Back to Woody’s Bike Park for the last round of the XC season. Last year the series started here and it became known as a pretty tough course where both technical ability and fitness play their part.
All images: Man Down Media.
As you might expect from a bike park, the downs are a lot of fun, full of berms and rollers, rocks gardens and drops, and then the climbs back to the top are punishing. Plus if you’ve ever ridden at Woody’s you’ll know the wind can play havoc with your day chucking you off line if you get any air and it’s always a headwind back up to the top.
And as ever, injuries and illness take their toll during the season. This time it was the turn of the commentator to be struck. With Joolze away working in Denmark, Han was going to fly solo and had had strict instructions about how to work the GoPro for the course preview (I’m a bugger for not turning it on). Loading the car I stood up and my back went. Boom, weekend over before I’d set off. So apologies if this isn’t quite as detailed a report as it usually is. I had unfinished business with Woody’s and was rather looking forward to riding the (down bits of) the course. Still, as all racers know, shit happens.
While some of the series winners were already decided, it was a fight down to the wire in other categories and for the other placings. Some people were away with the National Road Champs, others didn’t want to make the long trip to Cornwall, and others had Other Things to do. Still plenty of chance for the overall standings to be shaken thoroughly.
Crank It ran another U12s session which as ever went down well with the ‘not a race’ race completing the session. Thanks to the Crank It team for encouraging the youngsters all season. Some of them will also be racing in the full-on races next year as they row old enough for the juvenile category.
The Male Sport category has been pretty competitive all season with four different race winners through the season. This time out William Gell took a convincing win again as he did in the last round. Dan Clark (Hunt Wheels) and Jay Cracknell (Caesarean) made up the podium. Overall the series was won by Marco Ruggeri (Rapha), not here this weekend but who has been Mr Consistent this season, Sam Stephenson (Lakes RC) in second and Jay Cracknell in third. While Tom Stephenson had some cracking races his faulty dropper and DNF at Lochore cost him a series podium. The Stephenson brothers claim to be racing XC just for marathon practice which is one way of training.
Melanie Annable was the only entrant in the Female Open which is a huge shame as we had been getting a few more women racing. Billy Reed won the Male Open comfortably with Mark Barker (Shibden) in second and David McKee (VC Glendale) in third. It will be interesting to see if any of the Open riders enter the points categories next season.
Overnight on Saturday/Sunday it poured down. Bucketed. The sort of rain where you are wondering when you last waterproofed your tent and didn’t there use to be a thing about digging a ditch on the upslope. So just to get this straight, it was sunburn in Fife and downpours on the English Riviera. Thankfully, Sunday dawned bright and breezy although the wind did start to pick up towards the afternoon. And that’s to the way the bike park is built the course stayed dry and fast.
In Juvenile Males, Leon Atkins (Welwyn Wheelers) made it four wins in a row with Arthur Limb (Matlock CC) and George Cooper (Sherwood Pines) having their best results of the season with 2nd and 3rd. There was some close racing behind them with not much time separating the next four riders of Charlie Tourtel (Guernsey), Harrison Evans (Sleaford Wheelers), Jacob Steed (Sherwood Pines) and Jem Henderson (Hetton Hawks). Overall, it meant the series goes to Leon Atkins with Curtis McKee (Scott Quanta) in second and Jacob Steed (Sherwood Pines) in third.
A close finish in Juvenile Females saw Aelwen Davies (RR23) take the win just ahead of Daisy Wilkinson (Edinburgh RC) with Orla White (Dartmouth VeloCare) in third. It’s the first time Zoe Roche hasn’t been on the podium this season but she made up for that by taking the series win, with Aelwen and Daisy taking 2nd and third overall. Maizie Harper didn’t have the greatest day out but still finished fourth in the series.
