First race of the 2010 season for the Swiss and Swallow downhill racing team was at Aston Hill. and it was a great start for Rose (2nd), Phil (3rd) and Sam (1st).

Mother's day, stupid question, but which other countries celebrate mother's day? Is it a World wide thing? Maybe that was the reason why only 155 raced? Add in the start to the Formula 1 season and numbers were down on the bumper 423 race last year. At least the weather was nice, if a little breezy and cool.

Practice was already firing as we landed just after 08:00 in the top car park. Sign on, sign your life away and kitted up we pedaled the short distance to the start. A massive pedal, think World Champs 2009, well it felt that way on the flat pedals I can tell you. Before we fired around some seriously eroded corners and straights littered with exposed roots. Am I complaining? Definitely not, courses should be as rough as a bear's bum, not some super highway.

Plenty of line choices to pick from even on a short course like this. Take it wide and flow was the trick of the day. Stay off the white chalky surface which was like ice and I'm not talking cream.

Racing started at 11:00 on the dot with everyone getting in two race runs, the fastest to count. The pits were alive with Nema, K9, Swiss and Swallow, Descent-Gear, the burger man, Hensley and Buzz. I must highly recommend Michelle Warby's flapjacks, they were awesome. The next race at Aston Hill is in September so make sure you are there points chasing for the British Downhill Series no doubt.

Sam on his way to victory.

Now on to the nationals!