They achieved two podium positions, and Ben Hall recorded his most comprehensive success to date, winning the expert category and also taking the fastest time of the day overall out of over 300 riders by over seven seconds.
The course at Fort William is used for a round of the World Cup every year and is probably one of the most physically demanding in Europe. At 2.8 kms in length the top section works the upper body till forearms are pumped and joints are sore with trying to keep control of the bike, then the bottom section is a flat-out pedal over jumps that burns the legs and where one mistake could end up in a big crash.
Most of the CHR riders had crashes at some point over the weekend, noteably, Rob Tait in final practice which left him needing medical attention before his race runs, and Michael Strangeways who recorded a DNF due to a crash on his second race run.
A round up of the team's times and positions is :- Senior – Rob Tait 34th 6.00.929; Master – Mark Sinclair 25th 6.56.550; Veteran – Michael Strangeways 15th 7.02.797; Women – Angela Coates( Fox Racing, Team CHR) 3rd 7.25.487; Expert – Ben Hall (Perth Cycles, Team CHR) 1st 5.02.613.
Also three of the team took part in Northern round two at Hamsterley Forest near Durham, Senior – Rob Tait 12th; Veteran – Michael Strangeways fifth; Expert – Ben Hall fourth.
Next up is round three of the Scottish series at the infamous Dunkeld track near Perth.