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Battle of Radstock 06!
24th August 2006 - Nick Larsen, pics www.chargebikes.com
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Last Wednesday, shrouded in secrecy, something rather special occurred in deepest, darkest Somerset at UK company Charge Bikes' private testing facility "Radstock Recreation Ground". Charge's dirt compound consists of four massive 70's skatepark style dirt bowls at the top of a small hill that links into small pump track and then down into a heap of dirt jumps and massive berms. Thousands of tonnes of earth had been moved over the past 12 months and manipulated to create this dirt bike riders paradise that continues to evolve day by day. The aptly named "Battle of Radstock" was held here as a part of a launch party for Charge Bikes' 2007 range of bikes, frames and parts. A carefully selected group of top riders and bike media were the only persons lucky enough to be present at this unique venue and having checked the new product out in the morning, they tucked into a huge hog roast and beer as the qualification runs commenced.
The rider start list was as follows:
Timo Pritzel (Scott / Oakley / SRAM) - Germany
Joscha Forstreuter (Nicolai / Adidas / SRAM) - Germany
Jim Dechamp (Mongoose) - USA
Garry Penman (Charge Bikes)
Paul Garrett (Charge Bikes)
Cunny (Charge Bikes)
Neil Donahue (MBUK / Santa Cruz)
Matt Scott (Curtis)
Ollie Fielder (Mongoose / Hyundai / Muc Off)
Chris Smith (GT/ Hyundai / Muc Off)
Chris Akrigg (Mongoose / Hyundai / Muc-off)
GT / Hyundai team rider Dave Wardell, was also supposed to be competing but having broken his collarbone in Sweden the week before he had been given the more daunting task of commentating. Radstock Rec. local and Charge Bikes team rider Andrew "Ren" Rendell was also due to compete, but had a big crash the day before that put him out of contention too.
Competitors started at the top of the snake run that lead down into the deepest bowl and worked their way individually down the hill to the bottom berm. They were judged on creativity, flow, style and difficulty - the idea was to connect the run smoothly and not to stop. Each rider had a qualifying run and then the top 5 riders went through to the final in which they then had the chance to do 2 runs, the best of which counted as the final score.
Jim Dechamp flew in especially for the USA and was riding amazingly until he attempted a huge 40 foot transfer in practice, that he almost made, but was caught out by the loose dry conditions. He smashed himself and bike up pretty badly, which put him out of the running. Timo Pritzel and his friend Joscha Forstreuter made the trip from Berlin and both had some pretty amazing lines going on. Timo even flipped the biggest jump, that only a few riders have even ridden at all, for this he won the "Sick O" Oakley prize for the sickest trick of the day. Mongoose's trials rider Chris Akrigg was also in attendance putting in some super tech. lines in the upper bowls section of the course, showing that he is not only proficient at trials, but can turn his hand to pretty much any bicycle discipline with ease. Downhill racers Neil Donahue, Cunny and Paul Garrett tried their hand at competing with the full time dirt pro's with Neil Donaghue amazing people by making the cut for the final, only to have to drop out due to injury.
Eventually after some astounding qualifying runs and spectacular crashes the 3 judges narrowed the field down to the 5 finalists who had to step up their runs a further notch and produced some pretty stunning final runs including:
Matt Scott who's no-footed back-flip to 360 was flawless.
Chris Smith who had numerous harsh crashes but did stick a no-handed 360 and a truck-driver.
Timo Pritzel, who managed to flip the first and boost a huge no foot can over the massive last set in the downhill 6 pack.
Chris Akrigg who's use of the bowls, straw bale sub box and general style was unsurpassed.
Garry Penman who's clean tail-whips and 360 tail-whip attempts were pretty impressive.
As the dust settled on first ever Battle of Radstock the final results were as follows:
1. Timo Pritzel (Oakley / Scott / SRAM)
2. Chris Akrigg (Mongoose / Hyundai / Muc-Off)
3. Matt Scott (Curtis / Howies)
4. Garry Penman (Charge Bikes)
5. Chris Smith (GT / Hyundai / Muc-Off)
The Charge Bikes Battle of Radstock was sponsored by Switzerland Tourism, We Clothing, Oakley, Shimano, Thor, Giro, Manitou, Answer, Circa Shoes, Syncros, Hotwheels, ODI and Dirt Worker and Fuse Protection.
Check forthcoming bike magazines for more extensive coverage and better photography. Next year will be even bigger and better. Check www.chargebikes.com for progress on the ongoing development of Radstock Recreation Ground.
BEER!! Wheres my invite?!
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