam & Oli quickly formed a gap on the rest of the field which grew to four minutes with one lap remaining.

“At this point I decided not to fight and instead save a bit of energy for Sunday, so I rode the last lap steady losing forty seconds to Liam,” said Oli, “but 2nd place increased my lead in the series so it was a good result.”

Sunday saw the Marathon race which was based on four 25km laps featuring some ‘monster climbs’, a course that suited Oli well.

“For the first two laps we rolled round at a steady pace and a group of seven formed, but starting the 3rd lap I turned the screw and reduced it to three at the bell,” said Oli, “then on the last lap I went it alone to take the win by a comfortable five minutes.”

Oli Beckingsale now sits at first in the British National series and with a National Marathon Championships victory the weekend was an all-round success.

Oli concluded, “So, one National champs in the bag and a stripy jersey to wear. Now I’m after the double when we race the XC Champs in July”

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