Zach Smith impresses at British Cycling National Mountain Bike series round three
Utmost International academy rider Zach Smith travelled to Glentress for the 3rd round of the British Cycling National Mountain Bike series, a venue renowned for its challenging terrain and a recent host of the 2023 World Championships. The race took place in beautiful sunshine, creating a stunning backdrop for the competitors and spectators alike and the dry conditions would provide many challenges for the riders, particularly on the downhill tracks and berms which were extremely slippery.
Starting from 10th place on a grid of 51 riders, Zach maintained a strong pace during the first lap, keeping up with the main pack. His aim of staying close to the leaders proved effective as the race progressed. However, during the subsequent two laps, he experienced a slight setback, falling back from the main group as he navigated the long climbs and tricky descents. Despite this, Zach dug in showcasing remarkable determination and in the final lap, as he pushed through the fatigue, he regained momentum, ultimately finishing in an impressive 14th place over the 17.6kms ridden.
Another solid performance for Zach who described the race as the toughest of the season so far.
Written by Rod Smith.
