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Report: 1st Gear Cycles Rampage Round 1

Posted March 3 2011
Words and Photography By Steve Jones

The 1st Gear Cycles Rampage Series kicked off on a sunny spring like morning after what seemed like a week of rain. The course had held up well despite this though and was still rideable, albeit with one very tough field section.

Racing got underway with the under 12's. George Finch (VC Deal) took the Gold medal home in the boy's race. Emma Stillwell won the under 10 girls race from stiff opposition from the usually dominant Beeline Cycles Wadsworth sisters who had to settle for second (Maddie) and third (Anna). In the under 8 boys the winner Jamie Gostick (Palmer Park Velo) with second and third going to another pair of siblings riding for BOB (Berks on Bikes) Barnaby and Lewis Hamilton. If young Lewis is to emulate his namesake he will be winning races soon, he has already added to his growing medal collection.

The Juveniles were next and Ffion James (Abergavenny RC) was first home ahead of the boys too. Emily Wadsworth (Beeline) had to settle for sedond. In the boys race it was a clean sweep for Team Darenth with Toby Martin on the top spot followed by Luke Mitchie just 2 seconds down and Nathan Martin in third.

The Youths saw a convincing win for Gretel Warner (WXC Mountainbike Team) 11 minutes clear of Sophie Wells (Banjo Cycles). Thomas Butler (VC Deal) won the boy's race from Josh Parkin (Artic Premier) and Liam Keynes riding for 1st Gear Cycles with the coveted number 1 board.

The Juniors saw Ben Sumner romp away from the opposition in the opening lap, he steadily built up a two minute cushion over a chasing duo from VC Deal Jack Finch and Matt Gater who were working together but couldn't catch the flying Ben.

Samantha Jones was the lone lady and opted to ride her four laps with the Grand Vets and Open Men - eventually finishing 15th in the Open Men's race. Meanwhile Rob Jackson (Beyond Mountain Bikes) was on a mission to get a Grand Vets win with some very consistent lap times that would have been good enough for fifth in the young Vets. Steve Taylor (Sherwood Pines/ Co-op Motors) took the long drive down that we are all going to be making at the end of March and went home with a silver medal. Bronze went to Andy Smith (1st Gear Cycles).

In the Vets we had a few riders who had taken most of last year off, Nigel Grantham, Robin Smith and Steve Farmer. It was Steve (PedalOn.co.uk) though that seemed to have benefited most from the lay off as he led the race for three laps. It was on the second from last lap though that Lewis King (Beeline) finally reeled him in as his pace dropped and Lewis upped his. Robin now riding for Real Reform got the better of Matt Craner in the early laps and held on for third.

Stuart Selwood (Topflite Construction) took his maiden win in the Open race and didn't even realise till he got home. Second went to Pete Warwick (Mountain Mania) just outsprinting Simon Ansell (Pedalon).

The Sport win went to Mike Chaplin with Franck Lebon (Giant Radlett) second and Paul Brennan (Inverse Racing/Bikefood in third. The Masters race had some fast riders that once again shamed the Experts, Nick Onslow (Pedalon.co.uk) opened a gap on the opening lap by chasing team mate Chris Minter who was the sole rider in the Elite race. Chris headed off all chasers from Master and Experts as they all started their five laps together. In a league of his own, all that was lacking was some competition, where was team mate Ade Lansley, Scott Forbes or Simon Ernest.

The Experts was won by Nat Jarvis (Big Mech.co.uk) with Rich Philips-Schofield second and Colin Houston (Pedalon.co.uk) third.

Back to the Masters once Nick was clear he was not going to be caught despite Paul Lloyd (Banjo Cycles) chasing hard in the tough conditions both these riders are well used to fresh from the cross season. Matt Field (Wafe) was comfortable in third after riding away from Gareth Ashton (Redhill CC) in their first and second lap battle.

The next race at Checkendon is on April 3 and is the opening round of the Southern XC Series. The course will be similar to the Rampage but with an extended section on some previously used tracks to add some distance and importantly some hills. Round 2 of the Rampage series is a little wait away on May 22, so if you need a singletrack fix come along in April.