The opening weekend of the 2022 National Cross-Country Series saw Big Bear Bikes supported rider Jane Squires score a brilliant podium finish. But it was a frustrating day for husband and fellow supported rider Peter, who crashed on lap one of a boggy course and finished in the middle of the field.
With the first proper season since 2019 now underway, Jane and Peter have been eager to get back racing on their Trek Top Fuel 9.8s, competing last weekend at Parkwood in Tong, West Yorkshire. In muddy conditions, it was a tricky day for Peter, who was left frustrated by the first round of the series.
“I hadn’t raced on a wet, technical course for a while and took a lap or two to settle in. A silly first lap crash and stopping to reduce tyre pressures didn’t help,” said Peter, who finished 23rd from a total 47 in the male Grand Vets category.
“My last lap was again my fastest, so confidence was building and my fitness was doing well. It will take me a few races to get used to racing again. It’s a different ball game to riding a trail on your own, especially a national event.”
But despite Peter’s frustrations, Jane had a strong performance, taking a brilliant second in the Grand Vets female category. After taking the lead in the first lap, she and Clare Hoskins of the Cardiff JIF club swapped first and second over the course of the race, and it was Clare who managed to keep the lead until the end, finishing 49 seconds ahead.
Peter said: “Jane had a very strong race. Talking to Jane and Clare at the end, it appeared that Jane was stronger on the technical parts of the course, but Clare had the legs on the climbs.”
Jane’s success comes as a miraculous story after her recovery from a severe kidney infection in 2019, which was so serious it was thought she might never come home again. Three years on, the couple are happy to be back racing and re-igniting friendly rivalries.
“It was a great weekend for both of us, seeing people we hadn’t seen for a couple of years and feeling like we are getting back into the social side of racing as well,” said Peter.
“A good enough reason to keep riding our bikes.”
And we couldn’t agree more on that one.
Keep an eye out for further updates from Jane and Peter, and our other supported riders in road, cross-country and enduro events this season.
