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Spring series report

by Luke Webber, 09 May 04. Results [ 1» ] Photos [ 1» ]

Gorrick?s Exodus Spring series came to a climax after four months of racing in all weathers and a great selection of courses, from the steep Surrey Hills to the north shore of Heath Warren, it seemed that 2004 had it all.

The final round took place at Surrey Hill on a very challenging course, where riders were climbing and descending very steeply, with many parting company with their bikes both up and down the hills.

The confirmed Spring Series podium placings are as follows... Tom Smart (VC Deal) made it four out of five wins in the Youth race, once again displaying speed and skill when it mattered most to win the race and the series. Matthew Hill (Elf Oils UK) did enough to secure second place, with Jake Moxham (Dysons Cycles) rounding out the podium placings.

Jason Emery (PedalOn) already had the Super Masters sewn up but couldn?t resist another win to take the series in style ahead of Nick Onslow (PedalOn). Gavin Rumbles (CC Luton) came in third.

As mentioned in the preview, the Masters race was set for a real showdown between John Smith (Numplumz) and Mike Jackson (CC Luton) and we weren?t disappointed. It went right to the wire with the title result having to be decided through ?countback? after Jackson won the race to level the points. Smith had to settle for a close second and Steve Farmer (PedalOn) got third.

Steve Jones added another trophy to the PedalOn cabinet, winning both the Veteran race and series, with David Nelson (Beyond Mountain Bikes) and Jack Peterson (Numplumz) second and third respectively.

Andy Smith (1st Gear Cycles) came second in the Grand Veterans race, which was enough to secure the series, with Andrew Roberts (Evans Cycles) second and David Gumn (Behind The Bike Shed) third.

Steven Griffiths (Lee Valley Youth CC) won the ever-popular Novice title. Neil MacLean (Yellowdoubledecker.com) got second with Andrew Griffiths (Lee Valley Youth CC) third.

The Sport race saw riders looking for either a second or third place after Andrew Boyd (Southampton Uni) decimated the competition with four straight victories. Junior Tom Budd (GA Cycles) claimed second ahead of Anthony Roland (VC Lincoln).

The cream of the crop represented in the Experts and Chris Minter (PedalOn) rose to the top to claim the most coveted Gorrick prize. Marcos Schier (Foska.com) got second overall and Mark Hockridge grabbed third.

In the women?s events Charmain Cotterill (Southampton Uni) claimed first in Sport and Theresa Jordan (CC Luton) got the Master/Veteran title. Renee Diwell (TDR/Giant) secured victory in the Novice category and Tarryn Jarvis (Team Darenth) won the Youth championship.

After all of the hard work that Gorrick MBC have put in to get the Spring Series recognised as a top class set of local events, it seems that they have achieved what they set out to do - provide quality racing, at reasonable prices, across a variety of great courses. It can?t be forgotten though that the sponsorship from Exodus Adventure Holidays and support of the local bike shops and of the riders themselves makes the Gorrick races what they are.

The next batch of events will be in the autumn, by which time we?ll all be browned and enthusiastic from what is shaping to be the best year for mountain biking in the UK in a long time.