Wightlink-Wight Mountain Cycle Racing Team members – Allan Cook, Ewan Cook, Nick Earley, Nadia Lele and new Junior signing, Alfie Haydon – were in action on Sunday in the 1st round of the Gorrick Brass Monkey XC Endurance Winter Series – The Christmas Cracker’ – at Deepcut, Surrey. Winding through heath and pine woodland, the Porridgepot Hill course consists of short sharp steep climbs and fast single-track descents mixed in with swooping trails and stone fire roads. Despite the challenging conditions, the team pulled out some fantastic results. Nadia Lele put in a gutsy performance in the Ladies 2hr race, completing 2 laps in 1.20.24 to take a well-deserved 2nd place. Nick Earley – who started well and was near the front of the race at the end of the start lap – rode consistently over 4 laps managing the riders behind him to come home in 1.57.57 to take 3rd place. Ewan Cook and Alfie Haydon, both had a great start and were in the mix with the other Junior riders from the off. Ewan – who is gaining experience with every race – pushed up through the bunch to take 3rd place after 3 laps in an impressive 1.29.29. Unfortunately, Alfie crashed mid-race and needed to repair a flat tyre which put paid to his chances of a podium. However, he was determined to finish strong and took a credible 6th place after 3 laps in 1.37.45 on his debut for the team. Over 60 riders fought it out in the Grand Vet 3-hour race. Allan Cook got off to a good start and dug in over the 5 laps of the challenging course to come home 11th in a time of 2.55.55, just missing out on a top 10 place. After the race, Nick said:
“It was tough out there today, but we gave it our all and came home with some great results for our first race of the Series. We’re looking forward to racing again in the new year and hope to pick up a few more trophies and maybe a win in the next round”.
