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Spring Series Round 5 Results - Porridgepot Hill

by Paul Howard, 20 Apr 08. Results [ 1» ] Photos [ 1» 2» ]

Before we talk about the great racing today the Gorrick team would like to thank all those riders who helped make this our best Spring Series ever. We'd also like to thank Exodus for their fantastic support of the series for the past six years as their sponsorship comes to a close. Exodus have given away plenty of holiday vouchers to Series winners and surprised a few riders in the prize draw - which was today won by Master rider Serafino Tavoletti. Continuing our thanks, we are also lucky to have the most amazing support from your local bike shops, Mountain Trax in particular, who all put a lot back into the sport through prizes, event support, provision of race numbers and much more besides. Please remember to spend your hard earned with them!

Back to the racing. Riders were greeted by a classic Porridgepot course... a narrowing start straight into a fast downhill left hander, the King of the Hill climb to truly open the lungs, the fun of the fast rooty Fenceline descent to the sound of nearby gunfire, then the Concrete Hill to burn the legs whether riding or walking up (and to all the doubters - yes many did ride it). The second half of the lap seemed tougher with ground conditions soft in a slightly tacky sort of way but still very rideable - no mud or clay to clog your wheels here. Some "Thetford'esque" motorbike enduro tracks completed the lap and I for one look forward to riding them in dry dusty conditions to really appreciate their flow. If you'd also like to ride here again look out for the "Are You Tough Enough?" enduro organised by the Army CU on the 29th June.

As the Spring Series came to a close many series positions were fought right down to the finish line with some of the closest points battles we've ever seen. One rider in particular, Scott Chappell, was very pleased and somewhat surprised to jump from 12th to 2nd place in the Expert series by improving at each round and consistently scoring points. Due to the nature of our points awarding system, riders must score in a minimum of three rounds to be eligible for a final series placing. Hence some (non-qualified) people appear lower in the table but have more points than those above them - makes sense huh?

» Updated Series points after round 5

Juvenile Male 1 Martin Turton (Berks On Bikes) 2 Harry Franklin (Herne Hill Youth CC) 3 Elliot Phillips Youth Male 1 Steven James (Mountain Trax) 2 Max Sykes (VC Deal / Hammonds / Activ) 3 Hugo Humphreys (Lee Valley CC) Youth Female 1 Samantha Bryant (Marin UK) Super Master Male 1 Scott Forbes (Pedal On) 2 Paul Lasenby (Marin UK) 3 Sylvain Garde (Addiscombe CC) Master Male 1 Iain Payne (Bikecity.biz) 2 Daran Blackwell (Felt Racing / Cyclecare) 3 Matt Steven (Orange Monkey) Master Female 1 Sarah Barber (Pedal On) 2 Lorraine Staley (Mountain Trax) 3 Amber Atkinson (Pedal On) Veteran Male 1 Darren Shepherd (Primera Sport) 2 Jef Sharp (Ben Hayward Cycles) 3 Robin Smith (GC02E) Veteran Female 1 Sarah Whelan (Berks On Bikes / Purple Bike Shed) 2 Jaqueline Easton (I-Bike) 3 Kaye Patton (Norwood Paragon)

Grand Veteran Male 1 Ray Crosthwaite (Pedal On) 2 Tim Stowe (MI Racing) 3 Clive Ely (Mountain Trax / Gorrick / Berks On Bikes) Open Male 1 Lewis King (Bee Line Bicycles) 2 Roger Fowkes (Tony Fowkes Automobiles) 3 Jeremy Addis (Royal Dean Forest CC) Open Female 1 Lisa Jenkins (Royal Dean Forest CC) 2 Emily Joyce 3 Jenny Symons (TheCyclePeople.com) Sport Male 1 Daniel Eastment (Ham Hill Billies) 2 Philip Lenney 3 Dan Oakley Sport Female 1 Hilana Marais (Rock and Road Bikes) 2 Lucinda Insall Jones 3 Briony Croft (Southampton Uni) Expert Male 1 Christopher Minter (Pedal On) 2 Scott Chappell (Pedal On) 3 George Budd (Salsa Racing) Expert Female 1 Niki Humphrey (Fig Rolls Racing / Grafham Cycling)

So the Spring Series maybe over but we have plenty more events coming up, the next being the Gore 100 Enduro Challenge at Swinley Forest on the 4th May. Over 200 pre-entries have already come in and it is highly recommended that you pre-enter to save queuing on the day. Entry is open until the 29th April either online or by post.

Once again thank you all for continuing to make Gorrick's the best races and most supported in the South - if not the country! Some still like to call our's grass-roots racing, but after fifteen years in the business we're proud to set a standard that YOU tell us rivals National and many other races. Especially with the variety of terrain and technical challenges all brought to you be a team that love to ride and race, and probably spend far too long out in the woods building new trails. Long may it continue!

Something to say? Contact us at info@gorrick.com

A Pedal On domination for Chris Minter (center) and Scott Chappell (right) who wrapped up the Series first and second Expert places. They're joined by Chris Andrews second in the race. [ Photo: Ollie Lucas, Gorrick ]