BECKINGSALE ROUNDS OFF 2009 AT ROC D’AZUR

Giant Global MTB Team rider Oli Beckingsale returns to the UK following the Roc D’Azur near Nice

The World’s biggest MTB race, running since 1989 now sees 14,000 competitors tackle the unforgiving terrain over 5 days with 6,000 competing in Sunday’s main 53km Roc race. The race was the venue for MBR Magazine’s perfect 10/10 score for the 2009 Giant Anthem X 0 soon after it’s launch back in 2008, the sign of things to come as it went on to become What Mountain Bike’s 2009 Bike of The Year. Following it’s incredible success in Giant’s AluxX aluminium it is now available to consumers in Advanced Composite having undergone extensive field testing with the Giant Global MTB riders, including USA’s Adam Craig racing a prototype to the US Short Track Crown  back in July.

At the Roc 300 riders took the line for the elite race which is always frantic, making a good start essential.

Oli said, “My legs were good and so was my timing and I entered the singletrack in 3rd which meant I made the front group of 11 riders that stayed together for half the race. “

Two tough hours later Oli had conceded some places and clawed back others to hit the beach front finish in 10th place.

Oli continued, “All in all it was a decent way to round out 2009”

Following his Beijing Olympics XC race in 2008 Oli has had a strong season with highlights including numerous World Cup appearances as part of Giant’s Global MTB Team. On the domestic scene Oli was crowned British National Series Champion and British Marathon Champion. He was also involved in an epic battle with Liam Killeen in the XC National Championships, seeing him narrowly missing the win and accept the runner up spot – a battle which saw the two front runner’s finish over 10 minutes up on the 3rd placed rider.

Next stop for Oli is 2010!