Southern XC MTB Series Clanfield Round 3
Eleven riders from the Guernsey Velo Club travelled to the UK for round three of the 2025 Southern XC MTB Series held at Clanfield in Hampshire on the 17th May 2025.
The venue, set on a steep hillside, in a valley surrounded by picturesque rolling hills has a mixture of steep gruelling climbs, technical descents with log drops and rock gardens providing multiple line choices depending on the riders appetite for adrenaline. The course at just under 2km would be a short sharp multi-lap test for the riders, especially as the sun was beating down on the course with temperatures rising well into the mid 20’s.
The U10’s on a shorter less technical course would see Hugo Johnson and Ethan Shorto do battle again in a field of 30 riders. They both started well and soon found themselves in a lead group of 4 with Johnson setting the pace. As the race progressed Shorto began to move up taking the lead just before the bell and beginning to open a small lead, disaster then struck when he had a mechanical and had to run the last lap finishing 6th but showing great determination. Johnson rallied well to cross the line in 2nd, cementing his lead in the series.
The U12'S would see Jacob Piercey ride in an extremely competitive race filled with fast riders who’ve competed all over the country. From the start he found himself in a group of 4 with strong riders he knows well. Pacing his race to perfection he placed himself behind the winner of the previous round and bided his time, as the heat and hills began to take their toll it was clear Piercey was the strongest and when he saw the leader struggling, launched an attack that would see him quickly build a lead of 10 seconds with 3 laps to go which he went on to extend out to 21 seconds taking his maiden victory in the Southern series.
Remi Le Compte raced the Open Youth category on the full course as the heat really started to build, he rode strongly tackling the technical descents with ease to secure 6th place in an extremely competitive field. At the same time Holly and Amy Smith raced the female youth race having just gone up in category, meaning 7 laps of the relentless course in the midday sun. Their grit and determination shone through as they left nothing out on the course and crossed, collapsing into some well deserved shade. Both moved up from their gridding positions, Holly to 5th and Amy 6th.
Three riders were entered in the Open Sport Category, unfortunately for Wayne Piercey, the flare up of an old injury meant he wouldn’t take to the start along with Mark Ferbrache who had an accident in practice. James Shorto was gridded 15th and rode a solid race making use of the technical sections to hold off riders from behind to finish 16th of 50.
Mark Smith and Mark le Page raced in the final race of the day which was arguably the hottest starting at 3pm. Le Page, in the Expert category and using the event as practice for his assault on the upcoming island games started well, picking up positions and ending up in a battle for 3rd which lasted several laps. Eventually the pace and heat caught up to the Sarnian and he’d slip backwards to 5th after a gruelling 11 laps. Smith, racing in the Open Masters category had a cracking ride on the technical course setting his fastest time on the last lap to come in 14th, moving up 14 positions from his gridding.
The next Southern XC, 1st June, will see several GVC riders attend a New Forest course which should have plenty of winding single track. The Utmost GVC Academy are taking a whole gaggle of riders to this event which will no doubt provide a fantastic atmosphere.
Written by James Shorto.