DESPITE the threat of rain and bad weather the previous week, it was hot sunshine and dry conditions that favoured the competitors in round three of the Holeshot-sponsored downhill series. Due to land restrictions at the top of the course at Fauxquets Valley for round three, organisers took the opportunity to include some daunting drops and jumps to lengthen an otherwise short course.

With many riders opting for the alternative routes around some of the more technically difficult sections, the fastest times would come from those prepared to take the risks and prove their bike handling abilities.

Tom Sherwill was among the faster-looking riders during practice, the recent purchase of a new bike seeming to benefit the junior.

Race favourite and current series leader Matt Davis was hiding any pre-race nerves well, by intensely studying the majority of the course and riders and joking with them.

Meanwhile, veteran rider Terry Latham proved to be the crowd’s favourite by performing a variety of tumbles and aerial dismounts on his way to the bottom of the course.

The first timed runs of the day produced some surprising results, with junior riders John Mapley, Tom Sherwill and Jack Sunderland filling the top three places.

The more-experienced and senior riders either crashed out or simply were out-ridden by their younger counterparts.

With the final positions being decided on the better of two runs, normal service was resumed in the second session, as the in-form Davis stormed the course to take top honours for the third event in a row.

The three juniors were unable to better their times and took second third and fourth, with senior rider Jason Le Page rounding off the top five.

The afternoon saw the majority of the riders lining up for round two of the Oxbow Duel series in the same area.

Riders were sent off two at a time down the same course, with the winner progressing through to the next knockout round.

Racing was fast and exciting with riders often shoulder-to-shoulder through the same gap or over the same jump.

A good crowd gathered in the afternoon sun to witness some of the fastest and closest racing seen so far.

After six rounds of competition, Davis again emerged as the afternoon’s victor, this time over junior rider Andy Colver.