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Report: Hope XC Race Series Round 1
After the great success of the races in 2009 the bar had been set high for the Brownbacks team. The construction of new trails within the quarry has presented the team the opportunity to build on the 2009 courses and introduce new challenges and despite the rain on the Saturday the day of the race saw broken cloud and a dry course with only a strong wind troubling the riders and the organising team. The marshalling team were glad of their sponsored Buff and Express Asphalt hi-viz jackets to keep them warm on the more exposed bits of the course and the scene was set for another eventful race. The course pushed the riders hard with little relief from challenging climbs and fast technical descents. The main course took its usual toll of early casualties with mechanical issues but the race remained incident free with Rossendale and Pendle MRT reporting no customers.
Nick Butcher (Yokshire Velo) won the Leisure Lakes sponsored men's racer field pulling away from Jack Carkson (Pedal Sport CC) who took the first lap prime. There was a strong battle for the rest of the podium places with Dave Powell (Ragley) fading after a fast start to be overhauled by David Bentley and Stephen Leigh both riding for Leisure Lakes. Elsewhere in the category there were numerous battles for the minor placing with two former winners of the Weekend Warrior category Craig Holden (Pendle Forest CC) and Tom Albutt (Joyriders MTB Holidays) battling neck and neck for most of the race. Paul Langley took the honours in the Blazing Saddles (Hebden Bridge) sponsored Weekend Warrior category overhauling Chis Dwyer (Fanylion Racing) mid race with Mike Aitchison (Big Bear Bikes) taking third. Leisure Lakes under Director Sportif Matt Chester were clearly taking the Trade Trophy competition seriously with 5 riders entered and a dominant presence on the course. With four more rounds they have a clear early lead to recover the trophy from holders Wheelbase.
The Bardon Aggregates sponsored Racing Diva's saw Molly Whittal and Joanna Holden renew their rivalry from the 2009 races. Molly dominated this race with Joanna of the pace and never really in contention. The sponsorship from Bardon Aggregates sees prize parity with the Racers with £200 of Leisure Lakes vouchers up for grabs at each race and the series prize of a pair of Hope Technology wheels.
The Astounding Adventures Have-a-go Heroes category saw a couple of riders clearly ahead of the others on the easier course. Raymond Honour bagged the first prize of a training course provided by the sponsors and a promotion up the categories to Weekend Warrior, Gary Williamson also let his fitness show and bagged second place and box of Torq bars. The rest of the category saw close racing with riders battling hard against the wind. The Polaris Apparel sponsored "Lads" category for younger riders ran with a small but quality field with strong competition for the prizes. Harrison Cahill (Leisure Lakes) lapped the rest of the field. With sprints for the line even for the lower placings all the riders showed plenty of spirit.
Thanks and appreciation go to the marshals and the sign-on/ timing team who gave up their morning lie-in to let others race, additionally to Lancashire CC for use of Lee Quarry and the local residents who tolerate the early morning disruption.
Race 2 is on the 27th June and pre-entry is still open. A new course should see some more changes to shake things up and there is the added attraction of trade stands from Leisure Lakes and Astounding Adventures, on-site catering, facilities and plenty of car parking for riders and spectators.
