Racing

Race Report | Bex Baraona’s Round #3 at PMBA Enduro Series

18.06.2015
by

Bex Baraona, the 22 year old Loose Riders England racer, student from Manchester University and inspiration to all young Women looking to take the leap into Enduro racing, has been tearing up this season. Dominating her field and as well as that, writing race reports! Round #3 of the PBMA Enduro took place at Lee Quarry in Lancashire, England, and held host to some fantastic racing from a whole heap of competitors from all disciplines.

After a few days riding up at Innerleithen I was feeling good for the PBMA Enduro at Lee Quarry/Cock Hill. The guys did a great job taping out a banger of a course- 34km of a total mix bag of riding. Lee Quarry gave us two fast rolling trail centre style stages which made for some tight racing. Cock Hill delivered two great stages, with some cool jumps, rooty and loamy sections and plenty of puncture potential rock gardens!

The sign on desk isn't exactly EWS-esk, but it's a start!
The sign on desk isn’t exactly EWS-esk, but it’s a start!
Typical British weather shrouded the start of the PMBA Enduro, but luckily stayed clear
Typical British weather shrouded the start of the PMBA Enduro, but luckily stayed clear

Practice day stayed dry and the track were running nice. I didn’t manage any track walks but sessioned a few parts of the stages to find the faster lines- got some great tips from riding with some of the lads. The boys and I headed off in the cars to practice the Cock Hill stages in hope that we could save some beans for race day but we got horribly lost on route because I was navigating ooops. Local race for me so it was nice to be able to go home and have some downtime before race day instead of #vanlife.

Rebecca was storming on stage 2 of the race
Rebecca was storming on stage 2 of the race…
...Even though she turned up pretty late!
…Even though she turned up pretty late!

Race day started late for me, 11.30am and the elite category were on their way, it was mint to ride alongside the fast boys. I wasn’t ready for stage 1 as the climb was short and sweet- my legs were still asleep but the second the stage started I soon woke up and laid the pedals down. A nice gentle ride over the moors brought us to stage 2. This was one of my favourite stages, however, still not managed to get up the little technical rock climb mid-stage.

It was a long way over the moors to Cock Hill but jeeez it was worth it. Really enjoyed these two stages, maybe I was enjoying them too much because I managed to come too hot into a turn and wash out, giving me a front puncture, quickly hopped back on and rode as fast as I could as I could hear the tyre going flat fast- got to the river gap jump and it was a dead’n- proper flat.

Keeping up the tradition I binned it on stage 5 too- so overall Cock Hill wasn’t too successful for me but everyone seemed to be enjoying the loam!
Keeping up the tradition I binned it on stage 5 too- so overall Cock Hill wasn’t too successful for me but everyone seemed to be enjoying the loam!
The final stage went good for me after a last minute line choice which was decided at the start line when I saw all the elite boys cutting a great line which saved so many seconds!
The final stage went good for me after a last minute line choice which was decided at the start line when I saw all the elite boys cutting a great line which saved so many seconds!
All in all a great weekend, so proper racing with some great natural transitions and varying stages to keep us all buzzing.
All in all a great weekend, so proper racing with some great natural transitions and varying stages to keep us all buzzing.

Had a good time at round 4 at Kirroughtree everyone- I’m off to France but will be back for the next round.

Results

Elite Men
1 – Callum Dew | Pioneer Scott Syncros
2 – James Stock | GT Bikes/SB Gravity
3 – Martyn Brookes | Whyte Bikes

Women
1 – Rebecca Baraona | Gravity Bikes Racing
2 – Martha Gill | PHMAS VCUK
3 – Abigale Lawton

Full results can be found at rootsandrain

For more info, visit: borderline-events.co.uk

Words: Bex Baraona Photos & Video: Nick Moor Photography

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