While most of the country watched some men chasing a football, 135 competitors took to the start line in round 5 of the Friday Night Mountabike Summer Series.
Round 5 was promoted by the Welland Valley CC at the superb Kilworth Springs Golf course with the kind permission of Roger Vicary.
The fast course is fantastic venue for all abilities of MTB riders. With short technical sections and wide open grassland there was plenty of bunch racing taking place. The afternoon rain shower added an extra spice to the proceedings as the fast corners needed to be taken cautiously.
With a staggered start Ryan Henry (Mountain Hardwear), Paul Robertson (MSC Cycles) and National Under 23 Cyclo-cross Champion Jamie Harris (Cult Racing) set the early pace in the senior event.
Junior rider James Hyde (Numplumz) was chasing the leading trio.
As the 60 minute race was drawing to a close Henry and Robertson eased away from Harris.
Henry took the Senior victory as powered over the finish line just ahead of Robertson. Harris held onto third while James Hampshire (XCRacer.com) finished 4th.
James Hyde produced another fine performance to dominate the junior race with Sam Sayers (Leicester Off-Road Club) second and Josh Monger (Kettering CC) third.
In the Ladies race Erin Billington (WVCC) used a new race strategy, an explosive first lap as she mounted an early challenge. Following close to Erin was the eventual ladies winner Tracy Haseldine (Milton Keynes). As Hasledine eased away from Billington, the local girl was then challenged by Amelia Cambridge (VC Rutland).
Cambridge used her experience to drop Billington with 3 laps to go. The Welland Valley junior was pleased with her third place and new aggressive riding style.
Ride of the day must go to John Smith (Numplumz) who obliterated the Veterans field. He looked in total control until disaster struck with three laps to go his handle bars snapped. With plenty of time in hand Smith maintained a steady pace to winner his section. Behind the racing was frantic as veteran riders fought to hold the wheels as little groups of riders formed.
After spending most of the day marking out the course Mike Winters (WVCC) was locked in battle with Richard Muchmore (Revel Outdoors) and experienced cyclo-cross rider Jason Hawkins (Coventry Road Club).
As these three constantly swapped positions it was Muchmore who grabbed second ahead of Winters from Hawkins.
Rob Jacks (WVCC) in only his 5th MTB race is starting to show promise and 8th overall is fine result.
The Over 50’s race was also a tight affair with the lead changing hands many times. Steve Bunn (CATS) eventually broke away from Martin Eadon (Hargrove Cycles) with Tim Stowe (MI Racing) in third. Vic Barnett (WVCC) finished 5th
Welland Valley Whizz Kids Ben Morris and Louis Killworth contested the Youth event and both made the finishing podium with strong rides. Ben was second and Louis third, both looked comfortable and coped well with the distance and the terrain. Aaran Sayers (Leicester Off RC) took the victory.
Thanks needs to go to John Chell who sacrificed his race to help Mike Dark who fell badly in the quarry. THANKS JOHN!
Massive thanks to John & Gaye Taylor, Mike Winters, Martin Bevan, Neil Holman, Ian Mansfield, members of Welland Valley CC for marshalling and judging and Kilworth Springs Golf Course.