Racing News
Exodus Spring Series Round 4 Race Report
by Luke Webber, 05 Apr 07. Results [ 1» ] Photos [ 1» 2» ]
FEEL THE BURN!
The penultimate round of the Gorrick Spring Series saw riders honing their form for the first round of the British Mountain Bike Series on a short but tortuous course – with only the endless sunshine and some speedy singletrack providing the excuses to go out for one more lap!
Porridgepot Hill was crammed full of racers on a day when bikes needed no cleaning and the only problems were dust clouds being kicked up and a tight start straight that took many victims over the course of the day. With short steep climbs gels were at the ready, but after the initial pain came the gain in the form of the fenceline trail. To the left were a series of drops and exposed roots which took away your speed, and while the high line to the right was quicker it required riders to hold their nerve across the off camber dust.
Sarah Whelan (Berks On Bikes/Purple Bike Shed) leads
Mandy Hibberd (PedalOn) in the Master/Veteran Women race
Star rider of the day was Adrian Lansley (PedalOn) as he demolished the Elite field, taking the win with ease. Rolling round in 15 minute laps showed his class and something that newly-crowned student champion Ross Adams (Red Kite/Torq) had no answer for. Third rider home was Gareth Montgomerie (Singletrack/Pipedream). While the race was clear cut, the series is anything but with Adams and Luke Smith (Whyte Racing) joint first on 42 points. The final round is guaranteed to produce an interesting showdown!
In the Elite women’s race old-hand Lydia Gould (Torq/Kona) paced herself to perfection ahead of the ever-cheery Jenn Hopkins (Minx Kona) who was on her singlespeed bravely battling the steep slopes and all but securing her Series title.
Alex Paton (VC Deal/Activ) was once again star of the Sport race, which seems to contain less and less Sport riders every round! This time the top four were young ‘uns with Will Verney (Felt) second, Jake Moxham (Dysons Cycles) returning to form to take third and the Series and Billy Whenman (Marin) fourth despite riding a bike that weighs as much as Alex – all good training! It is always good to see such competition in the Sport race with the stars of the future pushing the rest to higher levels.
Paul Troughton (Wheelbase) topped the Open category way out in front of Frank Veres and Ken Farwell (Dorset Rough Riders). Although Stephen Brear finished 13th in the race he was lucky enough to get the spot prize of some new clothing, thanks to new sponsor Dodgy Gear.
Earlier in the day Ray Crossthwaite (PedalOn) chalked up his fourth consecutive win and put the Grand Veteran title beyond doubt, despite the best efforts of Geoff Bores (Ford CC). Jef Sharp (Ben Hayward Cycles) followed up with the Veteran win and Series, ahead of Ride Cycleworks duo Roland Tilly and Mark Chadbourne.
SuperMasters had to settle for being the second fastest category on this occasion – but Graham Warby was still hauling out front. Four consistent laps were enough to clinch the win over title rival Scott Forbes (PedalOn) and expect another showdown at the series finale to decide who is the fastest ‘past it!’
Jason Painton (Behind Bars) took a far more sedate Masters win, with singlespeeder Oli Pepper (DeSalvo) second and Phil Moore third. Just four points separate these three at the top of the table after four rounds of racing, with each rider scoring a win at some stage.
With things getting serious in the Youth race, series leader Max Filleul (South Downs Bikes) had to take a back seat against the quality of winner Michael Butler (VC Deal/Activ) and second placed Luke Gray (Hargroves).
Nicky Hughes (Activ) took another win in the women’s SuperMaster race, with Katie Thilthorpe (Ride Cycleworks) the Master/Vets victor.
The final round of the Spring Series is on May 20 and with all the big prizes still in the balance it is set to be a fantastic showdown.
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