Thursday 6th July 2000 saw the second of the new KIS short
course cross-country events tale place at KIS Dirt City in the heart of the Cotswolds.
With an excellent course lovingly prepared by the guys at KIS and the weather behaving
it’s self, the evenings racing was looking very good.
The race got off to a flyer with round one winner, young matt Fairburn blasting into
an early lead only to puncture at halfway round the first lap. he just managed to
rejoin before being lapped. So with Matt out of the winning seat it was left to Downhill/BSX
demo Paul Kirby to take up the lead, closely followed by Nic Burridge and Pete Millman,
Paul managed to pull quite a lead and was looking fast until things went wrong in
the gear department and he was past by a flying Mr Burridge.
Here’s a brief course description, starting at the bottom of the main field the pack
were then greeted by a stony climb before the first of the flowing singletrack. Then
riders were directed back up towards the top of the field via a succession of rolling
humps and again more meandering trails. Once at the top it was balls out to the woods
and a chance to take a breather. The wooded section was particularly entertaining
with more flowing singletrack with a switchback section, which was greeted with delight
by all who rode it, – “Great Course” could be heard as the riders rounded
the lap scoring point. After the switchbacks came a short climb onto a ridge before
taking a tight left onto another swooping trail, this lead to the climb out of the
woods and day light. The next section was a toughie, up the downhill track! Thankfully
it’s not a long section and at the end you break off down the Supercross berm section,
and a rest. next up a flat field greets the riders and a well earned chance to have
a drink. this then takes you back to the top and the start of the next lap.
Meanwhile back at the race… by now Matt was back on track a flying through the
field gaining a place every circuit. – lap time’s were around 7 minutes – The one
and only female entry, Jody Jones, of Cheltenham County, was proving to much for
some of the men and left them to fight it out for last. She mastered the course with
ease and loved it.
Halfway point klicked by and the race was now settled into Nic Burridge, riding one
of the new Whyte bikes, up front, getting faster and faster, with Matt now up to
third Paul had rediscovered his gears but was by now down to 6th, while ex National
XC Champion, Rich Schofield sorted himself into second, despite both of his wheels
attempting to part company with the frame at rather crucial moments. – Forgot to
tighten the QR’s up -.
So with the hour up the last lap came and the riders cruised in to finish this mini
epic. Young Ashley Hughes from Red Kite Cycles managed a wheelie halfway up the finish
straight and over the line, which made up for him bringing up the rear. He enjoyed
it that’s the main thing and won the biggest smile of the day award. Ashley’s father
Phil was also on course and came home 7th.
Cash Prizes were distributed and all were well stoked with the event and promised
to make it back in two weeks time.
The results were:
Men’s
1st Nic Burridge –
2nd Matt Fairburn – Diamond Back
3rd Rich Schofield- Red Kite
4th Pete Millman – Kona/Ford Focus/?
5th Pat Alexander – Cheltenham County
Ladies
1st
Jody Jones – Cheltenham County
c ya next time folks.
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