An early and dramatic start to the already tough event saw Llewelyn and team mechanic Evan Davies stripping the bike back to discover a blocked fuel injector nozzle. Completely unaware of the drama ensuing in the pits Simon rode a steady pace on the opening laps of the slippery and treacherous 16 mile lap to bring the team up to third overall by the end of his first session.

Taking over the reigns after an hour and a half of racing, Llewelyn took a steady approach to his initial lap. On his second lap he was able to push on and make up some time on the overall leaders. As the day wore the team edged closer and closer to the leaders, with Llewelyn eventually claiming the lead just after the half way mark.

Over the next six hours the lead swapped back and fourth between several teams, with no one able to stretch out more than a 5 minute lead. With the course deteriorating as the hundreds of riders stripped the former coal mine to it’s stony base, the bumpy, rocky track started to take it’s toll on the various teams. With just two hours left on the clock Team Delta Kunststoffe Husqvarna UK were just 20 seconds off the lead.

Once again Llewelyn took to the track, knowing that he could catch the leaders and put the team in a great position. Pushing hard and clocking two solid lap times, the team went into the last lap with a slender lead. Unaware of the actual gaps due to the timings screens being turned off for the last hour, the lead proved to not be enough. The final lap saw the teams nearest rivals clock their fastest of the day and cross the line just one minute ahead of the Simon and Llewelyn.

Llewelyn Pavey - “It was a really good day for us. I really didn’t know where we’d be able to run in the standings. Dad did a great job in the first session, the track looked super slick and I was glad it wasn’t me out there. At the start I struggled with the track, it wasn’t sure how much grip the ground had and some parts were really cut up. I made a few mistakes and messed up a couple of the Extreme sections but after the first hour got into it a bit more and found a groove though. I felt like I had some good lines and my bike was running so well.

“After my second section I was feeling surprisingly tired, I really thought I wouldn’t have the power for the next two sessions. I found a good groove though and rode much better in the second half, I got a little bit of cramp in my thigh but it wasn’t too bad. After my final session we had a small lead, maybe two or three minutes and the team had gotten ready for me to make a final lap. I wasn’t aware of this plan as the lap is 40 minutes long and you never see anyone. I’d been cramping a fair bit and rode most of the last lap stood up and didn’t know if I could make one more at the same pace. Unfortunately we didn’t quite have the pace on the last lap, but to finish a minute behind after 12hours is no bad thing.

I was really pleased with the TXC today – the whole bike was just awesome. Despite the course being pretty quick, the nature of the 250F was perfect for the slippery, technical riding.”

Simon Pavey – “Today was a great result for us. We both rode well all day and had a great time. Some of the going didn’t suit the big four stroke all that much, the slippery going definitely suited the little bikes better. It was great fun to battle with people for so long and the track got better as the day went on, the last laps were fantastic fun. It was a small disappointment to lose out in such a close battle, a minute is nothing, I had my first little crash on the last lap, but it is a good result for the team. Thee 449 was great fun today, the course didn’t suit big bikes but the bike always puts a smile on my face.

“Llel rode very well today, he was pretty much always the fastest guy on track and was taking minutes out of people on each lap and we both had really solid ride. It was a great fitness test for both us and our bikes today and everything held up well.”

12 Hour Overall Results:

1st. Dirt Traxs – Dean & Damo; 17 laps

2nd.  Team Delta Kunststoffe Husqvarna UK; 17 Laps

3rd. The Young Guns; 17 Laps