Beastway is a long-running mountain bike cross-country race series held in London at the Redbridge Cycle Centre, commonly referred to as Hog Hill in east London.

Now in its 19th year, the 2012 series got underway last week, where a warm and sunny evening welcomed riders.

Junior Callum Riley led out the race and he looked strong before he pulled out with a painful back, this left Steve Hamblin up front, but he was to be overhauled by Phil Lenney who went onto win. The slow starting Rob Purcell spent the race catching riders and he finally got passed junior Daniel Barford on the final lap ,and was gaining on the leader when the flag was shown.

Barford’s third place was enough to give him the Junior category followed by Sam Judd in 10th and Oliver Edwards a little further back.

Purcell was top Master after a good struggle with Chris Panayiotou, Fian Andrews, Gabor Doroghazi and Dan Lucken.

Russ Jones had led the Veterans until he was caught and passed by Neil Cooper. Kurt Minter was next and Jones in third.

The women’s race saw Delia Beddis lead for many laps before Leona Kadir chased her down and then went through to win.

In the youth category, Ruari Phelan, James Flury and Sam Titmarsh battled for Youth A with Phelan finally showing that he was strongest on the day. Not far off was top Youth B rider Luke Mitchie, the latter having to fight Scoop Callard and Nathan Martin for the victory. Gretel Warner was best girl placing strongly with the youth boys.

1 38 Phil Lenney EXM Springstarter.com/Activ Cycles 8 56:22
2 21 Robert Purcell MAM Mountain Trax 8 56:40
3 45 Daniel Barford JUM Flitch Bikes 8 57:03
4 62 Chris Panayiotou MAM Torq Tri 8 57:32
5 42 Steve Hambling EXM Activ Cycles Folkestone 8 57:45
6 58 Fian Andrews MAM Absolute Joker 8 58:17
7 74 Matthew Webber EXM London Phoenix 8 58:57
8 68 Gabor Doroghazi MAM Fruit4London 8 1:00:21
9 73 Dan Lucken MAM East London Velo 8 1:00:33
10 37 Sam Judd JUM VCL 8 1:00:49

The second round is tonight. Find out more at http://www.beastway.com/