The first round of the Northern Downhill series was held at the Alwinton track close to the Northumberland town of Rothbury.
The NDH crew have been hard at work during the winter building a completely new top half to the track for this year to replace the super difficult and technical old one, which claimed many riders and bikes last season.
Right off the start ramp, its onto the pedals for a quick dash across an open area before entering a section of new woodland littered with small drops and roots.
Mike Newbould
Out of the shrubbery its over the fire road before the plunge into the thick woodland and the steep stuff. The tight, tree-lined track allowed no margin for handlebar-related errors. A series of steep switchbacks follows, as the track cuts back and forth across the hillside.
Adam Brayton
Next up is an awkward right hander leading into the steep rock garden, which caught out a good few riders over the weekend.
SPS Lads
The track now dives into more dense woodland with a series of fast, rooty and damp turns as it winds down the hill.
Chris Ashworth
Down a straight chute and into a right turn immediately followed by a sharp left, keeping speed here is critical as it fires you off a small drop. Visibility is at a minimum as the track traverses the thickest of the woodland, with the slippery roots just waiting to catch out an unbalanced rider.
James Joyce
The track now dives downwards with a small straight section littered with stumps and a few quick turns before the narrow north shore bridge. It's on the pedals over the bridge to gain speed for the small steep uphill section.
The last turn is a 90 right dropping off a large root in the middle of the turn, which leads into a steep chute and over a very narrow bridge. The chute slammed riders into a rock garden which was scarred with bash ring marks from bikes fully compressed from the G out. The finish was located in the middle of the rock garden giving the crowd in the finish area an entertaining view.
RESULTS
Elite
1. Adam Brayton - 1.54.31
2. Alister Mcclennan - 2.26.55
Expert
1. Liam Little - 2.01.30
2.Steven Turnbull - 2.09.60
3. Nick Turner - 2.10.65
Grand Vetean
1.Alan Turnbull - 2.40.27
Junior
1. Matty Leggett - 2.08.15
2. Josh Lewis - 2.08.53
3. Ben Stanley - 2.16.75
Juvenile
1. Andrew Dorrit - 3.07.61
2. Christopher Kennedy - 3.17.85
Master
1. Jayson Cavill - 2.15.21
2. Chris Lazonby - 2.17.78
3. Phil Grimes - 2.18.76
Senior
1. Robert Tait - 2.13.50
2. Calum Mcritchie - 2.13.80
3. Al Ward - 2.15.40
Veteran
1. Shaun Kelly - 2.27.14
2. Pete Hoggan - 2.37.42
3. Richie Molloy - 3.50.35
Youth
1.Peter Hook - 2.24.32
2. Rory Mcritchie - 2.29.03
3. Ant Preston - 2.31.68
Words & Photos: Richard Easton
