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Back in Black

by Luke Webber, 05 Apr 04. Results [ 1» ] Photos [ 1» 2» ]

The penultimate round of Gorrick's spring series got underway this weekend at the fantastic Black Wood course. After a heavy dose of overnight rain there were some sticky patches around, but things did dry out significantly to provide close and fast racing. Singletrack was the main theme of the day with plenty of it - both up and down. Some roots had to be treated with caution as they were left dangerously exposed, especially at the top of the bombholes.

Tom Smart (VC Deal) secured the Youth series winners trophy after obtaining an unassailable points lead. In the race itself Billy Joe Whenman (Team Darenth) beat his team-mate Steve Hutchins to the chequered flag.

In the Super Masters Jason Emery (PedalOn) took a convincing win and celebrated becoming the spring series champion. Mark Cracknell (PedalOn) was nine minutes behind in second, followed by Sam Phillips (Beyond Mountain Bikes).

The Masters race saw Mike Jackson (CC Luton) give everyone a lesson on how to get right back into the title race. He stormed to victory piling the pressure on John Smith (Numplumz), who could only manage second.

Leading Veteran David Nelson snapped a gear hanger in practice, so after getting second in the last three rounds Steve Jones (PedalOn) finally made it onto the top step of the podium. Jack Peterson (Numplumz) came out on top after his photo-finish with James Carpenter, who had to settle for third.

Geoff Bores (Lee Valley Youth CC) took top spot in the Grand Veterans, ahead of Michael Thyer (Beyond Mountain Bikes).

The Novice men's category is still wide open, even after today which saw Steven Griffiths (Lee Valley Youth CC) take the win from Nick Stacey (VCL), closely followed by Alex Darby (2Fast4U).

Andrew Boyd (Southampton Uni) put the Sport title beyond any doubt after his fourth consecutive win. After clinching the title he's off to the Experts in the final round to try his luck with the big boys. William Simmons (Mountain Trax) was nudged into second and Thomas Simer (Ford CC) took third.

Stuart Bowers (Hargroves) left everyone else standing in the Expert men's race, taking apart the competition from second placed Richard Mardle (Team Saracen) and junior Ian Legg (Principia).

In the women's races, Lydia Gould (Hargroves) looked strong, easily winning the Super Masters, Michelle Bergstrand (Bikeshop.com) won the Masters and Sophie Johnson (ERV/Bianchi) continued her impressive form by winning the Experts.

The final event of the day saw a blast from the past, with the retro race being contested. Rob English (Wellington Trek) beat Steve Brown, with both riders showing that old, can still mean fast.

After a long day of racing through sweeping singletrack, everything eventually came to a close. But some of the series titles are still wide open. The next round is at Swinley Forrest which will host the Olympic Games mountain biking, if the UK bid is successful. Famed for the sharp climbs and sharper descents it is set to be a great venue for the series show down.