BMX National Series 2006 Round 4

 

18 June 2006 - Cheddar | Report: Rich Eames

 

Results:

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Rider Series Rankings after 4 Rounds >>>>

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Report

Round four of the National series saw us return to the thriving metropolis that is Cheddar for another hearty slice of BMX racing cheese, sliced thick with a side order of crackers for our delectation. I'm not saying we go to the South West a lot, but my car knows its own way down the M5 now?

Saturday practice saw fantastic weather and according to the BBC it was warmer than both Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro and, with the racing that was set to go down, things could only get hotter. Bring it on!

6 and under saw the continuing battle between Gideon Orena and Lewis Hipkins in a grand prix styley. Lewis was the victor but had Gideon not DNF'd moto one it would have been very different.

Who is Richard Holec? A new name appeared in the sevens and despite not knowing anything about him he popped up and took the points, but all the action went on in the B final of this age group. Now I don't normally write about the 7-year-old B final but a five rider pile up on the first straight provided all the action we needed. George Rooke must have thought it was his birthday, as he was the only rider left standing and took any easy win in that one. Credit to all the pocket rockets though, they all got up to finish the lap bar Lewy Ranger, but he's a super trooper and I'm sure he'll be back on his bike for the next one.

The 8's saw Reece Brownson take his Team Intense bike to a well deserved first place, but Tom Novis continues to be in close proximity and will seize on any mistakes in future rounds.

Not to be outdone by his brother, Jimmy Orena put a great lap together to take the 9's with Mid Lanc's Jack Clarke just waiting for a chance to get by but it wasn't to be. Harry Gray Blest put in a stormer for third place.

The 10's was lead by another new face in the form of Czech W8 Michal Loukota and mamma mia is this boy quick! Zack Stevens held on for second place with Oliver Fay in third. Spare a thought for Brad Spick though as he went down super hard and managed to break both wrists?. Get well soon Brad!

11/12 Expert continues to be a huge class and there is absolutely no shortage of action. Bradley Minns was flying as per normal but as he hit the triples it was a case of 'Oh No Fernando' as he just seemed to explode on take off and went down in a huge heap along with Eliot Pullen and neither of them finished the lap with Bradley breaking a wrist to boot. Not good!

13/14 Expert was the raddest race of the day. Why? Deane Ashcroft pulled out some textbook moves in the turns to take a wire-to-wire win. Unfortunately, someone decided to send an SOS on behalf of the rest of the class and Deane ended up relegated to last place bumping Curtis Manaton to the top step of the podium and Matty Masterson up to second place. It doesn't matter though, that lap was rad Deane!!

15/16 Expert was the race I was waiting for. Could Cal Strickland come back to the winner's circle after losing his way at Tredegar? The gate dropped and it was a cavalry charge down the first straight with Cal leading into turn one and holding that lead to the line to take the points, and as we all know that's the name of the game in racing. Another plus point in this class is that it continues to be well supported with forty riders signed up and it's no mean feat to make the semis, let alone the main!

A quick round up of the girls racing saw Chloe Taylor win the 7-9's, Charlotte Green took the 10-12's and Nicola Reed won the 13-15's. The dancing queens of 25 and over ladies was a close run thing with Niki Spiers winning by just a point. Niki was also missing a pair of blue Oakleys so if you found a pair you know who to return them to?.thanks!

Cheddar is a jumpers' track so when Junior Females are on the track it means Joey Gough comes into her own with her trail skills and leaves the rest to battle for second place. Ria Goodman took her pink One bicycle round the 'hot corners' for second and Lucy Hale took her million dollar smile through for third.

Cruisers next; Jordi Schippers made a clean sweep of 12 and under, Matty Masterson made up for his disappointment on 20 inch by winning 13-15 Cruiser from Ryan Vinyard and Gregory Holloway. 16-29 Cruiser saw the emergence of a new victor in the form of Dave Ives but I have a dream that one day 'Regional' Roy Sutton will take the pink cruiser to the top of the podium. It wasn't to be on this day though, Roy had to settle for fourth and Juan Watney didn't fall off on his own for a change?.well done Wan! Does your mother know yet?

