Round 1 of the Shimano British Downhill Series is just a few days away. With a brand-new track at a brand new venue we’re asking you – who’s your money on for the elite win?
You can view the complete entry list over at British Cycling here.
Who has won at Antur before?
The betting man would usually fire up Roots and Rain and look at previous BDS results on the same track. As a brand new track for the nationals that’s a no-go.
There has only been one previous race at Antur which came down to a battle between Matt Simmonds, Joel Moore and Al Bond.
Simmonds won by over 2 seconds on a 2:30min track. He’ll be a new bike, a new team and no doubt brimming with new-season confidence.
Who can go fast at Antur?
The track is big, rough, fast and technical. It suits big, powerful riders that can go fast and carry their speed through the big rocks, shale and braking bumps. Equally, there’s a lot of sharp, tight corners and jumps that will benefit the guys that can carry their speed well.
That’s pretty much the skills that win on any downhill track though … so no huge insights there.
There’s a deep elite field lined up for Antur but probably 10 heavyweights that can seriously threaten the top step of the podium. It looks like they are:
- Gee Atherton
- Marc Beaumont
- Adam Brayton
- Josh Bryceland
- Ruaridh Cunningham
- Sam Dale
- Danny Hart
- Steve Peat
- Matthew Simmonds
- Joe Smith
As far as we know … all of those guys are fit, healthy and coming racing. Of the list Gee, Marc, Brayton and Simmonds seem to be the real top dogs who would be worth a bet.
We’re talking about the overall win here, but so as not to ignore the ladies, the race looks to be down to:
- Rachel Atherton
- Manon Carpenter
- Tahnee Seagrave
There’s a few people likening Antur to Fort William – it’s a big, rough, rocky, open and fast trail. That’s a fair comparison. However, Fort William is almost twice the length. Last year’s BDS track was won by Danny Hart in 4:46. Gee came second and Simmonds third.
What’s interesting is the top section of Fort William which is definitely quite similar to Antur. It’s rough, open, fast and windy at it’s about 3 minutes long (similar to Antur).
There’s no BDS split for the top section of Fort William – but the World Cup in 2013 put a split 3 minutes down. Gee was fastest at this split, followed by Danny and then Sam Benkinsop. The 3rd fastest racer that will be at Antur with Joe Smith who placed 10th overall at the split.
By that logic, Gee Atherton is a fair bet. It’s safe to say that fresh from his winter training camp in Malaga riding big, rough, fast tracks and that that he’s pretty local to Antur Stiniog he’s in with a good chance. He is – of course – a big, powerful, fast rider that can carry speed like few others. Oh – and he managed to beat Kez down Antur which is good enough for me.
Of course, Danny Hart is on the start list and has been up at Antur over the winter. He’s fast on big, gnarly tracks and – statistically speaking – looks like he could put the pressure on Gee.
So who are we gunning for?
We reckon it will be a battle between Gee, Danny and Simmonds. All have the skills to win, the experience of the track and are fighting fit. Brayton, Beaumont and Joe Smith will also put up a good fight we reckon. And – of course – Peaty shines on tracks like Antur.
We’re saying – 1st to Gee, 2nd to Danny, 3rd to Simmonds.
For the ladies we’re saying – Rach, Manon, Tahnee.
Who’s YOUR money on? Tell us in the comments below!
