Bryceland captures first pro victory

Santa Cruz Syndicate's Josh Bryceland won his first race as a professional at the Innerleithen Winter Series in Scotland last weekend. It was Bryceland's first race of 2009, too. His win came on a wet, rooty and technical track with a tight, steep section at the top.

"It rained pretty hard through the night and a lot of roots had become exposed and slick," said the 19-year-old Bryceland. "My goal was just to put in a smooth and solid run because that is what I am trying to work on this year - consistency."

Bryceland felt good on the track during practice runs and was happy with the lines he picked out in preparation for the final. "I didn't make any major mistakes and when I did this gap over a stump the crowd got pretty excited and cheered me on hard through the last section."

He was the final rider down and clinched the win ahead of Tom Braithwaite.