The start at Deepcut

West Drayton MBC hosted round two of the 2005 Southern XC series in hot and dusty conditions this weekend.

The five mile Deepcut course had no real hills and made sure that those lacking in singletrack skills were punished. There were plenty of extended technical sections featuring bombholes, tight turns and fast descents where minutes could be made. Even the fireroads presented a challenge thanks to very loose gravel providing little grip.

The Elite race saw some drama as Steve Hambling (Activ) took to the front of the field, followed closely by Duncan Jamieson (Leisure Lakes). Stuart Bowers (Hargroves), second in round one, may have been ten seconds back, but never flinched. Making his move on lap two seemed to be all part of the master plan and with Hambling out of the race, Jamieson tiring and the rest of the field out of contention, Bowers put himself on top of the podium for the afternoon and the series.

There was another battle raging for third position but despite his best efforts Marcos Schier (Torq) couldn’t reel in Rob Smart (Guernsey Velo).

Race two was the Super Masters. Straight away Simon Willats (Ride
Cycleworks) built up a considerable lead and after three laps (his first being the fastest of the day) looked to be untouchable. But disaster struck on the final lap as he conceded nine minutes and the race lead. Cue Jason Emery (PedalOn), who seized the opportunity and leapfrogged into first, along with team-mate Scott Forbes. Mike Jackson (Luton CC) came home a surprise third.

The final race of the day was the Sport race, which saw some returning faces to the field looking to challenge Gorrick Spring Series Champion George Budd (Titus). The three at the front after a lap were familiar faces – Budd, the returning Tim Smith (Beyond Mountain Bikes) and Gerald Tudor (Robin Cycles). Soon these three had a big lead on the pack. Smith looked strong but on the final lap hammered into a tree, costing him three minutes, some brain cells and the lead. Budd used experience and pushed on – much to the pain of Tudor – taking the race and the series lead. Smith rolled in a
slightly dazed third.

There was also a large contingent of women racing. The Elite category was won by Gemma Carter (Activ), who was followed in by Nicky Hughes (Activ) and Caroline Goward (Evans). Fran Moore headed up the Sport race, Theresa Jackson (CC Luton) finished first in the Masters and Carol Tilley (Ride Cycleworks)won the Veterans.

Earlier in the day the Youth riders had taken to the course, where Matt Hill (Primera) continued his early season form by winning. The margin over Jake Moxham (Dysons Cycles) would have been greater if only Hill hadn’t taken a wrong turn on lap two.

Jason Painton was first in the Master men’s race, ahead of Anthony Bailey (Leisure Lakes) and Steven Richards (VC Muedon). In the Veterans, Mark Chadbourne (Ride Cycleworks) continued to dominate, taking his second consecutive win of the series, with Mark Cracknell (AW Cycles) back on form in second place and Roland Tilley (Ride Cycleworks) in third.

Unbeatable in five Gorrick races and one Southern XC, this weekend in the Grand Veterans Norman Butler (BikeGuatemala.com) experienced defeat for the first time this year. Geoff Bores (Lee Valley) finished on the top of the podium, Andy Roberts (Evans) was second and Butler only third after steadily dropping back as of lap two.

Rob Whenman (Corridorri) was again in a league of his own in the Junior race. He won his second Southern XC round of the year ahead of Guernsey Velo duo Michael Serafin and John Mapley.

Round two of the Southern XC certainly showed how a change of region and a few weeks can make a big difference. Mechanicals and crashes in several races cost dearly and some new faces gave the podium a new look.

Round three will be on July 12 as part of the Bristol Bike Fest, with an extended lap promised that will include some of the previous days 12 hour enduro course.