Racing News
Autumn Classic 1 Results
by Paul Howard, 08 Oct 06. Results [ 1» ] Photos [ 1» 2» ]
We hope you found Tunnel Hill to your liking as a new venue, it has a lot of potential. We tried to make the most of the wide range of natural features, such as the rock slab, drop-offs, various gulleys and wooded hillsides to create many new trails. Our thanks go to a small team of hardworking local riders who have given up holidays and weekends over the past few weeks to graft in the woods. Tunnel Hill is scheduled to be used in round 1 of the 2007 Spring Series, so expect to see many more trails and a few changes to bits that didn't quite flow as intended.
Many thanks to title sponsor Respro for providing all the Safety Marshall's with high visibility jackets. They also supplied products prizes for the winners which will be available at the next event.
For a challenge some riders had organised via the internet forums to compete under the name "My bike cost me less than 20 quid!". They each went out to source a bike for this minimal sum with the only concession being a change to their regular SPD's. There was much laughter on the start of the Open Race as they lined up ready to do battle. Bikes ranged from very old and run down MTB's, to a ladies style bike resplendent in splatter graphics and all pink cables. But Paul Sheppard took the honours for most inappropriate steed by riding what appeared to be a small Shopper bike complete with rack, mudguards and 16" wheels. George Budd certainly proved that he could still keep with the fast chaps by finishing inside the top ten. Dan Giffin also rode well and in the spirit of friendly racing lent Paul his bike to finish the race when he suffered broken cranks and a puncture. So as Lance Armstrong once said "It's not about the bike."
Talking of the spirit and fun of mountain bike racing, some riders were unduly stressed today and took out their anger on other riders and marshalls. We will not tolerate any abuse or unnecessary actions.
Round 2 finishes our race season on the 12th November at Crowthorne where you can expect a few surprises in the course layout. In the meantime you might like to try our TrailTrax Navigator event at Tilford (south of Farnham) on the 22nd October. Don’t forget to pre-enter and pay online for these events on the MBSA website.
From one extreme to the other...
It's not about the bike!
Paul Sheppard rides his less than 20 quid special
Calum Chamberlain won the Youth's by four minutes,
riding for race numberboard sponsor Mountain Trax
05 May 24
23 Jun 24
06 Oct 24
