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Rounds 5 & 6 of the British Cycling National Series where held at Braintree on 2nd & 3rd July. With Ryan only coming out of hospital on the Tuesday before there were no expectations on him. Alex had a few bike changes done during the week which he was still getting used to. Saturday turned into a fantastic day with quarters for both of them and they both managed to come through it, then onto the semi`s where the pressure was on. Both boys had brilliant semi`s and got through to the final. The finals came round and up first was Alex, unfortunately he slipped on the gate and was in last place going over the first jump, by the first corner he had worked his way into 4th place were he stayed until the line. Ryan`s final also saw he slow out of the gate but a good line through the 1st corner saw him move into 3rd place where he battled for 2nd place right upto the line and just missed out and took 3rd. Sunday was the same with quarters again. Both boys rode well to get through the quarters and semi final`s to go again in the “A” Final. Alex`s final again saw him slow out of the gate but this time he got a good line into the 1st corner and got into second place. Alex was pushing for 1st but just run out of track and finished in 2nd. Ryan`s final saw a good start from him and with bars banging going over the first jump and into the first corner it was the strongest that would come out on top. After keeping strong Ryan came out of the first corner in front and kept a fantastic race line all the way round and came over the line for his first national win of 2011

Unfortunately after a big accident on the track at Redditch Ryan had to be admitted to hospital with suspected internal injuries. The first jump out of the gate saw Ryan go to manual but the front wheel come down on the step up and sent him over the bars. He landed on his head and knocked himself out. Winded, not knowing where he was and blood running from his mouth Ryan was taken to hospital. After x-rays it was confirmed nothing was broken but Ryan was still complaining of pains in his stomach so he was booked in for an ultra scan on Monday. Luckily the ultra scan was clear showing no major damage. Ryan was kept in again on Monday for more observations and he came home on Tuesday evening where he rested for the rest of the week.

With the national only weeks away at Redditch the inter regional was an ideal time for some practice for the national. With the sun shining it was into race 1 and Alex managed come come across the line in 3rd. The next two races went better with Alex winning. The final was a good race and Alex got a good start and stayed smooth all the way round and finished in a good 2nd place. Hopefully the practice will help him get another good result come national time