The Youth Male category has been extremely competitive and close all season and mathematically coming into the final round the overall winner could have been any one of five riders. It was Max Standen (Southfork Racing) who took the day’s win with Oliver Murphy (Rotor) and Innes McDonald (Edinburgh RC) finishing the podium. All three had their best results of the season in this race. Innes had posted a video of practice showing how smooth he was on the rock garden (@innesmcdonaldracing)…
It’s a good example of how the Scots train their riders from an early age. All of that meant the overall series went to Ben Coppola (Four4th) with Alfie Davies (The Bulls) in second and Nathaniel Henderson (Hetton Hawks) in third.
Daisy Taylor (Edinburgh RC) dominated the Youth Females as she has done all season with Aine Doherty (Cycling Ulster) in second, her best result of the season and Tulsi Bakrania (WXC) just nudging ahead of Evie Strachan (RR23) for third. Evie came back from a start line clash, chasing through the field to claim that fourth. You don’t get in the way of Evie when she’s chasing. Florence Greenhalgh (Pine Sport) took the fifth spot and the all important increase in her points. Overall, Daisy takes the series win with Bethany-Ann Jackson (WXC) in second and Florence Greenhalgh in third.
In the Vet Male cat Adrian Lansley (Pedalon) took the win with Philip Holwell (Peak Road Club) second and Marc Chamberlain (Hunt Bike Wheels) third. Unfortunately, Alan Gunner had tested positive for Covid earlier in the week and missed the race. Sadly only one man in black with fluorescent accessories this round. It’s been a cracking category to watch all season. A shame we haven’t had all the big hitters of the season all in the same race at once – that would be one to watch. Overall in the series, Marc Chamberlain took the title with Alan Gunner (Verulam) second and Philip Holwell third.
In Grand Vets Nick Craig (Scott) continued his domination of the series and his attempts to win the race starting two minutes ahead of him, Steve Calland (Team TMC – Strada Wheels) took another second place with David King-Smith in third. Overall the series goes to Nick Craig (a perfect score) with Ian Taylor (Shibden) in second and David King-Smith in third.
With Grant Johnson not starting in the Super Vet Males, Bruce Rollinson (All Terrain) took his first win of the season, Donald MacGregor (Dream Cycling) in second and Pete Harris (Pearce Cycles RT) back up to third. Grant Johnson takes the series, with Bruce Rollinson in second and Pete Harris in third. If you want to see what a normal human being rather than a super skinny XC whippet looks like on the Woody’s hills then check out Ade Vaudin on insta (@ade.vaudin). His daughter, Kylie, races in the Juniors so he races as well seeing as they come all the way from Guernsey. He makes it look as hard as it really is. Thanks, Ade. A gentleman you could say.
In Expert Female Grace Whitehouse (WarVena) took the win convincingly ahead of Christine Robson (Londres VC). Overall, Christina Wiejak (Saint Piran) took the series with three wins and a second. She was busy this weekend in a long solo breakaway in the rain at the National Road Champs. Apparently, she blew her doors and was caught, but she did it in style which is all anyone remembers. Grace Whitehouse was second and Sofia Christiansen third in the series.
Isla Short won the Elite Female convincingly in her second domestic XC showing this season. Anna Flynn (Spectra Wiggle) took second ahead of Elena McGorum (Peebles CC). Amy Henchoz was fourth with Eilish Gilbert (Torq) finishing the podium. Amy with the silent z moved up to the elite category only earlier this season after the first round and has certainly been showing she belongs there. Overall, Elena McGorum took the series with Jane Barr (Velocity 44) in second, Jo Thom (Torq) third, Any Henchoz fourth and Kirree Quayle (Manx Viking) in fifth.
In the Female Juniors it was Ella Maclean-Howell (Tofauti Everyone Active) who won commandingly ahead of team mate Libby Bell (Tofauti Everyone Active) and Emily Carrick-Anderson (T-Mo Racing). Phoebe Roche (WXC) and Kacey Eyeington (Derwentside) made up the podium. Overall, Emily Carrick-Anderson won the series, Phoebe Roche second, Kacey Eyeington third, Christina McGorum (Una Forza) fourth and Evie Steed (Sherwood Pines) in fifth. This has been another great category to watch this season with some right battles for the lower positions.
