And another fun filled MTB season starts!

 

So much to say, so little space.

 

The 2022-23 season saw an incredible start today hosted by Her Excellency Governor Rena Lalgie on the Government House north lawn. With the solid support of the BBA, Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Timing and our awesome FTM support team, it was a beautiful event on a perfect day.

 

A good deal of effort went into designing a course to challenge all on the Hillside facing North Shore. But the 0.8 mile course had 136 feet of climbing per lap in two uphill sections along with two flowing high speed descents. On the flat lawn, an A/B line split gave a choice of either four Pallet stacks on the technical A side or a slower but easier series of zig-zags on the B line. This made for many tactical battles between racers.

 

The season opener saw 113 timed racers and more than 25 under-eights in the fun class testing their mettle on the NEVER, EVER raced by MTB course.

 

In the Open 60 class, Conor White made a huge statement quickly distancing the rest of the field. In the end, he won with a total of 19 laps, (that’s 2,584 feet of climbing folks!) Kevin Smith took second with 18 laps and Alan Potts held on for third place with 17 laps counted.

 

In Male 13-16, the race was far less defined. Wyatt Hall surged to the front soon putting almost a lap between himself and the chase pack. Behind him, Makao Butterfield, Andrew Thomas, Dylan Eiselt, Gordon Smith and a few others led the field of 17 boys and two girls, swapping positions frequently. Unfortunately, Wyatt’s engine had issues on the last few laps and Gordon was able to surge past him for first. Wyatt scraped by in second and Zach Moniz claimed third, showing that his weekly training rides with the MTB group have been worth it.