Differing fortunes

JIMMY CARLING hit the wall in round two of the 2004 National Points series in Dumfries, Scotland. After some brilliant performances locally, the island's outstanding young mountain-biker inexplicably ran out of steam as he joined up with fellow Sarnian Tobyn Horton for the Scottish challenge.

Two days of heavy rain had preceded the arrival from all over the UK of an exceptionally strong group of talented riders, including Alex Atkins and the Northern Ireland competitor, Andy McCullough.

During practice, Horton and Carling had found the winding, technical and often fast course to their liking.

But come the start, it was an almost unrideable bog and it was clear the race was going to be just as much about staying on the bike as anything else.

Horton, who had finished 13th in the previous round in April, found himself as a gridded rider with a place very near the front of the 30-strong field.

Carling, however, who had suffered from a double puncture in a disastrous round one, was not gridded and found himself four rows back from the front, leaving him with his work cut out for the start.

As the gun went, the riders propelled themselves around the Scottish countryside, Horton gaining a good start with Carling several placings back but making his way through the field.

Carling quickly made his way into the top six, having passed Horton.

But, possibly due to a heavy training schedule coupled with the preceding weekend's road racing in Wales and a very long haul to Scotland, Carling suddenly found himself with nothing left to give and physically blew up at the end of the first lap.

Unfortunately, this meant that the national champion went backwards through the field losing places at a blistering rate as rider after rider passed him.

Severe backache then set in which only made matters worse.

Meanwhile, further back in the field, Horton was putting in an incredibly strong ride, coping admirably with the treacherous conditions and catching up with Carling without quite overtaking him.

Carling crossed the line in agony and in 12th place, while Horton was just one place back after a very mature and well-ridden race.

Then the riders will be taken back to Sherwood Pines, a very popular racing ground.