Final Round of Mtb Winter Series Sponsored by Ian Browns Cycle
The final XC outing of the season attracted 44 entrants to Norgiots. All the riders demonstrated commendable resilience to battle the challenging conditions around seven laps of the 1.7km course. With off camber trails, steep inclines and a lot of running, the riders knew it would be tough but the overnight rain soaked the course even more, turning many parts of the course into a mud bath.
The experts would always be a close run affair with Mark Le Page looking to capitalise on his recent MTB win. The “Mud Meister”John Mapley took the hole shot off the start as he recorded the fastest lap time of the day at 7.07 with Le Page just 1 second behind him. Both riders were consistently fast over the eventual 7 lap race with Mapley eventually wearing down Le Page to take the win on the day. Adam Torode took third with Ryan Langlois in fourth.
U16/U14 Academy Riders Charlie Tourtel and Zach Smith again dominated the senior advanced class this week. Tourtel made the better start , leading the race from start to the finish to take the win and third overall. Despite Smith closing down Tourtel towards the end of the race, he had to settle for second place on this occasion, in only his first season in the senior ranks. Mark De Le Mare battled hard take the third spot in the tough conditions.
The Grande Vets would see Mark Smith in a class on his own as he took yet another win in this category, claiming the top Veteran on the day and finishing a creditable 8th overall. Mark Naftel battled hard to take the second spot ahead of Rod Smith who waded in to take third. Dan Thwaite certainly needed all of his skills and experience in the slippery conditions as he again registered another win in the Veterans. Olly Sarre who continues his good run of form took the second spot ahead of Peter Miller in third.
Jamy Petit- Fulgoni took the win the Lady’s category with Claire Smith and Emile Le Compte topping their respective podiums in the sports categories.
The Junior race lasting around 40 mins would see academy rider Remy Le Compte unstoppable as he recorded yet another win in the U14’s. Harry Manning booked himself a podium place with an impressive second ahead of Bailey Smalldon in third. A gutsy ride from Amy Smith would see her topping the podium in the U14’s girls race.
Jacob Piercey was also unstoppable as he took yet an another win in the U12’s, although this didn’t come easy as he was chased all the way by Freddie Martel, who will be definitely one to watch in the future! Ethan Shorto topped the U10’s boys race with Erin Pipet the stand-out rider in the under Girls 10’s
The next MTB event will see some 12 GVC riders travelling to the UK to compete in the first Southern XC race at Matterley Basin in Winchester on the 31 March, with Charlie Tourtel and Zach Smith also looking for that converted podium position in the first of five rounds of British Cycling’s 2024 National Cross Country Series, the first event being held in Cannock on the 7 April.
Before that the 1st round of the Adventure Cycles Gravity Series takes place at Talbot Valley on Sunday.