SouthernXC 2014 Round 3 Report

Steve James rode with Isaac Pucci and Ade Lansley for only the first lap this time, before putting a minute into Ade on the second lap. Isaac took his time and fought his way back to catch Ade on the last lap and take second in a sprint finish. Llewellyn Holmes had a great ride for fourth only one minute back. Steve James now leads the series from Ade Lansley by 21 points. Catriona Ross caught a fast starting Emily Benham at the end of the second lap to make it a hat trick of wins for the WDMBC rider. This race stayed at the original four laps and all racers finished, with Ruby Miller putting in a very gutsy ride of 02:43:36 for seventh place. In the Expert Male race, Phillip Pearce capitalised on his main rival, Michael Guilford, struggling in the conditions to take a second win in the series. Jenny Thomson won the Expert Female race again beating Nicola Heath by nearly 11 minutes. The Grand Vet race followed the familiar pattern of Mark Chadbourne leading from the off on the course he helped build, to beat Nigel Brown, with SMBC's own Steve Jones managing third. Carol Tilley continued her clean sweep of wins in the Grand Vet Female race, with Maggie Maundrell pulling out on the second lap while leading. In the Junior Male race Will Taylor fought off a hard chasing Liam Earl to claim victory and close in on Liam for the series lead. Holly MacMahon consolidated her series lead with a fine second place to Ffion James in the Junior Female race. Stu Bowers used his cyclocross skills to good effect to win the Master Male race from regular mtb racers Kim Little and Rob Purcell. In the Sport Male race, Peter Warner took advantage of Bruce Spilsbury's absence to take a fine win and move into second in the series from Chris McGovern finishing in fourth today. Ian Petherbridge leads the Super Vets series with a hat trick of wins, while Dean Morgan leads the Veterans series, scoring points in three rounds. Lewis King and Paul Hopkins resumed battle with Lewis winning by just one minute 22 seconds. Liz Gilmour won the Veteran Female race to take the series lead. In the Youth Male race Dan Tulett (Under 16 National Cyclocross champion) rode the fastest lap of the day to win by 6 minutes over series leader Christopher Rothwell. Emily Wadworth completed a hat trick of wins in the Youth Female race. Megan James won the Juvenile Female race again and Noah Charlton returned to form to win the Juvenile Male race. West Drayton now lead the Team Series as Team Darenth support their local race. Overall, a challenging race that clearly favoured the cyclocross riders mud skills. The series continues with the Southern Championship round at Porridgepot Hill on 18th May.