CHAMPION AGAIN.

Giant's top XC rider Oli Beckingsale successfully defended his National Championship title in Plymouth on the 21st July. This is means that he has now been Senior Champion 5 times.

However, it wasn't an easy victory. From lap 1 Oli found himself in a battle with Ian Wilkinson that continued until the final climb, on the final lap where he managed to open up a small gap that he held onto until the finish. Oli had this to say about his momentous achievement:

"It was great to win my fifth Senior Champs especially as I am only just recovering from a bad period of illness that messed up the whole of June. The course was great and tested man and machine, and my Anthem passed with flying colours."

In terms of his plans for the immediate future Oli is keen to keep on pushing towards his peak fitness:

"I am now looking forward to the Worlds and have seven weeks to get back to full fitness and reach my top level in what is the biggest race of the season."

As part of his preparation Oli will be racing in the HC Swiss Cup in Bern and a C1 race in Hungary.