The first Blazin Saddles cross country MTB race was held at Haldon Forest on Sunday 28th May.

The race series is being run by SMART Coaching and Exeter Cycle Club. The club’s idea was to introduce youngsters to the sport and so included Pee-Wee (5-8 years) and Sprogs (9-11 years) races. These ran in the interval of the main events and were really enjoyed by the spectators.

The race attracted a field of 112 riders, with a good number of the best riders in the South West which provided the spectators with some exciting, fast and very close races.

The series is sanctioned by British Cycling and carries ranking points which makes the series very attractive to riders who are moving up the rankings.
The race series is supported by Haldon Forest park. Local Air Training Cadets did the marshalling and kept the riders and the leisure forest users apart very efficiently. This is a difficult task in a public place but everyone was happy.

Plymouth Cycle Scene put on trials displays all day and kept the crowds entertained as well as overawed with their skills. The series sponsors are The Bike Cellar, Big Peaks, Shred magazine, Freestyle clothing, Plymouth Cycle Scene, Sight Direct/Dirt Racing, Colin Lewis Cycles, Mark Wheeler personal trainer, Simply the Bike, Haribo, Mountain Biking UK, Don’t Push It bike shop, Bikinmotion, Certini, Persil, Bikemagic, British Cycling and Insport. Without them the series would not have been possible.

The next race will take place on Sunday 25 June. Details at www.smart-coaching.co.uk or telephone Sallie on 01392 276122.

Results

Pee-Wee

1. Mathew Pearson
2. Kieran Lewis (Smart Coaching, Exeter)
3. Oliver Lewis (Smart Coaching, Exeter)

Sprogs

1. Rebecca Hill (Smart Coaching, Tiverton)
2. Katie Wall (Weymouth)

Juvenile Male

1. Luke Gray (Dorset Rough Riders)
2. Peter Robinson (Smart Coaching)
3. James Vicary (M&D Cycles)

Youth Male

1. Guy Wilkins (Bikinmotion)
2. Jake Durrant (Big Peaks)
3. Will Jansen (Big Peaks)

Male Sport

1. Chris Cowling
2. James Williamson
3. Lee Mallen

Male Vet

1. Robin Delve (Mid-Devon)
2. Carl Ward (XCRacer.com/Gary Fisher)
3. Anthony Cowling

Female Master

1. Kate Betts
2. Kate Chappell
3. Sally Lee

Female Vet

1. Alison Wall

Male Expert

1. Richard Wood
2. Simon Burgess
3. James Williams (Kona UK)

Male Grand Vet

1. Dave Pool (SRC/The Bicycle Chain)
2. David Hamilton (Mid-Devon)
3. David Drake

Male Master

1. Darren Compton (Bad Ass Bikes)
2. Peter Dawe (XCRacer.com/Gary Fisher)
3. Wayne Bennett (Dirty Jo Bikes)