This weekend passed held the third and final round of the Woodland Riders Winter Series. Choosing a different style of track from their usual tight and technical tracks, Chaz and the organizers created a great mix on the open tracks Tavistock has to offer.
Being the first time these tracks have been raced on the atmosphere was high and the racing was going to be close.
As I walked the track the thing that had me most worried was the wind, it was very high and not ideal on such a fast and open track, especially with some of the jumps but everyone had the same to deal with. As practice began and the dust was picking up, the speed of this race became apparent and most riders knew they would have to up their game if they wanted a chance of standing on the podium. Off the start line riders headed down the pedally 'Wooded Track' before cutting back onto the 'Open Track' riders then faced a multiple line choice where you could cut tight down a rock garden or go around but have better set up for the next berms. The track headed down to the 'Corkscrew' possibly the most fun section of track ever and down to the newly revamped 'Gorse Jumps' which for racing the big sender was tapped off (good idea!).
After first race runs and everyone had set their game plan for what their second run needed, rumours where going around of having three race runs instead of the usual two. Some riders did not like the idea of doing another two flat out sprints but for most riders after second runs a third was defiantly needed! It was apparent that the youth category was going to be the one to watch, as it had a very competitive field all wanting that top spot. In the end it was won by Sam Troake by around three seconds but the next five riders where all in the space of second between each other! Jay Williamson, Isaac Anderson and Bill Colwill made the junior category interesting, with Jay taking the win. And in seniors the forever battle between Ash Mullane and Ben Deakin at these races took place, with Ash beating Ben by about half a second.
They usual freestyle competition took place after racing on the new 'Gorse Jumps' with some pretty scarily big whips being thrown down, unfortunately no superman’s or can-cans by Luke Constanza this round but who would blame him on those size jumps. Ben Deakin won the freestyle comp with his super side ways whips. Fortunately the rain held off all day right until the podiums when it started to chuck it down and everyone seemed to try to rush off home! Massive thanks to Chaz, the organizers and marshals for putting on such a great series racing.
Looking forward to the South West Champs in August. When you can, get entered!
Results:Senior:
1st: Ash Mullane (1:06.423)
2nd: Ben Deakin (1:07.122)
3rd: Luke Constanza (1:08.338)
Junior:
1st: Jay Williamson (1:06.790)
2nd: Bill Colwill (1:09.247)
3rd: Isaac Anderson (1:09.512)
Master:
1st: Jim Davage (1:07.813)
2nd: Andy Boyle (1:10.791)
3rd: Julian Jacobs (1:10.808)
Youth:
1st: Jack Troake (1:09.449)
2nd: Charlie Ross (1:12.302)
3rd: Connor Martin (1:12.627)
Veteran:
1st: Tony Hicks (1:11.504)
2nd: Chris Cooke (1:15.934)
3rd: Marcus Scott (1:15.959)
Hardtail:
1st: Sam Acland (1:13.949)
2nd: Jon Credicott (1:15.095)
3rd: William Jones (1:17.099)
Juvenile:
1st: Sam Troake (1:26.844)
2nd: Matthew Bryant (1:28.249)
3rd: Luke Nicolle (1:29.425)
Ripper:
1st: Luke Hodson (1:34.136)
Words:Greg Berrywww.woodlandriders-racing.co.uk
To view more photos from the event check out the following links: Gallery 1 | Gallery 2 | Gallery 3
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As I walked the track the thing that had me most worried was the wind, it was very high and not ideal on such a fast and open track, especially with some of the jumps but everyone had the same to deal with. As practice began and the dust was picking up, the speed of this race became apparent and most riders knew they would have to up their game if they wanted a chance of standing on the podium. Off the start line riders headed down the pedally 'Wooded Track' before cutting back onto the 'Open Track' riders then faced a multiple line choice where you could cut tight down a rock garden or go around but have better set up for the next berms. The track headed down to the 'Corkscrew' possibly the most fun section of track ever and down to the newly revamped 'Gorse Jumps' which for racing the big sender was tapped off (good idea!).
After first race runs and everyone had set their game plan for what their second run needed, rumours where going around of having three race runs instead of the usual two. Some riders did not like the idea of doing another two flat out sprints but for most riders after second runs a third was defiantly needed! It was apparent that the youth category was going to be the one to watch, as it had a very competitive field all wanting that top spot. In the end it was won by Sam Troake by around three seconds but the next five riders where all in the space of second between each other! Jay Williamson, Isaac Anderson and Bill Colwill made the junior category interesting, with Jay taking the win. And in seniors the forever battle between Ash Mullane and Ben Deakin at these races took place, with Ash beating Ben by about half a second.
They usual freestyle competition took place after racing on the new 'Gorse Jumps' with some pretty scarily big whips being thrown down, unfortunately no superman’s or can-cans by Luke Constanza this round but who would blame him on those size jumps. Ben Deakin won the freestyle comp with his super side ways whips. Fortunately the rain held off all day right until the podiums when it started to chuck it down and everyone seemed to try to rush off home! Massive thanks to Chaz, the organizers and marshals for putting on such a great series racing.
Looking forward to the South West Champs in August. When you can, get entered!
Results:
Senior:
1st: Ash Mullane (1:06.423)
2nd: Ben Deakin (1:07.122)
3rd: Luke Constanza (1:08.338)
Junior:
1st: Jay Williamson (1:06.790)
2nd: Bill Colwill (1:09.247)
3rd: Isaac Anderson (1:09.512)
Master:
1st: Jim Davage (1:07.813)
2nd: Andy Boyle (1:10.791)
3rd: Julian Jacobs (1:10.808)
Youth:
1st: Jack Troake (1:09.449)
2nd: Charlie Ross (1:12.302)
3rd: Connor Martin (1:12.627)
Veteran:
1st: Tony Hicks (1:11.504)
2nd: Chris Cooke (1:15.934)
3rd: Marcus Scott (1:15.959)
Hardtail:
1st: Sam Acland (1:13.949)
2nd: Jon Credicott (1:15.095)
3rd: William Jones (1:17.099)
Juvenile:
1st: Sam Troake (1:26.844)
2nd: Matthew Bryant (1:28.249)
3rd: Luke Nicolle (1:29.425)
Ripper:
1st: Luke Hodson (1:34.136)
Words: Greg Berry
www.woodlandriders-racing.co.uk
To view more photos from the event check out the following links: Gallery 1 | Gallery 2 | Gallery 3
