SouthernXC 2014 Round 2 Report - Video

A strong Elite Male field quickly formed into two groups. Ade Lansley, Steve James and Isaac Pucci worked together for 5 laps sharing the work. Meanwhile George Budd, Mike Cotty, Chris Minter and newbie Henry Sleight maintained a gap of about 30 seconds. Come the final lap, Steve James put the accelerator down and rode away with the win from the first group. George Budd beat Mike Cotty in a sprint finish after Chris punctured and Henry crashed on the last lap.

Catriona Ross continued her successful start to her first year as Elite with a more comfortable win over Louise Robinson this round. Another Midlands rider, Jules Toone, ventured south to take third place.

Mike Guilford avenged his first round defeat to Phillip Pearce by grinding out a gap which stretched to 30 seconds only for Phillip to charge back to reduce it to 5 seconds on the line.

The usual crew fought out the Grand Vets race and the pecking order was maintained with Mark Chadbourne, Nigel Brown and Rob Jackson repeating the Round 1 result.

The Junior Male race showed Liam Earl stronger again than Will Taylor. Abigail Van Twisk won the Junior Female race but left her shoes in the arena! Megan James and Luke Mitchie repeated their wins at Round 1 in the Juvenile category.

Rob Purcell returned to winning ways in the Masters race after Paul Lloyd, round 1 winner punctured on the second lap.

Owen Pattinson and James Styrin continued their dominance in the Open Male race, and behind them some excellent results from regulars Darren Chappell (7th) and John Speed (10th); both regulars at the Rampage races on the same course.

Bruce Spilsbury won the Sport male race.

Crispin Doyle arrived to spoil Marc Chamberlain's dominance of the previous Veterans round. And Marc found himself in a photo finish with Lewis King after riding together for 5 laps with identical lap time.

The Youth Female race attracted riders from Cornwall and The North with Evie Lane (Fully Sussed) and Eve Lyon (Nutcracker) travelling to give Emily Wadsworth some competition.

A special mention for our youngest ever rider - Oliwer Kunecki just 20 months old - who completed a mini lap in 18 minutes. Great determination. And yes - he was in the right category for his age group ;) Overall a great days racing despite (or because of...) the lack of hills. The venue is also home to the Rampage races held in the Autumn - details at www.xcrampage.com. Next round on 27th April at Crow Hill in the New Forest.