Racing News

Home > Racing > News > Exodus Spring Series Round 2 race report

Exodus Spring Series Round 2 race report

by Luke Webber/Paul Howard, 20 Feb 05. Results [ 1» ] Photos [ 1» 2» 3» ]

EXTREMEly Enduring! Round two of Gorrick?s Spring Series took place under blue skies at the fast, bumpy and technical Heath Warren.

After launching the new Extreme Endurance race team, manager Rob Lee led by example recording wins in both Master and Sport races. Lee set about the Masters race using speed and strength throughout the first lap, leaving clear air back to second place, before cruising in after just one hour for three laps. Lloyd Bettles (Numplumz.com) took second, two minutes behind Lee, with Anthony White making it two Extreme Endurance racers on the podium.

The second victory had to be battled out in a four lap thriller with Gorrick regular George Budd. Both riders took turns to lead the race with Lee just out sprinting Budd (Foska/Titus UK) on the line. Jeff Clark took the final step on the podium in another very close and well attended Sport race.

Rob Lee (#677) and George Budd (#659) were locked in battle
right from the start of the Sport race [© Guy Swarbrick]

The Expert/Elite race was another spectacle, with 17 riders on the line after the cash prize. It was only a matter of time before a select top five were at the front which was whittled down to three by the start of lap two. By lap four Richard Wood (Extreme Endurance) dropped off the back, leaving it to John Veness (Evans Cycles) and Robert Enslin (VinerBikes.com) to battle it out, just like they did in round one. This time it was role reversal as Enslin pulled away in the closing stages to seal victory.

The Elite/Expert women?s race saw more action, as World 24 hour solo starlet Jenn O?Connor (Specialized) came up against Lydia Gould (Hargroves). O?Connor got away fast, but soon Gould was back on her wheel, using her experience to stay with her until the final lap. O?Connor ran out eventual winner, Gould a close second and Kate Potter (Specialized) third.

In the annual Varsity race, played out between Oxford and Cambridge Universities, the start had to be delayed after the Oxford team locked their riding kit in their minibus! Gorrick soon sorted everyone out with helmets and riding gear and everyone was off with little delay. Oxford?s Lloyd Pallett took first blood in the men?s race, followed by four Cambridge riders Jonathan Blackburn, Jonathan Everitt, Andrew Cockburn and Chris Pedder. The women?s race was a re-run of the men?s, with Oxford?s Marcie Reinhart stomping to victory ten minutes ahead of Cambridge?s Emma Pooley. Katie King (Oxford) rounded out the top three.

Matthew Hill (Primera) won the Youth race, ahead of Jake Moxham (Dysons Cycles) and Jay Spetch (Team Torq). In the Juvenile category it was Michael Butler (VC Deal) making it two wins from two races, putting himself firmly at the top of the series points table.

Supermaster Darren Shepherd (Tri UK) claimed he just couldn?t hang onto flying Simon Willats (Ride Cycleworks) who not only won the race but took home ?50, courtesy of BumpyBikes.com, for the fastest lap of the race - a cool 19.09. Mark Hutt was third.

"Ooh look someone's dropped a tenner,
must grab it quickly...... doh!" [© Guy Swarbrick]

It was another Ride Cycleworks rider who was at the top of the podium, this time for the Veterans race. Roland Tilley did what he does best. Leading out the race and then putting down the hammer on lap two, leaving the field for dust. Steve Farmer (PedalOn) and Steve Jones (AW Cycles) were second and third respectively.

In the Grand Veterans race there was another surprise as Norman Butler (BikeGuatemala.com) took first ahead of Michael Thyer (Beyond MTBs).

66 riders took to the line for the Open race. Oli Pepper (Ladies Who Lunch) took the lead early on, but dropped back to third after Ian Grist (Dysons Cycles) moved into second and Alex Darby (Rigid Not Frigid) took the win.

The women?s races saw a superb turnout, with 14 in the Master/Veteran race. Theresa Jordan (Luton CC) got a flying start but on the second lap snapped her seatpost and frame. It may have slowed her down but Anita Hibberd (Berks On Bikes) could only pull the lead back to nine seconds, with Louise Fenwick (Berks On Bikes) taking a close third. Nicky Hughes (Team Walton) was first in the Supermasters, followed by Nicky Jones (Berks On Bikes). Katie Curtis (Leeds Uni/Torq Evans) won the Sport race and Catherine Powell took the honours in the Open category.

The second round of the Gorrick Spring Series was an event not to be missed with action in every race. The course certainly weeded out the weaker riders thanks to some nasty ditches, sharp climbs and blindingly fast singletrack. The best riders are now positioning themselves around the top of the points table and round three will be in three weeks time at Yateley Heath, which is a real test of fitness with tough climbs to be expected.

Our thanks goes to the Berks On Bikes members who helped over the weekend clearing the new sections of course and removing all the overhanging branches from these little used trails.