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exodus Spring Series Round 2 - Race report

by Luke Webber, 22 Feb 04. Results [ 1» ] Photos [ 1» ]

Gorrick?s Exodus Spring Series got kick-started back into action this weekend as the second round took place at a short, but very sweet Heath Warren.

Laps may have been only four miles long, but dry rooty singletrack and North Shore sections ensured that riders kept on full alert to avoid stacking at the accident black-spots. Bumpy and steep down-hills, with fast flowing fire-roads made this course a favourite with the real mountain bikers throughout the day.

After a first round victory Tom Smart (VC Deal) continued in the same vane that puts him top of the Youth series points table. Steve O?Neil could only keep with him for the first lap, but kept his well deserved second position.

Chris Ames (Clayton Cars) was back in force doing what he does best - winning the Super Masters race. Jason Emery (PedalOn) slowly dropped back from the front runner, but stuck at it for second, while Gavin Rumbles (CC Luton) finished third.

The Masters only had three laps to complete so it was a real sprint affair as Darren Shepherd (Bike Lab) left it to the very last second to take his win over Mike Jackson (CC Luton). John Smith (Numplumz.com) kept his consistent style up by grabbing third.

David Nelson (Beyond Mountain Bikes) kept his 100% record by winning the Veteran category, with Steve Jones (PedalOn) replicating his first round result. Jack Peterson (Numplumz.com) upped his game to take the final podium position.

Grand Veteran Andrew Roberts (Evans Cycles) took an undisputed victory, four minutes ahead of nearest rival David Gumn (Behind The Bike Shed), with Ian Cooper (Cyclone MBC) rounding out the top three.

A mass of 76 riders took to the course in the Novice race with battles throughout the closely packed field. Simon Turner got to the front and fought off tough competition from Steven and Andrew Griffiths (Lee Valley Youth CC) who came in second and third respectively.

A record turnout was seen for the Sport race with 52 riders ramming the exciting ?down and then up? start straight. It was all over in yards though for George Budd (Foska.com) as he flatted half way up the first hill! Andrew Boyd (Southampton Uni) kept up his fast pace taking his second consecutive win and junior rider Tom Budd (GA Cycles) put in an impressive performance to take second. Jason Blann (Luciano Cycles) marked his return to the series with third place.

The Experts went off at their usual unreal speed and Chris Minter (PedalOn) made up for his first round misdemeanour by getting things back to usual by bagging first place. In a close second was Graham Warby (Aston Hill) and in third, Marcos Schier (www.foska.com).

In the women?s races Renee Diwell (TDR/Giant UK) won the Novice category, Charmian Cotterill (Southampton Uni) won the Sport race, the Masters was taken by Theresa Jordan (CC Luton) and Jackie Roberts stormed through the Super Masters. Caroline Goward (Evans Cycles) beat Rebecca Milbourn (Evans Cycles) to the finishing post in the Expert women?s race.

The final event of the day was the Varsity Challenge, in which Oxford and Cambridge Universities were pitted against each other. In the men?s event Cambridge cleaned up, taking all of the top three places courtesy of Andrew Cockburn, Steve Fancy and Joe Grundy. John Binham broke the deadlock and got a well-deserved fourth.

The story was different in the women?s race, with Mathilde Pauls (Cambridge) taking first, followed by Helen Haworth (Oxford). Sarah Todd tipped the balance in Cambridge?s favour by grabbing third.

After a mainly dry day, over a remarkable course, with a high amount of entrants, the situation is becoming clearer. Championship contenders have taken one step forward and will be looking to strengthen their grip on top spot. However, there is still plenty of time for an upset and the opportunity is on March 14th, when the series visits an old classic, Crowthorne.