Matt aiming for another top finish
Telford's Matt Simmonds heads into this weekend's Downhill Bikes National Championships in top gear after securing a victory in round five of the British Downhill Series.
The biking sensation, who currently rides for the Madison Saracen, has climbed to fourth in this year's standings with his win in the Moelfre mountain ranges outside Oswestry.
But all of his attention for now will be focussed on tomorrow's National Championships in Llangollen, an event in which the 28-year-old is determined to better his highest finish of third.
He said: "I won it as a junior when I was 18 but the best I've achieved as an elite was a few close thirds.
"It's a huge event. One that all of the UK's best riders will be competing in and one that would mean a lot to win.
"When you win the nationals you get a sleeve of the Union Jack for the World Cup rides – that would be really special.
"It's been good preparation winning the DBS. That particularly surface and incline suited me but I think I'm in a good bit of form."
The lead rider, who formerly raced with Madison's rivals, Chain Reaction, has been busy with his team out in the Welsh hills as they test a new carbon-framed bike.
Describing how the finest margins can be the the difference in his sport, Simmonds said: "I beat Joe (Smith, current Series leader) on the last stage by point-five of a second.
"It's ridiculously close. We hadn't ridden in those particular peaks for about two years and it's a nice track to race.
"It's mostly grassy, with less obstacles than we're used to. They put a few bumps and bollards in but it was a nice smooth ride.
"So it's high-speed and I have an advantage that I carry a bit more weight than some of my rivals.
"You can see that every little margin can make a difference."
Smith, alongside Gee Atherton, are the only other riders to win a race this year. Atherton won the Series' opening two events and Smith won the next two – Simmonds denied him the triple-crown and took some pleasure from it.
"It's funny actually. It's a different sport to most and we're happy to help each other out because we mix quite regularly," the former window cleaner said.
"But Joe is also my future brother-in-law. So we have a lot on the line when we race – it's a great rivalry."
Both Simmonds and Smith head into the National Championships with bragging rights on the line, as well as competitive rivalries. And with trips to Canada and the USA on the horizon, the fastest thing on two-wheels from Shropshire is ready to take on the world.
