BECKINGSALE BACK IN ACTION

Giant Global Team rider Oli Beckingsale was back in action recently following an extended break following his Olympic duties in the Summer of 2008.

Following some foam-pit-dirt-jumping action on board a Giant STP in California recently at the Giant Global Team Launch, Oli began his 2009 season in the more familiar environment of UK regional road racing at the Ham Hill Road Race.

“With the first World Cup in South Africa looming I needed some warm up races. First up was a regional road race and after making the 10man split I broke away on my own on the last climb and stayed away for the next 8miles to get the win.”

The following week was the first round of the UK National Series at Oli’s least favourite UK course – Sherwood Forest;

“…it’s my least favorite course in the UK, being based on forest road and flat windy rough single trail, so produces very negative races which usually end in a sprint…with 6 guys starting the last lap [together] I did my best to split things up but ended up with two on my tail who sprinted me so I ended up 3rd. At least the plush new Anthem X meant my back didn’t ache at the end!”

A quick pit stop at home later and it was off to South Africa for the opening world Cup race near Durban. Hot weather and intense racing was a shock to the system and with no recent international racing it was a tough call, but finishing in 22nd left Oli confident about the upcoming races;

“It was a tough day out but I got around in one piece and finished 22nd. Not a personal best but a solid start and there is more in the tank for sure.”

Next for Oli is World Cup Round 2 in Germany and World Cup Round 3 in Germany before heading back to the UK for the 2nd Uk National Series race at Dalby Forest in North Yorkshire.