THE Mud, Sweat and Gears Mountain Bike Series climaxed on the relentless climbs and descents of the Langdon Hills venue, overlooking the Thames Estuary.

THE Mud, Sweat and Gears Mountain Bike Series climaxed on the relentless climbs and descents of the Langdon Hills venue, overlooking the Thames Estuary. Stephen James from Palgrave near Diss secured the Elite series title, coming second in the final race after the leading group was whittled down to just James (AW Cycles) and Ben Thomas (Torq).

James said: “Coming into the final climb I got a great run on him and gave it everything, but Ben just had that little bit more left and managed to creep ahead on the final straight to win by three seconds”

Riders were full of praise for the technical circuit, which will be used for National Series racing next season. Jason Boutell (Revel Outdoors) punctured, but already had the points to win the senior series. Other local winners at Langdon Hills included, in the women, Laura Sampson (Stowmarket & District), seniors Dan Howe (TROG), Veterans: Colin Cracknell (Ipswich BC) and Youth: Sean Dunlea (Ciclos Uno).

* A super-fast start set up Junior Harry Franklin for a win in the big race at the “Hoggenberg” cyclo-cross, round two of the Eastern League. Though senior Matthew Webber eventually closed the gap, Franklin had enough in hand to accelerate to a three second win. Chelmsford’s Andrew Nichols took third place on a course which was bumpy, dry and technical – more like an MTB course said Nichols who is now riding for PCA Ciclos Uno.

Next day on the same course, returning to its formal Redbridge Cycle Centre name, Webber won, Nichols was second and Franklin seventh in a London league event.

In the veterans race Bruce Robinson, always competitive on hills, or bergs, scored his first win of the new season after last week’s winner Phil Buick rolled a tub and Tim Butler came off after puncturing on a drop kerb which claimed many victims before eventually being taken out of the course. Sean Dunlea (Ciclos Uno) was the winner in the youth event while Ben Tullett (Herne Hill Youth) won the Under 12s, while Aaron Freeman (Chelmer CC) was first Under 10, repeating this next day in the London League race.

In winning the CC Breckland 50 by one second - the smallest possible margin – Andy Bason of Team Pedal Revolution set a new course record of 1:43:46 for the Attleborough bypass course on a sunny day which looked good but proved cold and hard. With team mate Nik Bowdler in second place and Red Lodge rider Mark Arnold taking fourth in 1:49:19 there could be no doubt as to the destination of the team prize. Colchester Rovers had equal success in the handicap section, where the top prize went to Debra Peck (net 1:24:58, actual 2:19:09) and second to Nick Webber whose actual time of 1:58:09 was exactly matched by clubmate Jim Reed. Chris Hutchinson (Redbridge CC) marked his return to three-wheeled racing with a win in the TA East 50.

Time trialists who prefer smaller roads competed in the Eastern Counties CA 25 on the Chelmsford- Leaden Roding – High Roding course where Paul Smith of the Chelmer CC was the winner in 57:45 and Simon Daw (CC Sudbury took second – and top handicap award – with 58:28.

A cold, dry Shaftesbury CC road race at Thaxted was dominated by an eight-man break containing representatives of many on the strongest teams which stayed clear to the finish. Toby Parnell (Cambridge University CC) was the winner.

Results

CC Breckland 50, Morley: 1 Andy Bason (Team Pedal Revolution) 1:43:46, 2 N Bowdler (Pedal Revolution)1:43:47, 3 S Berry (San Fairy Ann CC) 1:46:44, 4 M Arnold (Pedal Revolution) 1:49:19, 5 D Bloy (King’s Lynn CC) 1:53:24, 6 G Rushmore (King’s Lynn CC) 1:55:17, 7 M Long (Kings Lynn CC) 1:56:12, 8 G Stevens (East Anglian CC) 1:56:53, 9 G Frost (API) 1:57:18, 10 D Lorne (Norwich ABC) 1:57:21, 11 N Webber (Colchester Rovers) 1:57:27, 12= L Wright (North Norfolk Whs) & J Reed (CRCC) both 1:58:09. Team; TPR 5:16:05. Best Veteran on Standard: Carole Gandy (Kent Cycles) 2:5:17.