The second round of the British HSBC XC NPS Round 2 took place over the weekend at Wasing, Berkshire.

Banbridge CC had two riders in the starting line up in the form of John Buller fresh from the Tour of the North who was racing in the Junior category and Gareth McKee riding for Cycleology Racing in the Elite category with Simon Curry as Team manager for the team. The racing got underway at 3.15 with the Elite race being set off 1 minute ahead of the Junior race. 

Gareth and John both had good starts and were running within the top 10 for the opening lap. John was riding strong in the second group of juniors for the first two laps however John dropped off with the ferocious pace set on the third lap, John never gave up and finished the five lap race in 13th hoping to improve on the result and get into the top 10 in the races to come. 

Gareth struggled with the fast pace of the front group which split on the 1st lap with four riders breaking clear with a chase group of four riders inbetween and Gareth in a further chase group. As the race went on Gareth had moved into the second group with the leading riders only 40 seconds ahead on the last lap. Gareth went on a late charge on the last half lap and got within 11 seconds of the Winner at the finish to secure 5th position for the second round in a row which should consolidate 3rd position in the overall series. 

The next round of the British XC National Points Series is in Aske Estate, Richmond on the 13th -14th May.

TH