Wightlink CRT rider Ewan Cook impressed on his Elite debut by finishing second at Round 3 of the Brass Monkeys 2-hour MTB race at Porridgepot on Sunday (1st February).
Racing on a course heavily affected by recent rainfall, competitors were faced with soaked and technical conditions, featuring tight twists and turns along with several steep descents.
As Cook had not competed in all rounds of the series, he was not gridded and was forced to start from 20th position. However, a rapid opening charge saw him surge through the field, reaching second place by the top of the first climb.
From there, Cook entered a two-rider battle at the front of the race, with the pair pulling clear of the rest of the field. He appeared on course for victory until a small error on the final lap saw him settle for second place — still an outstanding result in his first outing as an Elite rider.
Ewan said:
“I am beyond excited to race in this new category and compete with some of the best riders from all over the UK and the world, including professionals, and cannot believe I have really made it as it is the pinnacle of MTB XC racing.”
Team manager Jerry Cooper said Cook’s progression had been earned through sustained effort:
“This is the top category in his sport and Ewan secured it through all his hard work and dedication last year in his final season as a junior. Ewan is the first team member and Island rider to ever reach this status and we’re really excited to see what he can do in 2026.”
