Samuel Asker had a full and varied weekend. A day's racing on the boards at Newport  velodrome on Saturday was  followed  by a trip to Codham, Essex on Sunday to compete in  Round 1 of the BC  National cross-country MTB Series.

The course was pretty technical and probably uniquely featured a section of BMX pump track.  Following a reconnaissance lap, Sam wasn’t too keen on racing but a second lap in the company of a couple of Eastern region mates calmed the nerves and he  decided to race.

In only his fourth ever MTB race, this was always going to be a big learning experience and Sam started off at the back of the field. The first lap was slow and tentative, but as the race progressed into the second lap, confidence grew and he began to pick up places eventually finishing 30th overall (male juvenile).  Not bad at all for the Nationals and in only his 4^th ever mountain bike race...!