Whyte Racer Luke Smith – the Botswana National MTB Champion – has won his first race of the season on home soil, the Super Masters at the first round of the Gorrick. Luke’s no stranger to success in the series and was seen as the man to beat on what was described as a dry course despite the snow. He rode his Whyte 19 hard in the four-lap event. This is Luke’s report.

With the course conditions described as dry just the day before the event I must admit I had my doubts as the snow started falling on the journey to the race.

An early start did indeed mean, however, that the course conditions were nigh on perfect. The course was quite different to previous rounds held at the venue although still remained very typical of a Gorrick course with tight twisty singletrack and lots of short energy sapping power climbs.

The Super Master race is contested over 4 laps. We set off at a good pace with four riders getting away quickly including myself. The pace settled and we started ticking the laps off. Come the third lap the pace was lifted slightly and this was enough to reduce us to just three riders. Each lap I was calculating just how and when to make my move.

I was feeling good after getting a few races under my belt. I decided I would make my move on one of the steepest climbs on the final lap.

With approximately half a lap left I made the effort and quickly opened up a reasonable gap. All I had to do now was hold a good pace to the finish to take my first win of the year. The riders behind separated with one rider pushing me all the way to the line.

I managed to hold on though for my first victory in Super Masters.

Next race is back to the enduro format for the final round of the Thetford 4 hour series.

Thanks to Whyte Racing UK for providing a perfect race machine my Whyte 19.