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Report: Nutcracker XC Series Round 6
Posted October 26 2010
A cold and frosty autumn morning welcomed an almost 130-strong field to Hamsterley Forest in County Durham last weekend, for the final round of the inaugural season of the Nutcracker MTB XC Series. After a final frantic week of pulling things together, organisers Bikelicker Events had their fears put to rest as the one factor that they couldn't control decided to play ball - the weather! With a mostly dry week in the week previous to the event, the course had dried out nicely and come Sunday morning, any moisture still in the ground had frozen solid. Incidentally, the course was designed with great assistance and advice from Matt and Dave from Hamsterley Trailblazers, who know their way around the forest like the backs of their hands - so a big thanks must be given to them.
It seemed almost like disaster had struck on the Friday previous when the sad news of the immediate permanent closure of Series Sponsor Kudu Bikes was announced and that they could no longer attend the series finale. However, Kudu supplier and the most prestigious name in UK Mountain Biking, Orange stepped in to cover for Kudu and sponsor some event and series prizes. With the arrival of the long-awaited inflatable arch that had arrived on the Thursday previous after a long journey on a slow boat from China and the addition of the Orange roadshow, the event village looked impressive, albeit small.
The biggest Fun category field of the series of 25 riders lined up at 10am, alongside the Youth and Juvenile categories. The former 2 categories were to complete 2 laps of the challenging 6 miles circuit, whilst the latter were to complete just 1. It was great to see all of the regular female riders take part in the Fun race, as 5 battled away for the duration of the event. Dirtwheels' star rider Nicky Hartle took the win, from team mate Ruth Midgely. Meanwhile mother and daughter duo Carolyn and Charlotte Merson, accompanied by Sonja Harper, who had taken a wrong turn due to damage to the course tape were having their own race further back. In the men's race, James Chilcott and Richardson CC's Mike Thompson romped away from the rest of the Fun and Youth fields respectively, whilst James Edmond of the Ferryhill Wheelers secured an early lead in the Juvenile category. All 3 subsequently took the wins in their categories. Chasing Chilcott in the Fun category were Lee Horner and Steven White, finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively, whilst Jon Donachy and Sam Roper followed Thompson across the line in the Youths. A closer race had been fought in the Juveniles, with 40 seconds separating Edmond from 2nd place Stephen Lee, who was followed in by Ben Lewis shortly afterwards.
Some 25 youngsters turned out in the depths of Hamsterley Forest for the final instalment of the Dare2B Sweat Monsters race. British Cycling's Alex McLean and dad Dave, ably supported by their team of faithful parent marshals did a fantastic job of ushering the up and coming riders around what was a technical, rooty course on the side of the forest drive. Alex had worked out a programme of racing that ensured the kids' absolute enjoyment.
It was the turn of the Experts, Sports and Juniors in the next race at 11.30. With the overall title for the Nutcracker Series already sewn up, nobody could blame Elite stalwart Paul Oldham for choosing to ride skinnier tyres instead, with conflicting Cyclocross events both in Yorkshire and the Northeast on the same day - afterall, he does have a National title to defend in ‘Cross! Paul had astounded everybody last month when, after comfortably winning Nutcracker 5 at Camp Hill in Bedale, North Yorks, he hot-footed it across to Northallerton a short distance away to win the YCCA ‘Cross race on the afternoon of the same day! Unfortunately, the 2 events were a little further apart this time, making a ride in both events a physical impossibility.
As sole Expert, Leeds Uni's Tom Bell took the win but despite the lack of competition still managed to produce some strong lap times, of around 26 minutes. Despite confessing that the Hamsterley course didn't suit him prior to the event, Bell's Team mate Michael Jones took a comfortable win in the Sport category, with Ian Lee of Hetton Hawks and Nathan Judge following some 2 minutes later. Meanwhile, K-Home International's Joe Home had ridden clean away from trailing Juniors Josh Brown and team mate Robbie Nelson and the race subsequently finished in that order.
By the time the afternoon race had come around at 2pm, Competition Boss Geoff Lloyd had returned from Bishop Auckland, having had an emergency trip to the supermarket to purchase a kettle. It had been discovered after firing up the generator on loan for powering the event that it was not powerful enough to power the most vital part of the race equipment - the kettle! Those purchasing hot drinks from the sign-on tent during the morning may have noticed the quick-fix adopted by the organisers of a military-style "jet boil" belonging to one of the marshals, with only a capacity of boiling enough water to fill 1 ½ cups at a time! Having spent the coldest part of the day in the shadiest part of the course, the donor marshal was re-united with his much needed flask during the lunchtime break. A big thanks must go to him for this.
With Geoff now back in the field, he delivered his pre-race briefing to a 60-strong field of riders who lined up to compete in the Masters, Veterans and Grand Veteran categories. MTS' Stuart Wearmouth was first home after a strong performance in the Masters to secure not only his race but his series title. He was followed 3 minutes later by Stefan Macina of JD Cycles and Freetown Sports' Rod Towart. A return to mountain bike racing for Northeast Road and ‘Cross regular James Anderson of Blackhawk Bikes saw him take the Veteran win, showing 2nd place Stewart Coates of JD Cycles that despite his extended sabbatical from the support, he still had the technique required for XC racing. Giles Pidcock of Epic Cycles took 3rd place from Jason Hynd.
Following his absence from Nutcracker 5 due to the Isle of Man End to End event, JD Cycles' Bruce Rollinson returned to the Northeast in fantastic form and after a very strong performance resulting in a 2 minute lead from closest rival Billy Matthews, he finished as 1st Grand Veteran across the line. Matthews of team "Square Wheels" had managed to pull away from Keswick Bikes' Duncan Stuart during the race and Stuart crossed the line a few minutes later.
Following the final presentation of the day of prizes from Dare2B and Orange, it was time for home. The race report can't be completed, however, without thanking a few key people:
Dave, Vaughn and Michael from Orange. Not only did they bring some nice bikes for us all to drool over, but they provided some fantastic prizes for the racing.
Rob and Helen from Dare2B for their continued support
Enigmatic Photography
Andy Spencer - Freelance Cycling Journalist
Pete Sutton - British Cycling Commissaire
Sunny and Jane Curwen - TAP Timing
Joyce, Laura and Kay - signing on / catering
Luke Dent for standing in for Dad, Adey, who was confined to a night shift before and after the event
Les and Tom Parkin - saviours of the Saturday course marking exercise
Forestry Commission England
Medics UK
Teesdale Event & Site Services
Hamsterley Trailblazers
Purely Hire - Logistics
Alex and Dave McLean - Sweat Monster racing
The Fantastic team of volunteer marshals: Ian, Andy, Nick and Les, without whom the event could not take place
