AFTER three rounds of the British National Cross Country (XC) Mountain Bike Series, the new Gateway Racing team secured its first victory when local rider Pete Turnbull won the Grand Vets race at Hopton Woods in Shropshire.

Turnbull was unlucky to finish second in the first round of the Series at Sherwood Pines when a combination of mud and snow led to gear shifting problems on the final lap. Then disaster struck at round two at Wheal Maid Valley in Cornwall when a crash on the practice lap just hours before the race left the Abergavenny rider with concussion, a dislocated shoulder, and a gash on his shin that later required six stitches.

With only five weeks between rounds two and three it was touch and go whether Turnbull would be able ride at Hopton Woods, but a combination of turbo training and pain killers enabled him to retain sufficient fitness. On race day, determination and adrenaline kicked in.

By the end of lap two there were only two riders in contention for the race victory, but a prolonged attack on the big climbs at the start of the final lap enabled Turnbull to pull away and focus on maintaining smooth fast lines through the single-track and final descent.

The next challenge for the Gateway team will be Margam Park for round four of the series.

Pictured is Pete Turnbull crossing the finish line to win Round Three of the National XC Series. Photo by Andy Whitehouse