The Wightlink-Wight Mountain Cycle Race Team Mountain Bike squad were in action at the Gorrick Halloween XC Classic in Frimley, Surrey with 2 riders – Nick Earley and Ewan Cook – taking 1st place in their respective categories.
The course was a difficult technical single-track circuit that offered little rest and few opportunities to pass other competitors.
Juvenile rider, Ewan Cook, was the first to go off but with a mixed-category bunch start, it was difficult for him to know where he was in the standings after the 1st of the 2-lap race. Ewan dug in and raced home to take the top spot in the Youth category in a time of 40:12.
Next up was Veteran Allan Cook, who started off well but lost a few places after an off when he landed awkwardly from one of the jumps. He managed to claw his way back over the 4 laps, finishing just outside the top ten.
In the Sport category Nick Earley and new signing, Joe Tracey, looked good from the off. Joe went out fast with a small group and was leading the field after the first lap. Nick had a different race plan, riding mid-bunch at the start and then worked hard quickly reeling riders in over the first two laps before battling it out with the race leader for the remainder of the race. Keeping him in his sights, Nick attacked on the last lap and powered home to take the win in 1:12:11, over 30 seconds ahead of his rival when he hit the finish line. Joe dug in and worked hard to keep his position and just missed out on a podium, finishing in a creditable and well-deserved 4th place.
Nick said:
“I was really up for it before the start, but I didn’t want to go out too hard. As I started to reel riders in over the 1st 2 laps, I knew I was in with a chance of at least a podium, and my tactics worked out well for me today, and I’m really pleased with the win and looking forward to racing again at the next Gorrick event.”