Ceris Styler (Backstedt) took another win in the Vet Females with Karen Heppenstall and Ruth Taylor (Element) behind her. Not sure where all the other vet women were this weekend but only three raced. Karen Heppenstall won the series with Ruth Taylor second and Mel Paddington in third.
In Grand Vets Isla Rowntree (Islabikes) dusted off the racing kit to take the win with Lindsay Newman (Pedal Power Loughborough) in second and Christina Peyton third. Overall the series was won by Lindsay Newman with Caroline Mansfield (Morvelo Magspeed) second and Virginia Roberts (Albion) in third.
Carolyn Spiers won both the Grand Vet Female race and the overall series, celebrating with the extra cheeky lap as usual and still beating some in the category ahead of her. Technical courses. She loves them.
Looking at the entries for Woody’s compared to Cannock it’s noticeable how few women there were across all of the entries. It’s also noticeable how little depth there is in the female field. There’s a big gap between those who race internationally and those who stay domestically. That’s not a criticism, more an observation, and it’s probably true about a great deal of women’s sport in more general terms. And no, I don’t know what to do about it apart from chipping away at the inherent misogyny within society and sport slowly and steadily. I hope it’s getting more acceptable for women to be strong, fit, covered in mud and to be athletic role models for all, but I’m never sure. Equality musing over, let’s return to racing.
Cam Orr (Team Inspired) managed to keep his shoes on this round and took the Elite Male win just ahead of Charlie Aldridge (Scott) with Cam Mason (Trinity) just ahead of Joe Blackmore (Team Inspired) for third and fourth, and Isaac Mundy (Spectra Wiggle) finishing the podium. Overall, Charlie Aldridge won the series with Cam Mason second, Rory McGuire (Leslie Bike Shop) third, Joe Blackmore fourth and Corran Carrick-Anderson (T-Mo) in fifth. It’s Corran’s first season as an Elite.
Max Greensill (Hope) took his third win of the season in the Junior Males. It’s good to see him back to full strength after Covid took out his CX and early XC season. Huw Buck Jones (Backstedt) was second, Jack Southcott (Rotor) third with Reuben Oakley (Rotor) and Ben Askey (FlandersColor Galloo) battling for fourth and fifth. Overall. Max Greensill takes the series, with Nathan Smith (Hope) second, Reuben Oakley third, Jack Southcott fourth and Tom Scott (Trek Sheffield Fox Valley) in fifth.
In the Male Experts, Sam Howes (Sleaford Wheelers) won a close battle with Spencer Davies (CC AbergavennyJPSignsPrint) to take top spot on the podium and his best result of the season. Contrary to Schwalbe Tim’s way of thinking, Spencer doesn’t always ride in a group. This is an older person’s joke if you need it explaining. Ross Thorley (Manx Viking) narrowly beat Kieran Wynne-Cattanach (Team Lifting Gear Products) for third. Overall, Flynn Gregory (Derby Mercury) won the series with Sam Howes second, thanks to this weekend’s win, and Sam Sayers in third.
In case you are wondering, yes, Jeffski the Giraffe and the Chase Racing Team were there in full voice. I’m sure everyone will get used to inflatable giraffes soon. Indeed, if you see them appearing on the international circuit you know where it started.
All that remains in the XC Nationals season is the Champs up at Kirroughtree. One last chance for glory but also a stripy jumper. Plus the first ever UK Short Track Champs (19+ only this year). Enter here.
Thanks to all of the amazing people who have helped with this series in any and all ways: course builders, organisers, marshals, commissaires, food and drink suppliers, people who lug stuff around in vans, photographers, media bods, sponsors and supporters, and the riders. Oh, and the commentators. It’s not been an easy year with the constant changing of venues but it’s been a lot of fun and some cracking racing.
Thanks also to:
Schwalbe Tyres for all the rubbery goodness.
Vertebrate Publishing
Torq Fitness
