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The 2005 Southern XC Series started under glorious sunshine on 10 April around a quick and dusty circuit at East Grinstead.
Fast dry downhills saw riders reach up to 30mph, but the payback came in some long uphills which sorted the best from the rest. There was even some tight singletrack making sure early season cobwebs were soon blown away.
East Grinstead provided such a fast course that many categories had an extra lap added, making sure all racers got good value for money.
The new look tighter schedule provided closer racing for all and saw some thrilling starts and sprint finishes, reminding everyone that the new racing season had well and truly began.
The Elite/Expert men had the best conditions of the day and everyone’s eyes were on reigning national champion Jody Crawforth to produce some magic. However on the final lap disaster struck as he punctured while leading. This left Adrian Lansley (PedalOn) clear to take the win, eight seconds ahead of Stuart Bowers (Hargroves). Jamie Newall (Evans Cycles) finished third. Despite the flat Crawforth had time to walk the bike back and still finish the race in ninth!
In the Sport race there was only ever one man who looked likely to take the win. Second placed George Budd (Titus Cycles) described him as, “just flying past – I thought he was an Elite rider who’d got a mechanical!” Mark Powell (VC Deal) finished seven minutes clear of Budd and was so fast he caught the Elite field that had set out two minutes before the Sport race.
In the third of the “big three” races the Super Masters put on a fine display. Winner Simon Willats (Ride Cycleworks) put in five consistent laps to catch and overtake PedalOn duo Jason Emery and Scott Forbes who finished second and third respectively.
Rob Whenman (Corridori) made the most of his local knowledge in the Junior race. He put in a hard first lap and was never caught by rival Steve O’Neil or third placed, Guernsey based John Mapley (Guernsey Velo).
Jay Spetch (Torq) got 2005 off to the best possible start by winning the Youth race. Louis Charity (Sutton CC/De Ver Cycles) took second despite crashing in the singletrack, with Tom Smart (VC Deal) dropping back to third.
The Masters race saw some new names at the top of the podium. After lap two Marcus Brueton (Norwood Paragon) locked horns with Shawn Blakey (Ride Beyond). Soon Brueton restored his lead leaving Blakey riding for second and Nigel Grantham (PedalOn) to make a late comeback for third.
It was the same old faces at the front of the Veterans field with the Ride Cycleworks team doing their best to keep the others at bay. Winner Mark Chadbourne always seemed to have a little more left in the tank than team-mate Roland Tilley, second. Sam Phillips (Beyond MTBs) gave Mark Cracknell (PedalOn) the slip to claim the final podium place.
In the Grand Veterans, Norman Butler (BikeGuatemala.com) continued his fine 2005 form, coming home over two minutes clear of nearest rival Michael Thyer (Beyond MTBs).
In the women’s races Elite rider Caroline Goward (Evans Cycles) was in a league of her own as she finished seven minutes ahead of second placed Nicky Hughes (Team Walton). In the Masters race Mandy Hibberd (PedalOn) took the honours, Carol Tilley (Ride Cycleworks) narrowly beat Kate Wheeler in the Veterans and Sarah Owen won the Sport category.
Team Darenth put on a day’s hot racing on a course well worthy of the Southern XC Series. The next round will be at Deepcut, courtesy of West Drayton MBC, so expect lots of black and yellow on 29 May.
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