In the final round of the Revel Outdoors Winter Series, held on Shouldham Warren, Seb Herrod (Absolute Black) challenged the supremacy of Andrew Cockburn in the Three-Hour Men’s race and as battle was joined the pair opened a very large gap on the rest of the field, writes Fergus Muir.
But with two of the 6.5 mile laps remaining, Herrod blew and all of a sudden there was space between them and the beginnings of what became a nine minute deficit at the finish opened up.
Paul Ashby ploughed a lone furrow to be third to finish third overall and Veterans winner by more than eight minutes. Jonathan Dennis, on a family visit to Norfolk, was third Senior finisher, showing that despite the climbs, a single freewheel transmission is a perfectly viable option for MTB racing – though the gear manufacturers won’t thank me for mentioning it.
Shouldham Warren – between Swaffham and Downham Market – includes steep climbs and descents, both natural and relicts of former quarrying and organisers King’s Lynn MTB threw everything in to make a challenging circuit to round off the Series.
In the Women’s three-hour Katy Simcock from St Neots steadily opened a lead on Felixstowe rider Elvita Branch. In the 90 minute version, Elvita’s Sussed Out teammates Laura Sampson and daughter Caitlyn both finished well ahead of Jodie Cole (Epic Orange), who however was best Senior (age 18-39) rider in both the race and the series overall.
The shorter 90 minute races were by far the most popular and over 150 riders streamed away from the civilized 11.30am start headed by the Junior (16/17 year-olds) who were hard to beat on the this up-and-down and round-the-mulberry-bush (or more likely rhododendron bush) course.
Young Dickleburgh rider Kieran Jarvis (OnForm) led fellow juniors Nathan Gibson , Jack Parrish and Troy Wingar, on the first descent with Vet Paul Groombridge (Push Sport) next – ahead of all the Seniors.
As things settled down Jarvis, just back from the OnForm training camp in Spain, still set the pace with Watlington rider Jacob Shailes, Jack Parrish from Ipswich and Groombridge in close company.
However with about 30 minutes remaining Jarvis opened a gap and went on to win alone, with Junior and Vet riders taking the next places and Senior winner Mat Eley (Ely and District/B and T Motors) coming in sixth
Keith Clarke (seventh) was top finisher from race sponsors Revel Outdoors in the 90 minute veterans’ race. Ryan Gooderham (fourth) from Boxford was top TPH finisher among the Juniors, while Neil Catling had the best result for LCUK – fifth in the Senior Three-Hour.
In the Youth Girls Martha Lebentz (Hadleigh CC) held Harley Pell (LIV AWOL) for almost a lap, before Pell opened what became a 2:53 advantage at the finish.
Over 60 members and friends of Godric Cycling Club gathered for their Annual Dinner in Beccles. Godric CC Chairman Paul Vergette opened proceedings as master of ceremonies while Julian Farrell (CC Breckland) was guest of honour and gave a talk on his experiences of cycling throughout the years.
Among a large number of award-winners were Alan Bell who was voted Best Club Member of the year and Barry Minns – for clubrun attendance, while Steve Smith received an award for best recorded mileage during the year – 12,739 miles.
Ladies were prominent with Larissa Smith, Sarah Maidment, Laura Gilbert, Nikki Holland-Gladwish and Gemma Bacon among the racing winners.
This coming Sunday the Wolsey Road Club hold their Reliability Trials, based at Bredfield Village Hall. There are 100 kilometre starts at 9am and 9.30am, while those choosing the 50 km option leave at 10am.
An alternative, near Bungay, is the Godric CC 50 mile Reliability Trial, which has had a late change of HQ and will now start from Ditchingham Village Hall, NR35 2QN at 8.30, 9.00 and 9.30am.
Further details of both events can be found on the respective club websites.
RESULTS:
REVEL OUTDOORS WINTER SERIES 4: Shouldham Warren: -
90 MINUTE RACE - Fastest women over 3 laps: 1 Laura Sampson 1:30:00, 2 Caitlyn Sampson 1:40:38, 3 Jodie Cole 1:49:23, 4 Alison Goss 1:49:24.
Fastest men over 4 laps: 1 Kieran Jarvis 1:54:01, 2 Craig Gunnell 1:54:21, 3 Jacob Shailes 1:55:24, 4 Paul Groombridge 1:55:39, 5 Mark Wingar 1:56:02, 6 Mat Eley 1:56:16, 7 Andy Sampson 1:56:35, 8 Jon Sheasby 1:58:48, 9 Lauris Liepins 1:59:33.
THREE HOUR RACE – Fastest women over 6 Laps: 1 Katy Simcock 3:11:19, 2 Elvita Branch 3:23:35, 3 Sarah Hewitt 3:33:13.
Fastest men over 7 laps: 1 Andrew Cockburn 3:13:53, 2 Seb Herrod 3:22:00, 3 Paul Ashby 3:23:41,4 Jon Dennis 3:27:20, 5 Tim Plimmer 3:32:06.
For full classified results see www.timelaps.co.uk
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