BikeArt 2012/13 Winter Series R4, Thetford Forest - Report by Paul Sanwell

Organised by Thetford MTB Racing, sponsored by BikeArt in association with Torq Fitness, Chelmer Cycles and P. Tuckwell Ltd. 

With the temperature hovering around the zero mark and light snow flurries throughout the day it lived up to it's name. Even so the car park soon filled and a large competitor turnout made for a great days racing. 

With the present economic climate also in the freezer it was good to see BikeArt who are located at High Lodge Forest Centre, Sandon Downham, Brandon, coming forward to sponsor the event. 

The course was a mixture of drying fast forest track combined with several technical sections which drew the photographers and spectators, although the hot food on offer always seemed to win out in the end. 

As it was the last race of the series the competitors were racing for event and Series glory. That may have been the case in most of the categories but for one in particular, The 4-Hour Solo Male 40+, it was already in the bag for Paul Ashby. Paul had previously won series 1 thru 3, achieving maximum points and could have afforded a lay-in followed by a cooked breakfast and still rolled up to collect his Series Category Prize. A man of true grit and determination, he not only turned out, he rode the race as if it all depended on the this result. Those that have followed the Winter Series over the years will also know that this is not just a season's triumph, Paul Ashby has won this event for the last seven years. Since in fact he moved into the Seniors Category. Also up there with Paul was Laura Sampson, Gipping Race Team rider who has dominated the 4hr Female event, recording four straight wins during this series. Andy Manning in the 2hr 40+ completed a clean sweep with his fourth win in this series. In the 2hr junior Male class, Paddy Atkinson made it three out of four.

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