PMR Toachim House at RD 2 of the Southern XC Championships

Vitus supported PMR Toachim House are continuing their dominance at some of the UK’s top XC events this season. We catch up with Neil Lomax as he reports back from Round 2 of the Southern XC and Regional Championships

 

Conditions over the last few days have been pretty damp, so I was expecting the course to get a bit soft in places, and I was way off with my predictions because it was an absolute swamp in places!

The course was great fun, even in the mud, with lots of roots and a few short steep climbs. After doing a practice lap I was confident of a good race and the Vitus felt awesome, so I couldn't wait to get going!

An hour before the race it began to rain and did so for the majority of the 3 lap race in the Sport category.

Each lap became different as more and more wheels ploughed through the mud.

I managed to get a really good start and was into 5th after the first corner which then led to a big dip and rise and into some tight singletrack where my position stayed the same until we reached some fireroad where I ripped into the field in front of me.

After the first lap, 1st place was a good distance ahead but 2nd, 3rd and 4th were in my sights and after a little confusion where 2 riders missed a turn I managed to gain one place and moved up to 4th.

The second lap saw the 3rd place rider fall off right in front of me, to which I took advantage and opened up a big gap. 3rd place was where I stayed until the half way point where I was overtaken to drop down into 4th but finished with a good gap behind me and was very happy with my result.

Regional Championship means double points so that was a real bonus!

As for my Vitus Rapide 29er, well once again it performed amazingly in the sloppy mud and over the slippery roots. I had no problems getting up any steep rooty climbs whilst a lot of riders on 26in wheels were struggling with their backs due to the technicality of the course. The “big wheels” of the Vitus rolled over everything with absolute ease!