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Mud. Glorious Mud

by Luke Webber, 16 Mar 04. Results [ 1» ] Photos [ 1» 2» 3» ]

Wet and wild racing was the theme at the third round of Gorrick's Exodus Spring Series at Crowthorne. The weekend had seen heavy rain, but still mountain bikers arrived to savour the delights of the Corkscrew and some fantastic new sections to challenge Crowthorne veterans.

The course was a technical affair, with wet roots becoming quickly exposed to catch any rider. Sharp climbs, mixed with bumpy down-hills and flat out fire roads kept the things quick and racers on their toes.

Youth Tom Smart (VC Deal) completed a hat-trick of race victories, putting him top of the points table. Only a miracle can stop him now.

In the Super Masters, Jason Emery (PedalOn) fought back and beat pre-race favourite Chris Ames (Clayton Cars), who could only manage second. Mike Jackson (CC Luton) took top spot in the Masters, with John Smith (Numplumz) second and Brendan Divall (High Wycombe CC) a well deserved third.

David Nelson (Beyond Mountain Bikes) was another step closer to the Veterans title as he kept his 100% record for first places. Steve Jones (PedalOn) was in second, with Jack Peterson (Numplumz) getting third.

Grand Veteran Andrew Roberts (Evans Cycles) shrugged off the mud and kept his title hopes alive by making it two wins out of two. Andy Smith (1st Gear Cycles) and David Gumn (Behind The Bike Shed) came second and third respectively in this closely fought category.

A third Novice race and a third different Novice winner! Robert Whenman (Team Darenth) this time stopping Steven and Andrew Griffiths (Lee Valley Youth CC) from taking a one - two on the podium.

Sport is quickly becoming the category to race in and with another 50 riders raring to go, only time would tell who would be left standing. Andrew Boyd (Southampton Uni) decided to go it alone and it paid off again, with no-one daring to keep up the pace. Steve Fancy (Cambridge Uni) got second and Anthony Roland (VC Lincoln) held on to third. The table is still wide open and any rider putting in that extra could take the overall victory.

The Experts set about showing everyone how it is done in their usual fashion, with those skinny tyres cutting through the mud like it wasn't even there. Graham Warby (Aston Hill MTBC) had to work hard for his win, but his persistence paid off, grinding down tough youngster Ian Legg (Principia) who beat Chris Minter (PedalOn).

In the women's races Nicky Hughes (Team Walton) won Expert, Abi Greenaway (Evans Cycles) took Sport and Jackie Roberts (Beyond Mountain Bikes) secured first in the Super Masters. A closely fought Masters race was taken by Theresa Jordan (CC Luton) and Emma Peasland (Big Cheese) looked strong in her Novice event victory.

After three very different races, the Gorrick Exodus Spring Series has proved that variety is the spice of life. There have been surprises along the way, with still plenty of time left for more at the next round. Black Wood's singletrack became a firm favourite back in September and the fourth round is an exciting prospect for everyone involved.