I was excited to be heading back to Margam Park after having raced and won here as a youth rider. The hilly profile with lots of steep climbs and overtaking opportunities suited me perfectly. So with a quick couple of laps on the Saturday and I was feeling good for the race.
The start of the race went slightly slow on my part again, but this time with a long wide track for the first few minutes I was able to ramp up the pace then push on getting into the singletrack in 3rd, behind Mike Thompson and Sam Stean. I was feeling good so at the first opportunity i took to the front and on the climb upped the pace. Mike was able to go with me so coming round the after the first lap it was the two of us out ahead. I stayed on the front and on the climbs really pushed on again getting the gap I was looking for. From here on I tried to keep the pace on, but was starting to suffer in the heat.
I was starting to feel pretty week and suffering with the heat, expecting to be caught at any moment, but it looked like the others were struggling too with the time gap holding. On the last lap I kept it constant and controlled but coming into the last wooded section I slid out on a loose corner. Back on as quick as possible and I crossed the line to take my second win of the series! The gap had come down a lot towards the end as Sam and Mike had been battling each other for 2nd spot.
Despite feeling pretty bad towards the end I was happy with my race, riding consistently and feeling comfortable on the bike.
