Over 50 enthusiastic mountain bike riders of all abilities and ages took part in the 1st round of the inaugural mountain bike XC Race Series on the new circuit at the Isle of Wight MTB Centre last Sunday (26th February).
The rolling course which consisted of some technical features and climbs would prove to be a challenge for even the most experienced riders.
U12 riders Hugo Dyson and Dexter Robson took on the short course in the morning, with Hugo just taking the win after 4 laps in a time of 18.48. The U16 riders were up next on the full course; Harrison Hendy (Team HUP) went out fast but was soon reeled in by Ewan Cook (Wightlink-Wight Mountain CRT) who then dominated the race to take the win after 4 laps in a time of 44.06. Harrison held on to 2nd place with Alfie Haydon taking 3rd place.
A small field of women set off after the Juniors and the race was closely contested over the first few laps, but Ruth Miller (Ben Thomas Coaching Club) pulled away on the penultimate lap to take the top spot after 5 laps in a time of 1.07.34; Francie Arthur (MB Cyclery) was close behind in 2nd and Independent rider, Nadia Lele, picked up 3rd place.
The largest field of the day was in the Vet40+/Vet50+ category with 26 riders vying to pick up the first of the Series’ winner trophies. The spectators around the course were treated to an exciting battle between Vet 50+ Sean Williams (NAUT Cycling Club & Race Team) and Vet 40+ Stuart Waite (Wightlink-Wight Mountain CRT) over the tough 6 laps.
Waite managed to just get away on the last lap to take the Overall win in an impressive 1.19.44 with Williams not far behind, taking Overall 2nd place and the 50+ Vet top spot. Vet 40+ Andy Ward (Wightlink-Wight Mountain CRT) picked up Overall 3rd and 2nd in his category with James Brett (Wightlink Wight Mountain CRT), Vet 50+ John Lemonius (Singular Cycles) and Craig Wilson (Wight Tri) picking up the remaining podium prizes. Ben Johnson (Wightlink-Wight Mountain CRT) put in a gutsy performance on a tough course to finish 7th in the V50+ category and 10th Overall.
The finale was the U23 and Senior Men’s race which boasted a field of some class riders. In a closely contested race, it was Seniors Adam Holleyman (Wightlink-Wight Mountain CRT), Ben Marks (MB Cyclery), Nick Charlton-Smith (Nova Race Team) and James Rogers (Wightlink-Wight Mountain CRT) who went out fast with U23 riders Nick Earley (Wightlink-Wight Mountain CRT), Joshua Price (ROKit-SRCT) and Oliver Nolan (Wightlink-Wight Mountain CRT).
As the race unfolded, Holleyman and Marks managed to pull away from Earley and the rest of the field, and a game of cat and mouse was then played over the remainder of the 9 laps to the finish line. Marks sat in behind Holleyman and managed to attack on the last lap to secure the win in a time of 1.33.18 with Holleyman taking a well-earned 2nd place in 1.33.18.
Earley held on for 3rd place and the U23 title. Charlton-Smith made his trip from the mainland worthwhile by picking up the Senior 3rd place with Joshua Price (ROKiT-SRCT) and Oliver Nolan (Wightlink-Wight Mountain CRT) taking the 2nd and 3rd place respectively to complete the podium spots in the U23 category. Rogers, who reeled in riders in the last lap, just missed out on a podium, taking a well-earned 5th Overall.
Over £100 was raised on the day for the team’s charity partner, Mountbatten.
The next round of the MTB XC Series will be held on Sunday 16th April 2023.
