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Gill 100 Enduro race report

by Luke Webber, 05 May 05. Results [ 1» ] Photos [ 1» 2» ]

The 5 lappers string out up the start straight

Sun and hot weather made a special guest appearance at the south?s toughest endurance event, hosted by Gorrick MBC and sponsored by Gill.

Riders took on between two and seven laps each just under 13 miles and with race distances up to 93 miles the key was to conserve energy and endure the pain. The course took in all the best bits that Swinley had to offer, with singletrack ranging from fast swoopy and bermed, to tight and twisty. This year there were not so many killer climbs, but the singletrack was rough, with lots of exposed roots ready to catch out any tired riders.

The seven lap race started in grey and drizzley conditions with 64 riders on the line ready to take on the challenge of a lifetime. Before long riders were dropping like flies, thanks to the longer than advertised course taking its toll.

Leading riders, Richard Wood (Extreme Endurance), Jaime Newall (Evans Cycles) and Chris Minter (PedalOn) were in a league of their own, lapping at one hour. After four laps reigning champion Newall, along with Minter threw in the towel, leaving it to Wood to lap alone and extend his lead over second placed Rob English (www.bikerevuk.com).

After seven hours and 45 minutes, Wood finished nine minutes ahead of English and over an hour ahead of the rest. This was a race that really placed the Extreme Endurance rider on the map. Third place was Simon Turner (Ellsworth/Freeborn/Torq) and the fourth and final finisher was George Budd (Titus Cycles UK).

This seven lap marathon was an extraordinary race, where only 6% of those who started, finished. After the race, winner Richard Wood described the seven lapper as: "one of the hardest events I have ever finished in 15 years of racing, physically tougher than the Grand Raid Cristalp." (Singletrackworld.com forum)

In the women?s seven lap event Katy Curtis (Leeds Uni/Torq/Evans) took victory by default after completing four laps, ahead of Karen Brammer (Leisure Wheels) and Riana Hawlett (Giant South Africa) who both completed three laps, finishing second and third respectively.

The five lap race saw more action. Last years champion, Steve Hambling (VC Deal/Activ) went hard from the word go, opening up a gap when Rob Lee (Extreme Endurance) punctured halfway round lap one. This allowed Marcos Schier (Foska/Torq) to move into second place, but Hambling was just too quick to get caught.

Steve rolled in after just five hours 39 minutes for 67.5 miles, taking his second win in two years, five minutes ahead of Schier. Rob Lee came home 30 minutes later to secure third. Only 18 riders out of 88 starters managed to complete all five laps.

Arguably, the performance of the day came from Viv Hazelton (Beyond Mountain Bikes) and Anita Hibberd (Berks On Bikes) in the five lap women?s race. Both managed to finish their five lap quota - the most completed by a woman on the day. Hazelton finished first, Hibberd second and Jackie Roberts (Beyond Mountain Bikes) was third, the fastest to complete four laps.

New for 2005 was the four lap race. Dave Collins (Scott UK) and Adam Broyad (Climb On Bikes) battled throughout the race, but Collins? early fast pace proved too hot for Broyad to handle. Nick Onslow (PedalOn) was 36 minutes back from the top two, finishing third.

Marcie Reinhart (Oxford Uni) produced a gutsy performance in the four lap women?s race, edging out Jean Lempitlaw (Team Milton Keynes) by three minutes for the win.

Junior Robert Whenman (Team Corridori) struck for home in the three lap race, building up a seven minute lead to beat PedalOn duo Nigel Grantham and Colin Houston.

Cam Brown (Bike Brothers) won the women?s three lap race in style, eight minutes ahead of Amanda Darcy (Dirt Devils), second and Rachel Davey (Ratz), third.

The two lap race saw a real ding dong battle. Andy Boyd (Southampton Uni) entered the seven lap race at the start of the day, but after completing two laps, decided to change to the two lap race and start all over again. Youth rider Jay Spetch (Team Torq) and Boyd worked hard together, building a lead of ten minutes on a classy field. The earlier exertions may have hindered Boyd on the last lap though as Spetch had the better finishing sprint, winning by the smallest of margins. Lewis Marsh (Inter Bike RT) timed his attack to perfection to claim third by three seconds.

Sally Lee made it two wins on the day for the Extreme Endurance race team, cranking up the pace on the second of two laps. Emily Joyce (Gill/1st Gear Cycles) couldn?t handle the continued effort and had to drop back and settle for second, three minutes ahead of Georgina Suto (Berks On Bikes).

By the end of the day there was a new seven lap champion, who could proudly call themself king of the enduro and this year it was Richard Wood. The long course certainly provided value for money and a real challenge to all who raced - or just completed one lap more than they ever thought possible!