Velo29 North East Trophy

Saturday saw an impressive line up for the Velo29 North East Trophy Race at Croft Motor Racing Circuit. The £500 prize list was almost certainly an incentive for the 100 riders that signed up for the E/1/2/3/4 race.

Simon Davison - Blackhawkbikes.com

Blackhawkbikes.com race team had four of its riders on the start line, Simon Davison, Alan Nixon, James Alder and Marcus Smith, for the first major event of the season. This would prove to be a testing race with appearances from Mat Kiplin - Raleigh RT, Tom Barras - Cyclepremier and David Lines - Endura.

Read the full race report here - http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=97c4cd7fb15bd1a83d27dfee1&id=2bdffbfbf4

Alan Nixon - Heading up the chasing Peleton

Alan Nixon was showcasing the 2011 Team Bike, The Venom II Sram Force with Edge Carbon Bars and Stem. Look out for future posts, each team rider will give you their insight and reviews of the new Venom II frame and Edge finishing kit.

Despite valiant efforts by Blackhawkbikes.com racing team to get the chasing peleton working together the breakaway remained some 3mins ahead of the main field and the race was won by Mat Kiplin of Raleigh RT.

Full Results - https://cid-368391d6b5cef36b.office.live.com/view.aspx/V29%20NE%20Trophy%20Result.xlsx

James Alder - Blackhawkbikes.com

Marcus Smith - Blackhawkbikes.com

The next race on the calender for Blackhawkbikes.com race team with be the Neil White Memorial Handicap Road Race, Stokesley on 13th March '11. Race start time will be 10.30am...

Venom II Review

I have been without a road bike for a month, following a visit from the local low lives who decided to empty my garage of all my favourite carbon toys, i am now delighted to be riding my new machine - the Blackhawk Venom II. Ive done well over 1000 miles on it and tested it on all kinds of roads. This includes Wrynose pass, Hardknott pass and Honister pass in the Lakes. Ive raced it twice and it rides like a dream.

The venom gives a very responsive ride that accelerates quickly out of corners. The bb30 bottom bracket is very stiff and extremely positive in the sprints. The power put down through the pedals is delivered to the road without wasted effort. The slim rear stays compliment this well, giving a comfortable ride.

The SRAM Force groupset looks good on the Venom and works faultlessly further enhancing the smooth ride.

This is certainly one lightweight race ready road bike which punches way above it's price tag, out performing many top end carbon race machines.

Mud, mud, mud........

Rain was going to be the order of the day for the final round of the North East Cyclo-cross at Whitley Bay Round 13. The course, (thanks again Jamie), was long, all on grass and very very wet. Blackhawkbikes.com had 4 riders in this final round, Tony Fawcett, Adam Martin, Vince Potter and Simon Davison.

Congratulations to Tony Fawcett who finished 2nd, Adam Martin was 1st Junior and 6th overall, Vince Potter was 8th and Simon Davison 13th.

Another good race for the Blackhawkbikes.com race team.

It's now time to wash off the MUD DOG and put it away until the Three Peaks and get ready for the road season.

The Blackhawkbikes.com Road Race Team will be competing in both British Cycling and TLI events in the North of England. Look out for them on Eurosport as they also take part in some Premier Calender Events for the first time.

Cyclo-cross nearly over for another year...

Tony Fawcett - British Cycling North East Cross Rd 12 Durham

The cyclo-cross season is nearly over for another year and the Blackhawk Mud Dog cyclo-cross frames have been put through their paces by Alan Nixon, Tony Fawcett and Simon Davison.

The all carbon cyclo-cross specific Mud Dog has been an awesome weapon. It's light weight, responsive, has great acceleration, couple this together with good mud clearance and you have a winning formula. The Mud Dog has seen many race victories this season under the command of Alan Nixon and Tony Fawcett.

Tony finished an impressive 2nd on sunday in Durham on a testing course, seen here at the top of a climb that became almost impossible to ride as the grass was worn away and exposed the mud. Team riders Vince Potter finished 9th and Simon Davison slipped back from 11th to 16th after a mechanical meant he had to run part of the last lap with the mud dog on his shoulder to  the finish line. Good job its light!

Simon Davison - Hetton Lyons Country Park

The strength of the Mud Dog was confirmed when Alan Nixon competed in the epic Three Peaks Cyclo-cross Race and came home in 17th Place with over 515 starters. Another good result for Alan.

Hopefully Alan will have the rest of the cyclo-cross team to back him up in the 2011 3-Peaks Cyclo-cross Race.

There is one race left of the British Cycling North East Cross League to go at Whitley Bay. Current league standings have Alan Nixon placed 4th and Adam Martin (Junior rider) placed 6th.

Unfortunately Alan will not be racing this weekend, lets hope he can hold onto his 4th place overall in the league.

Alan Nixon - 3 Peaks Cyclo-cross Race - 17th

No.:57  Name:Alan Nixon  Club:Blackhawkbikes.com  Category:M  Events:3  Generation:

Checkpoint	Time of Day	Elapsed	Leg
Registration	08:16:01	-----	-----
Start	09:29:49	-----	-----
Ingleborough	10:22:20	00:52:31	00:52:31
Cold Cotes	10:35:21	01:05:32	00:13:01
Whernside	11:26:17	01:56:28	00:50:56
Ribblehead	11:45:58	02:16:09	00:19:41
Pen-y-ghent	12:39:41	03:09:52	00:53:43
Finish	12:57:41	03:27:52	00:18:00