Ian Forsyth claimed his first series win in Round 5 of the 4X National Series at Twisted Oak, Ipswich.
With the heatwave covering most of Britain this weekend, the track was dry and dusty, keeping riders' speed in check, but with obstacles like the triple jump, wall ride, tight dual-slalom berms and tabletops, it didn't take long for riders to start pushing their boundaries and the bar-to-bar action began.
Despite the sunny conditions, the wind picked up during the afternoon motos, making riders wary on the final tabletop. However, with several riders missing from the usual field, the competition was open for anyone to win. It proved the perfect weekend for some riders to start their venture in 4X racing.
In the men’s elite A-final, despite crashing in motos, Ian Forsyth quickly recovered to take his first series win with a breathtaking overtake on the wall ride, pipping Tom Bell to first place on the newly built track in Ipswich.
This achievement was made more notable with Forsyth competing as a first year in the male elite category. Bell followed in second, with Connor Hudson in third and John Lillingstone in fourth.
In the B-final, Ben Jones gave it his all to round off the podiums in fifth.
Sophie Cade was the solo female elite winner, and also managed third after a powerful performance in the mixed senior field. Ryan Crisp, also making his 4X debut from downhill, dominated in the senior A-final to take the top of the podium, followed by Angus Child in second.
Freddie Cadman Carpent claimed the youth victory ahead of Harry Kirby in second and Izak Williams in third.
In the juvenile field, Thomas and Daniel Maplesden made their 4X debut transferring from downhill, and evidently, the downhill skills suited this track, with Thomas taking first place and Daniel taking second. Tyler Anderson followed in third.
The masters field saw Scott Roberts comfortably finish in first place, rolling across the line well ahead of the field, having looked in his element throughout his motos. But it was a sprint finish for second place, between Alastair Keen and Dave Richardson, with Keen coming out victorious to take the second podium.
After a swift day’s competition, riders were looking forward to more racing with the next series round heading to the well-known Falmouth 4X track in Pennance Mill Farm on 30 July.
