The Big Picture | The Eliminator - Dual Slalom is back!

Whatever happened to Dual Slalom, where did it go? The format taps directly into the most basic and vivid of racing emotions, that hedonistic rush of excitement when your target is not a ticking clock, but a living breathing opponent charging hard right next to you. Seconds don’t matter anymore, it’s all about one simple goal – winning. We had joined 50 other riders on Parkhill Farm in Fife (Scotland) to compete to become the Muckmedden Eliminator champion, Dual Slalom was back, and it was badder than ever!

Dual slalom racing on a two minute downhill track, this is pure distilled fun!

This would be the third Eliminator race for events organisers Muckmedden and it had become a highlight on the Scottish racing calendar, delightfully unique and riotous fun. The weekend format was simple, racers were uplifted to the top on the world’s most agricultural uplift, before racing two by two down the hill. Unusually for a race, times did not matter! It was a simple win or lose. If you win your heat you go through to the next round, if you lose, you get one more chance, two defeats and you are eliminated. With a two minute track that included a bit of everything, big jumps, road gaps, flat turns, greasy turns, steep chutes and a flat out barley field blast to the finish, it was sure to be a great day.

Over 50 racers had turned up to go head to head

In the fragile morning hours, AyeCoffe's Colin was the most important man on site, dishing up caffeine rich motivation — In the fragile morning hours, AyeCoffe’s Colin was the most important man on site, dishing up caffeine rich motivation

Rollin on big rims! This is the best way to uplift up a hill, the Eliminator keeps it strictly farmyard — Rolling on big rims! This is the best way to uplift up a hill, the Eliminator keeps it strictly farmyard

The sweeping views of the Tay were lost on the excited riders

After a dry morning of practice on Saturday the Scottish weather had played its trump card and delivered up some quality heavy rain to transform the sweet dust into good old fashioned mud. The first few rounds were super sketchy with plenty of sideways entertainment on show.

As forecast the sun finally started to shine as uplift after uplift clawed it’s way up the drying hill. Riders of all abilities had turned up to give it a go, and ‘Heckle Alley’ was lined with a great turnout of families and spectators. The course designers had ensured that everything was rollable, and had put on extra bonus rounds for riders who were unceremoniously eliminated early.

As the day progressed groups got smaller and smaller as the fastest racers started to pair up. The racing grew increasingly intense and exciting shoulder to shoulder racing right to the finish line was common. Eliminated riders joined the throng and the atmosphere was electric, or perhaps that was just the tasty Alechemy beers flowing.

The first feature was a flat out sprint to the first double, some had space, some hit it side by side — The first feature was a flat out sprint to the first double, some styled it, some went down hard! This air loving racer was obviously stashing helium in those cheeks!

Choices choices, at this point rider had to choose a slow speed but shorter left line or a high speed longer line

There were prizes on offer for the longest huck off the ski jump booter

In practice the flat turns were a real confidence game, will it hold? — In practice the open flat turns at the top tested nerves to the limit, will it hold?

The woods had turned into a messy, slick, carnage fest

That was now slowing Andy down much, fully pinned

The right line was faster at the top, but left a long off camber traverse that required some dabbing action — The right line was faster at the top, but included a long off camber traverse that required some dabbing action

The track had a bit of everything, open hillside to woods to barley field.

As the day rolled on the surface improved as slick became tacky

Busting out into the open Trev puts down some ponies in front of the crowd

After a wee road gap huck it was into the barley field

Racing was tight as racers cut between the lanes

There is a bright racing future for this wee chap

Smiles all round, you cannot beat dual slalom racing

Every racer left wanting their own barley field to play in

While the format was simple it was a headache for the organisers to keep all the rounds flowing

Cube UK racer Thomas Mitchell moved quickly to the final, wating to see if he would face a DH or XC star

But local XC hero Connor Johnstone had the legs to take the win and head into the final — …local XC hero Connor Johnstone had the legs to take the win and head into the final

The racers head back to the uplift for the final

As Connor and Tom burst out the trees to applause, it was powerhouse Tom who had the advantage

Which he carried to the final win! The Eliminator champion was crowned

XC meets ENDURO, the track played to both strengths for a gripping final

At the end of the day the beers were flowing, ALECHEMY was on site to provide the liquid gold

Plenty of good natured banter was exhanged — After cushioning a truly seismic fall with his head, Phil deserved this beer

The eliminator podium, 1st Thomas Mitchell, 2nd Conner Johnstone, 3rd Craig Falconer and Andy Donnachie

Racers all hope it comes back next year!

Muckmedden had put on a classic, another great race blending the best of grassroots racing with faultless organisation. The Muckmedden team lead the way when it comes to participation and fun for all the family and the eliminator was no different. After a brilliant weekend of racing everyone was in agreement – Dual Slalom is awesome fun!

It’s time for us to go and strim two tracks in the lawn, move over enduro, there’s a new kid in town!

We would also like to give a big shout out to the sponsors who helped make the event awesome. Alpine Bikes, Alechemy Brewing, Scottoiler, Haglöfs UK Ltd, Horizon Watches, Mudhugger, Wigwam Mills Inc, Team Ride It, DMBinS, Durty Events, Progression Bikes, Collective Training, Collective Trax and Angus Cycling Festival.

For more information on future Muckmedden events, sign up to their Facebook page!

Words and photos: Trev Worsey

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The Big Picture | The Eliminator – Dual Slalom is back!

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