Athertons win BDS Round 4 in Llangollen

Gee and Rachel Atherton, both with GT Factory Racing, respectively win the Elite Men's and Women's Round Four of British Cycling's National MTB Downhill Series at Llangollen (Sunday 29 June), arguably the toughest stage of this year's series as a number of riders struggled with the steep, technical gradient in practice and qualifying.

Joseph Smith (CRC/Nukeproof) came second in the Elite Mens race, ahead of Danny Hart (Giant Factory Off Road Team) and Josh Bryceland (Santa Cruz Syndicate), while current Shimano British Downhill Series and World Cup Series' leader, Wales' own 21-year old starlet, Manon Carpenter (Madison Saracen) was seconds behind Rachel in the Elite Womens race, from Jess Greaves (Don Skene Cycles) in third.

Emulating one the most hotly contested seasons between Elite MTB riders at this year's UCI Downhill World Cup series, the top five standings in the Elite Men's Shimano British Downhill Series (BDS) 2014 category were separated by just 17 points before the Llangollen stage.

The results now mean Gee overtakes Marc Beaumont as the 2014 series leader, while Rachel's win was not quite enough to overturn Manon's 81 point series lead going into Sunday's race.

More than 300 riders participated at Llangollen, with nearly 60 riders in the Elite categories.

British Cycling Race Director, Simon Paton, comments "Llangollen presented huge challenges for even the most accomplished riders and, with this year's series already closely fought, it's to the tremendous credit of all the riders to complete the course, but for the Elite riders chasing the title, to do so at such speeds was incredible to witness. A big win here for Gee and Rachel, meaning the series will move into the fifth and final round at Bike Park Wales in September still wide open"

British Cycling's National MTB Downhill Series, presented by Shimano, pits riders against the clock as they descend some of the toughest track terrain in the country, with points awarded for placings at each stage, accumulating across five rounds of the series. Each rider, from Junior through to Elite level, must have qualified via regional races and numerous Junior Winners of the series have gone on to become World Cup and World Championship Winners.

Round Five, the final round of the 2014 series, will take place at the newly established and challenging Bike Park Wales on Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 September.

Photos: Alex Gann, Gripmedia