30-39 Cruiser seesaws between full on radness and Masters style comedy carnage which was demonstrated in fine style in the third round of motos as no less than six riders went down in one lap including your intrepid reporter who was the filling in a three bike sandwich over the first doubles. That was fun?.not!! Come the final and the level was raised yet again as Darren O'Neill and Ian Sharp headed to turn one with no one willing to give an inch. Bikes and bodies came together and Sharpie came off second best taking Dave Taylor and CJ Butler with him. Jeff Dovey took his new haircut to second place and James Christie kept up his consistent season with a third place, pretty good considering he was seventh into the first turn and if he's willing to take a chance every now and again he could win another national again for sure.

40 plus cruiser was a rad 3-way battle between Mike Pardon, Shaun Calvert and Ady Warden. Mike and Ady are the wild boys of the class, Mike's a seasoned traveller who's back to BMX after skating, surfing and hanging out with chiquitas on foreign beaches. Ady is the one-man entertainment show of the National series mixing a balls out riding style with crazy homeopathic remedies and an infectious smile. Shaun is the sensible family man whose enthusiasm for BMX knows no bounds. However, on the track the stereotypes go out the window and it's just straight up warfare as these three battle it out like its Waterloo. Once again the first turn was the scene of battle as Ady made contact with Shaun and let Mike sneak through into the lead. Shaun gave chase but it wasn't to be and Mike took the points. Shaun has promised no more Mr Nice Guy and a pedally Peterborough track suits his style so it should be an interesting day's racing to say the least.

Elite Cruiser met its demise as only 7 riders savoured the prospect of winning a few quid so it's no longer viable to run as a class. Thing is, if I move up now there will only be one of us to win the money?.now there's an idea!! Liam Phillips decided that the final Elite cruiser win would be his with Lewis Lacey taking second and Bob Van Westrop third.

Junior Men was as close as ever with Lee Bromfield moving out to an early lead and looking like he was going to give Dialled Bikes another national win until the last turn when Jonny Roberts made a desperate attempt at a pass sending Lee over the turn and to the back of the pack in the blink of an eye. Bromfield sat on the top of the turn in disbelief and wondered what might have been as Roberts lost momentum allowing Daniel Whyte through for the win with Shaun Issit in second.

Dare I say it? Masters is getting smooth, well, in the A final anyway!! Shaun Andrews held off Paul Tracey and Matt Hodkinson for yet another win. In the B final Miles and the Warlock had a get together in the first turn and a few words afterwards, Adrian Martin got sketchy and Paul Bennett looked the smoothest of the bunch but there's one thing for sure, its never boring!!

19 plus; Ever heard the phrase 'Blink and you'll miss it?' Well, I blinked and Shanaze Reade went from gate one to the grass and a suspected broken foot, right before the Worlds!! How? I guess I'll have to wait and see on the video I suppose. Meanwhile Wayne Richardson took an early lead until Russ Kirk got past him, the smallest of gaps opened and Tuffs got through as well leaving Wayne in third. Where was Marco this weekend? And the newly engaged Michael Brown? (hang on?daft question!!) Still, if they are not there they can't win can they? And that's the name of the game?winning!

And so, onto Elite Men; it's all about flat out speed and winning the money, money, money. Kelvin was on fire again through the Motos but Bloomy seems to be getting ready to strike, like there's more in the tank and he's got more to give but is holding back till the right time. Final one went Kelvin's way but final two was where it all got interesting. Entering the first turn Kelvin's wheel seemed to wash out and he went down hard taking Liam Batey and Wazza Bancroft with him. It was this sixth place that separated the two at the end of the day with Bloomy being the winner and Kelvin second overall and as we know the winner takes it all (or at least the biggest slice of cheese!). Wazza Bancroft went down again in the third final and looked thoroughly fed up. Respect to Ashley Davis for making the Elite Men's final as well, old school represent!!

And so endeth National series round 4, we'll be back again pretty soon for the Euros?. More cheese Vicar?

Knowing me, knowing you..aha!

NMKY