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Report: Eastern Region XC Round 2

Report: Imogen Buick

The second round of the Eastern Mud Sweat and Gears series took place on the June 13 at Thetford Forest on a course designed and designed by Thetford MTB Racing. The short lap format made a change for many people and meant that every race included lots of flowing and fast single track which had almost everyone from all ages and abilities smiling. (And as ever I was grinning throughout). There was a really friendly atmosphere and it was brilliant to see enthusiastic riders from all ages and abilities.

The weather was perfect, the rain in the preceding week settled the dust and there were a lot of slick tyres making an appearance. The course was riding fast and pre-race lap times of 16 minutes were soon slashed, rumour has it that the seniors averaged around 16 mph, pretty impressive.

"The course was really fun; it was fast, flowing and short in length so it made for an exciting race and the intensity was high the whole way round. I just kept it steady the whole way round and it was nice to get a win." Alex Baker (winner, youth male).

Race 1: Under-12s
The grommets race consisted of a shortened circuit with some sweet single track providing a real challenge for the youngsters. There was a really good entry for both girls and boys and some close racing all the way through the field; Jordan Beighton and Emma Smith taking the wins.

Race 2: 12-14 and 15-16 // Open
This race used the main circuit which was just less than four miles of fast, slick singletrack and open fireroad. Alex Baker took an early lead up the first climb and defended his position for the whole race with a very close ride between second-placed Callum Riley and third-placed Daniel Barford, with only four seconds separating their positions after three laps.

The warrior event had a group of three away on the first lap containing Michael Blaen, Will Kitcher and Daniel Collins, with Blaen eventually taking the win and another close call between second and third.

Sean Dunlea and Rebecca Beard took the wins in the 12-14s, while Imogen Buick rode to the win in the 14-16s and fourth overall, while Jodie Cole was the women's Open winner, Chris Gooch and Claire Chapman the Veteran winners.

Race 3: Senior
The main race of the day, consisting of the seniors and veteran categories was run over seven laps for the men and six laps for women. The competition was very strong with many high level racers turning up - Laura Simpson proving her worth in winning the women's race.

In the words of men's winner Adi Scott "there was a group of seven riders for the first lap, then went down to four riders on the end of the second lap, by then the fourth guy dropped off the train, leaving three riders for the rest of the race, I didn't really want to go down to a sprint finish, not my cup of tea, so I tried to break the group up and get away but couldn't. On the last lap towards the end we were all sprinting and trying to break each other one of the riders (Nigel Scott) dropped off which was great so there was me and Glen Stanford down to the finish line I just out sprinted Glen by a second, so I was very happy with that all, the course rode really nice and flowing, fast fire roads and a great bombhole to finish it off; cannot wait to get on with the next one now!"

Also of note was 15-year-old Josh Hannan riding in the main race with BC dispensation finished fifth, 2.43 down on the winner.

Veteran winner, Jef Sharp worked his way through most of the senior field and finished fourth overall with team mate, John McAndrew just 37 seconds back in second place, Sue Wood taking the women's veteran honours.