Bad weather didn’t deter 130 riders from lining up on the demanding wet trails of Lee Quarry for round two of the Hope XC Series in Bacup, Lancashire.

In contrast to the clear blue skies of race one of the four-event series, race two remind riders how you can get four seasons in one day up on the hill. The rain tested both the organisers on a skeleton crew and the riders as the weather fluctuated between light rain and heavy showers before the start, with the occasional gap during the race.

The start of the Leisure Lakes Bikes Racer category was in one of the brief interludes between rain and more rain, and Dan Evans (Rhos-on-Sea CC), who was dominant in race one, faced the challenge of John Hopkinson (Aire Valley Cycles), newcomer David Beskeen (Ghost) and the 2011 series winner Jiri Klekner (Wheelspincycles.co.uk).

But Evans dominated once again in what turned into a set of individual time trials with the order being set in lap one and maintained to the end, with impressive rides by all four in difficult conditions.”Almost as impressive was Dave Powell (JMC On-one), who rode 30+ miles from home to race, got a top ten finish and then rode home… the long way,” said the organisers.

Amber Southern (Boneshakersbikes.com) has now got the measure of the quarry trails and repeated her victory in the Cooksons Cycles Racing Diva category. Danielle Rider (Moda-Bike Magic) wasn’t able to get on the pace set by Southern and an improving Jacqui Flynn (Leisure Lakes) managed to pull back after a slow start to take the last place on the podium.

Jordan Southern (yes, there is a connection) easily won the Big Bear Bikes Weekend Warrior category from James Tudor with Nick Budworth (St Helens Woolybacks) holding off last week’s podium finisher Lee Perie (Wheelbase.co.uk) to get the third spot.

The real story of the day, however, came in the new DHP11 Silverbacks categories for 40+ and 50+ riders. There must be fountain of youth in the quarry as the three podium finishers of the 40+ could each have won the Weekend Warrior category. Ian Palmer (Wheelbase.co.uk) stormed the quarry, with strong rides also from Seth Smith (Bradford Olympic) and Andy Conn (Bike Scene MTB Guisborough).

The 50+ riders were no slouches either with Steve Taylor (Sherwood Pines/ Cooperative Motors) holding off series sponsor Derek Hunter (Matlock CC) who climbed a step higher on the podium. And there was tight racing in the have-a-go category with Aled Roberts (Rhos-on-Sea CC) winning his first ever mountain bike race and Tracy Bailey just holding off Lorna Rider (Sherwood Pines/ Cooperative Motors).

The series now takes a summer break (summer? What summer?) before race three September 2 and pre-entry is still open. The organisers promise a new course which should see more changes to shake things up, while there will be on-site catering, facilities and plenty of car parking for riders and spectators.

Enter online via www.xcracer.com, while a downloadable postal entry form is available from www.brownbacksracing.co.uk