 |
Organiser Patrick Adams was keen to expand the format, and this year saw Enduro 6 mutate into Enduro Plus. Rather than a six-hour enduro with a time-trial “sideshow”, a bunch of XC races were programmed in on Saturday, making for a full weekend of action and something for everyone. It seemed to work – takeup was good for the XC races and Nocturne time trial and plenty of people took the trouble to make a weekend of it, which always helps the atmosphere.
All the races were held over the same course, a 7.5mile loop in and around Trentham Gardens. Every time we race at Trentham the course is tweaked slightly but you tend to get the same elements in a slightly different order. You can pretty much guarantee a couple of grunty climbs, loads of grintastic singletrack and some sketchy techy downhills that get particularly interesting after five hours in the saddle. It was a tough loop with few opportunities for recovery, but there was never any trouble with motivation to go out for another lap – the call of the woodsy descents was too strong to resist…
Despite a faintly unpromising forecast the weather was splendid throughout the weekend aside from a bit of a foggy start to Sunday. The course was in fine fettle despite a fair amount of rain in the preceding few days, with only a few slightly muddy patches to focus the mind.
Over 400 riders across the solo and pairs categories gathered in the pit area as the start approached, sorting out piles of bottles, drinks and spares – the enduro is a “parc fermé” event, so you’ve only got access to the course itself and the pit area and everything you’re likely to need has to be in the pits. High 5 were there with energy drinks and water and Motorex were waving lubes about so the basic essentials were covered.
A Le Mans-style running start didn’t really spread the pack out and there was something of a queue to get out of the pits and on to the bikes. But it’s a long race and making the early running isn’t that important for most people.
The introduction of pairs categories last year certainly seems to have broadened the appeal of the race, although if you’re a solo it messes with your head to have fresh pairs riders scorching by on lap two…
The Pro categories were hard-fought, with a particularly competitive Pairs race going right to the line. The Giant pairing of Oldham and Clarke were level on laps with Scott/MBUK’s Beckingsale and Bowers, both teams with a might 11 laps. But the Giant boys came in just eight seconds ahead of the Scottsters to take the top spot. The solo Pro titles were taken by Ian Wilkinson (10 laps in 6:04:29) and Jenn O’Connor (9 in 6:36:38).
When it was announced that Trentham Gardens were being redeveloped we feared that racing at the venue might be curtailed, but Patrick’s secured an agreement for the next three years at least. On the strength of Enduro Plus the future for racing at Trentham is bright…
Event photos Check out 1,200 photos from Enduro Plus here – fully searchable and free!
Share